Ask the Author: Courtney Anz
Answered Questions (5)
Courtney Anz
The best thing a writer can do is to start writing! As Steven King said, turn of the mind-sucking TV and read, read, read as much as you can and write. Truly, we must dedicate a regular time and place to write. It is very hard in this age of ultra-busy people, but if your dream is to write, then that is what you must do, every day. I am wrapping up my teaching degree for MS and HS English. I knew that during my student-teaching months, I would not be able to write. I had to concentrate on my students. But with summer approaching, I am going to dedicate myself to my writing just like I dedicate myself to my class lesson plans. I have a goal of getting the 2nd book done by this fall (before school resumes!) It is a demanding goal, and to do it, I'll probably need to get up at 4 a.m. many days. I am a morning person, and so that is okay. I love writing and producing a story that others enjoy. So, if you want to write. Write.
Courtney Anz
There are so many things that I love about being an author - especially for YA. I absolutely LOVE author talks with students. They "get" my book and it's that gorgeous moment when they are riveted, waiting for my next word, that I have to stop myself from giggling. Happens every time! Another part of writing I love is the struggle to assemble the puzzle pieces into a well-told, original, bang-over-your-head story. It's a big challenge but the intellectual "COOL! I did it! moment is so fun" Then there are all the things I learn in research. I'm a knowledgeable person about a plethora of trivia but not academically entrenched in any one subject. I'm like a snorkeler of knowledge...I have to go deeper than surface and I learn great things, but I'm no Einstein on the super deep details. I leave that to the experts who teach me.
Courtney Anz
I have not really suffered from writer's block. On the other hand, writer's utter confusion and overwhelmed state, I suffer from constantly! I come up with loads of different ideas and I guess the block happens when I reach a point in the story line path where I'm stifled. Then I realize, whoops! This road is just not right for this story-line. That's when I retrace my steps back to the character's decision in my story line and I ask myself how else the character could have answered this question that would have delivered a more productive, rich story. I've learned to cork-board lay out my story, which helps a ton. One of the most fun things about being a writer is that it always feels like I'm the detective figuring out a great puzzle...I'm figuring out the best way to put this puzzle together so that it ends up a super fun story for my readers. When I'm having fun, I am pretty sure my readers will too.
Courtney Anz
The sequel! And, getting my teaching certificate to teach English Language Arts, grades 7-12.
Courtney Anz
In 2003, my husband and I took our 6-and 3-year-old daughters on a trip to see friends in Shanghai, China. We continued our travels to Beijing and Xian. In Xian, we had a wonderful English-speaking guide who gave us a tour of the Terracotta Warrior museum. On the way home, we passed Mount Li, which is a lone, low mountain with a tram to its peak. I asked her about it and she answered, "That's the tomb of Emperor Qin, who built the Terracotta Warriors." Immediately, I asked her if we could detour and go inside the tomb. She shook her head and even looked a bit nervous, explaining, "It is still sealed. There are rivers of poison and booby traps inside. No one can go inside!" To which my 6-year-old daughter replied, "Mommy! What if there's a dragon stuck inside!"
For years afterwards, we spent many dinner conversations having fun, making up stories about what could be inside that tomb. Eventually, I decided to write out ideas down in a story.
For years afterwards, we spent many dinner conversations having fun, making up stories about what could be inside that tomb. Eventually, I decided to write out ideas down in a story.
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