Twitter Tip Thursday (Christmas Special)

This will be my last Twitter Tip Thursday for 2010. Enjoy!

I've put up my tree

EVERYONE SHOULD CONSIDER THIS: Is your blog linked to your user profile? Have you checked lately? If you're not linked, you're missing out...http://t.co/1ga2guT @RachaelHarrie

On writing:

Great point made on my blog by @JosVolpe:“start the story right in action” does not mean starting in the VERY MIDST of the inciting incident @HollyBodger

Basics 101 : Character Creation: Given life, characters pursue experiences you would never dare. http://bit.ly/htRcEK @4KidLit

Plot Road Blocks: how do you break through? http://bit.ly/eKCDfz @juliemusil

If you are using dialogue—say it aloud as you write it. Only then will it have the sound of speech. JOHN STEINBECK @AdviceToWriters

#writers of #kidlit specifically YA and MG -- contractions are your friend. @Georgia_McBride

How do you know when your book is ready? http://bit.ly/icJWwH via @ElanaJ @juliemusil

Hung some lurvely decorations

Planning a Series Can Be Dangerous: Think of ways to expand instead of planning. http://bit.ly/dR6A5X @4KidLit

Tweeting newbie writing advice today. Why? Cause I don't feel like blogging. Original post http://bit.ly/9OTMfT @Georgia_McBride

Active vs. Passive Voice in Writing - blog - ourlittlebooks: http://bit.ly/gpgVkc @4KidLit

Check it out: @finesarah discusses YA characters with emotional and mental disorders: http://tinyurl.com/22r4uzg @KOrtizzle

Awwww

Don’t Do As They Do: How many times have you read a bestselling novel and let it influence your writing, but wh... http://bit.ly/dUX6YU @StinaLL

Revising:

Revisions Week - Outlining & Plans: Another option -- outline after drafting. http://bit.ly/fLc6Vl @4KidLit

#writers--when revising, consider how adding/removing impacts story, characters, scenes, etc. Changes may need to happen in several places. @Georgia_McBride

Friends Don't Let Friends Overwrite*: Seven things to look for in your own writing. http://bit.ly/hjKGLK @4KidLit

#writers -- watch not only for repetitive words but phrases, ideas. No need to hit reader over head with same idea, word. We get it. @Georgia_McBride

On the blog: Some thoughts on line-editing, and especially Imaginary Readers: http://bit.ly/ff4QMN @chevalaque

Re-Write Wednesday: Send up the (Red) Flag: Words That Often Spell Trouble: FANTASTIC post that will ... http://bit.ly/fUsckw @4KidLit

How cute are these snow penguins!

Critiquing:

RT @jkoyanagi In which I express my corny gratitude & offer advice on soliciting & receiving beta critiques: http://bit.ly/gaj52V @cvaldezmiller

A Question of Betas: Where to find them and what makes them right. http://bit.ly/fqntlK @4KidLit

Although writing is a solitary endeavor, the path to publication is not. It's essential to find & accept feedback on our work. @JodyHedlund

Need a critique partner? 4 tips for finding a workable partnership: http://bit.ly/fjKVIX @JodyHedlund

Picture Books/Early Readers/Chapter Books:

Resource for Picture Book Writers: wp.me/pIkHt-Xe @scubacor

Announcing my brand new blog series: How I Got My Agent (for picture book writers) http://wp.me/pIkHt-XL @jafhedlund

Book Reviews:

RT @malindalo: I think that if you want an author to read your review of their book, you should email the link to them. << YES @ElanaJ

Presents anyone???

Blogging:

How To Keep Blogging From Being a Popularity Contest: http://bit.ly/gFAImO @JodyHedlund

Tweeting:

12 Ways to Scare Away Twitter Followers: http://bit.ly/eQSVnp (via @RoniLoren) @JodyHedlund

Twitter Tip Thursday (Agents and Querying Special)

Source

There were so many great tweets on agents and querying this week I thought I'd concentrate on those. So here they are:

When should you query:

There aren't rules about queries except what's in the agent's guidelines. No days are off limits. It's just weird getting them on a holiday. @RachelleGardner

Wise to Query Agents Around the Holidays? -- One Novelist's Opinion. http://tinyurl.com/yc3eauc @BookEditorLM

'Tis the season to query? http://bit.ly/fzMc35 via @QueryTracker @juliemusil

Query letters:

Agent Bob Silverstein On: Query Letter Tips: Four things that make a great letter.http://bit.ly/eo7yES @4KidLit

You know what really grinds my grits? When a published author thinks they get to not follow query directions. No shortcuts! Sorry! @Natalie_Fischer

I think it's cute that I'm getting queries from writers reassuring me this novel was not a @NaNoWriMo concoction. @ElanaRoth

I never need to know in your query EVER why you want to be a writer. I get it already. You wrote a freakin' book @ElanaRoth

How to interpret rejection letters:

Source

I think one thing you CAN read into is if you're ONLY getting form rejections. That should be a clear sign something is awry. @ElanaRoth

@ElanaRoth I don't know about you but I feel like there's a lot of stuff that's "good" but it has to be more than that... @sztownsend81

Yup. This. RT @micolz Don't know if it's been said but also important to look at agent criticism in aggregate @ElanaRoth

