Ask the Author: Mandy Peterson
Answered Questions (7)
Mandy Peterson
Great question! I'm going to give a very old fashioned answer though:
Mary Anne Spier and Logan Bruno from the Babysitter's Club books.
They were my first peek into a realistic dating relationship as a preteen. Their relationship is just so sweet and innocent - something beautiful and wistful. So, while it is not the most modern answer, Mary Anne and Logan are my favorite fictional couple of all time!
Mary Anne Spier and Logan Bruno from the Babysitter's Club books.
They were my first peek into a realistic dating relationship as a preteen. Their relationship is just so sweet and innocent - something beautiful and wistful. So, while it is not the most modern answer, Mary Anne and Logan are my favorite fictional couple of all time!
Mandy Peterson
So many ways! Thinking alone, listening to music, dreaming. Those are my top three. Very general, I know.
Mandy Peterson
I still see myself as an aspiring writer. My advice to you (and me) is write what you love and don't deviate. Also, keep in mind that every book has its reader. Not every reader is meant for your book and that's okay. Find those nuggets of constructive criticism and use them to improve your writing in the future. Also, find those that like your book and talk to them about their reading experience. It's absolutely fulfilling and those people get the 'behind the scenes' info.
Mandy Peterson
Interacting with people who have read your book. Even if they didn't care for it, they will always have something that I can take and use to make myself a better author. They are still talking about people and worlds that I created and that we get to experience together. I love that!
Mandy Peterson
The idea for "Before I Shatter" started way back when I was 12 or 13. I used to have these dreams a lot like the one when Vita is running away from the soldiers in the desert. Keeping a dream journal helped me remember them and make connections from one dream to another. They wound up being almost like a movie in my head. One day I started thinking, "What if they weren't just dreams?" That's when "Before I Shatter" was born.
Mandy Peterson
The rest of the story! I'm working on the sequel, but very minimally for now. Just writing ideas. I made a list of questions I want to make sure have meaty answers for the readers. I think about them every day.
Playing Devil's advocate is a big part of working on this book too. Questioning all the angles and especially "That's what happened in this other book!". Holding myself accountable for quality original material and making sure that what I produce is worth the reader's time are my priorities. I don't take it lightly that you have chosen to read my book. You are valued!
Playing Devil's advocate is a big part of working on this book too. Questioning all the angles and especially "That's what happened in this other book!". Holding myself accountable for quality original material and making sure that what I produce is worth the reader's time are my priorities. I don't take it lightly that you have chosen to read my book. You are valued!
Mandy Peterson
This won't be a popular answer, but I let the book simmer. I stop working. I go back, reread what I've written so far, and edit the previous writing I've done. I take notes. I chart out the plot so far and compare it to my original idea. I sleep on it.
When all else fails, I just stop working on it for awhile. Several days. A few weeks if necessary. Because what's most important is you producing something you can be proud of and confident in sharing with the world. Win yourself over first!
When all else fails, I just stop working on it for awhile. Several days. A few weeks if necessary. Because what's most important is you producing something you can be proud of and confident in sharing with the world. Win yourself over first!
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