For Writers

There are lots of books out there about writing. How to begin … how to keep going … how to plot … how to create memorable characters … there’s probably a book out there on how to write interesting website copy. I should have looked for it!

It’s good to read those books, but don’t feel guilty if your process is different than what they advise. The main thing is to WRITE. Some days it might be 2000 words. Some days you might tinker with two sentences until you get them just right. Both days belong in the writing life. Some days you may watch a “Doctor Who” marathon or become immersed a book that is so good you can’t stop reading. Some days you may be in love or in mourning. Those days belong in the writing life, too. Live them without guilt.

Here are words of wisdom about writing from other authors:

Remember that even the greatest writers struggle

“J.R.R. Tolkien once confessed that about a third of the way through The Fellowship of the Ring, some ruffian named Strider confronted the hobbits in an inn, and Tolkien was in despair. He didn’t know who Strider was, where the book was going, or what to write next.”

NotForRobots.blogspot.com	Oregon author Laini Taylor talks about how to write a novel
Sarah Dressen	YA author Sarah Dessen talks about how to write a novel here
RickRiordan.com	Best-selling author Rick Riordan has wonderful advice for aspiring writers
Amazon.com - Ansen Dibell Works	Ansen Dibell, author of PLOT, and other writing books
Justine Larbalestier.com	YA novelist Justine Larbalestier shares writing advice here
JoKnowles.com	If you feel like writing, but you can’t seem to get un-stuck, here are some wonderful writing prompts, compiled by YA author Jo Knowles
CynthiaLeitichSmith.com	For a treasure trove of information about children’s books, visit the website of author Cynthia Leitich Smith
SCBWI.org	The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is an excellent organization for aspiring writers
My own blog...	For my series of interviews with other authors of middle grade and YA fiction (Authorial Intrusion)

YA author John Green’s advice for aspiring writers

"Try to experience a lot of heartbreak and woe. Ideally, there should also be some weeping and gnashing of the teeth. That stuff will come in handy later. But the most important thing is to read. That's true whether you're an aspiring writer or a working one. Reading is the only apprenticeship that writers have."