Most queries just get the "story isn't right for me." Seems the most basic way I can boil it down. Something isn't right for me. @ElanaRoth

"Not enough hook" can really be a death sentence. Have a CONCEPT and then a plot to expand that concept. @ElanaRoth

"Not enough hook" means I know I can't make that book sound exciting to an editor. @ElanaRoth

"Too close to something on my list" means just that. I have too many dystopians, or whatever. @ElanaRoth

Agents:

Getting The Call Means Your Work Gets Harder: Be sure you are ready to go pro. http://bit.ly/fKQflU @4KidLit

Agent Spotlight: Ann Behar: Looking for children's PB to YA as long as it's beautifully written. http://bit.ly/hxrqks @4KidLit

NEW: Open Forum over on the blog - questions answered! http://bit.ly/dmsmdO @Natalie_Fischer

Reversion of Rights: Important questions with excellent answers. http://bit.ly/dH6Wh9 @4KidLit

New Agent Alert: Stephanie DeVita of Dystel & Goderich guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/New+Agent… @juliemusil

Should you put feelers out before leaving an agent? http://ow.ly/3icR9 @Kid_Lit

Twitter Tip Thursday (Thanksgiving Special)

Dessert anyone?

Here are some of the tips and useful links I've come across on Twitter this week (I’m @RachaelHarrie if you want to follow me):

Trends: 

"Writing to Trends" A guest post by @sarablarson on Carol's Prints. http://bit.ly/ahy6Zb @cvaldezmiller

Genres:

If You Can't Define Your Genre - How do you expect us to market it?: Is it something an agent can sell? http://bit.ly/a76NRR @4KidLit

Querying:

Agent Terry Burns On: When NOT To Stand Out From the Crowd: Follow submission guidelines. http://bit.ly/9EmSz1 @4KidLit

DOs and DON'Ts of submissions http://bit.ly/fWS9AY @juliemusil

Synopses:

How about some cookies?

Publishing — The Synopsis: How to craft yours using Stuart's powerful process. http://bit.ly/94rnce @4KidLit

How To Write A 1-Page Synopsis: Fill in the blank worksheet!!!! http://bit.ly/eJfY1o @4KidLit

On writing:

Jotting down notes about my MC's. Love this phase of getting to know them. Here's my character worksheet: http://bit.ly/cObBNT @JodyHedlund

If you aren't fluent in another language, it's best not to include it in your manuscript. At least have someone check it. @SammyBina

RT @WritersDigest: PLOT VS CHARACTER author Jeff Gerke discusses conflict: http://ow.ly/3cHKW @juliemusil

Thoughts on references in your mss. and dating yourself http://ow.ly/3ctBZ @Kid_Lit

How to avoid the research distraction trap: An excellent tip for writing now and researching later. http://bit.ly/bHiRag @4KidLit

Find Your Plot Fridays: At the Core: The Premise and How it Ties it all Together: Interesting way to ... http://bit.ly/h2wSYG @4KidLit

Wine perhaps?

Are you writing every day? If not, here are 5 tips to help you write daily more easily. http://budurl.com/2g35 @WritingSpirit

The Pathway to Showing Emotion: In the book Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: techniques and exercises for craft... http://bit.ly/hlr4GZ @StinaLL

Formatting:

Chapter Titles vs. Chapter Numbers http://bit.ly/aX03vI via @Dear_Editor @juliemusil

Revising:

Revisions Week - Characters: Beginning a character collage. http://bit.ly/foch57 @4KidLit

Letting Action Define Your Characters: Five tips for improving your novel. http://bit.ly/e4tQsq @4KidLit

The Right Ending: Eight great questions to ask yourself. http://bit.ly/hQkIwY @4KidLit

Hilarious post about Revision Makeovers by @amyholderbooks http://bit.ly/cB32YD @juliemusil

Critiquing:

Desperately needed: Distance: Important reminder about critiquing, editing, and putting your work in ... http://bit.ly/bZhlWw @4KidLit

Agents:

Agent Spotlight on Victoria Marini (@tor_intheory) of Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents: http://bit.ly/95YER1 @Casey_McCormick

Best Literary Agents on Twitter: Work in progress. http://bit.ly/hWShSm @4KidLit

Publishing:

Correct link! --> PW article for writers - realities of advances, sales expectations, and smaller presses: http://bit.ly/b9iA5M @Natalie_Fischer

Dealing with Rejection:

What, you just want to rest?

Making the Most of Media Exposure: Don't give up when you've got requests, you're getting closer. http://bit.ly/9yEgnm @4KidLit

Blogging:

Why you should not use the same passwords for Social Media and your Critical Accounts http://j.mp/fzW1EM /via @ej_butler

Tweeting:

Take key points from a post and tweet them as questions: title alone may not entice readers or call to action @aeringuy

PiBoldMo:

#PiBoldMo another word of advice- http://coreyschwartz.blogspot.com/2010/11/piboidmo-another-word-of-advice.html @scubacor

Persevering:

@verlakey on how to survive tough times in the publishing industry: http://bit.ly/9JNSWj @CynLeitichSmith

What's THE most important characteristic a writer needs in order to reach publication? http://bit.ly/bjnyKD @JodyHedlund

Miscellaneous:

The #pblitchat transcipt is up with lots of information about the contract mystery/monster thanks to @alexadsett. http://bit.ly/cbyNeb @KatApel

Twitter Tip Thursday (and a sex tip...)

