Q&A with Alyson Noel discussion
Writing Process & Writing Tips
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Eljah-
Please DON'T throw the book away!! 75% finished, is 75% more than most people accomplish--that is no easy feat!
As for writer's block: Robert Mckee, the brilliant screen writing guru and author of STORY says that writer's block occurs when you don't know enough about your characters, their world, and/or what it is you are trying to say. The cure is research. Reexamine your characters, their goals, their motivations, their obstacles- reexamine the point of your story- why you started writing it in the first place- what was the point you were trying to make--etc.
Anytime I get stuck, I stop writing and start researching and it always spawns the next idea. I hope it works for you too!
All the best!
Mod
Hi Tristan-
To read widely, and to read a lot. The books you like- the books you don't like- they all have something to teach you!
:)
Alyson wrote: "Martha wrote: "How many rejections did you receive on your first book? Also, how many requests did you receive?LOve this discussion!:)"
Heather wrote: "Alyson,
Thank you so much for doing this ..."
Alyson,
Thank you for the reply. I have heard of SCBWI and plan on joining it soon. I keep hearing that many agents only sign through recommendations or conferences. I was started to get scared there.
I have never heard of Publishers Market, though. I have bookmarked it and will make use of it as soon as I am through with the editing process. My WIP is not ready for that step, yet.
Thanks,
Heather
hi, so i've done a rough draft of my book- and i was just wandering how many times do you look through your books before you think they are ready to be printed? p.s LOVE YOUR BOOKS!
Hi Alison,How are you able to keep on writing on the same story line? I'm not very far in my writing but i keep on running out of ideas and when i do end up getting more they don't fit in to well with my story line, so it keeps on making me start different writing but I'm never able to finish the first one.
Please answer when your able to, your writing has been part of my inspiration so thank you for that.
Your Fan
Whtiney
Hi Alyson-First, I just want to say that I am a huge fan of yours, and I absolutely love your writing. I am (trying to be) a writer too, and you are one of my inspirations, along with J.K. Rowling and Dr. Seuss. :-)
I am working on a story right now, and I'm about ten chapters into it. It's about this girl who's best friend goes missing, and she has to rescue the missing girl. I am at a really critical part of the story, and nothing that I write sounds good. My best friend is also a writer, so I sent the manuscript to her. She looked it over, but doesn't think that anything could really fit in. I know exactly how I want the story to end, but I can't find anything that will get me from the beginning to the middle and also makes sense! Does this ever happen to you?
Thanks so much,
Natz
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p.s LOVE YOUR BOOKS!"
Hi Emma-
I revise my books over and over again as I write them, and then when I'm finished, I revise them again. And then I turn them into my editor, and she gives me notes, and I revise it again, and then we turn it over to the copy-editor, and she gives notes, and I make a small revision again, and then we hand it over to the type-setter and sometimes I make more small revisions--so, basically, the books you see on the bookstore shelves have been revised A LOT!!
Best of luck on your book!
Mod
How are you able to keep on writing on the same story line? I'm not very far in my writing but i keep on running out of ideas and when i do end up getting more they don't fit in to well..."
Hi Whitney-
It helps to have a really clear idea of where you're going and what you're trying to say right from the start. This is where outlines come in! I use the Blake Snyder "Beat Sheet" that can be found in his amazing book: SAVE THE CAT, and on his website at: blakesnyder.com
It's quick, and easy, and basically allows you to list all of the turning points that will take place, and it really helps keep you on track.
As far as keeping it going, just remember that ALL stories are about transformation. You have to keep the stakes rising, the obstacles mounting, the antagonist one step ahead, you have to make the character WORK for her happy ending (if you choose to give her one!).
Wishing you all the best!
Mod
First, I just want to say that I am a huge fan of yours, and I absolutely love your writing. I am (trying to be) a writer too, and you are one of my inspirations, along with J.K. Rowl..."
Hi Natz-
This is what they call the "saggy middle." You were off to a great start, you know where you want to go, and now you have petered out in the center--yes, I know it well!!
One of the best cures for this is to read Blake Snyder's SAVE THE CAT, and be sure to visit his website at: blakesnyder.com
He was a screenwriter and teacher and his methods will keep your story moving.
But, until then, ask yourself if you're stakes continue to raise, if you're obstacles continue to mount, if you're protagonist has been forced to dig down deep to a part of herself she didn't know existed in order to get what she wants. Are you forcing her to work and transform?
Hope that helps--and I wish you loads of luck!
you're stakes continue to raise, if you're obstacles continue to mount, if you're protagonist*your
Mod
Your books are truly amazing, and I love your writing style!!! Your imagine expands through many worlds, and I love that.
