Click here to ask Sarah!

[Mariam]

Hi Sarah, I absolutely love your books, they're so real and i feel a lot of people can relate to them! My question is: When was that moment when you thought 'Hey, I'm actually pretty good at writing, maybe I want to become an author.'?

[Lexi]

Hi Sarah! I just wanted to say first that I've been a big fan for several years and Im stoked to read The Moon and More once I have enough money to get a copy :) I was curious, being a writer myself, if you have a favorite book that you've written. I know that I wrote a story that just resonated with me do much when I was writing it and now I can't imagine calling myself a writer without that story and those characters. Do you feel that way about any of your novels?

[Roni]

Hi Sarah!
First just wanna say you totally made my year when you came to the LA Festival of Books, so glad I got to meet you and get my book signed!
Anyway...to the questions and please forgive me because I'm probably echoing like a million other people on this thread but, oh well...

1.Do you base your characters on people you know? Either personality wise or names? And do "they" know they're in your book?

2.Why did you end "The Moon and More" differently than most of your other books? I loved the book but I'm just curious. =)
BTW, really loved Morris!

[Laurel]

Sarah, I have read all of your books and have enjoyed each one, also love How to deal the movie. I love to read and that relates to my question, I am curious what books are on your list of top 5 favorites besides your own? Thank you for writing such great novels I haven't found one yet I could.put down. - Laurel

[Sara]

Hi Sarah! You're books have been my inspiration to write for a long time now. They take my heart through an emotional roller coaster ride every time! I think, it's the way your characters deal with real life issues, such as eating disorders, and it makes your books not just another teenage love story. So I'm really just wondering if you have any unique tips of your own for aspiring young adult authors, like myself, besides the average response. I know to make time to write every day, read a lot, and realize that a rough draft is going to be, key word, rough. However, if you have any special ingredients you mix together to create the wonderful books you write, I would love, and appreciate very much, any advice/tips you could give away. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions, and being a great inspiration to so many! - Sara H.

[Ciri]

Hello Sarah! I'm Nina and I really love your books.. Tell me, what was giving you inspiration to write such great books, and what would you recommend to a young writer, like me?
You are a huge inspiration to me..Kisses and hugs from Belgrade!^-^

[Morgan]

Sarah I LOVE your books. Not only do I enjoy reading them, but they always seem to relate to my life and I'm always grabbing "go to quotes" from the pages of your books. I think you should take a trip to good ole' Lafayette, Louisiana sometime! You have a huge fan base here and not to mention you'd eat some really great food while you're here!! Haha. But my question is, where can I get some of your pens with the quotes on them?! I see you give them out sometimes based on some of your fans tweets. I'd Love to order some if they're available! Thanks! And keep writing! :)

[Chantelle]

Hi!
If Just Listen was to be made into a film, who would you want as the cast? Also, was there anybody that you based Owen off? And where did you get the idea for Owen's personality?

Thanks!

[Dutchling]

I have no idea who are, but John Green retweeted you so you must be a pretty cool human being and an awesome writerm :D.

Q: Which one of your book would you recommend me to read? Of which are you the proudest (or happiest, etc)?

[Stephanie]

Hi Sarah,
I am in awe of your talent and hope to be able to pick your brain a bit. I have two questions:
1. I am in the process of writing my first YA novel. Should I have my manuscript complete before I search for an agent or can I begin the search now?
2. Any tips for writing a query? This part seems more challenging than writing the novel itself!
Thank you for your time. I think you are great! I follow you on twitter and can't wait to read your tweets everyday!

[Veah]

Good morning Sarah!

First of all, you're books have been such a guiding light for me. You've written stories people can relate to and that helps a lot. Also, my question is, since we're both from North Carolina, is setting related: Have you based your settings on North Carolina or are they purely fictional?

Thank you and have a great day! Xxx

[Nicole]

Which one of your books would you most like to see made into a movie? (I loved seeing your characters come to life in How to Deal but I want more!)