Here are some of the tips and useful links I've come across on Twitter this week (I’m @RachaelHarrie if you want to follow me):

Genres:

Is contemporary YA a difficult market? http://ow.ly/367Rw @Kid_Lit

Querying:

An unbalanced query = 2 sentences on the book, three paragraphs on the writer @DaphneUn

Smart querying for unagented writers: http://bit.ly/hJVmK @Georgia_McBride

Critiquing:

When is Close, Too Close?: When a CP's work is reading a little bit too much like your own. http://bit.ly/9ULcAS @4KidLit

On writing:

Finding a Writing Schedule That Works: http://bit.ly/aR4B8Y @JodyHedlund

What should writers do when they get contradictory feedback? A few tips: http://bit.ly/ahKN5v @JodyHedlund

A Personal Glimpse into Character Emotional Development: 10 questions to create a profile for your protag. http://bit.ly/ddItep @4Kid_Lit

A post on plotting (by a panster!) http://brookenomicon.blogspot.com/2010/11/plotting-your-story.html @gracefuldoe

There's a reason they call it scenes...: Before, on this blog, I've talked about writing in scenes (rather than ... http://bit.ly/aI7ZXt @ClarissaDraper

Thanks to @Heather_Hansen for this: Beating Your Muse Into Submission - http://bit.ly/btKUzE @Casey_McCormick

Wise advice here: Between Fact and Fiction: What I Really Want To Say To New Writers: http://bit.ly/daAoBQ @jafhedlund

10 Writing Pests: Hilarious- diagnose your writing's ailments. http://bit.ly/9AeoP1 @4KidLit

Five Writing Tips From Reading J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER: From crafting dialogue to characters, les... http://bit.ly/aISk0D @4KidLit

5 writing tips I learned from reading HARRY POTTER blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/11/five-w… @NathanBransford

Agent Joanna Volpe On: Why Realistic Teen Dialogue Isn't Necessarily a Good Thing (and a Free Book Gi... http://bit.ly/bAWVg8 @4KidLit

When is Close, Too Close?: When a CP's work is reading a little bit too much like your own. http://bit.ly/9ULcAS @4KidLit

7 things your characters do too much of: http://dld.bz/5MBP @elizabethscraig

Revising:

Tip Tuesday #62: Coping with printing out your ms for your crit partners. http://bit.ly/bja0lY @4KidLit

Finding the Writing Groove: 8 tips for getting inspired. http://bit.ly/dostz7 @4KidLit

Checking for Plot Holes: Does Your Story Add Up?: Four last questions to ponder in revision. http://bit.ly/98Udor @4KidLit

From the archives: when to cut something out of your manuscript http://ow.ly/36MJF @Kid_Lit

Writing Resources:

RESOURCES: AN EXHAUSTING LIST: Must-see treasure trove! http://bit.ly/abUpeO @4KidLit

Picture Books/Early Readers/Chapter Books:

Querying and breaking in as an author/illustrator http://ow.ly/351h4 @Kid_Lit

Agents:

Believe it or not, I don't like sending rejections any more than writers like receiving them. My post: http://bit.ly/aZ2Knn @RachelleGardner

Ever wondered what clauses in a publishing contract are most often negotiated by agents? Here: http://bit.ly/cP0CI7 @RachelleGardner

The agent-client relationship: http://dld.bz/5AzP @RachelleGardner

Branding/Promotion:

4 Tips on What NOT to Say (or Pitch or Do) to Get Your Book Reviewed: Don't burn bridges and take the... http://bit.ly/dbhdwu @4Kid_Lit

Blogging:

Interesting post on the need for a blog by @hopeclark here: http://bit.ly/9N1FCa @KathleenIsaac

Six Guaranteed Ways to Boost Your Sex Hits (Oops, I meant site hits) http://t.co/s4nX03Y @DL_H

PiBoldMo:

Check out this post about writers seeing the unseen http://bit.ly/b4nzCF @KathleenIsaac

Twitter Tip Thurs...uh...Saturday (oops!)

Ok, I'm only a couple of days late (haven't been well the last couple of days, sorry). Anyway, here are some of the tips and useful links I've come across on Twitter this week (I’m @RachaelHarrie if you want to follow me):

Querying
"take your hook (1st sentence) and your consequence (last sentence) & delete everything in between. That's ur two-sentence pitch." Fm @ElanaJ @jafhedlund

Agent Dan Lazar On: Query Dos and Don'ts: 6 tips to tighten your query. http://bit.ly/aPgeMc @4KidLit

Critiquing:
If you're looking for a crit partner/beta reader, tweet your genre & what you're looking for with the #betamatch hashtag! @yaHighway

Better At BETAing: Growing as a writer and a reader. http://bit.ly/cF4Ljg @4KidLit

A Lot of Critique is GREAT! If it all is in sync...: Stop and think about all the input. http://bit.ly/asXk8X @4KidLit

On Writing:
T3 - Facets of Grief: Cognitions: Realistic responses to a character receiving bad news. http://bit.ly/bXXVsE @4KidLit

The Great Semi-Colon Debate: The semi-colon as a period slumming. :D http://bit.ly/952Ysz @4KidLit

