Click here to ask Sarah!

[Miranda]

Hello Sarah! I'm Miranda. I love your books and was wondering what books have inspired you?

[Brittany]

hello, sarah! my name is brittany and my all time favorite book is 'the truth about forever'. my question is what motivated to to write it?

[Sarah]

Hi Sarah :) Have you ever considered having a bisexual character in one of your books?

[Keylita3]

Hi my name is Keyla
Sarah, I will like to know how do you give people in the end of the book, something to think about after the end of your book. For the reason that after i read your books i always have something to think about.
Thanks!!!
I hope to read your next book, in the fall

[C.]

Sarah, do you get any say in the covers that your books get in other countries? Because here in Australia we get the same covers that the UK get and to be perfectly honest, I prefer the covers that I see on Amazon.
And are we ever going to hear about Truth Squad again?

[Alison]

When did you first know that writing was what you wanted to make part of your life or (job)? What is the most inspiring book you read as a teen?

[Bayan]

Hi Sarah! Your book Lock and Key is one of the books that started by reading obsession, I absolutely loved it. But Just Listenis an all time favorite of mine.
My question is have you ever thought of writing other than contemporary books, or do you prefer to stick to that specific genre?

[Catherine]

Hi Sarah,
My name is Catherine, I have only read two of your books: The Truth About Forever and Lock and Key. After reading both I have to say that tou are my favorite author of all time. So my question is: What is your life's story or if you don't have one what is the insperation for your books? Since you have written so many deep and wonderful stories I was wondering what it was that inspired how your characters acted and what they learned throughout the book.
I have always wanted to be an author and your books have inspired me to begin writing.
Thank you for your time;
Catherine Roberts

[Dominique]

Hi, my name is Dominique. Ever since my sister introduced me to your books I've been hooked. Your connection with the characters and readers is amazing and one of the reason why you count as one of my favorite authors. So my questions are: how far, in your humble opinion, have you enhance as a writer ever since your first novel, That summer?
2. Just like How to Deal, would there ever be another movie adaptation for one of your novels? (I dearly hope so)
3. Are you ever going to branch off from teen fiction/young adult?
4. Last but not least, have you ever thought of writing a novel in a guy's point of view preferably from one of your previous novels?
Thank you for your time,
I truly appreciate it
Dominique L.
P.S. One of your novels erupted a friendship between my best friend and me.

[Claudia]

Which book would you pick if you could turn into a movie???! I personally would pick This Lullaby, my ultimate favorite.

[Kay]

Hi, Sarah. I'm a huge fan. I first read one of your books, while I was a freshman in high school. The first couple of years of high school were not easy for me, but your books helped me get through that trying time. Thank you for writing characters that are so relatable. You are one of my inspirations to start a writing career of my own.

What would you say was the toughest book to write and why? Did it have to do with the characters? Was it the plot?

Thanks. :)

[Maria]

hey, sarah i enjoy reading your books different stories of real problems YA may face soo here is my questions
1. why dont you write a series focusing on one main protagonist (after many reads i was left wishing for more)
2. what is usually your inspiration for your characters?
3. how do you create the protagonists situation so real ( like when you write how a character is emotionally affected in relation with booyfriend, parent, for many times i am able to relate so some character)

[Victoria]

Hello Sarah! This Lullaby is still one of my favorite books. I think it's such a lovely, genuinely unique story, was it based off any real life events, or was it something that you thought of? and if it was something you thought of, what inspired the story? thanks if you answer this :)

[Alex]

Hello Sarah! I'm just wondering who you come up with you're ideas for writing all your wonderful books?

[Augusta]

Hi,Sarah what age did you start writing books,and what is your inspirations to write them?

[corina]

Hi Sarah! I love your writing style! When you start to write a new book, do you already have the plotline mostly thought out, or do you write in snippets and form your ideas along the way? Also, how do you create depth in your characters and in their situations? Or is that something that just happens naturally as you write? I like to write, and hope to publish one day, but I'm still a long ways off :) Thank you!

[Francesca]

Hello Sarah big fan and have all of your books! My question is a lot of your books have the location of a beach town, what is it about the beach that inspires your wonderful writing?
-Francesca

[Caitlin]

Hi Sarah! I just wanted to let you know what a great author you are. I have read ALL of your books and am constantly recommending them to my friends. I have even read some of them TWICE! I was so excited when I heard about your newest book and I preordered it right away. You are by far my favorite author and you never fail to captivate me with your storylines. I do hope you continue writing more books, no pressure though(:

[Courtney]

Hey Sarah!!! You're my favorite author, eveyone knows. My friend picked out one of youre books 3 or 4 years ago and told me to read one. Ever since ive been hooked. I love your books. I myself have been trying to write books. I never finish and get frustrated easily. Do you have any tips or advice that help you while writting? How do you write such successful books? Thanks:) <3

[Bunny]

Hi my name's Bonnie

I absolutely love your books. They are so amazing but I was wondering.... I have noticed some similarities between them (because I read them one after another) so are some of them based on aspects of your life or the lives of people you know?

