Blog posts for writers - February 28

Seeing like a writer and gaining voice from Behler Blog

Writers on Writing: Sentence Structure Oopsies by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Omit Needless Words & Tighten Your Writing Part III from Literary Rambles

Taking Chances from brian's blog: writer talk

Idea scoopage: How not to rewrite someone else's book from The word is my oyster

The Ten Writing Commandments from The Writing Spectacle

CONTEST

New Paranormal Contest on Guide to Literary Agents via Why A?

JUST BECAUSE

It's official: I am now the queen of oatcakes from Scotland for the Senses - great blog about Scotland's places, folks and food!

Blog posts for writers - February 27

I've been a very slack blogger the last couple of days - I have a new project that I'm obsessed with - but Cheree at Justified Lunacy still left me this pretty award!

Thank you, Cheree!

I'm to pass it on to five bloggers, so here they are:
John Sankovich at A little bit of...
Lizzy Mason at Potent Potables
Juliette Wade at TalkToYoUniverse
Abby at Dribblings of an Aspiring Urban Fantasy Writer
Lisa Amowitz at Why A? The Blog of Lisa Amowitz, young adult writer

Now for the links I've saved up:

Good Vs. Done by Elana Johnson

Five Quick Tips for Writing Better Dialogue from Gabrielle Edits

Is your main character vanilla? from Behler Blog

Characters and Conflict from Mystery Writing is Murder

Different Minds, Different Voices from TalkToYoUniverse

The writer’s toolkit: A voice journal for character development from the Book Deal

The many faces of plotting. by Paul Crilley at the Magic District

Single Image from Will Everchase

Online Platform Do’s and Don’ts from Kidlit.com

Is This Your Query? from Paperback Writer

15 Resources for a Better Query Letter at Write It Sideways via The Sharp Angle

Terms to Know: Frontlist vs. Backlist from Pimp My Novel

Blog posts for writers - February 24

Backstory isn’t always evil from Behler Blog

But How Do You FEEL About That? by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

I got scooped! by Editorial Ass

Social Media: Doing Your Homework by Patricia Stoltey at The Blood-Red Pencil

Why Editors Use Form Rejection Letters by Amy Sterling Casil at Book View Cafe

Writing A Query Letter With Voice by Elana Johnson

Reasons for Submission Guidelines from Rants & Ramblings

How Do You Handle Critiques? (and a call for Volunteers) at * Fiction Groupie *

Footnotes: 6 Articles on Building a Platform at Guide to Literary Agents

Blog posts for writers - February 23

Descriptions from Chandara Writes

Five Strategies for Inspiring Creativity by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

NEW! The Symbolism Thesaurus from the Bookshelf Muse

Streamlined Social Networking from * Fiction Groupie *

Website Wednesday at Pimp My Novel

Writing / Research Tip Tuesday #25 from Literary Rambles - saving your work online

Another Vanity Award: The 2010 Creative Spirit Awards from Writer Beware

How Much Do You Love Your Story? from the Sharp Angle

How I Know I’m a Writer by David B. Coe at Science Fiction & Fantasy Novelists

HURRAY!

BSP (Blatant Self-Promotion) at Mystery Writing is Murder

CONTEST

A Super Fantastic Celebration Contest! via Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Blog posts for writers - February 22

You Need A Reserve For Returns For eBooks Like You Need A Hole In Your Head from Pub Rants

Communicating with Your Agent at Rants & Ramblings

SASE-itis at Behler Blog

Writing Nowadays: The Manuscript by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Pre-Branding Yourself as an Author from * Fiction Groupie *

Do Small Press Credits Hurt My Chances? from Kidlit.com

Publicity: It's Never Too Early to Think Ahead by Elana Johnson and Lizzy Mason at QueryTracker

The Bare Minimum from Mystery Writing is Murder - about the basics before you submit a ms

