Ally Carter

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Advice for new writers

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Hey everybody.

Ally here. I think I’d like to do a post with advice for writers (something I do from time to time–check the archives to read them.)

So if any of you are writing–or would like to write–please leave your questions in the comments section. Next week I will answer my favorites.

Oh, and it makes my job much easier if you don’t ask more than two questions at a time.

thanks!

ALLY

PS: THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW COMMENTS.

 

Comments

  2. What is the publishing process? Just out of curiosity, what did you have to go through after editing?

  6. Hi!
    First of all, thank you so much for answering these questions!
    I’ve read a lot of your articles regarding teens publishing their works. I’ve been working on my novel for five years, and it’s been through twelve edits. I’ve also done a lot of research on the publishing industry.
    So, my question is do you think it’s a good idea for teens to get published when they’ve taken the time to edit and revise, and done their homework on publishing?
    Thanks!
    Hannah

  8. Hey Ally! Hopefully you can help me!

    1) How do you decide what goes in your synopsis and for the back cover of your book? In other words, how do you highlight what will happen in the plot but keep from giving away spoilers? I’m writing one now, and am either too vague or on the verge of giving spoilers in my attempt to make people want to read the book.

    2) Given the name “Kitesong Trilogy”, with the 3 books being named, “Flight”, “Sight”, and “Light, respectively, what is your honest opinion (as a reader and an author?)? These are the titles I currently have, and I’d like a professional (not to mention, respected) opinion from someone I trust to tell me their real opinion, tough love or no.

  9. Hi Ally!

    Here is my question: How hard is it to create your books “universe”. I know it is all set in the present day, but there is something’s you have to come up with. It that hard?

    Kylie

  10. I would like to start writing some short stories but I have a few questions

    How much dialogue should a story have in general?

    How do you develop characters?

  11. Hi Ally!
    1.So ive always loved to write. And I read your books more than is healthy. So I tend to write stories like yours, but a problem I have is that I don’t want my story to be to cheesy and stupid and immature. Im at an age where I don’t want it to be like that. That’s something I appreciate about your books is that they are yes teenage books but they aren’t to cheesy- at least I don’t think so and anyone who disagrees might get punched in the face because you are my writing role model in a lot of ways- how do you find that balance? Not being to cheesy but it still being fiction that makes your heart beat out of your chest?(If that’s not too melodramatic.)
    2.And to kind of go along with that. You know how the slow parts of a book where you get to know the characters and not much is going on- are the really important parts because that’s what makes you love the characters so much? How do you get yourself to write those parts and not just skip to the action packed romantic exciting scenes? Because those slow parts are sometimes hard to write- how do you discipline yourself?

  12. Ally, I’ve always loved that your writing has a very fast pace and there is always something interesting going on in the story. Recently, I’ve found that I really like the pacing of my stories at the beginning but that they slow down when I reach the middle. My question for you is, how do I keep my story interesting and energized during the sagging middle?

  13. Hi!! So I love to write and am doing a competition on Wattpad. But for my story (this is kind of embarrassing), I added a short kissing scene. And having absolute zero experience real life, I have NO IDEA how to describe it. I’ve read plenty of romance novels and they describe them kinda of the same. I want to sound different….

    Anyway, if you answer this, thank you so much in advance and I love you 🙂

  14. Hi Ally.
    I am one of your many many multitude of fans.
    As an aspiring novel writer (and one who is just looking to pass her English short story assignment…) I was wondering if you could give me any advice on knowing how to make sure a story makes sense and works cohesiy together.
    Also how do your characters develop in you head? And how do you translate different parts of them onto the page when the little detail are needed.

    Thank you so much, even if you don’t get to answer this.

  15. 1) Do you have a process to get into a “Special” zone to start writing a section of a book?
    2) If someone doesn’t have too much time to write due to other activities (Sports, school, homework…etc), what would you say to them to help motivate them to write during that time?
    Sophie

  16. When do you come up with the ending of a book? Is before you begin?

    How do you make the characters in your story believable?

    Thank You so much!
    Cece

  17. Ally, big fan here. How do start to get your ideas going if you dead lock on what you going to do. Also how do you come up with spies and thefts stories to be really mysterious and cool like the mix between Gallagher Girls and The Heist Society novels.

    Thanks,
    Sarah D.

