Julie asked Catherine Ryan Hyde:

I'm thrilled that I ge to ask you anything. I'm a h fan and love reading your books! If I may can you give me a hint on your writing process? I have been mulling around about writing a book about things that happened in my and my daughter's life. So I just would like to know,I would like to help anyone who finds themselves unprepared when your newborn is diagnosed with a heart defect Julie

Catherine Ryan Hyde Oh, that sounds like something that would be very useful in the world! I think you should go for it. Being nonfiction/memoir, it's not exactly up my alley, but I can give a bit of process advice. Here's the most important thing: Get everything you might want to say down in digital memory (or "on paper," as we used to say). Worried that you're not doing it right? Who cares? It's only the first draft. Just keep going. Don't listen to the voices in your head about how you're doing. Just get it all in there any way you can. When you're done with the draft, you can get help whipping it into shape, You can hire a freelance editor if you can afford it, or join a writer's critique group if you can't. But nobody can help you with a blank page,

My real, direct email address is on my website (under Contact Me) and you are welcome to get in touch directly if you have more questions or are seeking advice. My process will be a little different, being fiction, but I will be happy to share more with you by email if it would help.

Good luck!

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