Thursday, September 30, 2010

Current links for writers - September 30

Dual Protagonists? at Fiction Workbench

T3 - Types of Grief, Part 3 at The Character Therapist - Distorted grief and Disenfranchised grief

Polite and long at edittorrent - a short post on polite language

Obsessive Compulsive Editing Disorder (And How to Fight It) by Jeanne Kisacky at Writer Unboxed

If you don’t research your stories, you’re an idiot at Behler Blog

Sept #2: Top 25 Reasons Your Submissions are Rejected at The Blood-Red Pencil - plus 8 of why she'd ask to see more

Method of wrapping carrier pigeons at How to be a Retronaut - WW I & II story detail

Panama Canal fossils reveal ancient collision of worlds at BBC.com - just too cool!

CONTESTS

Glorious celebrations demand free books! at The Magic District

Original Contest delayed.... ...so we'll run a new one in it's place! - at Coffey. Tea. And Literary.

“It’s All About the Characters” Barbara White Daille at Seekerville

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Current links for writers - September 29

It's All About The Details by Jane Lebak at QueryTracker

Ambiguous Characters at Mystery Writing is Murder

Character arcs - how characters change at TalkToYoUniverse

The Rule of Two at The Laws of Making - what readers see as significant.

Don't Overuse Names in Dialogue at WordPlay

Talking to Agents and Editors at Conferences at Kidlit.com

Ten Ways to Get the Most from a Writers’ Conference at The Blood-Red Pencil

From Query Letter to Cover Copy by Elana Johnson

A BookEnds Rejection at BookEnds - what a typical (if kind) rejection looks like

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Book Sales and one way to help - at The Roving Editor

Soliciting Elves at AuthorCulture - a new(ish) press is taking submissions for SF/F

Save the Adverbs! at Book Dreaming - LOL!

CONTEST

The Rats are Back - Hilary Wagner and Nightshade City! at Market My Words

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Current links for writers - September 28

Better off dead? at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - Dead parents in YA

Lists for Inspiration and characterization - at Mystery Writing is Murder

Complex sentencing at edittorrent - Double-negative Construction

A Rose By Any Other Name is Still Too Flowery. And Purple. at The Other Side of the Story

Tip Tuesday #56 at Literary Rambles - handling critiques

NaNoWriMo at Paperback Writer

The Importance of a Polished Manuscript - A Guest Blog at Chip MacGregor

More on the series question at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

The boutique query at Behler Blog - Get it right the first time.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Current links for writers - September 27

FtQ chapter on creating tension at Flogging the Quill

Diverting Attention at Mystery Writing is Murder

Quirk Ten at Paperback Writer - Ten Things to Give Your Characters More Character

Writing Nowadays–Why the Pen Name? by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Professional Address at Gabrielle Edits - about your email address

Do some agents give up if a manuscript doesn't sell in the first round of submissions? at Ask a Literary Agent

Demystifying the Mystical Art of Negotiation at Authorial, agently and personal ramblings

Marketing 101: You and Your Marketing Manager at The Roving Editor

Coordinating a book blog tour: Dotting your Rs and Crossing your… Rs by Crystal Patriarche at Writer Unboxed

Working Social Media at BookEnds

Monday Guest Blogging Post by Regan Leigh at GotYA - Why Adult Women Connect with Young Adult Books

Among my people at Behler Blog - Have you ever noticed that people don’t understand your writerly life?

CONTESTS

Birthday Contest! at * Fiction Groupie * - win Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran or a 5 page critique

Trish Perry's The Perfect Blend Review and Giveaway! at The Character Therapist

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Current links for writers - September 26

Banned Books Week: “Put her in the fire!” by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

HIGH CONCEPT BOOKS at Help! I Need a Publisher! - What is high-concept?

So your character's "insane" - what does that mean? at TalkToYoUniverse

#179-FTW at Query Shark - a query that works for agent Janet Reid

Ever wanna know… at Behler Blog - just because it's too cool.
Short video: Bach Duo dance on a giant keyboard.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Current links for writers - September 23

250 Chances at The Other Side of the Story - the critical first page of your novel

Fixing Problems at Seekerville - Characterization and dialogue, and a writer's book contest

Cussing tips at The Blood-Red Pencil

T3 - Types of Grief, Part 2 by Jeannie Campbell at The Character Therapist - Conflicted grief and Chronic grief

5 Questions That Always Surprise Me When I Write a Book at Mystery Writing is Murder

In Defense of Dead/Absent Parents in Children's Literature by Nathan Bransford

I Did What?! at Book Dreaming - the importance of crit partners

Pitching part of a series at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - different advice than I usually read

Thrillers and Mysteries: Compelling and Enticing by Deren Hansen at The Laws of Making

