Esther asked Jennifer A. Nielsen:

I really wan to write a novel. What do you use to prepare and write, and how?

Jennifer A. Nielsen This could be a HUGE answer, Esther, a whole book in itself. But I will say this; if you want to write a novel, these are some of the things I believe you must do:

1. Read. And not just read for fun, but start to look at books the way a writer would look at them. What scenes work and why? How do writers describe places, emotions, people? If you don't like a book, do you know why it didn't work for you? The more you read and analyze, the more you will know how you want to write.

2. Write. The best way to improve as a writer is to write. Most writers clear through a million words before they start writing really well, so don't worry if your early stuff isn't as good as you want it. Just keep writing. Every story you create will make you better.

3. Finish. Just keep going until you type The End. Just getting to the end will put you in an elite group of aspiring authors. So many give up too early. Don't you do it.

4. Edit. The first few drafts of your story probably will be pretty bad. And I can say that because with few exceptions, everyone's first drafts are pretty bad - even the best writers in the world. So plan to go through it again and again and again, each time making it better, until what you've written begins to feel like something amazing. Great writing happens after several edits, so learn to love it.

I wish you a ton of luck. Now time to get writing!

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