What do you go through as an author as you write a book..."
Hi Eman-
The truth is, writing is way harder than it looks, and getting published was harder than I ever imagined! I worked on my first book, FAKING 19, on and off for 15 years, and when I finally got serious about it, it took 2.5 years to finish it, revise it, and find an agent who was able to sell it to my publisher.
If you have a series in mind, it's best to write the first one only and submit it from there. If an agent is interested, you can talk about your plans for a series, but it's not necessary to have the series completed right away.
Best of luck!
Hiya Alyson!I've been trying to work on a book/novel (depending on how it goes) for the past 2 years. I'll get a couple pages then end up stopping for months because I lose inspiration or something else happens. I was curious, does this ever happen to you, or do you have that many projects going on at once that you're able to jump from one to the other, and then come back?
Also wanted to let you know that I'm looking in to that Publisher's Marketplace you mentioned earlier as well. :)
Thanks,
Anthony
Hi Alyson,I just wanted to say, everything you have suggested to everyone is so true. I finished writing my manuscript in approx. 6mos and then 6 more mos and counting with revisions. I was offered a contract and turned it down. That was the hardest thing I thought I was doing. However, in the end, I know it was the best choice for me. I'm now in the process of finding an agent. Thanks for all the wonderful advice!
Hey, um well like everyone else has said Im a young writer. I'm 16 and I have had a few poems and short stories and such published but I want to have a book published. No one will take me seriously because of my age and even look at my manuscript...what do I do?By the way I love your series and can't wait for the next book
i have to ask.. where do you get your inspiration from... and don't you ever get tiered of writing or does it just come to you?
hey alyson i did as you did but i still dont no how 2 start and im scared to forget my ideas. any help???
hey alyson well umm im not sure if you can help but we have to write 5 long chapters of a story but i cant even start. plz help URGENT!!!!PLZ LIVI!!!!
Dear Alyson, thank you for your answer before. you told me about the traditional way to publish is to get an agent but what does an agent do? i only know that if you have one your most likely to get it publish. and how do you get one? how did you get one? many people use website, but i have no idea which ones as some my be fake, and others you need to pay for information. what if your not old enough to get a credit card and your parents don't trust the internet and wouldn't help you do it? which one did you use? and if you do manage to get your book publish how much goes to them and how much goes to you? could you give me some example which doesn't involve money and not that expensive to hire?also how do you plan? and keep your motivation to carry on writing? cause i always give up writing half way if i have to do it all day and i have to wait for when my next motivation day to come, and every time i read other book with have really good grammar and vocabulary i look down on myself because some of the words i do not understand and some simple words are there and i couldn't think of them.
when will you be coming back to answer question after this week?
Anna Lai
Alsyon, I've written countless ideas for books and they just don't seem like enough no matter how far I get into it. It just doesn't seem like I can put enough detail or other twisting events into the storyline enough to keep even just MYSELF interested, let alone other readers. How do you set up your plots and add in interesting events and details that you think will lure the reader in even more?Also, I've heard rumors that most Publishing Companies are very strict about where your novel or story has been in the world. Mostly, I've heard that if you've posted your story online, most publishing companies won't take it. Either because of security reasons or whatever. Has this particular problem ever happened to you or have you heard about this rumor?
Alyson wrote: "Baylee wrote: "Alyson,First I would like to say that I love The Immortals series, and your book Art Geeks and Prom Queens. You are one of my favorite authors!
I am 14 and an aspiring writer. So, ..."
Thank you for taking time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it!
Hi, Alyson!I have a few questions. One, I looked up Blake Snyder's Beat Sheat, but I don't quite understand it. Some of the different scenes confuse me, like "Break Into Two", "Catalyst", that stuff.
My second question is, do you let other people read your books before you've finished writing them, like family members or friends?
My third question is, I have trouble coming up with an antagonist. Do you have any advice on how to accomplish that?
I am absolutely IN LOVE with the Immortals Series, I want to marry Damen, and maybe even Roman, and even though Ever can be kind of annoying at some points, I'm pretty sure that's the point, and I love her anyway! You are so pretty, and I hope that one day I can be as awesome and amazing as you! :D
Love,
Hannah
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I've been trying to work on a book/novel (depending on how it goes) for the past 2 years. I'll get a couple pages then end up stopping for months because I lose inspiration or somethi..."
Hi Anthony-
Well, this used to happen to me for sure--my debut novel, FAKING 19, took 15 years to write for the very reason you mention!
Now I work under very tight publisher imposed deadlines, which keep me really disciplined. Writing is a full time job now, and I work at it pretty much every day, one project at a time!