Why You Should Steal From Other Authors from Wordplay

writing action from brian's blog: writer talk

Trust Me, I'm a Reader from The Other Side of the Story

CONTEST

Spread the Love Contest! at Shooting Stars - giving away two first-five page critiques

Blog posts for writers - February 21

Writers on Writing: the Dreaded Data-Dump by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Subplots from Mystery Writing is Murder

Omit Needless Words & Tighten Your Writing: Part II from Literary Rambles

Language Pride/Language Control from TalkToYoUniverse

Tax time? at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Query letter stats by Janet Reid

CONTESTS

3 Hot Contests via Paperback Writer

Author Spotlight & Book Giveaway with Kolina Topel via Step 1: Write, Edit, and Revise.

Contest: Is Your Hook a Gold Medalist? at The Bookshelf Muse

Blog posts for writers - February 19

“Aren’t all agents the same to you?” from Behler Blog

A personalized rejection: Can I respond to that? also from Behler Blog

Can I Requery If I Get an Offer? from Kidlit.com

Ways to Trash Your Writing Career: It’s Not the Crime, it’s the Cover-up by Laura Anne Gilman at Book View Cafe

Audience Development: Critical to Every Writer’s Future by Jane Friedman at Writer Unboxed

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Tia Nevitt at Guide to Literary Agents

Plot and Emotion cont. from Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Omit Needless Words & Tighten Your Writing: Part 1 from Literary Rambles

She aims the gun as she edits by Kathryn Craft at The Blood-Red Pencil

The End is -- Shoot, Too Soon from The Other Side of the Story

Beware of Fake Awards by Victoria Strauss at Writer Beware Blogs!

CONTESTS

Mardi Gras Friday- Enter the Scavenger Hunt for Grand Prizes at Market My Words

My Mistake, Your Gain–A Fun Drawing for 10 Free Memberships from Holly Lisle at Pocket Full of Words

Fun Friday - Free Agenty Stuff at Shooting Stars - links to several contests

Blog posts for writers - February 18

Queries in First Person from BookEnds, LLC

Must Give Good Blog from * Fiction Groupie * - editors do check you out

Guest Blogger: Kathi Lipp at Rants & Ramblings - How To Be a Second-Time Author

Putting Forth the Effort - Even When It's Not 'Necessary' from The Writing Spectacle

Tax Tips for Writers from Guide to Literary Agents

Tools for the Writer’s Life: Day 4 from Books & Such - more tips on taxes

Brainstorming—by Kathy McIntosh. at Mystery Writing is Murder - I want to try this!

The “Said” Trap from Gabrielle Edits

Details Matter from Elaine English

Easy Self-Edits by L.J. Sellers at The Blood-Red Pencil

52 Qualities of the Prosperous Writer: Number Seven, Containment from the Sharp Angle

The Trends in Fiction from Chip MacGregor

CONTEST

Mardi Gras Thurs/Effective Social Media with Gurus from Market My Words

ROFL

Book Marketeering Do's and Don'ts: A Primer from the Intern

Blog posts for writers - February 17

Are Publishers Taking Risks Anymore? from KidLit.com

The series sashay from Behler Blog - a publisher's take on series

Mardi Gras Wed!/Marketing to Indie Bookstores from Market My Words - great interview with agent Marietta Zacker and another contest

The Feeling Something is Wrong from Mystery Writing is Murder - medicating your manuscript

How to Plot (or Revise) Your Book by Suzette Saxton at QueryTracker - clear advice

Re-Write Wednesday: The Spit Shine from The Other Side of the Story - and more good advice

Where the Rubber Meets the Road from Rants & Ramblings - challenged nearly to the breaking point

Inspired Living Publishing: Another Vanity Anthology Scheme by Victoria Strauss at Writer Beware Blogs!

John Sankovich at A little bit of... has awarded my other blog - Deb Salisbury, The Mantua-Maker with the "Creative Writer" award in his current post: WiP Wednesday

Thanks, John!