[P]

Hey Sarah! Every book you've written feel so relatable and realistic, and my favorites from you, if not all, are The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and Along for the Ride! What are some of your favorite YA novels, or authors?

[Maddy]

Hi Sarah! I love your writing and you inspire a lot of my own! Any advice for a sixteen year old who wants to be an author??

[Sarah]

Hi Sarah! To be honest what really attracted me to your books was that we have the same name. I wasn't much of a reader, (i probably only read 10 books in my life time including picture books) but I really connected with your books. I only hope to follow your foot steps and become as amazing and inspirational as you! You are a true role model Sarah!

[Paula]

I'm Paula, and I live in British Columbia, Canada :)
Who are some of your favourite authors, Sarah? Any books you have read recently that you could recommend?

[[deleted user]]

Hello Sarah! Like all of the other people who have commented below, I love your books and am a huge fan. I was just wondering if you get the inspiration for your characters from real life? One of my favorite books was Along for the Ride, and I think that the characters were so cute and perfect for each other. I was just wondering if they were purely fiction or if you have someone who they remind you of. I hope that you can come to Fort Collins Colorado sometime so that I can meet you! A big fan, Sarina

[Tatyana]

hi!!! sarah im tatyana an im i am honored to be in this discussion group.you are one of my many favorite authors an i just wanted to say thanks for being one of the people that inspire me to keep writing my stories.an to think ive finished writing my first novel at 17!!!thank you i look forward to reading your new book!!! :)

[Emma]

Hey Sarah! I love your books. You inspired me to write. What advice do you have for beginning writers and/or novelists? Are there any tips or lessons you learned you want to share? Like Devon, I love how you integrate characters and storylines into your other books. How many times do you revise your books? How are you inspired for ideas for your books?

[Knucklefish]

I loved The Moon and More and found the ending both realistic and empowering. Some of your early novels feature romantic relationships that don't end happily, but your recent novels have more traditionally happy endings. How did you decide to break that trend with this novel?

[Zoey]

Hey, I have two questions.

One) Where do you find inspiration and how do you keep inspired while writing. It's a problem I always seem to deal with.

Two) If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

Thanks much :)

[Angel - Angel Reads]

Hey Sarah,
I love you're books, they always seem to put a smile on my face.
I really want to become an author myself and I was wondering what advice would you give someone who wants to became a author and start writing?
I also would like to know how do you come up with the story lines for the books you write?

[Therese]

Hello Ms. Sarah Dessen! I have read 6 of your novels and my favorite is The Truth About Forever. My question is not exactly about your writing in general but about The Truth. What was Wes' question when they were sitting back against the side of the truck in front of Macy's driveway? Please answer my question because all throughout the book I was dying to know what his question was and it never came.

[Hannah]

Hi Sarah! I'm Hannah, and I really love your books. I was wondering who your favorite character was to write about, major or minor, from any of your books. Thank you so much for looking at my comment, and I can't wait to read The Moon and More.

[Ashley]

Hey Sarah!! Just wanted to let you know you are by far my favorite author! Any chance you're touring in Alabama (or close)? :) Also, do you have a favorite couple from one of your books? :) Thanks so much!!!!

[Emma]

Hey Sarah! I am a huge fan. I was hoping to know how you get the ideas of your books. I really need some inspiration because I love writing. Thank you!

[Rye]

Hi sarah! My name is mariah. I love your books they always help me when I'm going through a rough time. My question is how do you create so many characters that are real to the readers? I can only seem to develop two characters so I was wondering how you do it and if you have any advice thanks! (:

[Nash]

Hello my name is Nashley and I just want to say that I am a HUGE fan. I have a question. Exactly how hard was it to become an author? What is the process in becoming one? Also, my friend Yasmeen is also a HUGE fan. She was wondering why is it that you connect all of your books in some way? We both love that unique feature in your works! Thank you so much for your time!

