"I want to be an author."
I know. Believe me, I know. I hear it a lot.
I've written before about how to become a published author, but as it's a very popular subject, I thought I'd touch on it again today and point you to a positively brilliant blog entry by Cassie Claire. (Go read it!)
There is a recipe for getting published, my Minions. And here it is: 2 cups of hard work, 1 cup of talent, 1/2 cup of luck, and three Tablespoons of Ingredient X. Stir, bake at 350 degrees for six years, and let cool. Serve with a side of french vanilla ice cream (or at least A LOT of chocolate).
Notice that it's mostly comprised of hard work, followed by talent, and then luck. But the thing about that Ingredient X is that no one really has any idea what it is. Agents, editors, nobody. But when they find it, they know it's what they've been looking for. All you can do, as a writer, is to keep going, keep learning, keep writing, and hope that you got the recipe right.
It also doesn't hurt to have an original idea. Take something that's out there and make it your own. For example, James Patterson took a story about a group of runaways (basically) in his Maximum Ride books and made them freaks in every sense of the word by giving them wings (and don't even get me started on Angel...). Holly Black brought fairies into the modern age. Scott Westerfeld made being pretty something to run away from. All of these authors took something fairly normal and made it into their own vision. That's what you have to do--you have to be original. So...do that.
FYI, check out this awesome pic of one of my fave booksellers! Her name is Heather too (and yes, that makes her even cooler).
If you want a hoodie, you should head over here and enter. Before it's too late!
I've written before about how to become a published author, but as it's a very popular subject, I thought I'd touch on it again today and point you to a positively brilliant blog entry by Cassie Claire. (Go read it!)
There is a recipe for getting published, my Minions. And here it is: 2 cups of hard work, 1 cup of talent, 1/2 cup of luck, and three Tablespoons of Ingredient X. Stir, bake at 350 degrees for six years, and let cool. Serve with a side of french vanilla ice cream (or at least A LOT of chocolate).
Notice that it's mostly comprised of hard work, followed by talent, and then luck. But the thing about that Ingredient X is that no one really has any idea what it is. Agents, editors, nobody. But when they find it, they know it's what they've been looking for. All you can do, as a writer, is to keep going, keep learning, keep writing, and hope that you got the recipe right.
It also doesn't hurt to have an original idea. Take something that's out there and make it your own. For example, James Patterson took a story about a group of runaways (basically) in his Maximum Ride books and made them freaks in every sense of the word by giving them wings (and don't even get me started on Angel...). Holly Black brought fairies into the modern age. Scott Westerfeld made being pretty something to run away from. All of these authors took something fairly normal and made it into their own vision. That's what you have to do--you have to be original. So...do that.
FYI, check out this awesome pic of one of my fave booksellers! Her name is Heather too (and yes, that makes her even cooler).
If you want a hoodie, you should head over here and enter. Before it's too late!
posted by Heather Brewer at 12:02 PM
9 Comments:
wow first to comment kool lol thts kool tht her name is Heather also n the pic is sute with her holding ur books n a hoodie on.
Heather is one lucky person! I will get that hoodie some day!
I don't think I really want to be a writer, I do like writing now and then but it's not something I feel the need to do. Hm..
My most favorite thing about being a teenage vampire would be the fangs and my least favoite thing would be...hmmm...having to put on sunscreen everyday. yay for another chance to win a hoodie!!!! Thank you Auntie Heather!!! :)=
(anikoe@swbell.net)
btw, that is soooo awesome that her name is Heather too!!! Lucky!!!! hahahahaha!!!! :)=
That is awesome!!
Got mine already. Thanks for the bonus button. it's going to a 9th grader who loves Vlad. I'll snap a pic with it from the stage one of these nights. I think it's going to Vegas with me in April.
All the best!
nK
I am hoping to be a writer sometime. I am working on 2 books already actually. I'm on chapter 2 of one book and chapter 4 of the other so far. So thanks for the info Auntie! I may wait a while until I would publish them. For one, I'm a bit too young (14) and two, I'm very lazy and I wouldn't want to have to hurry on getting it finished. I hope for you to read them on my Myspace Auntie! I'd love to hear what you think of them. ^_^
hey heather if you read this and any one else out ther vlad is #1 on my top character list followed by Angel at number 2 and fang at number3 (maximum ride series) have u read the if so post ur ideas ony the characters but vlad daefanetly beats them bothe because he has a tough exterior but inside he just wants to be like every one but he is also proud of his family heritage so he is very confuzzled
heather you have writen the best book i hav ever read. pleae write more of the chronicals of vladimir. PLEASE. im so used to big series, and this is the best one. it makes me feel like im not alone. and its awsome
I have both of these books and love them! Eighth Grade Bites is with a boy and I'm giving Ninth Grade Slays to my friend on Monday. I finished Ninth Grade Slays yesterday when I was sick.
I have a drawing of the glyph and the smileys on the front page of Ninth Grade Slays.
I also have waiting lists in the back of each book. I have to go now. in the middle of a conversation on AIM. <3 your books heather! =]
Post a Comment
<< Home