  18. Hi Ally!

    Here are my questions:

    1. I guess that you most of the time have more than one idea in your head – how do you choose which one to write next?

    2. Do you keep your ideas in a notebook or in your head?

    I really hope that you will write more Heist books (please, please, please!) because I LOVE them! But OK, I love all your books 🙂

    Lots of love from Gabriella in Sweden

  19. When you write a novel do you start from beginning to end or write different parts the piece it all together?

  20. Hey Ally,
    I know that a lot of authors know their characters really really well. I have heard that that J K Rowling had notebooks on Harry and others. But when I write stories I don’t really know my characters that well and when I try to “get to know them” I don’t really get anything….. Is that just something that comes with practice? I totally get that right now I am totally just practicing my writing but I would really like to feel like I know my characters because I feel like that would add a better element to my story. Thank you very much, “Jellybeans”

  23. I’m working on a novel I started during NaNoWriMo. During November I wrote and wrote and wrote, but now I can’t make myself write. I come up with excuses, even when I feel like writing. How can I make myself want to write?

  25. Hi Ally!

    Do you have any advice for a writer who doesn’t necessarily want to write a 300-page novel but would love to really impress her high school English teacher (and all the college professors she will be meeting next year)?

    Thank you! 🙂

  27. I’m so glad you’re doing a Q&A kind of thing! I have so many questions, but I’ll only ask two.

    1. When you get in a really bad writing block, do you take a break from the story or just push through it until it passes?

    2. If you know where you want to go with the plot line of a story, but don’t know how to get there, is it better to write out the scenes you plan to include or is it better to just wait until you get there in the plot line of your writing?

    I hope you answer my questions and I hope the whole Embassy Row thing is going well. I can’t wait for the first one to be published!

    Thanks!

  28. My question is how do you decide how much of the facts (names of towns, names of famous people, etc) in the universe of your story are true and how much are fiction?

  30. How do you keep yourself motivated to keep writing a story or maintain the tone of writing you have within a story?

    I love to write short stories, but I can’t find the mood or motivation I initially had when I first start writing it, so the beginning of the story usually has a completely different tone then a portion of the story I write the next day, and I’m trying to find some tips to combat this. xx

  33. hi Ally!
    How do you develop believable characters readers will enjoy and may someone relate too, like Kat, who has a big family or Cammie, who thinks she’s practically invisible to the world?
    Thx in advance!

  34. How do you develop a character’s relationship with someone (friendships, romantic, etc) without making it look forced or rushed?

    Thanks for taking time to answer our questions!

  36. How do you start a book? I have the characters, setting and plot but I just don’t know where to start writing and similarly how do you write parts that don’t have directly to do with the main conflict?

  37. Ok, I have an outline written for my story. I know where I want it to go, and how I want it to sound. My only problem is that I don’t know how to start. I will sit and stare at a blank sheet of paper with my outline next to me and my mind will go blank. My question is: How do you start?

  38. ok so this is freaky because i barely started your series and i’ve got two names from your series that is super freaky and my question to you is; How do you write about your characters like i know that to write about someone you first need to know them, but how?

  40. Whenever you get compliments for your work, you tend to worry about the next work and whether it will meet or beat the standards of readers. Do you keep that in mind while writing, and if you do how do you make sure it is better than your previous work.

  42. Sometimes, while reading the GG series I honestly think that I am Cammie. (Unfortunately, I lack decent spy training to prove this but that’s beside the point.) I picked up LYKY when I was in the 6th grade and now the final book in the series has been released during my last year in high school. I truly feel as though these girls that exist only on paper – and in my mind – have grown up with me and are now very near and dear to my heart. Although it may not be your primary intention, how do you manage to establish such a personal experience for your readers as I have had? Do you feel as though any of the characters are reflections of your own inner voices or do you keep them completely separate from yourself?

    Thank you for everything! And stay gold, Ally Carter. Stay gold. 🙂

  44. 1)How do you organize when your writing?

    2)When i try to write something it ends up going on and on and I don’t know how or when to end it, how do you know when/how to stop?

  45. Hey Ally! How do you write about emotions and feelings without it sounding too cliche? I’m having a hard time with this because a lot of times my work just sounds overused.
    Thanks!

  47. Would you recommend teen writers start posting their stories on wattpad or other websites like it? Especially if they want to turn the hobby into a career at some point in their lives?

  48. Thanks for offering to answer these questions! I have a couple.

    1. Do you organize the plot on something like an outline before writing? Or do you just get a general idea of what you want and let the characters run wild?

    2. How do you create different personalities for characters in your books? I can create the different personality types and how I want them to act, I just sometimes have trouble when it comes to dialogue that the characters start to act and speak the same.

    and 3. Is there any publishing or editing company that you might recommend to new writers? Or any helpful websites that might answer any questions that you might not have enough time to answer? (I can already tell you have a lot to answer)

    I can’t think of anything else right now. Ha ha, when you’re put on the spot all thought escapes you! Thanks so much for offering to answer these questions I look forward to reading your next post. 🙂

  49. Hey Ally! What’s the best way to deal with writers block? I’ve been kind of stuck in the middle of my story for a while and really need to get remotivated, but don’t know how.