Mod
I've been trying to work on a book/novel (depending on how it goes) for the past 2 years. I'll get a couple pages then end up stopping for months because I lose inspiration or somethi..."
Oh, and PM is a great source of info--they'll send you the weekly newsletter for free!!
Best of luck on your book--may you finish it much quicker than I finished my first one!
:)
Mod
I just wanted to say, everything you have suggested to everyone is so true. I finished writing my manuscript in approx. 6mos and then 6 more mos and counting with revisions. I was offer..."
Hi Angea-
Wow, how awesome are you for following your dream in the way you wish it to unfold?!! I wish you all the absolute best on your agent hunt!!!
:)
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Hi Katie-
Honestly, age shouldn't really be an issue. If I'm not mistaken, the author of the bestselling book, HALO, is 17 and it wasn't even her first book!!
Make sure you're researching the market correctly and approaching agents according to their guidelines, and learning as much as you can about the business by reading agent and editor blog, joining writers groups, etc.
All editors are looking for good books to get excited about--no matter the age of the author!
I think it's awesome that you're pursuing this at your age and wish you the best of luck!!
:)
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Hi Brett-Tastic-
Inspiration can be found anywhere, but I often steal from my own life experiences. My debut novel, FAKING 19, was based on my experiences in my senior year of high school--The Immortals series was based on my grief over losing several loved ones in a short of amount of time, and so on!
And no, I never get tired of writing! I grew up poor and worked a lot of job through the years that I did not enjoy--so it's a dream come true to finally make a living at a job that I love!
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Hello! Waving!
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Olivia-
Write your ideas down so you don't forget them.
And just start! One word at a time. It's the only way. Don't judge- just write. You can always revise it later!
:)
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PLZ LIVI!!!!"
Olivia-
Honestly, you just have to start. No one can do this but you. One word, and then another, and then another, until you're done. All first drafts need to be revised, but you cannont revise a blank page so you have to begin somewhere!
Mod
Anna-
Okay, the most important thing of all is this:
NEVER, EVER, pay an agent up front!
NEVER.
An agent who asks you for money is a scam--run away fast!!
A REAL agent only makes money when they sell your book to a publisher, and then they take 15% of the gross. A good agent earn every penny of this 15% believe me.
If you want to know if someone is a good agent you need to do your research on them. If they ask for $$- no good. If they have a list of clients they've made good deals for--it's a good start, but research them further.
Publishing is a very complicated business and honestly, there is way too much involved for me to post it right here. If you're serious about writing and publishing you need to join online writers groups, you need to read agents and editors blogs, you need to learn as much as possible as you can about this business--and NEVER, EVER pay someone to represent and/or read your work!!
As for your other questions:
Planning: I outline my books using the Blake Snyder 'Beat Sheet' which can be found in his amazing book: SAVE THE CAT, as well as on his website at: blakesnyder. com
Motivation: Writing is two thing: BUTT IN CHAIR + ONE WORD AT AT TIME = BOOK. Seriously, you just have to sit down and do it. It's harder than it looks, it's not always fun, most of the time you'd rather be doing anything else, but it's the only way a manuscript ever gets finished!
The thing is, the next idea is ALWAYS more exciting than the one you're working on--that's just how it is--every writer deals with this. But you can either finish the book you started-- your chase ideas and finish nothing . . .in the end, it's up to you!
Wishing you all the best!!
Mod
Hi Kayla-
This is such a common problem--and all writers deal with this at one time--but here's the thing to remember: ALL stories are about transformation. You have to take your character through the full range of experience- from A - Z--you have to raise the stakes, keep the obstacles mounting, keep the antagonist one step ahead, you have to make your character WORK for her ending--and the ending has to be important to her--it has to transform her--it has to be worth all the risk that she's taken!
As for Publishing companies and pre-released works: while it's never happened to me- the answer is yes and no. Publishers prefer the work to have not been released anywhere else, but there are plenty of exceptions where they have taken on work that has previously been released. I know that's a vague answer, but it really depends on the work in question!
Best of luck!!
Mod
First I would like to say that I love The Immortals series, and your book Art Geeks and Prom Queens. You are one of my favorite authors!
I am 14 and an aspi..."
Baylee-
You are most welcome!!
When I was your age I merely wanted to write-- I never occurred to me to start at that time!
You are awesome--and I wish you all the best!!
:)
Mod
I have a few questions. One, I looked up Blake Snyder's Beat Sheat, but I don't quite understand it. Some of the different scenes confuse me, like "Break Into Two", "Catalyst", that st..."