When do you prefer to find out that a writer was formerly represented by another agent? at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Hostility, Mr. Konrath? I think not at Behler Blog

App Goes PBW at Paperback Writer - with a hilarious definition of "editor"

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Current links for writers - September 22

It's About Time at edittorrent - more on prologues, and why they do or don't work

Favorites at Mystery Writing is Murder - another way to get to know your characters

Intimacy and Invasion at TalkToYoUniverse

Re-Write Wednesday: Oh, What Now? at The Other Side of the Story

Pointers from the Pros: Agent and Author Donald Maass on Great Fiction (Pt. II) at My Daytime Drama

Tools of the trade – MS Word at Behler Blog

Do Political Beliefs Impact Representation at BookEnds

Why, Oh Why, Did I Get Rejected? at Rants & Ramblings

Options! Options! Options! at Jennifer Represents... - the option clause in your contract

CONTESTS

Sixth ''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest: Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy at Guide to Literary Agents

2K Giveaway! at Neverending Page Turner - two chances to win five books

Forecast: Early Frostfire at Paperback Writer - win an ARC of Lynn Viehl's next book

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Current links for writers - September 21

Making it realistic by Cheree Smith at Justified Lunacy

What. Would. My. Main. Character. Do. by Danielle Meyers at Revelations of a Smoothie Girl

Authentic Details Reflect Character's Inner Life & Change within the Story at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Flirting Fails by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

New Beginnings by Arizela at The Write Life

Pacing Ourselves at Mystery Writing is Murder

Guest Blog Post: How Deliberate Practice Can Make You an Excellent Writer at Writer Beware® Blogs!

Things Writers Should Keep Track Of: Part 2 at Books & Such - After Publication: Promotion

The Tripod of Publishing: Establishing Priorities at Adventures in Agentland

To Multi-book, or Not to Multi-book at Jennifer Represents...

Secret Agent Message at edittorrent - what she'd rather not see

10 Ways to Annoy a Literary Agent at Rants & Ramblings

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Current links for writers - September 19

Props in Fantasy at Chandara Writes

The Two Kinds Of Inspiration by Cassandra Brown at Writer Unboxed

What do Writers Owe Readers? by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Tapping Our Inner Dog by Steven Popkes at Book View Cafe - who domesticated who?

SPEAK Up. at Adventures in Writing - the shame of censorship

I believe this with all my heart by Janet Reid - also about Speak

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Current links for writers - September 18

A Piggyback Post: When Should They Meet? at edittorrent - this advice applies to your inciting incident, too

A MAJOR FLAW IN TEACHING CREATIVE WRITING (FICTION) EFFECTIVELY LIES IN OUR TERMINOLOGY by Les Edgerton - What we say ain’t always what we mean…

Query Letters by Denise Little

letters from the query wars 9/17/2010 at Arcaedia - when your submission contained a mistake

offended by rank OBJECTIFICATION of writers at A Grammar - LOL

Comic: The Paperless Office by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Current links for writers - September 14

Example of reader-character separation at edittorrent

Through My Eyes. Or Your Eyes. Or Somebody's Eyes. at The Other Side of the Story - about POV

Gender, Sex, Identity and A Bunch of Other Fascinating Issues by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

Treatment Tuesday - Postpartum Psychosis at The Character Therapist

Sweating Through Writer's Block at No Letters On My Keyboard

Deal Breakers: Do You Know What Yours Are? at * Fiction Groupie *

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Thomas W. Young at Guide to Literary Agents

The Promotional Quantity at Pimp My Novel

CONGRATULATIONS!

David Bridger's The Weaverfields Heir is sold!

CONTESTS

Today's Agent Pitch Contest! at Market My Words -Win a 1st chapter/query critique from agent Sarah LaPolla

Please welcome The Grammar Queen at Seekerville - Win a copy of Grammatically Correct

So Many Giveaways! at Literary Rambles - Win an ARC of EXTRAORDINARY by Nancy Werlin or a hardcover of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green and David Levithan.

Via Elana Johnson - Win LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden and BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz.

By Jennifer Jackson at Arcaedia - Win a copy of Antiphon by Ken Scholes

At Confessions From Suite 500 - Win a copy of Lisa Desrochers' debut novel Personal Demons

WriteOnCon is have a flurry of contests! Leave a comment on each of the giveaways you wish to enter.

ARC of CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tom Greenwald

Between Shades of Gray ARC (by Ruta Sepetys) + Swag!!

Critique by author Caroline Starr Rose

Critique by author Tessa Gratton

Critiques, Books, Preorders, Oh My! (from Kendare Blake)

Critiques + Bad Taste in Boys (by Carrie Harris) Swag!