[Sheily]

Hi I'm Sheily and thanks to your books and my hard work I got an internship. I was asked, where I would be found reading if I was given any book. I answer the "YA section, it provides a look on how our teenagers react on their daily basis. If you manage to integrate this with programs focus on them we can improve the outcome from our generation. Truth be told, we never say what we mean, but our actions always give us away." Who is your favorite writer? "I would say Sarah Dessen. She grabs your attention and keeps you guessing and I love her writing, the way she manage to express the struggle young people go through, it's very inspirational. When I read her first book, I knew I had to read all of her books."

So, thank you, and please, please, please keep writing! I am developing a program to encourage young women become the best version of themselves.

My question for you would be, how you find the inspiration for your stories, for example let's say Lock and Key?

[Sierah]

Hi Sarah!
Where did you get the inspiration to write your books? I feel like they are so relevant and personal. Did you base them off of personal feelings or experiences, a close friend, or just the general feelings of any girl in the world? Or maybe a combination of all of them? ^^

[Terra]

Sarah, I have loved your books from the second you started reading them. My question is, when you were writing, did you ever feel that you hated it, or didn't want to continue? Are there books you've written but haven't published?

[Khaya]

Hi Sarah, congratulations on The Moon and More! I'm loving it so far.

What I love about your books is that I'm usually able to get into them straight away and I always get a sense of familiarity (in which I love). I love the sense of family and relationships in The Moon and More; is a lot of that inspired by your own relationships and your own experiances?

Thanks in advance, Khaya x

[Katie]

Hi Sarah! I've always been a huge fan of your writing style. I'm a writer myself and I've just sent a bunch of query letters for my YA book to agents. What is your biggest piece of advice for getting an agent for your book? Were there times when you wanted to give up trying to get your first book published? What were some challenges you've faced? So far, I've gotten four rejections so I'm a little discouraged but I also know that this industry is very subjective. I've considered going to graduate school for creative writing to hone my craft but am not sure I can afford it right now since I have a one year old! There's only so much time in the day!

Thanks in advance for any feedback! Can't wait for the next book whenever that may be!

Best,

Katie Karambelas

[Ehlana]

Hello Sarah, I wanted to ask you how you come up with the names for your characters? Do you base them on people you know/have known?
I'm a massive fan of your books, thank you for sharing them with everyone :)

[Leigh]

Hello, Mrs. Dessen (I have a fear of referring to authors by their first name while in their actual presence, although I am, they tell me, an adult myself)!!

I have two questions, one serious and writer-ly, and one not serious at all but it had been bugging me. 1) Have you ever considered writing a young adult novel that does not contain a main romantic attachment? I would be very interested in such a book from you and would read it. And 2) It seems to me that several of your characters have expressed a distaste for mayonnaise (Remy, Colie, one another that I remember but cannot think of the name at this moment.) Do you yourself dislike mayonnaise?

Thank you for your time, and for doing this great favor to fans!

Love, Hannah

[Joanna]

Hey Sarah, I am a huge fan! The first book I ever read of yours was Lock and Key, and I loved it! Since then, I've read other books by you such as Dreamland and Keeping The Moon. I've noticed their all a bit different from each other and I was wondering, if you had to recommend one of your books for a reader that's never read you before, which would it be?

[Kristi]

Why do you write mostly about teenage girls? All of your books that I have read have been great, but they are all about heterosexual, white, teenage girls. Would you ever consider branching out and writing about a wider demographic? I think that someone with your gift for understanding emotions could make a huge positive impact on many other types of people.

[Zaria]

Hey! I just wanted to say that I LOVE you and your books (like you haven't heard that before c; ) When I read your books I get really drawn in. They give me this feeling that I don't get with many other authors.

So, I was just wondering: What do you think about when you write? And how do you get ispiration to translate into such insperational books?

Thanks! <3
~Zaria

[Alicia]

Sarah, I love all the books I've read by you! You hsave been a great inspiration to me for becoming a writer! You've helped me to realize that stories can be fiction or realistic-fiction quite easily. Thank you for beoing such a great author. I was wondering if this new book was going to follow the realistic-fiction like normal?

[Paiton]

Hey Sarah I live your books and when I have no books to read I always read the same ones by you! But I was wondering if you listen to music when you're writing or what do you do to write such great books?

Thank you! -Paiton

[Taija]

Hi Sarah, my name is Taja and your books have totally amazing. I could relate to every character so here's my question: Who is the character out of any of your awesome books that you relate to the most?

[a n d i e]

Kristi wrote: "Why do you write mostly about teenage girls? All of your books that I have read have been great, but they are all about heterosexual, white, teenage girls. Would you ever consider branching out and..."
this is such a good question, i completely agree