[Gabrielle]

Hi Sarah, my name is Gabrielle and I love all of your books. Sometimes they can even inspire. I am really excited to read the new book. One question I have is how are you able to write a book with all of the other things that you have going on?

[Pam]

Hi Sarah!

There's something about your writing that seems to resound almost universally among adolescent girls; I know it did for me and for the many friends unto whom I passed well-worn favourites. Your books have been Special Favourites for me for well over ten years now.

One thing that's always struck me about them is the vivid quality of all your secondary characters: Kristy, Macon, Whitney, Isabel, Ted, Chris Starr... Is there something that inspires you when coming up with them? Do you have a method of character-building that you've really come to enjoy using?

Thank you!

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Hi Everyone! I'm here all day and will be answering YOUR questions. Thanks for coming by to say hello!

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Riya wrote: "Hey Sarah! My name is Riya and I'm one of your biggest fans. I was wondering what your motivation was to keep writing, to not give up halfway through a book. That always happens to me."

I ALWAYS want to give up at a certain point in every book. I actually just started writing another novel and it's giving me fits. The beginning is always fun, because I usually haven't written in awhile, but after page 50 or so it starts getting hard. That's where the work comes in. You just HAVE to keep showing up and push through, or you'll never get to the end.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Shira wrote: "Hi Sarah! My name's Shira, and I'm a huge fan. I was wondering how you come up with ideas for your books. Do you start with the characters or with the plot, or a bit of both?"

I never start writing until I have what I call my "skeleton": that's first scene, climactic scene and last scene, plus the first line. If I don't have those in place, I tend to just spiral off and write myself into a hole. I need SOME direction, but I can't outline, or I'd feel like I had to stick with that plan, and often things pop up that are too good to ignore.

[Rachel]

Hi Sarah! I was just wondering which of your characters you relate to most, mostly because each of them has a significantly different past and outlook on life in general. Who do you think most closely resembles you in the sense that you feel like you grew up and think like them?

Thanks!

[Ivy]

Dear Sarah,

Which book are you most proud of? Does it ever get harder for you to write a new novel? If not, how and where do you find new inspiration?

Also, I'm sure you know lots of your fans admire your sweet gentlemen characteristic of each of your male characters. Are those nice male personalities happened to be inspired by your husband? :)

[Bettina]

Hi Sarah! I'm a HUGE fan of all your books! Read and enjoyed every single one! My personnel favourite is Just Listen, it's what really got me started on your books. I'm currently reading The Moon & More and plan took take a picture of it when I'm in Italy at the beach!
My question for you is, how do you get inspired to write your books?

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Amina wrote: "Hi Sarah, Before I asked you a question I just wanted to butter you up with a bit of (truthful) flattery. I have read almost all of the books you have written currently and incredibly excited to re..."

I think by this point in my writing career, one of my biggest concerns is keeping the books fresh. I don't want to be repeating myself, so I'm always aware if I've covered a certain topic already, or if what I'm working on sounds a BIT too much like a previous book. It's hard, though! When I DO get an idea that I haven't covered before, it's the best. When I get excited about writing something, that's a great sign.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Maria wrote: "Hi! Sarah, I am a big fan (but I guess you already knew that!)What can we expect form The Moon and More? Do you plan on making a novel about teenagers already in college in the future? Thank you fo..."

So far, I've only gotten to the BRINK of college, with writing about the summer before. That said, though, I think eventually my narrators may have to grow up past high school. A lot has happened to be since then. But I need the idea, if it does come, to be organic. I don't want to force it. So we'll just have to wait and see....

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Directioner wrote: "Hi Sarah!! How does it feel when you finish writing the end of a book that's going to be read by a lot of people?"

It is exciting AND terrifying, really. On the one hand I'm happy that after a year of writing and another of editing everyone will finally see what I've been doing. On the other, I REALLY don't want to disappoint my fans, so I'm always worried about what they'll think. I've basically been a nervous wreck since about, oh, February of this year.