How High Are the Stakes? Building Better Conflict and Dilemma into Your Book: The greater goal, the more... http://bit.ly/bDcLHH @4KidLit

Some tips for adding backstory: "Use an eyedropper not a shovel" http://bit.ly/dh7iVn (via @paulgreci) @JodyHedlund

The Difference Between the Inciting Incident and the Catalyst: Superb explanation, guidelines, and reaso... http://bit.ly/b0UiaG @4KidLit

Flashbacks and Back-Story: Nice rules of thumb. http://bit.ly/cebaAe @4KidLit

Writing the Story Premise: The five elements you must have. http://bit.ly/b62hK0 @4KidLit

3 Mistakes Writers Make in the Quest for Publication: http://bit.ly/dzYLfM @JodyHedlund

Problems with your perspective? Scott recommends changing persepctive. http://bit.ly/bRurO2 @LiteraryLab

Want to stay out of the slush pile and impress an agent? Learn THIS key skill http://bit.ly/6VZVZ @KristenLambTX

Revising
Putting on my Reader Hat to Revise: Make your story flow and make sure that it is logical. http://bit.ly/ctKPXK @4KidLit

From the archives: Should I send a revision to an agent considering my work? http://ow.ly/2VOY6 @Kid_Lit

Writing Resources
Twitterific: Last week's writing links by @ElizabethCraig http://bit.ly/9owpWA @4KidLit

Picture Books/Early Readers/Chapter Books
What do I see, think, wonder? Encouraging visual literacy - reading the illustrations via @deystudio http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/669 @jothompsonillos

Want to get struck by lightning - I mean, inspiration? Check out my pre-#PiBoldMo post on @taralazar's blog http://wp.me/p7jVE-A2 @KarenCollum

Agents
Agent Spotlight: Pat White: She's seeking children's fiction and non-fiction. http://bit.ly/9Epmvb @4KidLit

39 Kid/YA Agents on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mitaliperkins/agents/members @mitaliperkins

What if you have an offer from a publisher but you don't have an agent? http://bit.ly/d0JNim @RachelleGardner

Starting TODAY I'm accepting queries from the following: http://tinyurl.com/2u4zpyl @KOrtizzle

NaNoWriMo
NaNo Checklist: Are you on track? http://bit.ly/cUG8bp @4KidLit

Helpful writing sites http://thegracefuldoe.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/helpful-writing-sites-and-blog-posts-october-2010-edition/ @thegracefuldoe

Great round-up of posts relating to #NaNoWriMo http://thebluestockingblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/resource-roundup-nanowrimo-edition.html @thegracefuldoe

PiBoldMo
People are discussing how to organize #PiBoldMo ideas in the comments. Come share your strategy! http://wp.me/pIkHt-Uu @jafhedlund

Twitter Tip Thursday

Here are some of the tips and useful links I've come across on Twitter this week (I’m @RachaelHarrie if you want to follow me):

Trends

Narrative Non-Fiction is Hot Hot Hot! http://tinyurl.com/24olt45 @ingridsundberg

Genres

Awesome Genre Glossary from Jennifer Laughran (Good to know MG is not a genre - groooan) @literaticat http://is.gd/gopgN @HeatherKephart

Querying

Pro writing qualifications impress me more in people with consistently pro behavior: please follow formatting guidelines! @dknippling

Ask Daphne! About a Different Kind of Formatting: Make email sample pages readable. http://bit.ly/cpeGSH @4KidLit

How to RESEARCH Agents & Editors http://wp.me/pIkHt-Te @jafhedlund

How to PERSONALIZE QUERIES: http://bit.ly/drQtNE @AngelaAckerman

Should you mention using a freelance editor in your query? http://ow.ly/2YWPn @Kid_Lit

And...uh...don't include an embedded image of your "book cover". Just...don't.@ElanaRoth

Submit One Project At A Time: Excellent advice and the reason behind it. http://bit.ly/aurEjM @4KidLit

An agent confesses-and the lessons we can learn from it: What gets your ms pulled from the slush pile? http://bit.ly/adnm27 @4KidLit

New interview! How to write an amazing query letter, with @ElanaJ plus a chance to win a preorder of POSSESSION http://bit.ly/8XAVTb :-) @Mariekeyn

Pub Rants: Kristin's top 10 List of Why Adult and Children's SF&F Query Letters Get a Rejection http://is.gd/gora8 @HeatherKephart

Synopses

Have trouble writing the dreaded synopsis? Here's a simple & easy synopsis-writing template: http://bit.ly/aQBaBQ @JodyHedlund

On writing:

From the archives: On #writing excellent dialogue tags http://ow.ly/2VOz1 @Kid_Lit

The Big Ol' Genre Glossary: Find out how to classify your WIP. http://bit.ly/bjn7IZ @4KidLit

Tip Thursday: 3 reasons to Ditch your Novel's Prologue.: How do you know to dive right into chapter one? http://bit.ly/9EqTn8 @4KidLit

Them’s the breaks: where to put paragraph, scene and chapter breaks in your work | Not Enough Words: http://bit.ly/aBtXh8 4KidLit

Keep Yourself Inspired on a Daily Basis: Train your brain to write at the same time everyday. http://bit.ly/bS1sen 4KidLit

