Top Picks Thursday 08-29-2013

Happy end of August! For some, school has begun, for others it is right around the corner, freeing parent-writers to get more writing done.

We all know that bookstores are walking on a thin line these days. Some local bookstores are turning to crowdsourcing to raise funds. Meanwhile, Laura Hazard Owens gathers 3 takes on why bookstores are dead–and why that’s not such a bad thing.

Libraries are also having their problems, and here are some ways that some libraries are dealing with their financial issues.

Looking for some good reading? Here’s a list of ass-kicking, sporty, or competitive YA protagonists.

If you are in need of something to jump-start your writing, try Christina Katz’s 21 Moments Writing Challenge, which starts September 1st.

Susan Adrian reminds us of the importance of having writing heroes–and the importance of being kind, because you never know how deeply your actions impact someone else.

CRAFT

Carolyn Kaufman tells us how to protect ourselves from plagiarism–either being plagiarized or inadvertently plagiarizing others.

Are story tropes the bedrocks of fiction, or tired clichés? Jami Gold discusses if we should avoid story tropes altogether, while Carrie Cuinn lists 11 exhausted sci-fi tropes to definitely avoid.

A.X. Ahmad shares how to write a page turner in 5 easy steps; and K.M. Weiland defines tone versus voice, and how to choose the right tone for your book.

Charlee Vale shows how to bring your story to life by writing for the senses, and K.M. Weiland returns with how to structure a whammy of a climax. And if all else fails, take these 7 writing lessons from the best of Craig’s List ads.

Readers connect with our characters, if we write them right. Ninie Hammon has 10 ways to create unforgettable characters; Kristen Lamb shows how to use setting to deepen your character; and C.S. Lakin explores seeing the world through your character’s eyes.

There always seems to be controversy swirling around strong female characters. Rose Fox puts strong female characters in context, and Anna Gunn discusses her rather scary position of playing a much-hated female character on Breaking Bad.

Editing is vital to having a strong book. Roz Morris walks us through the levels of editorial feedback and how to deal with them. When you are paying someone to edit your book, you want it to be as clean as possible before handing it over. Kristen Lamb lists 6 easy ways to self-edit that will save you money, while Sandra Miller adds 11 tips on editing your own writing.

Writing is a very emotional experience. Kathryn Craft examines how to manage our emotions to write well and navigate our careers effectively. One of the most emotional events when writing is writer’s block. Kristen Lamb explains why the single largest cause of writer’s block might not be what you believe, while Jami Gold shares 5 tips for getting unstuck in your story.

In various genre/category news…Kelly Jensen explores the ridiculous ways the Internet explains why adults read YA; cartoonist Chris Ware talks storytelling, kindness, and the power of comics; and April Genevieve Tucholke gives 6 tips to writing YA horror.

Jody Hedlund shares her top two pieces of writing advice; Melinda Dozier has advice for new romance authors that is useful for any new author; and Uriah Young’s interview with Kathryn Craft brings us a story of hope and perseverance on your way to your dream.

BUSINESS

Joel Friedlander answers reader questions on self-publishing.

Going the traditional route? Chuck Sambuchino has tips for pitching an agent at a conference; Rachelle Gardner tells us how to use comps properly in a query; GalleyCat has 23 query letters that worked; and Danielle Smith of Foreword Literary is looking for clients.

When marketing your book, some techniques work better than others. Janice Hardy gives tips on promoting your book, while Jane Friedman reminds us of a key marketing principle often forgotten. Stina Lindenblatt outlines the ABCs of a successful giveaway, while Penny Sansevieri has a quick tip to drive more sales to Amazon.

Author platform is so important these days. Kristen Lamb answers the question: when is it time to start building your author platform? And Marcy Kennedy lists 6 ways to use Twitter lists to build your platform.

Your blog is usually a large part of your platform. Joel Friedlander explains why your blog’s About page is probably all wrong, Jill Celeste shares 16 quotes to inspire your blog writing, and Kristen Otte tells the truth about blogging.

Finally, whatever online platform you build, Natalia Sylvester tells us how to build a web presence and stay safe.

THE UNIQUE SHELF

Here are 16 bookstores you have to see before you die.

Doubt the power of reading? See how a photo of a street kid reading stirs action in Manila.

That’s it for us! Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!