[Alexa]

Hi Sarah,

First of all, I want to thank you. Your books helped me get through both middle school and high school. I'd go back to them constantly because they never failed to give me hope. And that is something I am incredibly grateful for - I can't really explain how much. So thank you. I am endlessly inspired by how well you seem to understand your characters and how easily I am able to relate - whether I am 13 or 22. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't say it enough.

Aaaand I do have a few questions. :)

1. What is your writing process? Do you have an outline for the story before you begin or see where the characters take you?

2. How do you flesh out your characters during said writing process? Do you spend time with each individually to find their quirks and the qualities that make them unique?

3. If you could spend a day with any of your characters, to give them advice or even just to talk to them and hear their thoughts, who would it be? (Mine is Dexter. Alwaaaays.)

4. What is your favorite relationship in your books? Not just romantic, but any kind. (I've always been a fan of Wes and Bert.)

5. How do you handle writers block? I often find myself so frustrated with it that I scrap the whole idea. How do you recover?

Thank you so much again. I loved the Moon and More and I can't tell you how much it helped me even now, just as I have graduated college. It was the perfect time for a new novel of yours to come out for me. They have always been my comfort.

Thank you thank you thank you!

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Ruthie wrote: "Ms. Dessen:

As an avid fan of your books, I've noticed that each of your characters have something unique - be it a quirk like Mclean's basketball name in What Happened to Goodbye or a unique tal..."

I think that often, I'm just trying to keep the characters interesting for MYSELF, as selfish as that sounds. I want each narrator, and character, to stand out, not be static. Everyone has SOMETHING about them that is an interesting detail or quirk, and those are the fun things to write about. I'm always keeping my eyes open. If I hear or see something that intrigues me, I'll usually add it to a character because it's fun to write about.

[Ivy]

This is nothing career related but do you read all tweets that you receive?

[Jordan]

Hi Sarah! I am a huge fan!!!! The first book I ever read of yours was Someone like you, and I absolutely loved it. I am looking forward to reading your new book. You are my favorite YA contemporary author ever!
What inspired you to become an author?
What was your favorite book to write?

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Amreen wrote: "Hello Sarah, my name is Amreen! My question is: Which out of all the books you've written, is your favorite one? Personally, I like The Truth About Forever! :)"

I often get asked this and it's SO hard to pick a favorite! I feel like it's not fair to the books to do so, as weird as that sounds. I will say that THIS LULLABY was the most fun to write, with ALONG FOR THE RIDE as a close second. But I'm very proud of the books that were REALLY hard to write, like THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER and JUST LISTEN, as well.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Nicola wrote: "Hi Sarah, There seem to be a ton of YA novels and authors out there, how did you manage to rise to the top and become such a well known name? Is it simply because of the caliber of your writing or ..."

I think it's a little bit of everything you mentioned. I've been writing YA since 1996, so I was around BEFORE the big burst of popularity the genre is now enjoying. I think I do have a good relationship with my readers, and I'm kind of a Twitter addict, as well. But there's no one formula. At the end of the day, I just want to write good books. I'm doing my best to do that, every day.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Courtney wrote: "Hi Sarah! I adore your books and would probably be called "too old to read them." The fact that I am 37 years old and cannot stop reading your books once I start, shows what a timeless writer you..."

I was rejected a LOT before I sold my first book. I was trying to get an agent and NOBODY was interested, which was really frustrating. Eventually a writer I was working for here in NC sent my finished book (which I never did sell) to her agent, who passed it on to a junior agent in that agency. I was working on THAT SUMMER at the time and she asked to see it, so I sent it along, even though I felt like it wasn't very good. She was the one who decided I was a YA writer. That was not my plan! But it's turned out to be the perfect place for me. Shows what I know.

[Ivy]

Why were THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER and JUST LISTEN really hard to write for you? Great job to you though! Just Listen is my favorite teen novel ever! I LOVEEEE the relationship between Owen and Annabel?