The Myths & Realities of Being a Published Author: These reality checks made us laugh out loud. http://bit.ly/cG2lLd 4KidLit

Best Articles This Week for Writers 10/22/10 http://bit.ly/aVQk7i @4KidLit

If a story ends up just like you imagined it would, you've done something wrong. It should surprise the reader AND the writer @susanorlean

RT @FakeAPStylebook: Avoid long, labyrinthine sentences, as they can harbor ferocious minotaurs @Natalie_Fischer

Use Motion to Spice up Your Scenes: Don't let your characters just stand around. http://bit.ly/aRmFJm @4KidLit

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Amanda Flower: 'Don't chase the market,' and other great tips. http://bit.ly/dm5QiZ 4KidLit

Great post on the evolution of a short story: http://bit.ly/ae4AXV @charlwrites

If your character has an accent, make sure you're consistent @SammyBina

Do You Have a Strange Attractor?: Game changing twist on high concept. http://bit.ly/dbXOIx @4KidLit

Symbolism – How to Make it Work in Your Writing: Layer in depth and meaning. http://bit.ly/b02BgA @4KidLit

Are your readers taking you too literally? http://bit.ly/aVXtKS @jennwwrites

How to get started as a writer: 'Take it step by step, day by day.' http://bit.ly/cGmesx @4KidLit

Guard against cliches Tip Tuesday #60 | Literary Rambles: http://bit.ly/aQRNbg @jafhedlund

From the archives: Am I wrong to pursue a #writing career? http://ow.ly/2VOJ5 @Kid_Lit

Why do so many writers pursue writing & publication against such adversity? http://bit.ly/b6D5Sf @JodyHedlund

@SammyBina posts about The Dangers of the Thesaurus!: http://wp.me/pF0gi-16U @CA_Marshall

Revising

All words are good words...or are they?: Eliminate common words and strengthen your manuscript. http://bit.ly/9nfPJx @4KidLit

I'm at @Georgia_McBride’s blog today where I apply her "Newbie Writer No-No list" to a slew of contest entries? http://tinyurl.com/26z9fjx @suzannelazear

RT @paulgreci: On the blog: The Fine Line between the Writing and the Writer: http://dld.bz/3gYu @JodyHedlund

How much does the average writer have to change in a book from 1st draft to final copy? http://bit.ly/bGeJnZ @JodyHedlund

Picture Books/Early Readers/Chapter Books

The definition and challenges of the early reader and chapter book market: http://ow.ly/2XG6q

How to save the picture book by keeping it off the endangered species list. http://tinyurl.com/36szqjy @ChristieWild

Free Rhyming Dictionary Online: End, beginning, last syllable, first syllable, double, triple rhymes. http://bit.ly/9NXqXC @4KidLit

Tips for Illustrators - Jonas Sickler on how to market yourself as a freelance illustrator jonasillustration.com/blog_jonas_sic… < highly recommend @jothompsonillos

Julie Danielson's (7-imp's) Picture Book List http://sergioruzzier.blogspot.com/2010/10/julie-danielsons-picture-book-list.html@sergioruzzier

Genres

Ever wonder how Magical Realism differs from Paranormal? The BIG OL' GENRE GLOSSARY is here to help: http://bit.ly/bdTrmH @literaticat

Agents

Blogged about finding the right agent, inspired by last nite's #YALITCHAT --> http://bit.ly/hJVmK (sorry no pictures) @Georgia_McBride

Agent Spotlight on Louise Fury of L. Perkins Agency - http://bit.ly/9ZdwyZ @Casey_McCormick

I think we all want to think business decisions like taking on new clients are motivated by LOVE. Romantic. Sometimes, they are not. 1/2@Georgia_McBride

Ideally agents and clients would find perfect, harmonious agreement + passion re: the work. Not always the case. Nor a guarantee of success. @Georgia_McBride

New agent seeking writers! Denise Little of The Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency: http://tinyurl.com/2cdqcqu @ChuckSambuchino

RT @WeronikaJanczuk: @JillCorcoran is looking for romantic comedies for teens (http://bit.ly/bWIjYz) @CA_Marshall

Branding/Promotion

Things Every Author Should Know about Promotion: Decide what your time is worth. http://bit.ly/d4HWQE @4KidLit

Blogging

2010 Top Creative Writing Blogs: http://bit.ly/buZXaU @LynetteBenton

Tweeps: How do I set up a blogroll on Blogger to show the blogs I'm following? --> http://bit.ly/9lufzT @CA_Marshall

From the archives: Authors behaving badly online http://ow.ly/1WeJJ @Kid_Lit

Tweeting

How Writers Can Use Twitter for Networking & Success: http://bit.ly/9P4twq (via @alexisgrant) Excellent article! @JodyHedlund

NaNoWriMo

Some helpful #nanowrimo preparation tips http://thegracefuldoe.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/preparing-for-nanowrimo/ @thegracefuldoe

Preparing your characters for #NaNoWriMo http://thegracefuldoe.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/nanowrimo-character-outline/ @thegracefuldoe

NaNoWriMo Boot Camp, Day 1: Choosing the Right Idea blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/10/nanowr… @NathanBransford

NaNoWriMo Boot Camp Day 2: Goals and Obstacles blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/10/nanowr… @NathanBransford

Miscellaneous

The temptation of thinking someone has made it blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/10/tempta… @NathanBransford

