Do you want advice on writing, good books to read, how to get an agent, how to write a query letter....or just talk about Peeta Mellark or Four and how sexy they are.... or anything else? Just leave a comment below, and I'll answer as best as I can! :)
what would you say is the best way to get the attention of an agent?
ReplyDeleteabove all, GREAT writing will always get the attention of an agent. That's done by writing a query letter to them! You can also meet agents at writer's conferences and bookish events, and sometimes, meeting face to face is helpful and can make you stand out from all the query letters they get in their inbox!
DeleteWhen do you know you're ready to start querying an agent? I feel like I could edit my MS a million times over and still be scared to start submitting.
ReplyDeletedo you have beta-readers? Sometimes, you can get SO close to your own book, that you stop seeing it with an editorial eye! If you have others to read and help tell you when they think it's ready, that's a great help. When the story feels complete, and you feel like you're ready to send it off, and PROUD of it, that's a good sign, too! But always get outside opinions!
DeleteHow did you pick your beta-readers? :)
ReplyDeletehey girl :) I used book bloggers or librarians...people that read a lot, and people that aren't afraid to be super honest about everything! :)
DeleteI haven't braved letting anyone read my stuff yet...aside from my mom LOL! I really need to though.
Deletego for it! It's the BEST way to move forward :)
DeleteHave you ever had to juggle writing with a busy schedule? If so, how did you make time?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how did you get the idea for the Balance Keepers?
life is crazy every day! I just try to set daily writing goals to meet! The idea actually came from Patrick Carman, an awesome author who mentors me!
DeleteWhat's the best way to add depth to characters, other than dramatic plot twists?
ReplyDeletedialogue, fun scenes between two people, backstory, even giving them little quirks. maybe in what they wear, how they hold themselves, what they're afraid of. just deepen who THEY are!
DeleteWhat's some of the best writing advice you ever got?
ReplyDeletelauren oliver told me that if writing was all I had, writing was all I'd ever need.
DeleteHi Lindsay! I'm currently in highschool and I love writing. my questions are:
ReplyDelete1. how to manage writing and studies at the same time?
2. what's the scope for international writers in the U.S.? how can they write a query letter? how should they approach an agent? what agents offer representing internationals writers who aren't published yet?
3. what's your writing advice? i mean how did you manage writing two series and getting them published by such renowned publishers?
btw have you read the Mara Dyer trilogy? I'm sure Noah Shaw will make you forget Peeta and Four. ;)
can't wait to read the murder complex and the balance keepers! :D
1- set daily goals for yourself! :)
Delete2- I'm not exactly how it works with international writers...but I'm guessing you'd go about it the same way! Try researching that, or talking to other authors from other countries that have done it!
3- read and write every day. put your heart and soul into it!
I haven't read Mara Dyer yet, but I SO want to!
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Deletei was wondering if you could tell me who your beta-readers were. and are you interested in critiquing manuscripts?
DeleteThank you sooo much for your help.
Wish you luck!
and yeah read MD soon. i think you'll love it. :)
How did you find your agent?
ReplyDeleteI met her at a writer's conference!!
DeleteHow do I start myself to write? I can't write to save my life, and that's because I over-analize things and I feel that if I don't have all my information about the book before I start writing I won't go anywhere and I will just be disappointed. So, an advice on it?
ReplyDeleteI would say...just dive in. Just write a scene, write about a character...just do your best to START! If you overthink things, you'll never get the story done. Even if the first draft is crap, it's okay! It's words on a page, and editing comes later.
DeleteHow can I stay positive while all my queries are still out? I've sent my query out to sixteen agents already but only four have responded. How can I keep myself from going crazy??
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling! :0 Start working on something new while you're waiting! OR you could busy yourself by reading a bunch of awesome books!
DeletePeople say "write what you know", but are you doomed if you endeavor to write about something you don't know and can't really research?
ReplyDeleteInstead of writing what you know, just write what you love, and don't worry about everything else. If you just start it, and dive into it, I'm sure everything will fall into place.
DeleteAny tips on writing dystopias? I have so many ideas set in dystopian societies but for some reasons, i cant seem to get out of the mind frame of now. If you know what I'm talking about, any tips on how to break that wall and dive into the future?
