1. How long did it take you to publish, ‘Carter Reed?’
I wrote it in the spring over a couple months, let it sit all summer, then went over edits in September and released it the end of September. Not too long. I could’ve finished it earlier, but I wrote and published two other books in that time period. I’m glad I waited, though.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
The writing itself. I went to college, but my focus was not on writing so I didn’t start until I had already graduated. I basically had to teach myself how to do it and I’m still learning.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I’ll be honest, I enjoy all of them while I’m writing them. If I didn’t, I don’t think I would be able to finish, but I think I enjoyed writing Fallen Crest High the most. I was writing and posting it on my online journal so not a lot of people were following me then. It was just fun.
4. How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
It all depends. I’ll say that Fallen Crest High was my first successful book to be published. And I would say five months. I wrote it, edited it, and then published it. I should’ve hired an editor for it, but I didn’t. At that point editors, cover designers, formatters, all of that was foreign to me.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Don’t copy someone else. Write your own story. Dig deep, write what’s in there or what moves you and don’t publish to get rich. If you write to just write, it’s a lot more rewarding.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
I only queried three agents and they all rejected me, but they sent back some great feedback. It wasn’t mean at all. It happens. I think I just expected it.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Writing the book is the first step. To me, I never thought about publishing. I don’t think it was as acceptable when I was first starting, though, but yeah, I would focus on writing the book first and just make sure the product is the best you can get it.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
Write and finish the book, then have it edited and not by friends or family. Find someone who isn’t biased, but also understands your style of writing. After that, it’s up to the person of what they want and what their goals are.
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
I still love thinking about Shane Chen from the Chen Series, but that series is retired. They were my first creation and also the worst written. J The other might be Jace Lanser from A Whole New Crowd. I also love Sam and the Kades too.
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
I don’t know. I just think everyone will have a different idea of what they want so their path is going to be different. The new writers just need to see what works for them. I get emailed sometimes for advice and I always tell them to join facebook writing groups. Get involved and connected with other writers. To do that you could go to facebook and type in writing groups and some will pop up. It’s a good way to get going.
As for me, yes. I would. The only thing I’d like to do differently is to take more classes on writing and even now, I’d like to find local workshops on writing.
I wrote it in the spring over a couple months, let it sit all summer, then went over edits in September and released it the end of September. Not too long. I could’ve finished it earlier, but I wrote and published two other books in that time period. I’m glad I waited, though.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
The writing itself. I went to college, but my focus was not on writing so I didn’t start until I had already graduated. I basically had to teach myself how to do it and I’m still learning.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I’ll be honest, I enjoy all of them while I’m writing them. If I didn’t, I don’t think I would be able to finish, but I think I enjoyed writing Fallen Crest High the most. I was writing and posting it on my online journal so not a lot of people were following me then. It was just fun.
4. How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
It all depends. I’ll say that Fallen Crest High was my first successful book to be published. And I would say five months. I wrote it, edited it, and then published it. I should’ve hired an editor for it, but I didn’t. At that point editors, cover designers, formatters, all of that was foreign to me.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Don’t copy someone else. Write your own story. Dig deep, write what’s in there or what moves you and don’t publish to get rich. If you write to just write, it’s a lot more rewarding.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
I only queried three agents and they all rejected me, but they sent back some great feedback. It wasn’t mean at all. It happens. I think I just expected it.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Writing the book is the first step. To me, I never thought about publishing. I don’t think it was as acceptable when I was first starting, though, but yeah, I would focus on writing the book first and just make sure the product is the best you can get it.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
Write and finish the book, then have it edited and not by friends or family. Find someone who isn’t biased, but also understands your style of writing. After that, it’s up to the person of what they want and what their goals are.
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
I still love thinking about Shane Chen from the Chen Series, but that series is retired. They were my first creation and also the worst written. J The other might be Jace Lanser from A Whole New Crowd. I also love Sam and the Kades too.
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
I don’t know. I just think everyone will have a different idea of what they want so their path is going to be different. The new writers just need to see what works for them. I get emailed sometimes for advice and I always tell them to join facebook writing groups. Get involved and connected with other writers. To do that you could go to facebook and type in writing groups and some will pop up. It’s a good way to get going.
As for me, yes. I would. The only thing I’d like to do differently is to take more classes on writing and even now, I’d like to find local workshops on writing.