Ask the Author: Kate McLachlan
Answered Questions (2)
Kate McLachlan
Hi Gina. Strange how our paths mimic each other's, except for the chemist bit. ;-) The best advice I can give you about writing is to read a lot of well-written books (I know, everyone says that) and consciously try to pattern your writing after the styles you like the best. Good writing doesn't occur through osmosis. It's a lot like law school, actually. You won't get through it by thinking passively, you have to engage on a deeper level, and you have to pay attention to the little things, since one misstep can make the whole thing unravel. You establish credibility with readers when you're meticulous about the details. Hook them at the beginning, and they'll believe anything later on in the book. Enjoy your writing journey. I wish you lots of pleasure and success with it.
Kate McLachlan
I don't know whether to be pleased or disappointed that the Amherst prize is real. It was such a fun joke! If I were to recommend one of my books, it would be the one I'm working on now. I always think my current book is the best thing I've ever written. Which is as it should be, I guess. Of the things I've already published, though, the best place to start would be the beginning, which was "Rip Van Dyke." Thanks for asking!
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