Comments on: Q&A For Writers http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:58:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Catherine Ashwick http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-5066 Catherine Ashwick Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:07:03 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-5066 Hi Jeaniene. I absolutely love your books. They're actually what inspired me to finally stop being lazy and finish my own novel instead of quitting a few chapters in to a project. So I was just wondering how you get your ideas and how you deal with writer's block and all that. Is it ever hard coming up with original storylines and characters? Sorry I'm throwing all these questions at you, but these are my biggest problems in writing, and you're my favorite author, so I thought I'd try asking you. Thanks, Catherine Ashwick Hi Jeaniene. I absolutely love your books. They’re actually what inspired me to finally stop being lazy and finish my own novel instead of quitting a few chapters in to a project. So I was just wondering how you get your ideas and how you deal with writer’s block and all that. Is it ever hard coming up with original storylines and characters? Sorry I’m throwing all these questions at you, but these are my biggest problems in writing, and you’re my favorite author, so I thought I’d try asking you.

Thanks,
Catherine Ashwick

]]> By: Purnima http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4813 Purnima Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:59:36 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4813 I really appreciate your advice here, Jeaniene. I have been reading English books since my school days and I absolutely agree that the more I read, the better my grasp on the language becomes. Thanks a lot for taking time out to reply to my query. Your encouraging words mean so much to me :) Happy new year! Regards, Purnima I really appreciate your advice here, Jeaniene. I have been reading English books since my school days and I absolutely agree that the more I read, the better my grasp on the language becomes. Thanks a lot for taking time out to reply to my query. Your encouraging words mean so much to me :)
Happy new year!
Regards,
Purnima

]]> By: Jeaniene http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4807 Jeaniene Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:19:52 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4807 First, English doesn't have to be your first language for you to write great books in English. Author Ilona Andrews comes to mind (her first language is Russian, but anyone can tell you how excellent her books are). You do have to have a firm grasp of the language and grammar, though. If you're finding that hard, you may want to see if there are any classes in your area. Reading a lot will also help you improve your vocabulary. As for tips on creating an interesting plot, well, that's what every author struggles to do :). If you only started this book last week, then you're very early in the process, and from what it sounds like, this is your first book. So don't worry about making every page perfect right now. Just keep at it. It's a lot easier to revise a finished book - when you can see your plot arc as a whole - than to tear a story apart before it's even half written. I have more on writing tips and my own process here: http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/05/advice-for-writers-or-everything-jeaniene-knows-about-getting-published/ Good luck! Jeaniene First, English doesn’t have to be your first language for you to write great books in English. Author Ilona Andrews comes to mind (her first language is Russian, but anyone can tell you how excellent her books are). You do have to have a firm grasp of the language and grammar, though. If you’re finding that hard, you may want to see if there are any classes in your area. Reading a lot will also help you improve your vocabulary. As for tips on creating an interesting plot, well, that’s what every author struggles to do :) . If you only started this book last week, then you’re very early in the process, and from what it sounds like, this is your first book. So don’t worry about making every page perfect right now. Just keep at it. It’s a lot easier to revise a finished book – when you can see your plot arc as a whole – than to tear a story apart before it’s even half written.

I have more on writing tips and my own process here: http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/05/advice-for-writers-or-everything-jeaniene-knows-about-getting-published/

Good luck!
Jeaniene

]]> By: Purnima http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4766 Purnima Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:57:46 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4766 Hi Jeaniene, I love your books so very much. To be honest, I read 4-5 Vampire series from other authors before coming to the Night huntress series. I have been wanting to write a Vampire-romance novel since about 2 years now. But only after reading your books, I was inspired enough to actually start writing one last week. I wrote poems when I was in school but I haven't written since I got into college and then job. As English is not my first lanuguage, sometimes I feel dismayed that I won't be able to put my thoughts into words as good as someone like you would :( I will really appreciate your advice on improving vocabulary and writing skills and also, some tips for creating an interesting plot. Also, would you recommend to write in a book or using a PC/laptop? Thanks for reading this. Kind Regards, Purnima Hi Jeaniene,

I love your books so very much. To be honest, I read 4-5 Vampire series from other authors before coming to the Night huntress series. I have been wanting to write a Vampire-romance novel since about 2 years now. But only after reading your books, I was inspired enough to actually start writing one last week. I wrote poems when I was in school but I haven’t written since I got into college and then job.
As English is not my first lanuguage, sometimes I feel dismayed that I won’t be able to put my thoughts into words as good as someone like you would :( I will really appreciate your advice on improving vocabulary and writing skills and also, some tips for creating an interesting plot.
Also, would you recommend to write in a book or using a PC/laptop?
Thanks for reading this.

Kind Regards,
Purnima

]]> By: Jeaniene http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4386 Jeaniene Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:36:39 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4386 Hi Pheobe, *grin* Get used to making major changing, especially if it's a first book. I rewrote Halfway to the Grave more times than I can count. I also did major rewrites on my second book, and the original third novel of the Night Huntress series will never see the light of day because I trashed it entirely. Rewrites - and deletions - are part of the process. So to answer "How can I be consistent and write a good novel while still incorporating some older ideas?" it's simple - you throw out whatever idea is not making the story better, and only keep the ones that improve the book. I used to be under the illusion that my original ideas were the best. Then I realized that they were only a starting point at times. All that matters is making your book the strongest it can be, whether that comes from old ideas or a "Eureka!" moment while writing. Good luck to you! -Jeaniene Hi Pheobe,

*grin* Get used to making major changing, especially if it’s a first book. I rewrote Halfway to the Grave more times than I can count. I also did major rewrites on my second book, and the original third novel of the Night Huntress series will never see the light of day because I trashed it entirely. Rewrites – and deletions – are part of the process.