ReplyDeleteJust picture what the world is like now...and then picture what little things would be different. Cars. Food. Clothing. Government. Basically, it's the little twists and changes that really set a story apart sometimes and make it work! Definitely try reading some dystopians, and that will help you too!
DeleteWhat got you into writing, and how old were you when you realized you really wanted to publish your work?
ReplyDeleteI got sick when I graduated high school, and didn't know what to do with my life, because I couldn't go to college anymore. I ended up deciding to try and write..and it just fell into place from there. I was 18
DeleteHow long from start to finish (including editing) did it take your book? And was it really hard to get it published?
ReplyDeleteabout.....2 years or so. We're still editing! :0 Publishing is tough, but when you have good supporters on your side, the journey is totally worth it
DeleteHi! This is pretty cool of you, thanks so much for doing this! My questions are probably harder than it seems: Why did you choose YA as your genre and not something less swamped? Is writing YA worth the time financially or is it something you do out of sheer love for the genre?
ReplyDeleteLastly, would it be okay when this wraps up for me to copy this Q&A onto my blog http://hidethematches.com ? I will obviously edit names and remove images to protect everyones privacy. This is good information and IMO should be shared! Please let me know. marisa@hidethematches.com
I chose YA because it's what I've always loved! Writing is my career, so financially it does work...but I do it because I love it! :)
DeleteAnd of course you can share this, that's cool!
Awesome, thanks very much! I am sure a LOT of reviewers are kicking themselves for not paying attention to their twitter feeds right now, LOL
DeleteI have so many questions swirling through my head, but I'll only ask a few right now.
ReplyDelete1) How do you find a critique group or partner?
2) What do you do once you've found a critique group or partner? (I'm worried that I won't be able to help the other person as much as they help me - I don't have a lot of critiquing experience.)
3) How do you get the courage to let other people read your work? (Plenty of family members have asked to read my WIPs, but I'm scared they won't understand it/me. I'm also scared that people will think my work sucks, but without getting it critiqued I'll never get better.)
1- twitter has been a great resource for me! Also, googling writer's groups in your area. SCBWI has great resources, if you're a children's writer or illustrator!
Delete2- Don't stress about it! :) A crit partner is there to help you, and vise-versa. You just do the BEST you can do, be honest, and that will go far!
3- That can be totally freaky! Just remember, it's exactly what you just said. Letting others read your work will help you get better. And in the end, you want to be the best you can be. Go for it!
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ReplyDeleteWhat would you do if your book became a movie eventually?
ReplyDeletefreak out, probably cry, and then obsess over the casting list, and fight my way on scene so I could watch it all happen in real life. lol. Oh. And pick out a really amazing dress for the premiere.
DeleteWas there ever a point in the process of writing your book, finding an agent, etc. where you felt like you were ready to give up? If so, what kept you going?
ReplyDeleteyes TOTALLY. So many times I wanted to give up...but the secret to succeeding in the book world, is that you CAN'T give up. Ever!! Chocolate helped, too. Lots of chocolate.
DeleteIf you could be anything in the world what would it be?
ReplyDeletea bird, so I could fly. lol. No, but for real, I'd want to be a NYT bestselling author :)
DeleteHow do you think what's better - use a real name or a nickname? Thanks =)
ReplyDeleteIt just depends! If you're worried about using your real name for safety purposes, then use a pen name. Nothing is better or worse!
DeleteHi Lindsay I'm writing my own story on a forum and it's about fantastic creatures(goddesses,fairies,nymphs,angels etc.)it's called rainbow fairies I'm nearly to complete season 1 and I planned season 2 and 3 but I have no idea about season 4 and 5 how can I make a good story?
ReplyDeleteHey! Good for you, for writing! :) I'd say that every book needs to have its own story line. Book 1 should have a beginning, middle, and end, and so on, for each individual book. A good story has lots of depth---plot, characters, setting, dialogue. Don't worry about the NEXT books. Just worry about what you're working on now! If you want, try plotting out what you've already done---throw in your ideas for the big picture of the series, and keep that nearby as you work.
DeleteTell us a little more about Balance Keepers! Have school as Hogwarts?
