Q&A with Alyson Noel discussion
Writing Process & Writing Tips
Alyson wrote: "Khulood wrote: "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..."
Thank you!!!
I am only 13 but i dream of becoming an author. I have started my first book but my problem is just concentrating and following through. How do you stay on task? BTW I love all your books but i would say my favorite would either be Saving Zoe or Shadowland. :)
Hi Alyson!I love your books, once I pick them up I can't stop until I'm finished! I was wondering how you came about writing the books - what inspired you, how long it took etc. - and how you had the faith to keep on writing. I love to write poetry and for my English project last year I wrote a 32 page story but after 15 years I would have lost faith.
Thak you for writing the books though, they have brought much discussion between me and my friends and it has been a pleasure to read them. Helena x
Mod
Hi Andi-
From what I've seen this week, answering questions here on GoodReads, this is the #1 thing writers struggle with--and believe me, I was no different! It took me 15 years to write my first book! Some years I worked on it, others I didn't, but I didn't reach the end until I forced myself to sit down and finish.
That's it--there's no magick formula, no secret, it's just good old fashioned discipline--or what writer's refer to it as "butt in chair"-- it's the only way to finish a book.
But while it's important to finish--it's also important to not spend so much time writing that you forget to get out there and live your life. It's those life experiences that will find their way into your work and inform your story and characters--and it will be richer because of it!
I wish you loads of luck--and thanks for the kind words on my books!
Mod
I love your books, once I pick them up I can't stop until I'm finished! I was wondering how you came about writing the books - what inspired you, how long it took etc. - and how you had..."
Thanks so much for the kind words, Helena!
Writing is really the only thing I ever truly wanted to do. I grew up poor, and had a tough adolescence, but was able to lose myself in the magick of books early on, and I knew someday I wanted to try to write too. It took years to finally get there--partly because I didn't have the discipline to stick with it, and partly because I got sidetracked by other things.
I worked on my debut novel, FAKING 19, for 15 years--but when I finally got serious about my writing it took 2.5 years to finish, revise, get an agent, and then a book deal.
You're right about the faith part though--writing takes time, sacrifice, and in the end there's no guarantee, no pension plan, no health insurance--nothing but a dream you hope will be realized!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hello Alyson! I love the Immortal Series! I am 14 and I am writing three books right now, but I am getting stuck in one I call Chicago Dreams. I feel like when I add something, it doesn't seem right. But when my fiends read it they say they love it and don't change a thing.. What should I do??
Mod
Ask yourself if it moves the plot forward- if it reveals more about the characters - if it raises the stakes - if it does one or more of those things, it may be worth keeping. But the most important thing is just to allow yourself to finish the story. You can, and should, go back and revise it later, but for now, just get the general idea down.
The books you see on the bookstore shelves were revised many, many, many times before they got there- but you can't revise a blank page, so just keep going all the way to the end, and go back and change it later if necessary.
Best of luck!
Alyson... could I ask you to do me a favor? I have very little of it up, but would you take a look at my novel for me and tell me what you think of it? It is under my writing, and it's called Ice Blue. If you feel like reading anything else while you're there... I would like some criticism on the Warriors fan fiction from someone who probably isn't obsessed with the books... :)
Mod
I am sorry to say that for legal reasons I am not allowed to read unpublished works!
Though I wish you all of the best on it!
:)
Aww! :( Another author agreed to! Okay, though. Not even the warriors fanfiction because that one doesn't have a chance of being published? It's about cats, so I don't think you could use it in yours in anyway... but I guess I understand that.
Mod
Well, I'm married to a lawyer, so . . .
:)
Aww, mmk. My mom is a lawyer... :( Okay then, nevermind.
Hey I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to get my story out there. I would love to write a book and if possible be a famouse writer one day.
Mod
And besides the legal reasons, I just don't have the time! I am swamped with deadlines and tours--it is all I can do to write my own!
But the legal reasons are for real.
Sorry.
Aww, it's okay. I can't help being disappointed, but I understand.
Mod
Hey Valkery-
First of all - don't write to be famous. Seriously. This is an incredibly tough business and the truth is, the majority of writers need to work a day job just to pay the bills.
Write because you love to write- because you feel compelled to write- because everywhere you look you see a possible story just waiting to be told.
Writing requires a lot of time, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of weekends spent in front of your computer while everyone else is out enjoying themselves--and there are no guarantees, no pension plan, no regular paycheck, no health insurance, etc.
Do it for the love of writing first and foremost!
Hey, Alyson.I don't know if this question has been asked already (so many posts!) but I was wondering what you think of teenagers becoming published authors. Do you fee like they should wait a little longer before trying to get published? Or that if they truly love writing, to go out there and follow their dreams?
Thank you,
Charlie
Wow that was pretty much the best advice anyone has ever given me. I love to write and alot of the time I go around making up stories in my head, mostly when Im nervouse about a show and need to calm down. As for the weekends on the computer Im pretty sure I have alot of practice because whenever I get upset I plug in my earphones and just start typing. How did you begin to write and when did you feel like your characters had grown so much you couldnt leave them to just hang around, as if they were real people waiting for you to write the next page to their story. Or if you dont feel like their real people how do you see your charcters?
Mod
I don't know if this question has been asked already (so many posts!) but I was wondering what you think of teenagers becoming published authors. Do you fee like they should wait a li..."
Hi Charlotte-
I think any teen who has the creativity, the discipline, and the drive that it takes to be published- should go for it--and I think it's awesome that so many are!
:)
Mod
Valkery-
Yep, that's how I started too--I'd write when I was upset, trying to make sense of my problems--I still do!
My characters always feel real to me, and yeah, they definitely demand to be heard, they "talk" to me until I sit down to give them the scene that they're asking for. To non-writers, it probably sounds nuts!! But I think most writers live with these people in their heads!