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Gabrielle wrote: "Hey Sarah! You might remember me as that girl on Twitter who was trying to give you a Gap friends and family invite :) but if you don't, that's okay! My question is: do you ever see a future in you..."

Maybe it's because I'm a romantic, but in my mind, all my couples are still together. I want to believe that love lasts and that where I left them is a good place. I mean, I ended up married to my high school boyfriend. So it is possible! (He's actually sitting across from me right now, as I type this!)

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Allison wrote: "I love all of your books, and I started to read them when they were recommended to me by my school librarian. I do have a few questions for you:

a)Was it a hard decision for you to leave your teac..."

Colby is VERY much based on Emerald Isle, NC, the beach town where my family vacationed when I was a kid. That said, I think it could be any small coastal tourist town, anywhere, just like Lakeview could be anywhere, although I based it on Chapel Hill, where I grew up and still live. I like the idea of creating a fictional world where I know where everything is, but one that other people can still relate to and somewhat recognize.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Cary wrote: "Hi Sarah, I'm a long time fan and once met you in Cape Cod at a book signing for Just Listen. My question is a bit odd, but I once read that you'd written a whole book about a character who made a ..."

I love that you remembered that! Yes, Amy Richmond, who is mentioned at the very start of THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER, was the best friend of the narrator of a book I never published. I'd worked hard on it, but in the end I just didn't think it was good enough to put out there. But I had to salvage SOMETHING for all that work, so I put Amy in TTAF. Maybe someday I'll try to tell her story again. We'll see.

[Amy]

Hello Sarah Dessen! I'm sad to say that I have only read one of your books which is 'Just Listen'( which I found a beautiful read). I guess I am a new fan! Your writing style is great! I have always wanted to be a writer when I grow up and have started a few book ideas already. I would just like to ask how you plan or not plan your books. Also do your stories come from inspiration or do you just suddenly get an idea. :) Thank you :)
From a true fan!

Amy x

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Sidney wrote: "Hi Sarah!

I absolutely LOVE your books...you don't know how much I cherish my copies of Just Listen (my favorite!), The Truth about Forever, and Lock and Key. After I read Lock and Key, I ended up..."

So much of JUST LISTEN is about control, and being afraid to confront things. I find that it's often good to have more than one character dealing with an issue in any given book, so I was intrigued with the idea of Whitney having her own struggles alongside Annabel. I always had always wanted to write about eating disorders, as I knew several people who had struggled with them. So it worked out that I could do both things with Whitney.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Marie-Ève wrote: "I hope no one asked you this: Which bands/artists do you listen to as you wrote your books?
Also: Why is it so hard to forget about your first real love?"

I actually can't listen to music while I'm writing. I can't even look out a window or I'll get distracted. I used to write facing a wall: seriously! But I do have playlists of songs I'm listening to in the car and or just as I work out for each book, that often represent the narrator. I find it just helps keep me in touch with the book when I'm not sitting right in front of the computer.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Khadra wrote: "Are you coming to the UK anytime soon as well? I'd love to see you and I'm pretty sure tonnes of others would want to as well. Your books are quite the inspiration..and I'm insanely in love with Owen."

I would LOVE to come to the UK! I thought it might happen this fall but now I'm not so sure. I am doing a chat this coming Sunday with my Penguin publisher (you can check my blog for details) and hopefully I WILL get there sometime soon.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Kayla wrote: "Hi Sarah! I'm Kayla. I'm a huge fan. You inspired me to write my own books and I'm almost done with it. Well kind of. I just really wanted to know how long it took you to finish Along For The Ride?..."

ALONG FOR THE RIDE took me about nine months, but it was actually really fun. Not all the writing of the books is like that. But I had finished LOCK AND KEY before my daughter was born, thinking I'd not be writing for awhile, but then when she was an infant Auden't story just sort of bubbled up. I was writing without any pressure, and no one knowing, and I find that's REALLY good for my process. It was like this great, lovely secret, all mine. I so hope that happens again someday!