Have a look at my award, and at an incredible video shot in San Francisco - in 1906! Apparently just days before the earthquake. Any Steampunk writers out there? Or historicals? Pure inspiration.

Blog posts for writers - February 16

Quoting Rejection Letters from BookEnds, LLC

Pitch for Fiction/Nonfiction – is it ambidextrous? from Behler Blog

Man Up: Writing Male POV from * Fiction Groupie * - I love the chart! Plus great advice

Ask the Editor: Strong Female Characters by Helen Ginger at The Blood-Red Pencil

My Hero Wrote This Chapter by scott g.f.bailey at the Literary Lab

Did I Just Say That? from The Other Side of the Story - Characters can say stupid things too

The Uniqueness of You by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed - thoughts on voice

Country Identity by Juliette Wade at TalkToYoUniverse - about how people form a concept about another country

CONTEST

Mardi Gras Tuesday! How to do Frugal Promotion! from Market My Words - contest & great interview

Into the Wide Blue Yonder from Book Dreaming - contest(s) reminder, and great quotes

Blog posts for writers - February 15

Writing Nowadays: Treatments by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Formatting Guidelines at BookEnds, LLC

How to murder your brilliance in one simple sentence from Behler Blog

Honest to Godiva, I think you DON'T want to hear from me from Janet Reid - contact info!

Query Me This from The Other Side of the Story - great query writing tips

Pitchcraft from Kidlit.com - do's and don't's

Saying No After I've Requested Your Manuscript from Rants & Ramblings

The OTHER italicized section from Getting Past the Gatekeeper - inner monologues

Surprise—and betrayal by Jordan McCollum

The Importance of a Catalyst from the Sharp Angle - every good story contains a catalyst

Universal Foolishness by Davin Malasarn at the Literary Lab - watch the video. Then please tell me why something so joyful made so many of us cry.

WORKSHOP

My New Free Writing Workshop from Holly Lisle - I want to take this one!

CONTESTS

Pay It Forward Query Critique Contest by Elana Johnson - great prizes!
- FIVE query letters critiqued by real agents
- FIVE more winners will win a free copy of her eBook, From the Query to the Call
- FIVE more winners will win a package of her all-time favorite writing tools: the super-sticky, super-size Post-it note.

Mardi Gras Monday! Marketing to Librarians at Market My Words - Marketing Mardi Gras Giveaway Week!
- Daily Prizes
- Followers' Prizes
- Scavenger Hunt Grand Prizes.

Blog posts for writers - February 14

Writers on Writing: Scaffolding by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Plot Patterns and Happy Endings from Mystery Writing is Murder

Ideas for Writing by Shon Bacon at The Blood-Red Pencil - very thoughtful article

Strengthen Your Story by Writing the “Perfect” Review from Wordplay

More on comparisons by Janet Reid - on comparisons for queries

Happy Valentine's Day from Things about Transylvania - I love her quote!

Blog posts for writers - February 13

getting it right vs. getting it done by Rachel Aaron at the Magic District

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Valerie Geary at Guide to Literary Agents

Three great posts from Getting Past the Gatekeeper:

When you request a manuscript, do you usually read the whole thing?

Should I include a link to my blog/Web site in my query?

The Italicized Section

My cat wants to know what the white stuff is. It isn't supposed to stick in central Texas!

Blog posts for writers - February 12

Details, details... they create trust. The right details, that is. from edittorrent

Suspense fix: Raise the stakes from Jordan McCollum - this is part of a great series

Genre Blending and Your Character’s Love Life from Mystery Writing is Murder

Are you wearing your character? from Behler Blog - tips to improve your characterization

Staying in character – don’t break the umbilical cord - more great tips from Lynn Price at Behler Blog

Ways to Trash Your Writing Career: Guaranteed Career Suicide by Nancy Jane Moore at Book View Cafe

It Isn't the Pitch, It's the Story by scott g.f.bailey at The Literary Lab

Shocking news just in: I like editing/revising. from Revelations of a Smoothie Girl

HURRAY - A BOOK DEAL

Buzz Time—YA author Leah Clifford and A TOUCH MORTAL from Lisa Amowitz at Why A?

