Ask the Author: Amy Neftzger
Answered Questions (7)
Amy Neftzger
I actually go this idea from watching political discussions, although the book isn't about politics. I saw the way candidates addressed questions and issues and saw the importance of how they used language in their responses. The working title of the book is called "The War of Words."
Amy Neftzger
I am currently working on the third book in The Kingdom Wars series. The first book in the series was Orphanage of Miracles, and the second was The Orchard of Hope.
Amy Neftzger
The series is called "The Kingdom Wars" and The Orphanage of Miracles was the first book. I actually have 5 books planned out for the series, and I'm working on the 3rd right now. I'm setting them up so that they don't necessarily need to be read in order (similar to A Wrinkle in Time), but they will make more sense if you read them that way because you'll be able to watch the overall plot unfold as they attempt to win the war.
Amy Neftzger
I don't wait for inspiration to write - I set aside time every day. I have multiple projects, so I can go back and forth between them if I have more ideas for one of them.
That said, I also set aside time to read other authors, watch films, attend concerts, visit museums, and do other activities that can feed my sense of curiosity.
That said, I also set aside time to read other authors, watch films, attend concerts, visit museums, and do other activities that can feed my sense of curiosity.
Amy Neftzger
I started very young. By the time I was in third grade I had dozens of notebooks filled, especially with poetry. The important thing is that it's never too early or too late to start. Just begin.
Some of your stories will be better than others. This is normal even for the best writers, so don't be intimidated by thinking that your first story has to be perfect. The goal is to keep improving and learning over time, and if you're writing regularly this will happen.
Some of your stories will be better than others. This is normal even for the best writers, so don't be intimidated by thinking that your first story has to be perfect. The goal is to keep improving and learning over time, and if you're writing regularly this will happen.
Amy Neftzger
Change projects. I always have at least two books and an article or two in the works. If one feels forced I take a break from it and work on something else for awhile. A change of scenery often works, also. Get out of your writing environment and go to a museum or to the movies. A break like this often refreshes the mind so that you can develop new ideas.
Amy Neftzger
Don't quit. It will be tempting at times, but the difference between success and failure is persistence. Also, don't wait for validation from outside sources - if you look to others as your measure of success you will always feel like a failure.
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