Frequently Asked Questions
Got a burning question, and don't see the answer listed? E-mail me! I'll post the answers to the most frequent questions below.
About Writing
About Me
ABOUT WRITING
Q: How can I learn to write?
A: Read, read, read. Read lots of books of all kinds until you find the genre you like best. Then focus on how the stories flow. What is it about them that excites or moves you? Try writing a scene to flesh out your own ideas. Start by asking yourself "What if ...?" Most importantly, take a grammar class to sharpen your skills with sentence structure and composition. You need to know the rules before you can get away with breaking them. Finally, join a writers' organization. For the romance genre, Romance Writers of America is a wealth of information, and has many local and online chapters offering support and encouragement to the aspiring or professional writer.
Q: Do I need an agent?
A: Not necessarily, but you may want one. Many writers choose to work with an agent, because agents know the market, and can help you present your best possible work when it comes time to send it to an editor. They also submit your manuscript to editors for you, which gives you valuable writing time. In addition, an agent can be your biggest cheerleader if he or she loves your work--which should be the case! An enthusiastic agent will work hard for you, and get you a deal with which you'll both be happy. If these reasons sound good to you, it might be best to consider working with an agent.
Q: What's a writers' conference?
A: The short answer--fun! A conference is a convention of writers from near and far, and usually includes workshops to help you improve your writing. Conferences are great places to network, meet agents or editors, and talk shop. And if you're as big a fan of your genre as you are a writer in it, you may meet your favorite author! Find conferences by joining a writers' group like Romance Writers of America, which publishes a monthly magazine that includes upcoming conference listings for romance writers.
ABOUT ME
Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A: It seems every writer gets this question. I wish I could say they get trucked in by FedEx every Tuesday, but sadly, that's not the case. I have to work at it. Sometimes inspiration hits, and sometimes I dig for it. I keep a notebook and file of ideas for future work, so that I don't forget those ideas while I write my current work in progress. A writer can't always depend on her muse to do the hard work!