Weekly #kidlitosphere round-up: agent/editor insights, marketing, trends, giveaways, videos, new releases & more: http://bit.ly/9Y5yY @CynLeitichSmith

List of Writer's Acronyms: Often I come across acronyms on blog sites and I'm stumped. So, I did research and here... http://bit.ly/cUSJBS @ClarissaDraper

Guest post by Maria Rainier on freelancing for children's markets - http://bit.ly/9hRTtv @Casey_McCormick

Twitter Tip Thursday

Here are some of the tips and useful links I've come across on Twitter this week:

Trends

Report from last night's panel on trends in #kidlit @megcabot http://ow.ly/2Wprk @Kid_Lit

Querying

Successful contemporary YA query: Mindi Scott's query to Jim McCarthy (Dystel & Goderich) for FREEFALL: http://bit.ly/aZsPHX @taralazar

"Query until someone puts a ring on your finger." - Kristen Lippert-Martin. Excellent advice at http://tinyurl.com/3y9hnum @RachelMorgan13

EXCELLENT article: http://tinyurl.com/3aenvny My Query Letter Manifesto. Not only great advice but a highly entertaining read :-) Go see it! @RachelMorgan13

To be honest, I DO get to your ms faster if you check in - but I also make a faster decision about it. @Natalie_Fischer

I'd say a quarter of #queries are probably much too long or way too short. The best pitches are usually 2-3 paragraphs. @MandyHubbard

A great & funny blog post about the slush pile from agent Steve Laube: http://bit.ly/9F6bSu @RachelleGardner

Critiquing:

Why GIVE Critiques?: People thank me all the time for giving free chapter reviews. But, I love doing it. Why? Beca... http://bit.ly/9hC5ur @ClarissaDraper

On writing:

New On The Blog: Balancing The First Pages Of A New WIP http://bit.ly/cxdQh4 @CA_Marshall

Newbie writers: watch out for these big writing no-no's. (sorry no pictures): http://bit.ly/hJVmK @Georgia_McBride

What do writers make at different publishers? The famous (and now updated) "Show Me the Money" survey with answers: http://dld.bz/z6f2 @elizabethscraig

Why your beginnings don't really matter. http://bit.ly/a2wOTO @ChristieWild

Great post with awesome examples! Opening Sentences: Reeling Your Reader In: http://bit.ly/d0astJ @jafhedlund

Many of life's failures are people who did not realise how close to success they were when they gave up. Be encouraged.Keep going. @pichetsinparis

Top 3 (posts and reads): http://wp.me/pHil1-c6 @kangaroobee

Use this 2 get ur brain churning on how to make your ms stand out, not just your blog! http://www.copyblogger.com/usp (via @ingridsundberg) @Natalie_Fischer

The Writer's 10 Commandments. Read http://markterrybooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/writers-10-commandments.html @pichetsinparis

New On The Blog: Friday Five: Advice For Writers - 14 Oct 2010 - Formatting A Manuscript http://bit.ly/czxkSE @CA_Marshall

Three essential tips to writing a publishable novel - http://ow.ly/2TUN9 @BubbleCow

Writing a fiction synopsis? Here's what one should look like: "The Big Easy" (crime/noir) http://tinyurl.com/298fen2 @WritersDigest

Here's your top 5% of slush pile. How to rise to the top and not get an automatic rejection. http://tinyurl.com/29qot6p @ChristieWild

Making a Book Stand Out: The Critical Aspect of Having a Compelling Story http://bit.ly/c5s0MR @JodyHedlund

You know you've got a cliché when you see the exact same line in another book. Love the line! Check out the post. http://trunc.it/bx5nz @ClarissaDraper

Do you have a BUSINESS mindset for your writing career? Should you? http://bit.ly/antyd8 @RachelleGardner

The three stages of learning to write successful science fiction: wp.me/pz1mb-6s....I love these snippets...they urge me on. @bamawm

Confusion is not tension. If reader has no idea what u're talking about, they will abandon the book @Georgia_McBride

"Nobody uses large numbers of adjectives when they think..." Alexander McCall Smith @jafhedlund

Do you get frustrated by the Writing Rules? Read this: http://bit.ly/91GS4f @RachelleGardner

Revising

Our 1st drafts are a lump of clay. Beauty comes after we shape & mold & polish time and time again.@JodyHedlund

Recognizing and fixing repetition in your manuscript: http://bit.ly/hJVmK @Georgia_McBride

Knowing When It's Good Enough http://nblo.gs/9b34x @ali_cross

Writing Resources

New stuff on a Tuesday! A resources page! http://kidlit.com/resources-for-writers/ @Kid_Lit

Picture Books

This is good! Must read for PB authors!! http://bit.ly/bp4zbm 12 Common Picture Book Mistakes by Elizabeth O. Dulemba @KatApel

What are picture book editors looking for? http://bit.ly/ck46OG Each story needs to have a twist. Why is your story different? @taralazar

Agents

Agent Spotlight on Elena Mechlin of Pippin Properties, Inc. http://bit.ly/dnJm0Z @Casey_McCormick

Five tips on how to connect with an agent: http://bit.ly/a1wMpY @4KidLit

NEW on blog: exclusive requests: sign of a bad agent? www.adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com @Natalie_Fischer

