FAQs: About Writing

Where do you get your story ideas?

From Nordstrom because of their generous return policy for ideas that don’t work out.

Seriously, ideas can come from anywhere. And everywhere. The tricky part is sorting out the ones that can actually turn into a novel-length story.

I have a great idea for a book. Why don't I tell it to you; you can write it; and we'll split the money 50/50.

Since I already have more ideas for books than I can write in one lifetime, my suggestion is that because no one knows your story as well as you do, you should write it yourself and that way you have the satisfaction of completing a novel and get to keep all the money.

Can you read my book for a critique or cover quote?

I’m sorry, but due to the number of requests I receive, if I critiqued or read books for cover quotes, I’d never have time to write my own.

What advice could you give an aspiring writer?

Read, read, read. Then write, write, write. Then read some more. Don’t write what you think will sell unless it’s a genre you really personally enjoy because readers are smart and if you don’t love what you’re writing, they won’t either.

Promise yourself that you will finish the book you start. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn away by some new and shiny idea whenever you find yourself bogged down. You may end up with a book that will sell and readers will love. Or you may end up with a book that will never sell, but was good practice. I can’t think of a writer who sold his or her first book. Which usually is a good thing.

Join a writers’ group. If you’re writing romance, and I assume you are if you’re visiting my website, I’d definitely recommend joining Romance Writers of America. Other genres have their own national groups. Meanwhile, keep reading. And writing.

Oh, and while you’re doing that studying, reading how-to books and attending writers’ workshops, never forget this quote from W. Sommerset Maugham: “There are only three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”

Do I need a college degree in creative writing to be a writer?

No. I changed majors five times, even switching from Lit to Geography the final semester of my senior year. I know many successful writers who’ve never attended a day of college. You do need to study and learn your craft the same way a plumber, musician, or heart surgeon does. And, as I said above, read, read, read. Write, write, write.

Do you have a regular schedule?

For many years I wrote at least eight hours a day. Although I no longer always do that, I’ve tried, for thirty-two years, to write something every day. Even on those days when the writing isn’t going well, just putting down words, even if they end up getting deleted, keeps the wheels turning. On those occasions when I have taken time off, I’ve found it more difficult to get back into the groove.