Goodreads asked Lisa Heidle:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Lisa Heidle Great question. I work with many young people and even created a youth creative writing camp a few years ago. The young people, ranging in ages from 10 to 18, were able to work with established writers in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, song writing, and play writing. Advice I give is to 1) work at the craft; 2) find a mentor(s) that believe in you; and 3) define what success means to you. Working at the craft is not just learning the techniques but taking chances, breaking the rules, learning what feels comfortable for you as a writer. Finding a mentor is not always easy, but it is so important for this solitary work. If there's someone you admire that is further along on the writing path, reach out. If the person does not have time or is unwilling to mentor you, do not take it personally--they're not the right one for you. Keep searching. The simple definitions of success are money, accolades, and fame, and those things are nice, but being able to do what you love and allowing it space in your life is also success. Reflect on what a successful career will look like for you and stay true to it.

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