Current links for writers - August 31

Step Off the Gas at The Blood-Red Pencil

EDITING FOR TOUGHIES at Help! I Need a Publisher! - The difference between a first draft and the final draft should be vast.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Time with an Editor or Agent at The Roving Editor

Talking to Book Clubs at Mystery Writing is Murder

To Endorse or Not to Endorse at Rants & Ramblings

Happy Release Day for The Paperback Shifter by Janice Hardy at The Other Side of the Story

CONTEST

Bio Time at Shooting Stars

Current links for writers - August 30

Tension in your first sentence at Flogging the Quill

Chapters and Scenes at Kidlit.com

What High Concept Means by Nathan Bransford - think "Snakes on a Plane"

Learning From the Masters by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

Whom is the Person Which I Know? at The Blood-Red Pencil - quick tips to remember the rules

The science of paragraphing by Jordan McCollum

How to Write a Proposal That an Editor Will Love: Part 2 at The Roving Editor

From the Vault: What we do at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - more things an agent does

Exclusives seem, to GK, nearly exclusively unwise. at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Ignorant is as ignorant does at Behler Blog

Writing Online Book Reviews at Rants & Ramblings - tips for writers

Story Structure--Demystified, by Larry Brooks at AuthorCulture - a new writing book on my "I want it!" list

CONTESTS

"The Familiars" - Arc giveaway and Guest Post by Andrew Jacobson at Market My Words - plus a post on log lines.

A New Contest: win a query or one-page critique from Snarky! at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - write a rejection letter for Snarky

Current links for writers - August 29

Building materials at TalkToYoUniverse

What’s Your Specialty? at Mystery Writing is Murder

Should You Edit As You Go? at Wordplay

Reading your competition at Behler Blog

To Have or Have Not a Facebook Page by Meryl Evans at Writer Unboxed

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Bookstore by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse - just because I love bookstores. :-)

Current links for writers - August 28 - News!

I am thrilled to announce that my story,

Amber Profits,

was selected to be published in

Aurora in the Dawn

Aurora Wolf's first anthology.

Now available at:

http://www.createspace.com/3454560

Current links for writers - August 27

Climbing Aboard the Dragon: Maps and the Fantasy Writer by Michael Jasper at Black Gate

Mature Voice for the YA Market at Kitlit.com

The Plot That Swam Away at The Blood-Red Pencil

Find Your Plot Fridays: Parts is Parts at The Other Side of the Story

The Power Of Story—In Any Medium at Pub Rants

On Queries, Part 2 at The Sharp Angle

Social Media Networking has taken all the fun out of my Internet social life. at GenReality

Using Facebook to Amplify Your Reach (and Not Annoy People) by Jane Friedman at Writer Unboxed

Our Name is Awesome....Operation Awesome. at Adventures In Writing

CONTESTS

The TiT's Writing Contest! at Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Win a Free Copy of C.F. Bentley’s ENIGMA via Book View Cafe

Current links for writers - August 26

Understanding Showing and Telling at Advanced Fiction Writing

Show and Tell by Candace Havens at GenReality

Building Character: Know More Than Your Reader by JC Hutchins at Writer Unboxed

ON WRITING FANTASY: Setting & the Five Senses by John R. Fultz at Black Gate

The Nose Knows at The Blood-Red Pencil

Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Doomsday by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Writing While Traveling at Mystery Writing is Murder

How can agents help – and make us lurve them even more at Behler Blog

Brainstorming with your agent - at BookEnds

How Many is Too Many? at Jennifer Represents...

When You Need a Mentor at Rants & Ramblings - Guest blogger: Mary DeMuth

Contemporary vs. Paranormal YA, trends, mojitos, and surfing at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Why This is a Returnable Business at Pimp My Novel

CONTESTS

PARANORMALCY Giveaway by Elana Johnson

Are You DUFF Enough? (Contest Numero Uno!) at Kody's Blog

Current links for writers - August 25

Coherence in backstory at edittorrent - The purpose of backstory is to show how the past affects this character in the present.

Controlling The Weather in Your Manuscript at QueryTracker

Unputdownability at Who Ate My Brain? - every book needs this!

