Many creative writers hunker down in November to participate in what is known as National Novel Writing Month, or #NaNoWriMo if you use Twitter. It’s an exercise in persistence – after all, a 50,000 word novel doesn’t just write itself! To help writers along, we’ve pulled together some inspirational quotes and practical advice about writing from some of the authors nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award this year.
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"Stay faithful to the stories in your head."
—Paula Hawkins, author of Into the Water
Nominated for Mystery & Thriller
"Resist the urge to tell your friends and family about your story ideas. Make a rule for yourself that the only way anyone will see your stories is by you writing them."
—Andy Weir, author of Artemis
Nominated for Science Fiction
"Keep writing, even when you feel it sucks. And read absolutely everything you can get your hands on."
—Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network
Nominated for Historical Fiction
"Figure out what scenes make your story your story, and go from there. Use them as mile markers and find your way between them."
—Victoria Schwab, author of Our Dark Duet
Nominated for Young Adult Fantasy
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"Write the story in your heart and not the one you think will pay the most money."
—Brenda Jackson, author of Forged in Desire
Nominated for Romance
"Seek out a community of writers who are at the same stage as you to get feedback and emotional support. It's important to get better at your craft, but those friendships will also sustain you through the ups and downs of publishing."
—Sandhya Menon, author of When Dimple Met Rishi
Nominated for Young Adult Fiction
"Worldbuilding can be a lot of work. I try to see where things are linked together—and also to keep mundane details in mind. Just those, put together, give you a kind of rudimentary skeleton to start hanging things on."
—Ann Leckie, author of Provenance
Nominated for Science Fiction
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"I never start writing until I know my characters inside and out and how their story will end. Make sure you keep your eye always on the stakes of the story."
—Jeff Zentner, author of Goodbye Days
Nominated for Young Adult Fiction
"Read lots of books which serves many purposes but also shows you what you love to read, what author voice you connect to, and what POV works for you."
—Morgan Rhodes, author of Crystal Storm
Nominated for Young Adult Fantasy
"Be smart about how you're targeting the people you are querying and to do your research ahead of time. There are strict rules about a query letter. Read up on them, seek out agents who represent the work you write, and be confident about your work."
—Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Nominated for Historical Fiction
"I find a place to work that lets me focus, which for me is a quiet corner of an upstairs room by a small window, in a chair that lets me shift position every fifteen minutes. For you, it might be a coffee shop with headphones, or a spot outside, or your own bedroom."
—Francesca Zappia, author of Eliza and Her Monsters
Nominated for Young Adult Fiction
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"I think Steve King said 'read, read, read and write, write, write.' I would also add 'keep your butt in that chair.'"
—Karen Marie Moning, author of Feversong
Nominated for Fantasy
Are you participating in #NaNoWriMo? Share your experience—and what keeps you motivated—in the comments below!
Next: Self-Published Thriller 'Silent Child' Created Noise and a Goodreads Choice Nomination
You might also like: The Author Published Herself in This One... and Wins a Goodreads Choice Award
Goodreads Authors can subscribe to the Monthly Author Newsletter by editing their account settings.
posted by Cynthia on November, 06
"Stay faithful to the stories in your head."
—Paula Hawkins, author of Into the Water
Nominated for Mystery & Thriller
"Resist the urge to tell your friends and family about your story ideas. Make a rule for yourself that the only way anyone will see your stories is by you writing them."
—Andy Weir, author of Artemis
Nominated for Science Fiction
"Keep writing, even when you feel it sucks. And read absolutely everything you can get your hands on."
—Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network
Nominated for Historical Fiction
"Figure out what scenes make your story your story, and go from there. Use them as mile markers and find your way between them."
—Victoria Schwab, author of Our Dark Duet
Nominated for Young Adult Fantasy
"Write the story in your heart and not the one you think will pay the most money."
—Brenda Jackson, author of Forged in Desire
Nominated for Romance
"Seek out a community of writers who are at the same stage as you to get feedback and emotional support. It's important to get better at your craft, but those friendships will also sustain you through the ups and downs of publishing."
—Sandhya Menon, author of When Dimple Met Rishi
Nominated for Young Adult Fiction
"Worldbuilding can be a lot of work. I try to see where things are linked together—and also to keep mundane details in mind. Just those, put together, give you a kind of rudimentary skeleton to start hanging things on."
—Ann Leckie, author of Provenance
Nominated for Science Fiction
"I never start writing until I know my characters inside and out and how their story will end. Make sure you keep your eye always on the stakes of the story."
—Jeff Zentner, author of Goodbye Days
Nominated for Young Adult Fiction
"Read lots of books which serves many purposes but also shows you what you love to read, what author voice you connect to, and what POV works for you."
—Morgan Rhodes, author of Crystal Storm
Nominated for Young Adult Fantasy
"Be smart about how you're targeting the people you are querying and to do your research ahead of time. There are strict rules about a query letter. Read up on them, seek out agents who represent the work you write, and be confident about your work."
—Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Nominated for Historical Fiction
"I find a place to work that lets me focus, which for me is a quiet corner of an upstairs room by a small window, in a chair that lets me shift position every fifteen minutes. For you, it might be a coffee shop with headphones, or a spot outside, or your own bedroom."
—Francesca Zappia, author of Eliza and Her Monsters
Nominated for Young Adult Fiction
"I think Steve King said 'read, read, read and write, write, write.' I would also add 'keep your butt in that chair.'"
—Karen Marie Moning, author of Feversong
Nominated for Fantasy
Are you participating in #NaNoWriMo? Share your experience—and what keeps you motivated—in the comments below!
Next: Self-Published Thriller 'Silent Child' Created Noise and a Goodreads Choice Nomination
You might also like: The Author Published Herself in This One... and Wins a Goodreads Choice Award
Goodreads Authors can subscribe to the Monthly Author Newsletter by editing their account settings.
posted by Cynthia on November, 06