Author Q&A

Overall, I enjoy giving teen’s material they can relate to. I personally like the components of YA books because it highlights love, relationships, and the self-discovery and innocence aspects of growing up. It’s a very interesting phase in life that I love to try and capture with various plots and characters.

1)  Write!!! Sounds simple but a lot of new writers only think about ideas or think about writing. You can’t be an author without writing something. I love what Whoopi Goldberg said in Sister Act (from Letters To A Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke) “If when you wake up in the morning and you can think of nothing but writing, then you’re a writer.

2) Attempt to fully plot the story idea out – especially if it’s a series. Remember the plot is not stuck in stone once it’s written down but at least you have a blueprint. If you can only think of book one in a series then write book one and the story will evolve (I promise).

3) Ask yourself questions when writing and plotting to try and poke holes in plot/ideas so there will be no holes left to poke. Ask why, how, what if, does that make sense? Are there any leaps in logic, growth in characters or time with no explanation.

4) Make reachable goals for writing. And reach them. Reward yourself when you do because you won’t be rewarded by anyone else for a while.

5) Don’t be afraid to skip around and write out of order based on what parts excite you most at any particular time. But keep in mind that if you are bored when you’re writing, then you may want to rethink what you’re writing.

6) Figure out a writing rhythm. I like to edit while I write (several times over) but that slows down the process and some would argue the creativity and spontaneity. And sometimes I have to remind myself—to just get it out. Just Write!

1) Match your book with an agent who does deals in your genre. If you don’t do this you are wasting their time and yours. This is a huge reason why authors get rejected.

2) Your agent should be just as excited if not more excited about your book.

3) Don’t be rude at any point in the process. Remember you’re making connections in the industry including other authors, publishers, agents, editors, and even fans, so treat everyone with respect and stay true to yourself.

4) Seeking new literary agents is sometimes the way to go because these agents are building their client lists and you have better odds of landing with someone who is in the beginning stages of their career.

5) Queries should follow the simple 3-paragraph format of the hook, the book, and the cook. The first paragraph should include the title, genre, word count, and maybe why you’re querying that particular agent and a brief introduction – the elevator pitch with comps if you have them (recent titles similar to your book and why (if needed). The second paragraph should be your blurb that should read like back cover copy. The third paragraph is about the cook, so your writer’s bio. Check the other submission materials, which are different per agent. The ground rule is no attachments unless they are specifically requested.