Release Your Peeves at The Blood-Red Pencil - writing "rules" that aren't right, from a copy editor

On Queries, Part 1 at The Sharp Angle

Pulling the Trigger: Electronic Self-Publishing at AuthorCulture - things you need to do for success

A Target on Your Back at Rants & Ramblings

Q&A: My Thoughts on Book Publishing Today at There Are No Rules - Jane’s Simple Rules for Forum Participation

Current links for writers - August 24

Telegraphing (and other pace killers) by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

Tip Tuesday #51 at Literary Rambles - Informing Your Manuscript, or, How to Use Your Friends and Strangers

What I've Learned From Critique Groups by Nancy Fulda

Writer’s responsibility at Behler Blog

Words to Think About From A to V at The Blood-Red Pencil - terms writers should know

Picking an Agent at Story Sensei

The What Ifs in queries - at Elaine English Literary

THE FANTASY AUTHOR’S HANDBOOK INTERVIEWS VIII: ETHAN ELLENBERG at Fantasy Author's Handbook

The Package of Services Publishers Provide Authors and How This Is Changing by Nathan Bransford

Are You a Do-It-Yourself Type? at Rants & Ramblings - about self-publishing

CONTESTS

In Bad Taste: Horrendously Hilarious Query Contest at Adventures in Agentland

Your Monday Giveaway. On a Tuesday. at Coffey. Tea. And Literary.

MOCKINGJAY Day Give-Away!!!! at GotYA

Mockingjay Giveaway! at Market My Words

What I learned while on Retreat by Sasha White at GenReality

Current links for writers - August 23

Inserting Nonfiction Into Your Novel at Advanced Fiction Writing

On the Naming of Horses by Judith Tarr at Book View Cafe - plus thoughts on character names

Creeps to Watch Out For at Gabrielle Edits - especially about names

Start with kitty-cats in action at Flogging the Quill - LOL, but good advice

Unleash Your Creative Genius! by Suzette Saxton at Query Tracker

Mental Health Monday–It’s All About Perspective at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Special Guest Post: Stop Harping On What We Can't Do And Start Thinking About Who We Are, by Rachel M. at the Rejectionist - about "disabled" characters

Medical Mondays: Of Bulging Neck Veins and Contest Winners at The Word is My Oyster

Guest Blog by Kater Cheek at KT Literary - Congratulations, you’ve finished your novel! Now for the hard parts.

The Drug of Good Writing: the Weronika Janczuk interview by A. Victoria Mixon

At BookEnds - The Reason for "Rules" in query subject lines

TWITTER FOR AUTHORS - PART 1: WHY? at Help! I Need a Publisher!

CONTESTS

How Language Affects Thought -- plus book giveaway! at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

Great Gassy Goblins it's another writing contest! by Janet Reid

Current links for writers - August 22

Animals as Characters at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Director's Corner: Ending Scenes with Power at Odyssey Writing Workshop

Writers, Have You Read This? by agent Weronika Janczuk

“Holy hot banana leaves, I gotta film option!” at Behler Blog - what getting a film option really means

Current links for writers - August 21

Em and En at edittorrent - about dashes

Character Flaw at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

At Behler Blog - Finding a new home for a previously published book

CONTEST

Read, Remember, Recommend (for teens) at Confessions of a Wandering Heart

Current links for writers - August 20

Tips to spark your creativity at Chandara Writes

Reading Reminder at Cassandra Jade in the Realm - How often should you remind your readers?

Find Your Plot Fridays: Follow the Leader at The Other Side of the Story

TOP TIP 2: PAGE-TURNABILITY at Help! I Need a Publisher!

The Evolution of Rejection at * Fiction Groupie *

Guest Post: Inevitable Envy by Kim Wright at Pimp My Novel

How Much Does a Writer Make? at The Rejecter

CONTESTS

Ask An Editor: Positioning Your Book - at Romance University - great article, contest for a spot in Theresa’s September workshop

Mary Kole's Agent Pitch Contest! at Market My Words

Contest reminder! at The Word is My Oyster

Current links for writers - August 19

Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Pride by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

T3 - Stages of Change: Contemplation at The Character Therapist

On cliff-hanger chapter endings by Ray Rhamey at Writer Unboxed

Guest Post: "Honey, I Deleted Your Novel!": An Author's Guide to Avoiding Disaster by Chris Abouzeid at Pimp My Novel

Super-Powered Book Proposals Secret #3: Always Evaluate Online Competitors at There Are No Rules

