We have a couple writers here working on series or potential series, yes? Check out this really thoughtful and smart essay by Marie Brennan on writing long: [link]

I think, frankly, what she says also applies to shorter work, specifically anything where you are producing work in installments. One of the points I think I'd never heard of before, but which really makes sense to me, is the danger of bringing in too many perspective characters, because each new POV limits the time spent on characterizing the other POV characters--and also has an adverse effect on the over pacing of the work.

Very smart discussion.

Thanks, Consuela. I never thought about series before writing in the current YA market, and it's something I'm not sure I'm cut out for.

I'm working on a sequel. I'm finding it a challenge to balance adding enough information to understand without reading the first book without bogging things down for someone who has read the first book.

Not that I'm working on it currently. I got a reader report from my agent's intern pointing out some weaknesses my agent feels need to be addressed before submitting. Not that I'm complaining. I want to make sure it's as good as possible before submitting to editors. It's really, really helpful to get feedback from people in the biz who have a stake in making the manuscript better. Also I think it's improving the feedback I can give when beta reading.

Speaking of beta reading. I'm really sorry I haven't gotten to yours Gar. Between work, revisions, and pre-existing beta reading commitments I've been too busy to find reading time. Overcommitting on beta reading is a bad habit of mine. I can still try to get to it if you feel it would still be helpful.

Personally, I feel that it would be better to work on your craft and struggle through rather than partner up with someone. But maybe a partnership would work better for you. I can't really imagine collaborating on one of my manuscripts; I think I'd just end up wanting to do it all my way. Even with the help I'm getting from my agent and her readers, it's a matter of them pointing out the weaknesses and it's up to me how to address them.

I made a create-your-own-author-bio madlib to go with a blog post on writing author bios. It seems to be amusing people.

Yes, I am waxing the cat. My office is clean too.

Yeah, I'm thinking that learnign to plot would be a good skill. I think I need some resources though. I don't think this is a case where practice alone will do it. Any good guides out there on plotting 101? I could google, but I'm not sure I'd be able to filter the garbage from the good stuff. So I prefer recs.

Does not have to be internet stuff though. If there are any books out there that people think have good plot advice I could try to get them.

How are you on the basic idea of a plot, the buildup, the climax, the denouement, etc? Complications and resolutions? I'm trying to think of my writing library and if anything explicitly addresses the process of getting people through an action. Are you wanting the grand framework of an entire story or the construction of scenes that progress the individual actions? Or all of the above?

Writing the Breakout Novel by Don Maas, who's an established agent. It's a great resource.

also The 90-day novel and Nancy Kress' Beginnings, Middles, and Ends.

Two totally different approaches.

I'll try all of those. beginnings middels and ends sounds especially promising, cause "middles" is my worst weakness.