Being an Author

Why we read:

• It’s fun! (Entertainment)

• Learning/Information

• Shared experience

• To function/Utility

• Escapism and reduce stress

• Improve focus, memory, and knowledge

• Expand vocabulary

• Expand experiences

• Imagination!

• Craft

What does an author do?

• Generate ideas

• Write

• Edit

• Promote and market

• Educate

• Learn and Research

• Support other writers

• Publish, design, and run a business

What is the process of writing a novel?

• Come up with an idea

• Research/Write notes

• Write

• Edit

• Send to beta readers/Take a break

• Design the book

• Edit and proof

• Marketing and publicity

• Sales and other boring business stuff

• Repeat!

How do you make a book?

• Type the book into the computer

• Edit the book over and over

• Add design and illustrations

• Create paperback version and ebook versions

• Send files to printer and distributors

• Proof your book

• Market your book/get people to buy it

Where do you get ideas?

• Life!

• Music

• Surroundings

• Other writers and stories

• Dreams

• Conversations

• Experiences

• Travel

• News

• Journaling

• Writer prompts

• Etc.

How do you get your ideas on to the page?

• Set aside time

• Create a good environment for writing

• Brainstorm

• Plan/Organize/Research

• Write!

• Take eye breaks every twenty minutes

• Don’t surf the internet

• Get back to life

• Finish!

What are your writing rituals?

Where do you write?

When do you write?

What tools do you use?

How do you end a story?

How do you revise a story?

What advice do I give other writers?

• Keep going!

• Be disciplined and take yourself seriously

• Be professional

• Do it neat, complete, and your best

• Keep learning and getting better at it

• Make plans, good goals, and deadlines

• Finish what you started