Three Authors Offer Advice for Writers: Patrick Ness, Lauren Kate and Natasha Solomons

by |March 24, 2012

On March 1, 2010 I posted the first of the Ten Terrifying Questions interviews. Since that date I have posted over 200 interviews with authors ranging from mega selling global stars like Jackie Collins and Lee Child to brilliant, relatively unknown debut authors such as Favel Parret and  Rebecca James.

I have long thought the advice offered to aspiring writers in answer to question ten deserved a vehicle of its own. Well, here it is. Every Friday evening (or Saturday morning if I forget. Ahem) I shall post the advice of three very different writers…

Q. What advice do you give aspiring writers?


PATRICK NESS

‘1.  Call yourself a writer when people ask what you do (it’s important)

2.  Find time to write every day.

These are both far, far harder than you think they are, but they’re the most important things you’ll do.

Fear and panic in the air
I want to be free
From desolation and despair
And I feel like everything I sew
Is being swept away
When I refuse to let you go

(Lyrics by Muse)’

Read the full interview here

Click here to buy A Monster Calls from Booktopia Australia’s No.1 Online Bookshop


LAUREN KATE

“Live curiously. Make the whole world your muse. Never let yourself get bored—instead: eavesdrop, ask questions, try to learn as much as you can about as many things and as many people as you can.

If you live your whole life like a curious person, you’ll never be at a loss for things to write about.”

Read the full interview here…

Click here to buy Fallen in Love from Booktopia Australia’s No.1 Online Book Shop


NATASHA SOLOMONS

“If the thought of doing anything else can make you happy, do that. Writing is a difficult career. In fact it’s more an affliction or an addiction than a job. If you read this, know the odds are against you and you don’t care – you’ve got to write anyway, then the chances are that you’re a writer.”

Read the full interview here…

Click here to buy The Novel in the Viola from Booktopia Australia’s No.1 Online Book Shop


For more advice from published writers go here

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  • March 24, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Lauren Kate’s advice is great. Be curious and eavesdrop. How else can you create realistic, compelling characters if you don’t pay attention to people’s gestures, language use and personality?

  • catey

    March 27, 2012 at 8:43 am

    Ur advice is awsome thanks wish i had my laptop with me so i could right lauren kate ur the best i love ur books i cant stop reading them!!!

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