ReplyDeleteThe Balance Keepers is about kids who go to school in the Core of the earth. They fight off evil creatures and viruses in other realms---it's got adventure, some really cool action scenes, and lots of cool "magical" things!
DeleteDid you make your own website or did your publisher help you?
ReplyDeleteit was actually made by Hafsah at IceyDesigns.com
DeleteOkay, Lindsay...here's one no one has asked yet. Let's say you're an 8th grade English teacher,and you could only teach FOUR novels a year. Which novels would you teach and WHY would you teach them?
ReplyDeleteokay, that's tough, lol!
Delete1984---one of the original awesome dystopians, with amazing world building.
Catcher in the Rye---perfect for teens. it's a great story about teenage angst, and it keeps teens' attention, because the main character is hysterical.
Harry Potter - one of the BEST storytelling examples EVER
The Hunger Games- because this book can make even "non-readers" enjoy reading. Boys AND girls.
I'm VERY surprised at your choices! LOL You only chose basically TWO current novels. While I loved the Hunger Games and was forced to read 1984 in HS, I'm not a fan of Harry Potter or Catcher in the Rye. Here's why I say that. I've seen way too many teachers rely on the old standards because they're lazy and don't want to read anything current because he or she would have to change their lesson plans and activities. Over the past four years at my school, I have started a renaissance for reading because it's been dying a slow death in the small town where I teach. How did I do it? Well, not by teaching the old standards but by using books like Unwind, Legend, Morpheus Road, Everlost, and Lockdown Escape from Furnace. Boys and girls loved reading all of these and keep coming back to me year after year for more reading suggestions. They have given up their daily doses of video games in favor of reading, and I couldn't be more proud of them for it. Keep in mind, I'm not putting your list down because obviously this wasn't an easy question to answer with so MANY novels to pick. Just sharing my perspective on the classics and praying maybe one of your books or mine could become one too. :)
DeleteI just went by what books taught me how to become a lover of reading, and how to write far better than I would've if I hadn't read them! :)
DeleteYup. I totally get that. And look at where you are now! That's my dream for many of my students as well. At the start of each school year, I always have a new/old kid tell me, "Mr. King, I'm writing a book." I just smile. I love my job!
DeleteWhat are your favorite characters of his two books and why? :)
ReplyDeletewhose two books? lol
DeleteThe Murder Complex and The Balance Keepers! lol
Deletelol. I love Meadow from The Murder Complex....she's really tough and ruthless, but she has a soft spot when it comes to her family. In The Balance Keepers, I love all the magical creatures...and strangely, my favorite character is a little black dog named Farnsworth, whose eyes light up like flashlights!!
DeleteHello Lindsay! I'm currently in the process of writing a query letter for my book. Do you have any tips on writing a good query letter? Also a tagline?
ReplyDeleteI actually did a post about this a while back! Here's the link :) http://www.victoriascottya.com/guest-post-rockstar-query-letters/
DeleteThis is probably a question everyone already knows the answer to, but I am still trying to figure it out. What is the cutoff age for YA characters? Also, what do you think of the new adult genre?
ReplyDeleteI'd say like 18, and before they go to college, is still okay. New Adult is great, if it gets more readers :) I've never read it myself, because I still prefer YA!
DeleteHi Lindsay, thanks for doing this. I've heard (and read) that the use of adverbs (particularly regarding dialogue tags) is the mark of an amateur. Is there an exception, then, for British YA writers? I've noticed J K Rowlings prolific use of them in the first three Harry Potter novels I've read.
ReplyDeleteEvery editor is different, but lots of people tend to not want them. As for British writers...I have no idea, honestly! I've never even BEEN to the UK. lol.
DeleteCould you give an example of a good query letter? I wouldn't even know how to go about this
ReplyDeleteA great blog is Nathan Bransford's ---he has lots of great query advice on there. I also did a post a while back about how to write a good query letter. http://www.victoriascottya.com/guest-post-rockstar-query-letters/
DeleteAsk for HarperCollins anticipating the release of The Balance Keepers! I can not stand waiting! LOL
ReplyDeleteMissing more than a year for their books being released? or less than a year? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay! It's pretty awesome that you're doing this! This is so helpful for me because someday I would love to write books for a living!
