Goodreads asked Chris Raiin:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Chris Raiin Read books on how to write (my favorites include Ayn Rand's "The Art of Fiction," Hallie Burnett's "On Writing the Short Story," and Orson Scott Card's "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy.")

Read books written in the 1700 and 1800s. They'll show you what's really possible with words. (I recommend Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Alexandre Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo," and Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein.") Read contemporary books, too, to know what's trending and what you have to work with (that is, what you can be part of or deviate from). Avoid popular fiction novels (like the "Twilight" or "Hunger Games" series), but read one every now and then to understand why it’s popular. Look for award-winning fiction, especially the controversial stuff. (I recommend Junot Díaz's "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," Yann Martel's "Life of Pi," and Salman Rushdie's "Shame.")

Write every day, because, "Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working" (Pablo Picasso).

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