Hannah-
Thank you for all the kind words--you are very sweet!!
Okay, as for the Beat Sheet- I guess I've read his book SAVE THE CAT so many times I forgot that you kind of need to be familiar with it to understand the terms. I HIGHLY recommend you read this book. It's basically a break down of popular movies- and it tells you where all of the 'beats' occur which really helps you to visualize it. Movies are generally written in 3 acts, hence "break into 2" - and the catalyst- is the event that sends your protagonist into motion--the even that changes their life at the beginning of the story that sets them off on their journey. So, in EVERMORE, that would be when Damen came to school and Ever's life was forever changed from the moment she met him.
As for my writing process: I write the book, I give it to my husband who reads it and gives me feed back, I may or may not revise it according to his feedback - but I usually do because he's very smart and I trust his opinion- and then I turn it into my editor for her opinion.
Thanks so much for stopping by--wishing you all the best!
Hello Alyson! I'm a trying to be a writer. But every time I write down a story I don't like it, so I get rid of it. 1.I was wondering...how do you stick with a plot? and 2. How do deal with writers block?
hi, i love your books and really want to write a book too. ive got some ideas and written some roughs of chapters and passages but i can never think how to put my ideas down properly. how do you do it? also i'm just interested, where do you get your inspiration? from family? friends? places? other writers?
last question how do you actually go about publishing your own writing?
Taylor wrote: "Hello Alyson! I'm a trying to be a writer. But every time I write down a story I don't like it, so I get rid of it. 1.I was wondering...how do you stick with a plot? and 2. How do deal with writers..."I've had problems sort of like this... I'd write out the whole story in my head, and force the story to where I wanted it to go. Advice I was given from my professor's, is to let the story write itself. Let your characters do what they do to create the story. If the beginning of the story doesn't make sense, you can always revise it so that the story meshes up. But if you do not know where the story is going as you write it, you will have more fun finding out where it is going, while if you know where the story is ending up, you may get bored with it and stop writing it, as well as having akward moments in the story that don't make sense.
Dear Alyson, you told me about online writers groups, and agents and editors blogs could you give me some examples? where would i find appropriate ones? and if you do finish your manuscript do you send it straight to your agent? or to a publisher?
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Taylor-
It took my 15 years to complete my first book--I worked on it off and on- some years on-some year off, but I didn't actually finish it until I made myself finish it. Seriously. Finishing a story requires some major "butt in chair" time--and the thing is, the story never feels right the first time around, but that's what revising is for. You have to edit and rewrite until you get it where you want it to be. And while the next idea always seems more exciting--believe me, all writers struggle with that- you can either finish what you started, or chase new ideas and never finish anything.
Figure out where you where your story starts- where you want it too end, and then keep that stakes raising and the obstacles mounting and the antagonist one step ahead of the protagonist-until you get there. Make your protagonist WORK for the ending!!
As for writer's block- Whenever I get stuck, I stop writing and start researching- my characters, their world, their goals, their motivation, what it is I'm trying to say by telling this story, etc. Learning more about my story always helps to spawn the next idea- I hope it works for you too!
Best of luck!
Mod
Amber-
Thanks for stopping by! As for your questions:
How I organize my story: I use Blake Snyder's "Beat Sheet" to outline my story. It's basically a list of the 15 beats that need to occur along the way and it can be found in his brilliant book: SAVE THE CAT, as well as on his website at: blakesnyder.com. It really helps to read the books though to know what the beats actually mean.
Inspiration: I steal from my own life all the time! My debut novel, FAKING 19, was loosely based on my own high school experiences, THE IMMORTALS was inspired by the grief I experienced after losing my loved ones and nearly losing my husband to leukemia . . .I usually fall back on my own life experiences as a starting point, and then build it from there.
Publishing- Long story short, after 2.5 years of finishing my book, revising my book, etc, I signed with an agent who sold my debut novel, FAKING 19, to a publisher in a 2 book deal, that second book became ART GEEKS & PROM QUEENS.
It's a good idea to start reading agent and editor blogs, and maybe join some online writer's groups/loops to learn more about the specifics of the business. It can be a little overwhelming at first, but there's a lot of information out there for the taking, and the more you know going in, the better off you'll be!
All the best!
Mod
Anna-
There are so many these days, but off the top of my head, you might want to Google:
YALitChat- an online writing group
Pub Rants- an agent blog
Editorial Ass- an editor's blog
You can also run a search on Yahoo loops to find the ones that represent the genre you're writing in.