I blogged about #AgentFail today. Check it out: http://bit.ly/9ZYgB4 @RachelleGardner

RT@4KidLit How to handle "WHO offered you representation?" What to do if you get push-back. http://bit.ly/dA3c6v @auntiflamingo

Dealing with Rejection

3 Steps Writers Should Take After Getting a Rejection: http://bit.ly/dpt3zf (via @JaneFriedman) Excellent post! @JodyHedlund

Branding

What is branding? Guest post by author Karen Witemeyer http://bit.ly/b16JwC @RachelleGardner

Blogging

What is RSS? Reading blogs? Get organized, stay informed, save time, protect your privacy. http://tinyurl.com/3antp96 @ChristieWild

Think in Stories to Write Better http://bit.ly/csEEqN @Kangaroobee

5 Ways Blogging Makes You Better: http://bit.ly/aM7NVB (via @CassFrear) @JodyHedlund

The number ONE way to generate more traffic to your blog: http://bit.ly/9DIsSk @JodyHedlund

NaNoWriMo

L'Aussie Writing : Will I NaNoWriMo or Won’t I NaNoWriMo? Some tips to help you decide: http://t.co/aKJs3t0 @pichetsinparis

Got an idea for NaNoWriMo? How to create a basic outline: http://thegracefuldoe.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/nanowrimo-creating-an-outline/ @gracefuldoe

@the creative penn great post Joanna http://dld.bz/zCRD Nano Notebook @papyri

Miscellaneous

Guest post from Alane Ferguson on censorship http://ow.ly/2U04o @Kid_Lit

WRITERS. New fair deal ePublisher/agent accepting submissions now. http://is.gd/g2ZKu RTs? <3>

Weekly Wrap-Up and Crusader Biz(ness)

Ok, I know it's Tuesday, but wow, what a week everyone!!! Where do I even start...

My Following Peeps

Hmm, with you, I think. So many new people have come on board Rach Writes... and I have to say a huge welcome and thank you for following (*jumps up and down*). I can't wait to get to know you all better. So drop by any time, leave me a comment or seven, and I'll make sure I do the same with your blogs as well.

100 Followers

Did you see, did you see? I reached 100 followers (WOOT!!!). Congratulations go to Hart Johnson at Confessions of a Watery Tart for being my 100th follower. I'm still laughing after reading some of Hart's posts, so make sure you check her out!

I was planning on having a 100 followers contest, but instead I'll just have to do an extra special 150 followers contest. In the meantime though, I'd love to interview you for The Insider Scoop, Hart, as a little prize. Just shoot me an email (address in the Contact Me page above) if you're interested. Can't wait for you to spread the nakedness around Rach Writes... (aha, that's got you all interested hasn't it!)

Writers' Platform-Building Crusade

If you haven't already checked out my Writers' Platform-Building Crusade, pop up to my new pages at the top of my blog. There's been such a fantastic response, and would you believe there are well over 30 Crusaders now (check out the List of Crusaders page near the top of my blog).

I love seeing you all meet each other, and it's fantastic to see so many people visiting their fellow Crusaders and commenting so often.

First Page Blog Fest

I took part in Elle Strauss's First Page Blog Fest last weekend. Had a fantastic time and met heaps of lovely people. I really enjoyed reading everyone's first pages. Here's the link to my first page of FROM THE OTHER SIDE if you'd like to check it out.

First Crusader Challenge

Woot, what a great challenge we all had!!! Check out the entries by the finalists here if you haven't already.

And the winner of the First Crusader Challenge is (*drumroll*)...the lovely Rachel Morgan over at Rachel Morgan Writes. Pop over to her blog and have a read of her poem - how cool is the ending (and I love how well she incorporated the random words in her poem)!

I'll be interviewing Rachel next Monday, October 25 for The Insider Scoop, so make sure you visit and have a read.

Second Crusader Challenge

(*Drumroll*) Coming on Friday. Stay tuned...

Crusader Biz(ness)

Crusaders, we've had heaps of new peeps join, so make sure you update your blog rolls or sidebar links to include our new friends. Also, a reminder to blog and/or tweet about the Crusade if you haven't yet.

Would all Crusaders please check out your names and links in the List of Crusaders page above, and let me know if there are any errors that I need to fix. If you look on my sidebar, you could pop that picture on your own blogs and link back to my Crusader pages now they're here to stay.

The Insider Scoop

I posted my third interview with Caitie Flum for The Insider Scoop. Check it out here if you haven't already, there's heaps of insider info, including some little secrets about the submissions process that I hadn't heard about before...

Awards

Thanks to so many wonderful people for giving me such lovely blogging awards. Here is my post where I thanked everyone who gave them to me, and I've popped them up on a new blog page as well.

I promise to pass on those awards soon.

And thanks to Erica and Christy over at Erica and Christy for giving me the Happy 101 (which we've christened "The Sweet Friends") Award. The girls both rock, so make sure you pop over and say hi from me!!!

Twitter Tip Thursday

Every Thursday I post a list of useful links that I've come across during the week on Twitter. Check out last Thursday's post here. I've even sorted them out to make it easier to find what interests you.

Phew, what a monumentally long post. That's all for now, can't wait to see what the week ahead brings.

