Deb asked Veronica Roth:

What's the most important thing you would tell someone interested in becoming an author? I love all your books and am interested in writing what advice would you give me and others in similar situations?

Veronica Roth My biggest piece of advice is to consider whether you enjoy the day-in, day-out work of writing. That may sound a little obvious, but it's not always clear to the outside observer just how much sitting in front of the computer and dealing with words, words, words the life of an author is. It can be tedious and frustrating, but if you truly love writing, you'll be wiling to endure those parts of it because of the inherent reward of the other parts.

The other reason this joy is important is that any author, no matter how beloved and lauded, deals with career setbacks and discouragement. The path through those uncomfortable, difficult moments is to return to the work that you love and try again. But if that work doesn't feel worth it to you, it won't ease your way through the setbacks. It'll become just another burden to bear.

So if you want to be an author, learn to find joy in the ordinary, daily work of making stories. Also: read widely, read thoughtfully, and find honest but considerate critique partners to help you see your work more clearly. Good luck out there!

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