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FAQ, the writers edition

November 16, 2008 by Ally Carter Leave a Comment

WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF THE BOOK FOR YOU TO WRITE?

Tough question. It’s all tough in its own way, to tell you the truth. But the part that almost always gives me trouble for every book is the part that leads up to the big climactic moment–the mission or heist or whatever it is where the “action” of the book all culminates. The on-ramp of that is always tough for me. Don’t know why–but it is.

ARE YOU DOING NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH THIS YEAR?

No. Sadly, I’m doing Finish Your Rewrite of the Titleless Heist Book, You Doofus month.

There is far less camaraderie for that one, I’m afraid.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU START A NOVEL AND YOU WRITE ABOUT 20 PAGES AND THEN YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO WRITE?

Well, in that case I would say one of two things have happened. 1. Either you need to add more conflict (things that stand between your character and his/her goal) or 2. You need to be open to the possibility that you don’t have a novel on your hands–you have a short story or novella. Those are good to write, too. Just shorter.

WHAT HOW-TO BOOKS ABOUT WRITING DO YOU RECOMMEND?
See Jane Write by Sarah Mlynowski
Screenplay by Syd Field
On Writing by Stephen King

DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN ENGLISH MAJOR IN COLLEGE TO BE AN AUTHOR?
Well, I hold two–count ’em TWO–degrees in applied economics. So no.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF BEING AN AUTHOR?
Getting paid to do what I would gladly do for free.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO WRITERS MAKE?
That depends. A LOT. Some authors do get filthy rich but the VAST majority will never make a living wage from writing. Ever. You do it because you love it first. Always.

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO PUBLISH A BOOK?
You can publish a book at any age–just as soon as you write a book worth publishing.

HOW MANY DRAFTS OF YOUR NOVELS DO YOU DO?
Always at least three. Always. Usually many more.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE THAT YOU CAN GIVE TO ASPIRING AUTHORS.
This business isn’t for wusses. Not. Even. A little bit.

DID JOHN GREEN REALLY STEAL YOUR TITLE MOJO?
I sooooo wouldn’t put it past him.

-Ally

Filed Under: For Writers, Frequently Asked Questions

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