If you have several story ideas in mind, how do you decide which one to write? Do any of you ever write more than one book at once?
Amy
2 months ago
How do you ignore the little voice in your head that tells you to write for the market, and actually write what YOU want to write?
Amy
2 months ago
When you receive tough feedback from a CP or beta on a core element of your book, how do you know when to trust your gut and stick with what you have, and when to recognize your own bias/stubbornness and make a change?
so it’s in development while you develop your craft, that’s smart!
Rebecca
2 months ago
What’s the difference between the story of my heart and memoir? Meaning, when is the story too real?
PepperHawk
2 months ago
The story of my heart kind of scares me as it handles bisexual identity in my community that mostly just ignores the LGBTQIA++ spectrum. Would you just recommend a pen name?
Rebecca
2 months ago
When I was in my 20s I thought I was too young and didn’t know enough about the world to write a novel and now that I’m in my 40s I feel like maybe I’m too old and not up on what will resonate with people. How do I find a story that will speak to people and trust that it’s the right idea?
Rebecca
2 months ago
When I think about the story of my heart, I think about topics that are more personal to me. Can you talk about how to decide what’s okay and what’s either TMI or too close for comfort for the people in my life? For instance a person with neurodiversity might worry about outing family members by declaring #ownvoices.
gracemontague
2 months ago
I just want to say that I absolutely adore Amélie! We’ve talked a little on Instagram (I’m Grace @fictionaladventures on bookstagram) and Blood Heir is one of my absolute favorite books. I got an e-ARC of Red Tigress and I loved it as well, of course! I’ve loved seeing her comments on her readalong of Blood Heir, especially the craft tips. Since I’m plotting my first fantasy (I’ve always written contemporary novels before) those have been so timely and helpful.
I call myself “the queen of half-done projects.” How do push yourself to finish a project with the passion has faded and you have a knew idea?
gracemontague
2 months ago
I love plotting and I love drafting, but I HATE revisions. That’s always where I get stuck. How can I keep my motivation through the revision process? I’m a hardcore enneagram 8 so I want all the answers lol. Any revisions tips to make it seem less daunting/more like a step-by-step than an amorphous blob?
When pitching a story like this–one that’s very personal, how do you deal with rejections and criticism without imploding?
PepperHawk
2 months ago
This is an awesome topic and panel ❤️ When writing these personal stories and potentially dragging up past trauma, how do you take care of yourself?
gracemontague
2 months ago
I used to write exclusively contemporary YA, but now I’m trying my hand at my first YA fantasy because my heart wants to write both genres. How important is it that I find an agent who represents both genres? Or should I just focus on the genre for whatever I’m submitting as my first book?
If you have several story ideas in mind, how do you decide which one to write? Do any of you ever write more than one book at once?
How do you ignore the little voice in your head that tells you to write for the market, and actually write what YOU want to write?
When you receive tough feedback from a CP or beta on a core element of your book, how do you know when to trust your gut and stick with what you have, and when to recognize your own bias/stubbornness and make a change?
I second this!
What is a “Story of Your Heart”? How do they differ from other writing projects you’ve worked on?
Should we be considering our “brand” when writing the Story of Your Heart? Do you think this could help, or hinder the process?
What if you’ve already written he story of your heart? How do you figure out what to write next?
I’ve heard I shouldn’t write the story of my heart until the 3rd or 4th book because I’m not good enough yet, but is that true?
I have some stories that I love and am holding off for the same reason! But I’ve written down snippets so I don’t lose them.
so it’s in development while you develop your craft, that’s smart!
What’s the difference between the story of my heart and memoir? Meaning, when is the story too real?
The story of my heart kind of scares me as it handles bisexual identity in my community that mostly just ignores the LGBTQIA++ spectrum. Would you just recommend a pen name?
When I was in my 20s I thought I was too young and didn’t know enough about the world to write a novel and now that I’m in my 40s I feel like maybe I’m too old and not up on what will resonate with people. How do I find a story that will speak to people and trust that it’s the right idea?
When I think about the story of my heart, I think about topics that are more personal to me. Can you talk about how to decide what’s okay and what’s either TMI or too close for comfort for the people in my life? For instance a person with neurodiversity might worry about outing family members by declaring #ownvoices.
I just want to say that I absolutely adore Amélie! We’ve talked a little on Instagram (I’m Grace @fictionaladventures on bookstagram) and Blood Heir is one of my absolute favorite books. I got an e-ARC of Red Tigress and I loved it as well, of course! I’ve loved seeing her comments on her readalong of Blood Heir, especially the craft tips. Since I’m plotting my first fantasy (I’ve always written contemporary novels before) those have been so timely and helpful.
Zabe, you talked earlier about having the emotional heart of the story in mind. Do you have any tips for finding that core of the story?
I call myself “the queen of half-done projects.” How do push yourself to finish a project with the passion has faded and you have a knew idea?
I love plotting and I love drafting, but I HATE revisions. That’s always where I get stuck. How can I keep my motivation through the revision process? I’m a hardcore enneagram 8 so I want all the answers lol. Any revisions tips to make it seem less daunting/more like a step-by-step than an amorphous blob?
When pitching a story like this–one that’s very personal, how do you deal with rejections and criticism without imploding?
This is an awesome topic and panel ❤️ When writing these personal stories and potentially dragging up past trauma, how do you take care of yourself?
I used to write exclusively contemporary YA, but now I’m trying my hand at my first YA fantasy because my heart wants to write both genres. How important is it that I find an agent who represents both genres? Or should I just focus on the genre for whatever I’m submitting as my first book?