CONTESTS

200 Followers Contest! from Book Dreaming

Let's get this Par-Tee Started! BYOB! from Market My Words - coming soon

ROFL

Friday Funnies! from Pub Rants - if only I could write like this on purpose!

Blog posts for writers - February 11

http://internspills.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-does-publishing-book-take-so-long.html from the Intern

Wrong Genre from BookEnds, LLC - what this agent feedback means

The Manuscript Wearing Sunglasses and a Hat That Won't Give Its Name from Editorial Anonymous

Spend Your Social Time Wisely by Shelli Johannes-Wells at Elana Johnson's blog

How Convenient! - Contrived Coincidence from * Fiction Groupie *

All By Myself, Don't Wanna Be, All By Myself from The Other Side of the Story - It can be lonely being a protagonist.

Re-Write Wednesday: A Long Time Ago... also from The Other Side of the Story - about Flashbacks

Blog posts for writers - February 10

Submission Cycles from Pub Rants - If you are thinking about querying, read the last line

Query Letter Writing - The Dreaded Middle from Elana Johnson

The Publishing of Imperfection from Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Obtaining Permissions from BookEnds, LLC

Keeping Money in its Place from Rants & Ramblings - quickest way to lose the joy in writing

What is a Brand? from Chip MacGregor - best answer I've seen

Too Stupid To Live Characters from * Fiction Groupie *

Have we been properly introduced? from Behler Blog - characterization tip

How the Brain Responds to a Loved One's Pain by Livia Blackburne: A Brain Scientist's Take on Creative Writing

Strange Houses by Paperback Writer - trolling for small details

Fingers That Don't Leave Prints by Sandra Parshall at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Blog posts for writers - February 9

There are No Absolutes from BookEnds, LLC - about editors buying books by unknown authors

Critique Partners, the Cursing, and You or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the F-Bomb from Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Craft, Story and Voice from Rants & Ramblings - putting it all together

Suspense fix: Arm the antagonist by Jordan McCollum

You Got ta Have -- Enemies from The Other Side of the Story

The Protagonist, Asleep from the Literary Lab

DECIPHERING REJECTION LETTERS from Help! I Need a Publisher!

Isn't It Ironic? from The Sharp Angle - great advice for your pitch/query

Well, my story is a drib of this and a drab of that from Behler Blog - how NOT to pitch

2010 SCBWI New York Notes from across the Net from Market My Words - lots of great links

Jigsaw Puzzles, Not Everyone Likes Them from Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers - encouraging words for puzzled writers

Blog posts for writers - February 8

THE CALL or, What to Ask a Literary Agent When Offered Representation from Literary Rambles

Ask the editor: Tips for blending in the backstory from The Book Deal

My Paragraphs are Frankensteins from Book Dreaming

There Is Trouble Brewing by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe - make your writing stronger

Get Unstuck by Michele Lang at the Magic District - great tips, but I love the photo

Secrets from Mystery Writing is Murder

A word about titles from Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Ten Tips for Formatting Your Electronic Submission from Gabrielle Edits

CONTEST

Giveaway: Fun Five Ways from Forgotten Bookmarks

Blog posts for writers - February 7

Brevity from Mystery Writing is Murder

Your Embellished Sentences from edittorrent - more on description

Writers on Writing–Emotion by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

advance story/character from brian's blog: writer talk

Deep POV myth #1 also from edittorrent

On the Effort Meter, This Manuscript Is Reading 'Sisyphean' from Editorial Anonymous - what makes a MS "too much work" ?

Email epilepsy from Behler Blog - what to NOT do with your email query

A POINTY POINT ABOUT QUERIES from Help! I Need a Publisher!

