Writing Advice From My Favorite Authors

I read a lot of books.  Typically YA, even still to this day.  In high school, I was known for carrying around two things: 1) a notebook with whatever story I was writing at the time 2) a book.  I've always been a fast reader, so I typically finished a book the same day I brought it to school.

Which meant I got very familiar with my local libraries.  As a teenager, I super could not afford to buy new books as fast as I read them.  Plus, I don't like buying brand new books unless I really like the author.  Even then, there are still only a few authors whose books I'll buy immediately when they come out rather than wait until they go on sale or until I can find a used copy.

DW is honestly the most relatable character ever.

These particular authors have taught me many things over the years.  Namely, they're amazing writers and I should be so lucky as to be like any one of them!  I'll provide their website info down below, and you can always follow them on social media too.  That way, you're always up to date with their awesomeness!

So, for today's post, I'm going to be sharing who some of my favorite authors are, my favorite book or series by them, and some of the great writing advice and quotes they've shared with fellow writers!  So, in no particular order, here we go!

MEG CABOT

Meg Cabot is my idol.  She's been my favorite author since I was twelve years old, and she never disappoints.  And I'm not afraid to fangirl over her and her work - as noted in my previous blog post "My Hero, Meg Cabot".  I started reading The Princess Diaries series in the sixth grade before eating up the rest of her books.  These days, I'd say my favorite Meg Cabot work is the Heather Wells series.  The series is amazing, and as soon as I can dig the books out from wherever I stored them during my move last month, I'm going to read them again!

Here are my favorite pieces of writing advice from Meg (all taken from her website).

"It is always more fun to start a new story than it is to work on the one you've been working on for months. This is why publishers don't pay writers their whole advance until they turn in the completed manuscript. Every writer feels this way. Just power through it, and remember that if you write a page a day - just ONE page - three months you'll have a hundred page story. And in six months you'll have a two hundred page story. That's almost a whole book. So don't think about it like: 'Oh my gosh, I have to write two hundred pages.' Think of it like, 'Today, I have to write a page.' Trust me. It works."

"Write the kinds of stories you like to read. If you don't love what you're writing, no one else will, either." 

"That is the difference between someone who WANTS to write, and someone who DOES write. The person who FINDS the time is the one who is going to become a writer. The person who doesn't, won't. You have to decide what's important to you. I didn't write very much while I was in school because I had too much homework/social life. There is no shame in waiting on the writing thing until you have more time. I did." 

Find out more here:
https://www.megcabot.com/

SIMONE ELKELES

Simone Elkeles is phenomenal.  I read Perfect Chemistry in my junior year of high school - copies of it were spreading around my school like wildfire - and became addicted.  I think my favorite Simone books are Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise.  The characters are incredible and just so real.  It leaves me so sad and happy at the same time whenever I reread those books.  Sigh.  So good.  

Tangent before I share some great writing advice from Simone:  I went to Warped Tour in Milwaukee a few years back primarily to see my favorite band - Mayday Parade - and, thanks to Twitter, I found out she happened to be there too!  We were in the same crowd for Mayday Parade and everything.  What were the odds of that? :)  

Anyway, here are my favorite pieces of writing advice from Simone (all taken from her website):

"Most people who start a book never finish it.  Sometimes you might feel like you have writer's block, but I've learned (because when you're under contract you CAN'T have writer's block) to keep writing even if it goes slow.  Keep going, let yourself write stupid stuff because you can always go back and revise it." 

"I don’t write an outline. I like to be surprised by where my characters and the story takes me."

"Unlike most authors I know, I didn’t like reading as a teen and I wasn't a fan of English class. I fell in love with reading as an adult – specifically romance novels. I was so in love with them, I started writing them. Once I started writing for myself and not for a teacher or a grade, I realized that I loved writing and never wanted to stop. Writing is the best profession and now I can’t imagine doing anything else!"

Find out more here:  

http://www.simoneelkeles.com/

ALLY CARTER 

I started reading Ally Carter's books in middle school, and I loved them.  She's fantastic at writing spy or espionage stories for YA.  I read the Gallagher Girls series in middle school, and I've just never stopped reading her stuff!  My favorite is definitely her Embassy Row series.  They are fan-freaking-tastic.  She also regularly blogs on her website about writing, publishing, her struggles, etc...  Because she has so much amazing content there, I'm not even going to try to pick the best pieces of advice.  Just check out her blog on her website instead.  You will not be disappointed! 

Find out more here: 

http://allycarter.com/


I hope you enjoyed the advice these amazing writers had to give.  Please check them out!  Their writing deserves all the praise in the world!  

As always, write on!

Amy