When you finish your manuscript that's when you want to begin contacting agents- not publishers- most publishers will only look at manuscripts that are represented by agents. You will need to send them what is called a "query letter" and it's a pretty specific process so you definitely want to do your homework and learn as much as you can before you set out. There is a ton of information out there--and it's free for the taking--just start Googling and you'll find it!
Best of luck!
Aw yes, I remember. The first time you recommended it to me I went out and bought both books. I will never write another novel without Save the Cat! Invaluable. I wrote a blog post thanking you for recommending it and just in case you didn't catch it here's another big thanks!
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, Alyson for introducing me to Blake. I am forever thankful!
May I ask who it was that introduced you to STC?
Alyson wrote: "Martha wrote: "How many rejections did you receive on your first book? Also, how many requests did you receive?
LOve this discussion!:)"
Heather wrote: "Alyson,
Thank you so much for doing this ..."
Alyson wrote: "Sara wrote: "do you base your characters on people you know? I notice that I take bits and pieces from people I know to create characters."
Hi Sara- bits and pieces of all my experiences, includi..."
Alyson wrote: "Martha wrote: "How many rejections did you receive on your first book? Also, how many requests did you receive?
LOve this discussion!:)"
Heather wrote: "Alyson,
Thank you so much for doing this ..."
Alyson wrote: "Martha wrote: "How many rejections did you receive on your first book? Also, how many requests did you receive?
LOve this discussion!:)"
Heather wrote: "Alyson,
Thank you so much for doing this ..."
Alyson wrote: "Martha wrote: "How many rejections did you receive on your first book? Also, how many requests did you receive?
LOve this discussion!:)"
Heather wrote: "Alyson,
Thank you so much for doing this ..."
Alyson wrote: "Martha wrote: "How many rejections did you receive on your first book? Also, how many requests did you receive?
LOve this discussion!:)"
Heather wrote: "Alyson,
Thank you so much for doing this ..."
Mod
I wrote a blog post thanking you..."
Martha-
Hmmm, I'm not sure, I think it might've been Jessica Brody!
Thank you for the blog post--I'm so glad you find it useful-- I think it's genius!
I had a feeling it might have been Jessica. How funny:)
One question before I forget, and please let me know if I need to place this somewhere else, but I've been meaning to ask you if Alyson Noel is your real name or pen name. If it's your pen may I ask what is your real name?
Just curious:)
Hi Alyson!What do you do when you feel unsatisfied with your work. I keep trying to write a story, but when I get to the middle, I feel silly, abandon it, and start a new one. Any advice?
Thanks! I love your books!
Thanks so much for the advice one more question. How do you usually start the editing process? I'm almost there on my own book and I'm not really sure where to start when the time comes.
Mod
If it's your pen may I ..."
Hey Martha-
Alyson Noel is my first and middle name- for privacy reasons, I try to keep my last name, well, private!
:)
Mod
What do you do when you feel unsatisfied with your work. I keep trying to write a story, but when I get to the middle, I feel silly, abandon it, and start a new one. Any advice?
Thanks! ..."
Hi Khulood-
My advice is to finish your story. The middle is always the most difficult part to write--and this will never change. Seriously, I'm about to start my 17th novel and I still have to find the willpower to get through the middle. Usually because that's about the time when the next, new, shiny idea comes calling and it always seems so much better than the idea that I'm working on. So, you can either finish what you started, and take the time to revise it until you get it where you want--or you can chase new ideas--entirely up to you, but I vote for finishing!
Best of luck!
Thanks so much for the kind words!
As for your questions: Writing is way tougher than it looks, and there is nothing more intimidating than looking at a blank screen! But here's the thing- you just have to start. Just start writing and keep writing until you're done. Doesn't matter if it's good--NO first drafts are good--but that's okay because you can, and should, revise it later- but you can't revise a blank page!
Okay, so get the story down, don't judge it, just write. As for storylines colliding- well, that really depends, if they compliment each other- go for it- if not save it for later- if you're not sure, toss it in- you can always delete it later.
Have fun with the first draft, use it to find your way, so what works, what doesn't- that's what it's for, and no one will ever have to see it but you anyway!
As for expanding the plot: Just make sure that the stakes are raising, the obstacles growing, and the antagonist always one step ahead-make your protagonist WORK for the ending.
As for names: I collect them. I go to baby naming sites, read the credits at the end of a movie, check out name tags, etc. then I put them in a file for later use. I don't really use names of people I know, sometimes they have meaning, sometimes I just like the way they sound, but for me, they're one of the most important parts, I can't even start writing the character until I find the right name to suit her.
Oh, and here's the thing about ideas: some people will get it-some people won't- and some people will always misinterpret you, just right the book that rings true to you!
All the best!
:)