I’ve been collecting some inspiring bits of writing-related wisdom for a while and wanted to post them here for you. I hope these links will encourage you in some way with your writing.

Elizabeth Bird, The Top 100 Children’s Novel Poll
If you love children’s books, this is a great list, with a link to detailed comments about each book. You’ll see many of your classic childhood favorites, plus some of the newer ones. Can you guess what the number one book is?

Publisher’s Weekly, Children’s Bestsellers 2009: The Reign Continues
Here’s a great list of the top-selling children’s books from last year. (Yep, Wimpy Kid, Percy Jackson, and Twilight made the top ten. These books are all really different, though. What made them bestsellers?)

Lanier Ivester, Facedown
This essay by my talented sister-in-law appeared on “The Rabbit Room” website and offers inspiration to Christian artists of every type, on why our creative endeavors bring glory to the God of the Universe. Inspiring!

Jane Friedman, Stop Being Afraid of Posting Your Work Online
Publisher & editorial director of Writer’s Digest offers reasons why writers today should post their work online “in a very smart, strategic, and targeted way.”

Jane Friedman, 5 Things that Make Me Stop Reading Websites and Blogs
Another great article, where Jane explains her pet peeves when she’s reading online. She has some good tips for writers hoping to improve the visibility of their website or blog.

Chuck Sambuchino, Be (Slightly) Afraid of Posting Your Work Online.
Why this agent believes writers should be wary about posting their high-concept ideas and fiction online. The rules are different for non-fiction, where the focus is on building platform.

Sarah Mlynowski, The Future is on the Line
What would you say to yourself if you had a magic cell phone that could call you up at age 14? Here are a bunch of YA novelists who wrote what they’d say.

Chip MacGregor, The Best Advice
CBA agent offers ten pieces of writing advice, full of Chip’s typical wit and wisdom.

Brenna Ehrlich, From Blog to Book Deal: How 6 Authors Did It
Here are some interesting stories about writers who turned their great ideas into book form by first creating an awesome blog. Hint: most of them offer people something to laugh about!

And one last quote:
I saw this today on a chiropractor’s sign:
“7 days with no exercise makes one weak.”

Happy reading (and exercising!)