Current links for writers - August 18

Voice and Character in MG Boy Books at Kidlit.com

The Romantic Hero's Purpose at edittorrent

Guest Post: What Makes a Good First Sentence by Henriette Lazaridis Power at Pimp My Novel

Be a Better Beta at Got YA

THE FANTASY AUTHOR’S EXERCISES III: A ONE-PAGE SYNOPSIS at Fantasy Author's Handbook

Referrals from Clients at BookEnds

CONTESTS

A writing contest that will knock your sox clean off! by Janet Reid

Mary Kole - Agent interview and Pitch Contest at Market My Words

Current links for writers - August 17

Creating Dynamic Peripheral Characters at Adventures in Agentland

What is dynamic? at GenReality

Golden Oldies: Are We Done Yet? at The Other Side of the Story

I am JALTG heading toward E by Janet Reid - Consider your advisor's experience. LOL!

Publishers Behaving Badly--Again at Pub Rants - a public service message from Agent Kristin

Thoughts on Group Blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder

Guest Post: Talking Books: Promoting Your Work on Radio by Jacqueline Windh at Pimp My Novel

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Kim Wright at Guide to Literary Agents

Ride the Hard: Inspirational Words from Nora Roberts at * Fiction Groupie *

'The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination' by J.K. Rowling, at the Harvard Gazette - well worth reading!

CONTESTS

...and the survey says!: The Lodown on LoCash plus GIVEAWAY! at Seekerville

Dawn of the Blue Fire Contest at The Other Side of the Story

Current links for writers - August 16

Make Your Characters Earn Their Keep---Guest Post by Wendy Lyn Watson at Mystery Writing is Murder

In Case You Missed It… at Kitlit.com - WriteOnCon vlog on character stereotypes

An *Ask Weronika* Question: Online Platform + Web Presence by Weronika Janczuk

#170 at Query Shark - includes a checklist for your query:
There's a simple way to figure out what goes in the first paragraph of a query.
1. What is your main character's name?
2. What problem/choice does the character face? (20 words or fewer)
3. Who wants to foil the main character's plan and why? (20 words or fewer)

The Revision Letter at Rants & Ramblings

Going Mobile at QueryTracker

More on Product Placement in Books at BookEnds

Interview With Nick Harrison of Harvest House Publishing at AuthorCulture

If You're Digging an Endless Ditch, Bill Schulz is Your Best Friend at The Alchemy of Writing

CONTESTS

300's Contest! at The Word is My Oyster

New Contest! YA/MG Pitch to Query Letter Starting 8/19 at Adventures in Children's Publishing

I'm soooo lucky this week! I won some books at Market My Words 1000 Follower surprise giveaway!. Thanks, Shelli!

Current links for writers - August 15

Sensawunda by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe - Sense of Wonder

How to use historical figures in your novels at Plot to Punctuation

Are You Benefiting From the Intimacy of Pronouns? at WordPlay

Optimizing Your One-Sentence Storyline at Advanced Fiction Writing

#169 at Query Shark - Read the blue parts! Why an agent hates to take on MSS that need work.

Reasons You Want an Agent (That You Haven't Heard a Million Times Before) at Invincible Summer

Why book signings are becoming such a performance by Mario Cacciottolo at BBC News

JUST FOR FUN

A Man, A Plan And A Sharpie: 'The Great Typo Hunt' at NPR

Current links for writers - August 14

On Writing Convincing Male Characters at Advanced Fiction Writing

How To Confuse Your Reader also at Advanced Fiction Writing

Conflict at GenReality

The Cheater's Guide to Requested Materials at Adventures in Agentland

Reference Book Essentials at The Blood-Red Pencil

CONTEST

The Slay Me With Laughter Writing Contest! at Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Current links for writers - August 13

Sorry! I read waaay too late last night.

On Plot + Pacing, Part II by Weronika Janczuk

Find Your Plot Fridays: What to do, What to do? at The Other Side of the Story

WriteOnCon Query Winner #1!! at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. - Why a query works for this agent.

Referrals vs. Cold Querying at Kidlit.com

“Wheee doggies! My UK book is being sold in the US!” at Behler Blog - about Foreign distribution.

Current links for writers - August 12

Language Play at Book Dreaming

Notes from Thrillerfest: POV at Fire and Silk

Foreshadowing at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Writers are Hookers at The Blood-Red Pencil

Individualizing the Query at BookEnds

What Do You Mean My Hero Isn’t Sexy Enough? at Rants & Ramblings -
Surviving the Editorial Letter by Camille Eide

CONTESTS

A SOCIAL NETWORKING EXPERIMENT at Help! I Need a Publisher!

