Ask the Author: Sawyer North
Answered Questions (7)
Sawyer North
My ninth grade literature teacher, Mr. Patton, told me I should be a writer. It took me another 25 years to act on his advice, but even then, his words were in my head when I first put pen to page. Unvarnished Opinion: Teaching children is the noblest of professions, for it literally shapes the future.
Sawyer North
I have a three-book contract from Entangled Publishing - Regency romance centering on three men associated with the Bow Street Runners, the preeminent police force and detective agency during the Regency era.
Sawyer North
Here is my top-10 list for aspiring writers:
1. Read a lot of the genre you want to write.
2. Read a lot in general.
3. Write prolifically to see what works, what doesn't work, and what voice comes most natural to you.
4. Don't tweak the same first manuscript for years. Write several. Be prepared to throw some away.
5. Get meaningful feedback. This means from other writers, contest judges, agents, and editors. Don't rely on you mom to give you career-improving critical feedback.
6. Listen to the feedback, even if it hurts. (It usally hurts, by the way)
7. Work incredibly hard. Writing is difficult. Selling your writing is more difficult. Making money selling your writing is harder still.
8. Be incredibly patient. Almost no writer is an overnight success.
9. Find a support group of other writers or aspiring writers. Solidarity!
10. Never quit. You were born to be a writer, so keep writing.
1. Read a lot of the genre you want to write.
2. Read a lot in general.
3. Write prolifically to see what works, what doesn't work, and what voice comes most natural to you.
4. Don't tweak the same first manuscript for years. Write several. Be prepared to throw some away.
5. Get meaningful feedback. This means from other writers, contest judges, agents, and editors. Don't rely on you mom to give you career-improving critical feedback.
6. Listen to the feedback, even if it hurts. (It usally hurts, by the way)
7. Work incredibly hard. Writing is difficult. Selling your writing is more difficult. Making money selling your writing is harder still.
8. Be incredibly patient. Almost no writer is an overnight success.
9. Find a support group of other writers or aspiring writers. Solidarity!
10. Never quit. You were born to be a writer, so keep writing.
Sawyer North
The best thing about being a writer is to witness characters in my head come to life on the page. Quite often, the character I plan is not the one that emerges. My favorite scenario is when a minor character suddenly becomes a fully fleshed three-dimensional character that demands a story of their own.
Sawyer North
My best antidote to writer's block is to read what I like. Some of my most prolific outbursts come after reading a particularly great novel or set of novels.
Sawyer North
Early 1800's Britain has always intrigued me, as evidenced by what I write. Beyond that, I always wanted to spend a weekend in Hobbitton.
Sawyer North
I alternate among historical romance, science fiction, and general literature. Anything by Mimi Matthews or Rebecca Connolly in historical fiction, Martha Wells' upcoming Murderbot Diaries novel, and whatever catches my fancy in general fiction. I read All the Light We Cannot See not long ago. Amazing!
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