Twitter Tip Thursday

Here are some of the tips and useful links that I've come across on Twitter this week:

Trends:

There will always been room for well-written books. Don't worry about trends, you can't control those @CA_Marshall

Querying

Don't have someone else send your subs for you: usually, they don't follow guidelines, which means automatic no... @Natalie_Fischer

New on the blog: Intern Tips, edited and consolidated. http://bit.ly/bSjAEy @SammyBina

From the archives: Advice for those pondering the "reassurance query" http://ow.ly/2O0QP @Kid_Lit

Revising:

For those of you embroiled in editing your manuscripts: http://yfrog.com/6ta4bvnj

My blog readers have provided tons of great writing advice in the comments to today's post! Check it out: http://bit.ly/b99ANE @RachelleGardner

On writing:

Exhaustive list of sites and links from @HeatherKephart - Resources: Writing for Kids: http://bit.ly/bkW7Yy @jafhedlund

"Are there really that many people writing books out there?" Yes. But don't worry about that. blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/10/are-th… @NathanBransford

From the archives: The challenge of #writing what you can't. http://ow.ly/1WeBw @Kid_Lit

Ann Patchett on plot WSJ.com - The Primacy of Plot http://on.wsj.com/aB9mGW @jafhedlund

The elements of a Successful Series: http://scribechat.com/archives/2860 @gracefuldoe

6 THINGS YOU LOSE WHEN WRITING A NOVEL: http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/2010/10/6-things-you-lose-when-writing-novel.html @thmafi

An writer's perspective on why it's a good idea to focus on a genre rather than jumping around: http://bit.ly/cbnvwG @RachelleGardner

How to Wow an Editor with Your Book http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/how-to-wow-an-editor-with-your-book/ @AngelaPenaDahle

Keeping Ourselves & Our Stories as Pliable as Clay: http://bit.ly/9IMMiq @JodyHedlund

The Great Unsaid (A Study of Show vs. Tell): http://bit.ly/aVXtKS @jennwwrites

For writers: Learning by doing (or the importance of story arc) http://bit.ly/d5B5Ge @alexisgrant

The Dark Side of Writing http://nblo.gs/90Ks3 @ElanaJ

3 Ways to Have a Shot at a Best Seller http://bit.ly/clRCp0 (via @MichaelHyatt) @JodyHedlund

Planning for #NaNoWriMo? My latest Novel Design post: Plot Structure http://awe.sm/5BakP @iapetus999

Beginnings, Endings, and that Saggy Middle. What to do. http://awe.sm/5Bkrx @iapetus999

Social Media Savvy: The Art Of Making Others Feel Welcome http://bit.ly/atqyZB (via @KristenLambTX) @JodyHedlund

Agents

We talk a lot about #writerfail or #queryfail. What about #agentfail? http://bit.ly/djGA6o @wendylawton

In case you ever have to fire your agent - here's how: http://bit.ly/czrCe1 @RachelleGardner

Dealing with Rejection

Author Lindsey Lane on the rattle of rejection: http://bit.ly/9Qojb8 @CynLeitichSmith

Twitter Tip Thursday

Thought I would try something different today and share some of the tips and useful links that I've come across on Twitter this week. So here goes:


Trends:

• For YA, dystopias remain king @Ginger_Clark
  
• Other kids updates: people want middle grade more than last year. Contemporary YA girls books, too @Ginger_Clark
  

Finding an agent:

• In today's "closed-to-queries" climate, how can writers get agents? A few tips: http://bit.ly/d7BMgl @JodyHedlund
• How to pick an agent if you write for multiple audiences http://ow.ly/2PixF @Kid_Lit
  
• "The world of children's literature is packed with promise and savvy literary agents." http://bit.ly/aC2JIP Top 20 PB Agents... @KatApel

Blogging:

• http://bit.ly/clAJhR Gr8t post for the crusaders!!! @AngelaPenaDahle
• 3 Reasons To Start Blogging Before a Book Contract: http://bit.ly/cycgyZ @JodyHedlund

On being a writer:

• I think confidence is important to one's craft. Fear--of offending, of criticism, of failing--cripples your creativity @DiaReeves

Writing tips:

• Consider the names you give your characters. Some hard to pronounce names can be a distraction @Georgia_McBride
• Try to define your story in 2-3 sentences. If you cannot, you are not ready to tell it @Georgia_McBride
• Hope these links help all you fab pb writers: http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-tips-for-writing-picture-books.html @JillCorcoran
• I see a lot of newbies writing w/o direction to the story=and then this happened then this and that. What is the story about? @Georgia_McBride
• I don't think in terms of describing every little thing so much as creating an image, something people will remember @DiaReeves
  

Revision tips:

• Don't hold on to words that don't add value to your story. Delete them. You'll think up more words. Better words @Georgia_McBride
• One rule I have is to read dialogue without tags. If I can't tell who said it by tone and voice, it's not good enough @kellyhashway
• Stephen King says to put the ms in a drawer for a month before editing <-- Works wonders @Tangynt

And my favorite tips for this week (you can tell I'm revising my manuscript right now!):

• To revise, I change the font before I read it again to trick my eyes into thinking I've never read it before @DiaReeves
• An oldie & a goodie. The 10 mistakes writers don't see - but can fix easily when they do, yay! http://bit.ly/10xTw @emiliaplater