1000 Follower surprise giveaway! at Market My Words

Come one, Come all, It's an Ice Cream Social in Seekerville at Seekerville

Current links for writers - August 11

Backstory delivery 201 by Jordan McCollum

On Plot + Pacing by Weronika Janczuk - three long posts

I Hear Voices (Well Actually, I Listen For Them) at Got YA!

A Little Goes a Long Way: Writing Laughs in Chick Lit at Elaine English Literary

ON WRITING FANTASY: Character Is King by John R. Fultz at Black Gate

The Rules of Genre at Books & Such

Re-Write Wednesday: Where Was I Going Again? at The Other Side of the Story

Guest Blogger Jim Warner on Editing at QueryTracker

5 Resources to Assist Your Research (Pants Not Required) at SFWA

Lessons from Queryfest at * Fiction Groupie *

Should You Send a Slew? at Kidlit.com

Should Pubbed Authors Go to Conferences? at Rants & Ramblings

Current links for writers - August 10

The Craft of Writing: Structure, Shape, and Interest by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

He Said, She Said at Pimp My Novel

Braincandy for Writers: Post #4 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start a Revision by editor Kendra Levin from WriteOnCon, via Elana Johnson

Writing a Query Letter by author Jodi Meadows also from WriteOnCon, via Elana Johnson

Reading your competition at Behler Blog

Book Signing Guidelines at 5rivers News, Views and Points of Interest

Public Service Announcement, or, How to Insult Your Local Independent Bookstore at Jennifer Represents...

Current links for writers - August 9

Medical Mondays: Why Imagination is a Muscle at The Word is My Oyster

Storytellers and How They Force Their Brain Activity on Their Audience at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

Writing for effect at Flogging the Quill

Destiny Has Many Faces at The Alchemy of Writing - thoughts on common writing advice

Copyrights (and wrongs) by H. L. Dyer at QueryTracker

Pitching beyond plot at edittorrent

How to Pitch Your Novel in 25 Words or Less at The Roving Editor

** What to Ask an Agent at Rants & Ramblings - get ready for The Call **

Online Marketing for Authors: Interactions Are Personal, Not Business at There Are No Rules

Get Ready for WriteOnCon at Literary Rambles

WriteOnCon This Week! at Kidlit.com - She'll be there, too!

CONTEST

Romance Matters: for the reader and the writer at Seekerville - win three romance novels

Oh, my! I won The Writer's Little Helper at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. Too cool! I'm looking forward to reading this book. Anyone want me to write a review?

Current links for writers - August 8

Woot! I've been given An Award ! Thank you, Cassandra Jade in the Realm

I'd like to pass it on to:

Lena Surbonwey

Brenda Drake

Lydia Kang

Nicole MacDonald

Laura Diamond

Writing Posts for Today:

5 Steps to Dazzling Minor Characters at WordPlay

Italics again at edittorrent - with a link to: How to format a book manuscript properly, part III: yes, the details matter. Really, really matter. at Author! Author! (Long, but interesting)

Series Payoffs by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Story as river at Flogging the Quill

SELLING OUT? at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Current links for writers - August 7

The Language of the Senses at edittorrent

Act First, Explain Later by Jodie Renner at The Blood-Red Pencil

Braincandy for Writers: Post #3 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Planning a Book Tour at Mystery Writing is Murder

Comic: Only A Book Lover Would Understand by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - August 6

How to Start Your Mystery Novel at Guide to Literary Agents - this post applies to all novels!

Find Your Plot Fridays: Back Fill Those Plot Holes at The Other Side of the Story

International Writers and International Settings at Kidlit.com

Query question at edittorrent - how a query to an editor differs from a query to an agent.

WriteOnCon + Wed Winner + News! at Coffey. Tea. And Literary.

CONTEST

The Query Contest of Amazingness via Elana Johnson

Current links for writers - August 5

Feeling Tense? at Cassandra Jade in the Realm - adding tension to your story

Theme Me Up at The Other Side of the Story

A wee bittie dialect by Juliet Marillier at Writer Unboxed

How to Indent the First Line of a Paragraph at The Blood-Red Pencil - Great tip. I love these editors.