ReplyDeleteSo I have two questions:
1) What do you do in your free time when you're not writing?
2) How would you deal with someone who keeps telling you that you will never have a book published and that you'll never achieve your dream?
Hey Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteWhat are your favorite books from your childhood?
Favorite disney movie?
Do you find it easier to write third person or first person?
Your advice on writing a story's beginning?
What kinds of characters are your favorites?
If you could visit one place in the world where would it be and why?
When you are writing a book series, do you have to have all the books written before you write a query letter?
ReplyDeleteHi! I have 2 questions.
ReplyDeleteDo you listen to music when you write?
Financially, is writing a good job?
Hey Lindsay (we have the same name, awesome!)
ReplyDeleteWhen did you know it was time to send out query letters (editing wise) and how long did it take you after finishing the first draft?
When looking for literary agents, how do you know which ones will be a good fit?
Hiya Lindsay. I have two questions:
ReplyDelete1) how do you go about getting an agent?
2) how muchof the manuscript do you send to a publisher?
Thank you xx
I have three h's for you Lindsay :)
ReplyDelete1. How do you get an agent?
2. How you write a query letter?
3. And how do you go about writing a book?
I'm actually close to being done with a book I wrote just for fun, but I've noticed I'm about twenty pages from a hundred. How do authors write 300+ pages and not finish the story yet? Is it the formatting? Thanks for listening! I'm still anxiously waiting for your books! ^_^
Hi Lindsay,
ReplyDeleteI have a few questions I hope you don't mind.
I've wanted to be a writer of books ever since I was child,I completed a trilogy last summer that I am super proud of, so my first question is, how do you come up with a super good title for the overall books? (Twilight) My second questions is more in terms of a career path, I am determined to become a write and get published etc but most people tell me it is not wise to have a career in it as it isn't easy or there isn't much work from it besides writing all time and you may not be successful. However, I am really passionate about what I do and I love it, so for uni, what courses would you recomened takig if someone wanted to go down a career path of novel writing.
How do you get a publisher to see your work?
How do you get an editor if you cannot afford one right now?
And finally, would you recommend getting a job to do with writing e.g. working for a publishing company or going to uni? My dream is to work for and be published by Harper Collins.
Thanks for taking the time out and reading this.
How do you find an agent?
ReplyDeleteYou can get an agent in a few different ways. Research them on google, or try querytracker.com ---has good info! Agents can be met face to face at a writer's conference, and that's how I met mine! :) You have to send out a Query Letter, which you can also research on google, but it's basically a one page letter with info about your book, asking an agent to (hopefully) read it!
DeleteHi Lindsay! What do you do when you have writer's block? How many times did you rewrite The Murder Complex before you knew it was the best it could be? When did you send out your first query letter?
ReplyDeleteWriter's block is so awful! I try to step away for a few days, read something, and clear my head! :) I revised once before I sent out my query, but I had to spend about 2 years editing it afterwards! :0
Deletehow many friends did you have in high school?
ReplyDeletethat's an interesting question! lol. I had a few close friends, but mostly lots of acquaintances. I was in choir, so those were mainly the people I hung out with! But I wasn't popular, that's for sure!
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ReplyDeleteHow to get an agent? I mean, via e-mail or letter. How to introduce yourself and your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsay, you rock!!
xoxo
Hi, I find your accomplishments very inspiring. I'm stumbling back into writing and trying to find my way step by step :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, wanted to ask you about chronic fatigue...I struggle with that in addition to a multitude of other things. Most days its hard to keep the head off the desk or to keep any focus. The wasted time and low energy and days/years gone by fill me with regret and guilt. Yet, its....
It's trying ....I just really admire how much you've done and am amazed and feel rather ...lazy...all the time. That of course does little for my learning kidlit brain and actual productivity.
Sorry for the silly, maybe bizarre comment. Just love seeing your amazing abilities, enthusiasm and success. It is inspiring and I'm a good 10 years or so older than you :)
I'm really into MG, so looking forward to that from you. Wish we were buddies...you seem so cool to be friends with and I'd love to meet up with you, chat books, grab some food, pick your brain :)
I'm in Canada though, so I'll just "wave" hi instead.
Jill