Goodreads asked Susan Buffum:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Susan Buffum Keep writing. It takes time to evolve as a writer. When I look back at stuff I wrote when I was younger I shake my head and think- Whoa! I was pretty awful! when I read what I write these days I can actually see how I have developed and become a better writer over years! People are, I think, born with a natural talent for writing, but like anything, that talent needs to be practiced and honed over time. The earliest thing I remember writing that had an impact on the audience was in fourth grade when I was given a classroom assignment to write about a fantasmagorical gadget. I invented a gadget that allowed me to time travel back to the Revolutionary War. I delivered a plate of fresh hot cookies that I had baked with my mother to a tired, cold and discouraged General George Washington at Valley Forge and his simple heartfelt gratitude at such an act of kindness impressed my teacher, Mrs. Green. I had to read the story aloud to the class because it was the best story written for that assignment. That's when I had an inkling that I had a good imagination and a way with words. Next, I won a writing composition award in sixth grade for a series of stories I wrote from a goldfish in a bowl's point of view- his droll remarks about what he sees as he swims about in his bowl. I just kept writing and over time I got better at it. So, my best advice is keep writing, keep striving to better your writing. Use a dictionary and a thesaurus- sample new words. Don't get discouraged. Develop a circle of friends you can trust to read and critique what you write. Every writer needs critical feedback in order to grow. Don't be afraid or angered by criticism. Nobody is perfect. Critiques are a tool to help you fix something you might not even be aware of that is not good. Just, keep writing!

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