Which Comes First at Bookends - the book deal or the website?

Series synopsis at edittorrent

SYNOPSIS FOR A NON-LINEAR STORY at Help! I Need a Publisher!

The Benefit of Experience at Pimp My Novel

You Can't Get Something For Nothing by Mary DeMuth at Rants & Ramblings - Writing costs you something.

ShortStoryBook.net (Or, it's Not a Good Idea to Spam Writer Beware) at Writer Beware® Blogs!

Current links for writers - August 4

ON WRITING FANTASY: The Plot Thickens by John R. Fultz via Bibliophile Stalker

Writing Tips: Introducing the Jumper Colon at AuthorCulture

Grounding the Reader at Kidlit.com

Lost and confused: Point of view changes at Elaine English Literary

There and Not by Donald Maass at Writer Unboxed - Characters who don't appear ...

Empowered Beliefs by Cynthia Occelli at Life - Cynthia writes about life, but this post in particular is food for thought for your characters' lives.

Moonrat's Rundown of Publishing Options at Editorial Ass

The Head Bangy Life of Selling to the Bookstores at Behler Blog

Myth: Size matters also at Behler Blog

Why Smashwords Isn't Working at 5rivers News, Views and Points of Interest

Current links for writers - August 3

Using the bystander effect in your novels at Plot to Punctuation

She's Such a Character at The Other Side of the Story

Trimming sentences at edittorrent

Finding voice at Chandara Writes

Do Agents Have a Voice? at BookEnds - short and thought-provoking

SIMPLY SYNOPSES at Help! I Need a Publisher! - 5 easy rules, plus many tips

Are You Sick and Tired of Editing Yet? at The Roving Editor - about copyediting

Weird and Wonderful: Digital Book World and Guy LeCharles Gonzalez by Sue Lange at Book View Cafe - where is digital publishing headed? (Long, but interesting)

Google Reader at Mystery Writing is Murder - great instructions for use

Braincandy for Writers: post #2 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

2000 year old technological marvel still in use today by Nora O'Neill at The Bookshop Blog via Writer Beware® Blogs!

CONTESTS

Literary Writing Contests at Blockbuster Plots

Another Slacker Tuesday in Seekerville at Seekerville

Book Giveaway at The Literary Lab

A Big, Fat 49-Author Contest for My Debut, Take 2 by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - August 2 - Manic Monday

Writing Nowadays–Opening Patterns by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Creating Lifelike Characters at Mystery Writing is Murder

Medical Mondays: Meet Phineas Gage by Lydia Kang at The Word is My Oyster

Mental Health Monday–Fight or Flight? by L. Diamond at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Q&A: Bipolar Disorder and Sociopathy by Carolyn Kaufman at Archetype Writing Blog

Tricks of the Trade: Punctuation at The Blood-Red Pencil - shortcuts for MS Word

Targeting Niche Markets by K.M. Weiland at AuthorCulture

Why You (Still) Want an Agent at Pimp My Novel

Monday, Monday--So Good to Me. Er, to You! at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. - GREAT query advice & a contest, too!

Guest Post-Cynthia Watson: Premature Querying at QueryTracker

An Offer From a Small Publisher at BookEnds

The Substantive or Content Edit at The Roving Editor

Flood of Books at Stephen Parrish - about a family who lost all their books in a recent flood. Would you like to help? Send them books or a book-gift card.

Reasons Why Your Non-Writer Friends Think You're Crazy by Veronica Roth via Adventures In Writing

CONTEST

Contest Entry Form at * Fiction Groupie * - Roni & Julie's Totally Epic Summer Contest! Super prizes!!! (Scroll on the pink banner.) fyi, here is Julie Cross's blog.

Current links for writers - August 1

What a character at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Edible Babies? at TalkToYoUniverse - about nicknames

PERSEVERANCE SUCKS at Help! I Need a Publisher!

The Power of Gossip by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe - It's not mentioned in this post, but gossip also effective to transmit info without an infodump. Just use it with care, and hint at more than you tell.

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Olivia Sharpnack (better known as Lydia Sharp) at Guide to Literary Agents - Yay, Lydia! Good advice.

Art, Information, Theft, and Confusion, Part Two by Ursula K. Le Guin at Book View Cafe

CONTEST

Holly Cupala stops by With a TMAS Party/Contest! at Market My Words