[Ivy]

Just a random question out of curiosity - how many bridesmaids did you have at your wedding? Was your maid of honor someone you newly met in college or have known your entire life? How long were you and your husband together before engagement?

[emily]

Hi Sarah! I'm Emily and I've been a huge fan since middle school. Now I'm graduating high school so this all feels a little surreal. I just have a couple of questions for you! (1) Are there any characters in your books whose roles started off as small but became more important as you got further into the plot? Or do you have all of roles determined from the start (i.e. was Morris always intended to be a major supporting character in The Moon and More)? (2) Are there any characters you've written about whose story you want to continue to pursue? (3) And finally, in the spirit of Emaline's struggle in The Moon and More, do you have any advice for seniors about to graduate from high school? Thanks so much for your time!

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Tara wrote: "Greetings!

I hope that these questions haven't already been asked, but what's the harm in rehashing an issue right? :)

As a high school English teacher, I see one of your books almost, if not, ev..."

I do think my books tend to appeal more to girls, maybe because of the female narrators, maybe because of the covers. That said, I know some boys DO read my books, and they have been assigned in classes for both boys and girls. I'm not sure what I could do to appeal to them more without changing how I do things. I can't imagine writing a male narrator as I STILL don't even know what my husband is thinking on a daily basis. But never say never, I guess....

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Hayla wrote: "Hi Sarah! I would just like to know if you had ever consider to write squels for any of your books. I know some arent really sequel worthy books (not that I'm saying your books aren't good, they ar..."

There are some GREAT writers of series/sequels in YA, but I fear I am just not one of them. I like to think I have left my characters in the best spot when the book is done. But I know readers like to know more, so that's why I started bringing people back in small cameos in other books, just as the next best thing to a sequel. If I ever DID do a sequel, though, I think it would be to THIS LULLABY. That's the one I can imagine revisiting, if only because Remy and Dexter were so fun to write.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

You guys, these questions are SO GOOD! But I have to go the grocery store. But I'll be back a little later today, I promise! :)

[Reads]

Hey Sarah,I love your books and I just wanted to ask you from where do you get your ideas for the stories? I mean are they real life characters?

[Elizabeth]

hello sarah i am writting a book and i want some advice about how to make my books a success. i am not yet an adult but i still would like some future advice.

[Stephanie]

Hi Sarah! Do you write books from start to finish, or so you skip around a bit? Do you rewrite a lot?

[Ruth Noemi]

Hello Sarah! God bless you! I just wanted to ask you a question about your writing, which I love! How do you manage to make your character development so real, deep? Whenever I finish reading a book of yours, I feel as though I've lost a friend that was very close to me and that's pretty epic. I love you and your novels!!

[Kayleigh]

Hi Sarah!!!! I am a huge fan. I started reading your books in 10th grade and haven't stopped since. I am currently working towards becoming a high school English teacher and recently crafted a lesson plan around your book, Along For The Ride. I feel that the topics you discuss are truly universal and knowing how much your books helped me, I feel they can help my students as well. Now to my question. Upon making my lesson plan, I realized that unless I teach an all girl classroom, I may face troubles teaching it especially to the archetypical popular male. Do you have any advice as to which book may combat this problem or have you ever considered writing from the male perspective (as a aspiring writer who has tried doing so, I know how hard that can be.)

You inspired me to read, made me believe I can write if I truly tried hard enough and now I cannot wait to pass it on.

~~Kay

[Isla]

Hi Sarah!
Me and my sister just discovered your books a few months ago and have already read them all, we absolutely love them! So i was just wondering do you think you'll ever come to Maine for a book signing? We would absolutely love it and as not many authors don't come around here it would be our first!

Also I'm working on writing my own stories right now, it's something I've been doing since i was little, and haven't been able to commit to a full book yet. Do you have any advice for me to keep my books moving well and to follow through with them?
Thanks, Sarah B.