Ask the Author: Marty Conley
Answered Questions (6)
Marty Conley
The idea came from my students! When time allows, I'll share some of my crazy, but true, stories with students, and they were the ones to encourage me to write a book using my stories. So I did. All the stories in the book are true, but they've been put together to create a made-up story.
Marty Conley
Read as much as you can and challenge yourself as a reader to expand your reading selections. I get great ideas for my own writing from a variety of sources: from young adult books, classic literature, biographies, short stories, even news stories. Write a lot. And don't worry about making your writing perfect - the goal should be to get a little bit better every time you put your pen to paper. Lastly, get constructive feedback from someone you respect and trust.
Marty Conley
The best thing about being a writer is hearing feedback from my readers - especially when they've enjoyed the book. My love for reading began in elementary school and continues to this day - I read about 30-35 books a year. My goal is to write books that will encourage kids to become passionate life-long readers themselves.
Marty Conley
Reading. A lot. That's the first thing I do to get myself ready to write - I read. It can be almost anything, but I love reading short stories. They're quick reads, yet condense a lot into a small space - perfect for getting me ready. Reading activates my imagination and gets the creative juices flowing. Like they say, "If you want to be a better writer you have to read more." I do. Lastly, I'll reread what I've recently written. Sometimes I like what I've written, sometimes I don't - but either way - it gets me engaged with my own material and specifically with the characters - it helps me slip into the role of my characters and that gets me going.
Marty Conley
I have written an outline for the follow-up to The Dead Man Story that includes most of the major plot points and some themes that I want to work into the next story. I've also written the first page - but there's a strong likelihood the final draft will look much different than this first draft. But, getting an outline completed has me all fired up to get writing - I'm just waiting for my high school coaching season to end so that I can dedicate the time I need to get some serious writing done. Myles Walsh, along with his friends, Brady, Kat and Jogesh, will discover that 'stories have a way of finding storytellers.' The craziness will continue!! And as before, all the stories are true - I promise!
Marty Conley
Luckily I haven't had this problem (not yet anyway). I have encountered the situation of being a bit stuck on how best to write a scene or how to transition from one scene or event to another. What's worked for me is to just go with whatever pops into my head no matter how crazy it seems - it gets me started and always seems to lead to something that I never would have thought of otherwise.
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