Eventually I will probably write about older characters, as a lot has happened to me since I was a teen. But as long as the stories keep coming and are fun to write, I can't see leaving high school altogether.
I loved Someone Like You. What inspired you to write it? The beginning was very emotion filled. Sarah Dessen When I was in ninth grade, the most popular boy in our school was killed in a motorcycle accident. It was the first time I'd known someone my age who passed away: one day he was there in Health class, and then he just It was a pivotal moment for me, and I always wanted to write about it.
But I didn't know him that well, and his story was HIS story. So I began with a similar situation, and then created the book from there. Alexandria Woolfe Thank you. Do you think that writing this book answered all the questions you had about the boy's death?
Thank you. Do you read for pleasure? I always am reading at least one book, if not two. I promised myself after college that I would read for fun again, and it's really important to me. To be honest, I don't read that much YA, as I don't want to know what everyone else is doing, especially as I'm writing my own book.
But I love novels and non-fiction, and listen to audiobooks in my car. What do you do when you get negative critique from a critique partner or editor? How do you know whether to make the changes or go with your original vision. Sarah Dessen I don't have critique partners, but I really, really trust my editor. By the time she gets my manuscript, I've done all I can to it and have lost perspective. I am desperate for another point of view!
I don't let anyone read my books as I'm writing them, and I don't talk about them with anyone, either. That's a holdover from college, where I wrote my first novel and felt I had constant feedback that didn't help me. But more often than not, she's right. I trust her, which is crucial.
All we both want is the best book possible. I love your writing style and all your novels. Recently I have been struggling with writers block and I don't know how to overcome it. What strategies do you use to help yourself when you have writers block?
I love your twitter, you are helpful and hilarious. Sarah Dessen When I'm stuck, I go back to the last place where the novel was really flowing and see what came right after that. If I brought in a new character, or started a scene in a new place, I'll tweak it, and take that person out or change the setting. It's like when you're driving and you get lost. You back to the last place you knew your surroundings, and go right instead of left. Also, breaks help.
And tears, sometimes. If you could live as any of your characters for a day who would choose to be? She's everything I wasn't at her age: confident, a leader, the kind of girl who can jimmy a locked door with a credit card. Writing her was SO fun. At first I thought I couldn't do it, because she was so unlike me, but then I realized it was just the greatest form of escape. That's what is great about writing.
You get to be someone else part of the day. About how many words do you write a day? Also, do you write by hand or do you type on the computer? Sarah Dessen I actually don't keep track of words.
I had a morning job and an evening job, so it was the only time I had. Lately, though, I've been doing a couple of hours in the morning, as well. My goal is to write every single day. It has to be a habit, or I won't do it. You've been writing contemporary books. And I was wondering are you planning on writing a trilogy, or maybe a series? Sarah Dessen I admire so many people who have done great trilogies and series, but usually, when I finish a book, I've done all I can with the characters and am ready to move on.
I've brought back previous characters in small cameos in later books, but I think that's probably the closest I'll get. I like the standalone! View 1 comment. This question contains spoilers Sarah Dessen This answer contains spoilers… view spoiler [He did!
Later on, when he says, "This," and kissed her! View 2 comments. What advice would you give to a young high school or college student that's an aspiring writer, especially dealing with writer's block or time management? Also thank you for giving me so many amazing books to read! I absolutely adore your work! Sarah Dessen The best advice I can give is to just get into the habit of writing. Train your brain that you write every day at a specific time, so if you are NOT writing, you're very aware of it and have to ask yourself why.
Right now, I'm not working on anything, and this is when I normally would be. It's probably why I am answering questions! Breaks ARE important, don't get me wrong.
Everyone needs fallow periods. It's what separates writers from people who want to write books. View all 8 comments. First, I want to thank you. I read and reread all of your books throughout middle and high schools and they have brought much joy and inspiration to my life. Your blog about the importance of following you gut inspired me to follow my own gut and pursue a career in writing. Was there any single thing that inspired you or gave you confidence to write your first novel?
Sarah Dessen Thank you so much for the kind words! I wish I had the key to confidence. I still struggle with it SO much, especially this winter when I had to set a book aside I'd been working on for over a year because it wasn't working. For me, I think the fear is part of my process. I'm always going to be afraid I can't do it. Once I embraced that, it got a bit easier.
In the beginning of the book, someone very important to Halley's best friend, Scarlett, dies in a motor vehicle accident. Who was it? Macon Ruth Michael Elizabeth. Progress: 3 of 10 questions. What event in the book has a big effect on Halley, Scarlett, and their families? Halley get pregnant Scarlett's mother dies Halley moves 2 hours away Scarlett gets pregnant.
Progress: 4 of 10 questions. What is something that Halley's mother doesn't like about her boyfriend, Macon? Bad manners and is rude Does drugs Won't talk to Halley's mother Is very irresponsible and immature.
Progress: 5 of 10 questions. Macon, Halley's boyfriend, pushes her towards doing things she isn't sure about. What does Halley think about when he does this to her? Macon loves her so much The situation that Scarlett is in Getting caught Everyone else does it. Progress: 6 of 10 questions. What gender of baby did Scarlett have and what did she name it?
Progress: 7 of 10 questions. How did everyone react to the news that Scarlett was pregnant and after she had the baby?
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