Hello STUDENT,

I love it when someone asks me something I actually know. So here goes. There are a ton of “how to write” books out there –I own most of them–but after writing fiction for 40 years, I’ve learned what works best for me. Your mileage may differ.

I began writing when my children were babies. First tried picture books (I was terrible), but found YA fiction more to my taste. Here are a few things that helped me keep going until my first novel was published.

–I joined a writers organization. (SCBWI in Michigan–very active chapter near Detroit); found a few writers to meet with occasionally.

–went to writers’ conferences. Met other writers in the area–very helpful.

–After the MBA I worked 5 years, then stayed home till my last child was 16, then returned to work. When they were little I hired a neighbor to watch them so I’d have time to write. As I was paying for the privilege, you better believe I concentrated.

–sent out TONS of manuscripts to editors, collected lots of rejections. Rinse, repeat. But I learned.

–finished my YA novel & paid a book reviewer to critique it (that was hugely helpful) before landing an agent. The agent sent it out and Simon & Schuster bought it. Yay!! In Michigan I had writing friends; lost that support when we moved to Pgh, alas.

But always, even after I returned to work full-time, I wrote. I made sure my schedule included daily writing time (I prefer mornings). People who don’t schedule their time don’t usually become writers, IMO. Work ethic precedes publication. (Who knew?)

I retired in October and am finishing a novel now. If you’d like to have coffee sometime, or talk on phone, I’d be happy to. (alum@email.com) Meanwhile, best of luck to you!