When You’re Not Inspired also from Mystery Writing is Murder

CONTEST

''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest: Middle Grade and Young Adult from Guide to Literary Agents

Blog posts for writers - February 5

Ways to Trash Your Writing Career: Surrender, Dorothy! by Brenda Clough at Book View Cafe

Historical Research—a Guest Post by Charlotte Bowen at Mystery Writing is Murder

Folklore, Parable and Metaphor by Juliette Wade at TalkToYoUniverse

Hey you, reader, HI THERE!: Author Intrusion by Roni Griffin at * Fiction Groupie *

Who Is Your Protagonist When He's At Home? from The Literary Lab - great tip!

One Step Forward and Two Steps Back from The Other Side of the Story - about revising

Story Sensei online classes--a list and a poll from Story Sensei

Hello, boss? I, uh, won’t be able to make it to work… from Behler Blog - serious "Awwww" factor

Blog posts for writers - February 4

Ach, my armpits smell – getting unstuck by writer Lynn Price at Behler Blog

Words from the Wise: CJ Cherryh at Book View Cafe - a personal history of publishing

Good Idea/Bad Idea from Pimp My Novel - thoughts for writers

Take Advice with a grain of salt. from Step 1: Write, Edit, and Revise. - about critiques

Head-hopping: How to Make Your Reader Dizzy from * Fiction Groupie *

MORE POINTS OF VIEW - SAYS WHO? SAYS I from Help! I Need a Publisher!

Brains on a Page from The Other Side of the Story - we don't always get what's in our heads onto the page

The Last-Glance Editing Checklist from Gabrielle Edits

Blog posts for writers - February 3

Runaway Tree from Book Dreaming - on details

Learning By Analyzing by Will Everchase

Distinctive Characters at Mystery Writing is Murder

Tension fix: Bring out internal conflicts by Jordan McCollum

Re-Write Wednesday: The Frankendraft from The Other Side of the Story

Why Prologues Often Don’t Work from Pub Rants

The Sign of a Real Pro at BookEnds, LLC - from an agent's POV

Query Letter Writing - First and Last from Elana Johnson

How to Trim Your Query to 250 Words (or Fewer): Advice from Agent Janet Reid from Guide to Literary Agents

CONTESTS

Contests on the Web from Shooting Stars

A Year of Learning by Juliet Marillier at Writer Unboxed

Blog posts for writers - February 2

The Drug of Choice for Writer's Block: Speed from * Fiction Groupie *

Author Platform and the Debut of Your Book from Guide to Literary Agents

Seven Deadly Sins for Novel Writing: Sin #VII from The Bookshelf Muse - Sin #7: TMI (Too much information)

Writing / Research Tip Tuesday #22 from Literary Rambles - travel blogs

Advanced searching in Microsoft Word from Gary Corby, via Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Order! Order! from Behler Blog - what a publisher wants to see in a query

The Top Ten Query Mistakes from Rants & Ramblings

Moth Thoughts from Book Dreaming - wonderful

Blog posts for writers - February 1

Marketing: Using the Social Media at AuthorCulture

Because the answer can be no from Gabrielle Edits - why agents hate rhetorical questions

PITCH YOUR HOOK from Help! I Need a Publisher!

Log Lines! Book Summaries! from Literary Rambles

Point of View: more personal than pronouns from TalkToYoUniverse

Description and Descriptive from edittorrent

Tension fix: Cut to the chase by Jordan McCollum

Talking About the Past from The Other Side of the Story - thoughts on backstory from earlier novels in a series

Do you know the difference between an epiphany and a character arc? from Plot to Punctuation

Editing out the Extras from Mystery Writing is Murder

The Writer’s Guide to the Courtroom: Let’s Quill All the Lawyers from Behler Blog - I want this book!

CONTEST

A Brain Scientist, an Editor, and an Agent Walk Into a Bar from Livia Blackburne