On a brighter note, I just got a hold for Evermore at my library. Can't wait to get it!
Mod
Awesome--LOVE libraries!
Yep, gotta love them. :P They have books!!! It's amazing!!!
umm Alyson? could you check out this story and tell me if its o.k or what i could improve please!?THANK LIVI
As she's told me, copyright laws keep her from looking at unpublished works. She can't.
Ask your family or friends for help or go to a writing site. (Inkpop.com)
Well, if I read your story and gave you some insight, could you go to my writing page and read some of my writing, and give me feedback?
kk! but i cant rite now kk? ill do it later
Sure, that's fine. Is your story on your writing page?
i saw ur stories! i like the horse one cuz i dont understand all the clan thingies soz!and am i allowed to put the link on here?
Yes, I believe you can put the link on here. However, when I click on you to go to your writing it says 'Sorry, only friends of that member can view their page.'
Hi Alyson!As u know, I love to write, but the problem is, I start a story that I really like the idea of, but then i get this while new idea in my head, throw the first story i was writing away, and get started on a new one. This keeps on repeating over and over again. I finished my very first story about a week ago, and I spent about a year writing it.(I think it's pretty good) I'm pretty young, only a seventh-grader, but i'm addicted to books and writing. It's just my thoughts can't seem to mold into one story, and i can't keep to one thing. Also, I try to keep writing on a daily basis, but its hard. How do you manage to keep up your writing with everything else that you're committed to? Any tips?
ohh do u wanna b frends? i dont no how 2 do it.
To friend someone, just click on their name (where it says message 140: by M) and that will take you to their comments page. At the top of that page, it says 'M's comments from the group Q&A with Alyson Noel' and click on M again, which will take you to their page.. Just under their information at the top will be a button called add as a friend. Click that.
umm i cant can u try ? btw heres the link:
http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/5...
theres 2 sooo.... tell me which u like best!
Hi Alyson! I want to become a successful author like you one day. I am currently 16 years old and I have great ideas (at least I think so) to start my first series of novels.However, I am living in a seriously small town in Malysia. Yeah, you probably have never heard of this country before, not to mention my town! I am like the ONLY person in my town who actually reads novels and dream of being an author. The problem is, it's really hard for me to improve when I am already the best in my town and I don't have one single friend whom I can share my "world" with. How can I be sure that my idea is good enough? How can I improve on the idea? And I'm really scared that no publisher will be willing to publish my book in the future.
i need absolute help!!!!! i cant seem to find a good title for my story. umm its about a girl which lives with her bff coz her family died in a fire. then comes some romance.....yeah thts basiccally it... i need a title any help? and how do you choose titles for books,stories.novels etc.... be quick!!!!!
Hi! I love your books and right now I'm on the third. My question is: how can I make my books more interesting? I feel like it sucks right now and that there is too much dialogue. Any suggestions? I have it up in my writing if you need to take a look, but I'm pretty sure your not allowed.:)
Here's some ideas:-Lost in the flames.
-Flame crossed Lovers.
-After the Fire.
-Twin Flames
-Fire in their soul.
-Crossing over fire
-Pulse and perish
Hi Alyson Noel,I am a big fan of your books! I haven't finished the immortal series yet, I am up to Blue Flame.I fell in love with your books straight away and i knew that your books would be an international best selling series because of your twists and turns and how beautifully written they are. I also LOVE your descriptive language and quotes that I will always remember! Anyway, I'm twelve turning thirteen on Friday. I've always wanted to become an author and my English teacher believes in me. I have written a few short stories and my English teachers say that my work is brilliant for my age. I would just like to know, if your not too busy because I know you would be, if you could read one of my short stories because your such an inspiration and I would love to know what an author would think about my work. And I would love you to tell me what you think of it and advice, critique it! If you could get back to me ASAP. Let me know what you think!
Thank you so much for giving me the time,
Liana xxx
Hey Alyson!
I have a bit of a problem. I plan and plan and plan, then i write and write and write. But then kapoof and i mess it up so badly it is unrecoverable... What do you think I should do about this? Then I also have the problem of coming up with another idea for a story in the middle of writing one, so i leave that one and move to the next forgeting that previous one. Is there any way that you know of to keep all my ideas?
Thanks, Laura.
P.S. I really like your books and i wish you luck in what i believe will be a long career of brilliant writing.
I have a bit of a problem. I plan and plan and plan, then i write and write and write. But then kapoof and i mess it up so badly it is unrecoverable... What do you think I should do about this? Then I also have the problem of coming up with another idea for a story in the middle of writing one, so i leave that one and move to the next forgeting that previous one. Is there any way that you know of to keep all my ideas?
Thanks, Laura.
P.S. I really like your books and i wish you luck in what i believe will be a long career of brilliant writing.
i was wondering if you could give me some ideas on what to actually do at a book signing; if you have a very tight budget? I did a few but they are not really going how I want them to go, I am planning another one but I need idea on how it is actually suppose to go, any thoughts anything would help?
Hi Alyson.Im Rebecca and I'm writing a book, and I thought I knew a lot about writing, but after reading all of these I realize I don't. Could you help me understand it a liitle more? The one question I have is: When do you know when to put another paragraph? I hope thats not confusing.
By the way I absolutely love The Immortal Series. I'm on Night Star right now. I got the whole series for christmas :)
Elijah-
The best thing to do when you finish you book is to set it aside for 3 weeks or so and work on something else. When you return to it again, you'll be amazed at what a fresh read will reveal.
Also, as you read through your story make sure your stakes are raising, your obstacles mounting, your protagonist struggling, make sure she's WORKED for the ending you gave her!
Best of luck!