Pre-Order of WARPED by Maurissa Guibord + Unicorn Charm!!

Query + First Chapter Critique from Author Dawn Metcalf

Signed ARC of Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Signed Books from Author Randy Russell

Signed Copy of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Pre-Order of Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

Monday, September 13, 2010

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Current links for writers - September 9

Character Motivation at Gabrielle Edits

Finding the Funny in Your Writing by Margeanne Mitchell at * Fiction Groupie *

Increasing Conflict In Fiction at Fiction Workbench

What ''Show, Don't Tell'' Really Means, by Agent Mary Kole at Guide to Literary Agents

Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue by Nathan Bransford

Getting Violently Epic at The Other Side of the Story

Are You Connected? at The Blood-Red Pencil - Sometimes you can’t do the actual research yourself.

On Breaking the Rules at Pimp My Novel

Behind the Scenes at a Pub Committee Meeting - at Rants & Ramblings

Fish or Cut Bait by Allison Winn Scotch at Writer Unboxed - about that second novel

An Opportunity to Read for Weronika Janczuk

CONGRATS!

I Haven't Snogged on Myself in a While - Stephen Parrish and The Tavernier Stones

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Current links for writers - September 7

Not at This Address by Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming

I Wish by Madeleine E. Robins at Book View Cafe - characterization wish fulfillment

Flirting 101: Bust a Move by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Heroic Traits and Scene Development at edittorrent

Capitalizing on the Strengths in Your Manuscript at Mystery Writing is Murder

Tip Tuesday #53 at Literary Rambles

How to Deal With Contradictory Query Advice by Nathan Bransford

DC4W: Be Friendly, Let Them Talk, and Give Them a Chance to Say, "Yes" by Deren Hansen - includes tips on queries

Earning Money By Writing Fiction? Part 1 at Fiction Workbench

Either ... Or at Joyously Prolific - how the world of publishing is changing

Leaving Your Mark Behind while blogging - by Elana Johnson

CONTEST

Plum Blossoms Everywhere at Stephen Parrish

CONGRATULATIONS!

''How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack'' Comes Out Today!!! by Chuck Sambuchino

Monday, September 6, 2010

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Current links for writers - September 5

Dragging out ending at edittorrent

Is Your Story Mysterious Enough? at Wordplay

Comic: Not An Old Wives’ Tale After All by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Writer crash test by Holly Lisle - problems in novels & their fixes -- Holly is a great teacher

Current links for writers - September 4

Young Characters Are People Too at edittorrent

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Herbalist Shop (Fantasy) by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Reviews – How should an author react? by Chris Dolley at Book View Cafe - about reviews

MONEY MATTERS FOR AUTHORS at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Reader Requests at The Blood-Red Pencil - "I recently asked readers in a Kindle forum what they would like to see more of in novels. Here are their answers, verbatim."

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Current links for writers - September 2

Lullaby Language: Putting Your Readers to Sleep by Gerald M. Weinberg at Book View Cafe - great tips to use these words to create the effect you want

What's in a name? at edittorrent - the comments are interesting, too.

Writing About People We Know at Mystery Writing is Murder

Washing Clothes across cultures at TalkToYoUniverse - details to consider in your fiction

The Pernicious Momentum of First Ideas by Nathan Bransford

This is Why You Always Meet Your Deadlines at Pimp My Novel

Fiction Book Proposal Questions at Fiction Workbench

Be Confident: Let your writing do the talking for your query - by Janet Reid

What Drives an Agent Crazy? Part 4 at Books & Such - when a client leaves an agent badly

Author Headshots at Rants & Ramblings - tips for the (dreaded) photo

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Current links for writers - September 1

Keep Unfolding by Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming

Of Disasters and Scenes at Fiction Workbench

The Inner Journey by Donald Maass at Writer Unboxed

Re-Write Wednesday Golden Oldie: Get Over Overstating at The Other Side of the Story

The art of paragraphing by Jordan McCollum

Resources for Bloggers at Mystery Writing is Murder

How I Found My Agent by Sarah Page at Literary Rambles

Your Questions, My Answers at Rants & Ramblings - including query tips

Agent Barbara Poelle On: 6 Things Writers Can Do To Make Their September Rock at Guide to Literary Agents

From the Vault: Don't quit! at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

After the Book Deal at Black Gate

Follow-Up on Writers Earning Money at The Rejecter

Promotion is like Costco at Behler Blog - great tips!

Secrets to Author Promotion by Danyelle Leafty at QueryTracker - more helpful tips

Self-Publishing Realities by Bob Mayer at GenReality

CONTEST

Happy September! at KT Literary - win a galley of Small Persons With Wings