So to answer “How can I be consistent and write a good novel while still incorporating some older ideas?” it’s simple – you throw out whatever idea is not making the story better, and only keep the ones that improve the book. I used to be under the illusion that my original ideas were the best. Then I realized that they were only a starting point at times. All that matters is making your book the strongest it can be, whether that comes from old ideas or a “Eureka!” moment while writing. Good luck to you!

-Jeaniene

]]> By: Phoebe http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4355 Phoebe Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:48:49 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4355 Jeaniene, I'm a giant fan of your books. You're my favorite author, so I thought "who better to ask a writing question to?" I'm writing (well, attempting to write) a novel, and I recently had to make major changes. The problem is the changes started in chapter four, and I'm on chapter seven, so I have to edit everything. There are some things that just don't make sense with the new plot, but I really like. How can I be consistent and write a good novel while still incorporating some older ideas? I understand that you're very busy, and may not have time to answer this question, but I thought I'd ask. Phoebe Jeaniene, I’m a giant fan of your books. You’re my favorite author, so I thought “who better to ask a writing question to?”

I’m writing (well, attempting to write) a novel, and I recently had to make major changes. The problem is the changes started in chapter four, and I’m on chapter seven, so I have to edit everything. There are some things that just don’t make sense with the new plot, but I really like. How can I be consistent and write a good novel while still incorporating some older ideas?

I understand that you’re very busy, and may not have time to answer this question, but I thought I’d ask.

Phoebe

]]> By: Lymarg http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4335 Lymarg Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:30:29 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4335 Hello Jeaniene! I have to say, I love your books, as well as your well written and developed personages, so I encourage you to keep writing :). I thank you in advance for all your advices to writers wanna be's ( like myself). We have the dream and determination of writing a book and getting published, but we have no clue about the industry. Thank you so much :) By the way you have a beautiful name, sounds French, or at least I pronounce it that way ;p. ciao Hello Jeaniene!
I have to say, I love your books, as well as your well written and developed personages, so I encourage you to keep writing :) . I thank you in advance for all your advices to writers wanna be’s ( like myself). We have the dream and determination of writing a book and getting published, but we have no clue about the industry. Thank you so much :)
By the way you have a beautiful name, sounds French, or at least I pronounce it that way ;p.
ciao

]]> By: Jeaniene http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4224 Jeaniene Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:25:01 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4224 Procrastination can be a dream killer. It kept me from writing for almost two decades. My advice? Plant your butt in the chair a least a couple times a week and write something. Anything. Doing that will help train yourself to push past that "I'll get to it later" mentality. Also, remember that completing a book isn't a sprint - it's a marathon. It's not supposed to be easy or everyone would do it, so don't get discouraged when at times, it can feel too hard to go on. And good luck! Jeaniene Procrastination can be a dream killer. It kept me from writing for almost two decades. My advice? Plant your butt in the chair a least a couple times a week and write something. Anything. Doing that will help train yourself to push past that “I’ll get to it later” mentality. Also, remember that completing a book isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon. It’s not supposed to be easy or everyone would do it, so don’t get discouraged when at times, it can feel too hard to go on. And good luck!

Jeaniene

]]> By: Alli Curry http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4216 Alli Curry Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:26:24 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4216 Hi, Jeaniene! I'm a giant fan of your books, and I'm trying to write my own series. Things is, I keep procrastinating on it. My goal was to be done a month ago, but I'm still on chapter 3. Any tips for getting over this problem? You'd be saving my life! Thanks! Alli Hi, Jeaniene!

I’m a giant fan of your books, and I’m trying to write my own series. Things is, I keep procrastinating on it. My goal was to be done a month ago, but I’m still on chapter 3. Any tips for getting over this problem? You’d be saving my life!

Thanks!

Alli

]]> By: Mary Lou http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-4080 Mary Lou Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:50:02 +0000 http://testblog.ilona-andrews.com/?p=238#comment-4080 Hi, Jeaniene! Love your books. I recommend them to anyone who enjoys reading books of this genre. Also, I want to say thank you for taking the time to provide advice to writers who are trying to become published authors. As one of those writers, I find the query letter to be the most challenging. It has left me more lost than my mom without a GPS. Who would have thought that writing a book would be easier than writing the query letter? I'm so glad that you were able to entice an agent. (What would my world be without Bones???) God bless...and keep up the good work. Can't wait for the next book!! Hi, Jeaniene! Love your books. I recommend them to anyone who enjoys reading books of this genre. Also, I want to say thank you for taking the time to provide advice to writers who are trying to become published authors. As one of those writers, I find the query letter to be the most challenging. It has left me more lost than my mom without a GPS. Who would have thought that writing a book would be easier than writing the query letter? I’m so glad that you were able to entice an agent. (What would my world be without Bones???) God bless…and keep up the good work. Can’t wait for the next book!!

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