Shannen asked Jennifer A. Nielsen:

Hello! I am such a big fan of all of your works and I’m so thankful for your novels. I was wondering if you had any advice for aspiring writers? I really enjoy writing and would love to have any advice you are willing to give

Jennifer A. Nielsen Thanks very much Shannen. My advice is this: Get a copy of your favorite book – the one that makes you want to write. Now get a highlighter and pen. This time I want you to read the book the way a writer reads it. So highlight everything you love: a bit of description, a line of dialogue, a chapter ending you loved, or whatever. Then use the pen and write in the column why you loved it. What made it work? As soon as you can figure out how your favorite author did something well, then you will know how to bring it in to your own writing. If you do this, it will be as helpful to you as a dozen books on how to write. Good luck!

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