Ask the Author: Heather Adkins
Answered Questions (4)
Heather Adkins
Read a lot! Books are our models, our game tape. When I tell students this, they at first think I'm encouraging them to copy, which is, of course, not true. Story comes from our imagination and our experience, but the writing is something else altogether. We need to study the craft, and reading is how we do that. I also think reading helps us internalize proper mechanics, usage, and mechanics (but that's an essay unto itself).
Heather Adkins
I'm currently working on a YA/NA romance set in a small, rather pretentious college. At this point I'm doing more thinking and daydreaming than actual writing. I don't formally outline, but I like to have the story in my head before I put pen to paper.
Heather Adkins
I'm currently working on a book whose characters are college freshmen. It started after I told my students the story of meeting my first roommate, which in hindsight was an omen of our relationship. It occured to me that it would be great to include in a book. Right now it's the opening scene (not sure if it will stay there!). That and the way the two main characters meet are straight from my first days of college, but everything else is entirely fictional.
Heather Adkins
When something about my writing isn't working, whether it be a particular scene, a piece of dialogue, or major plot points, I set aside the writing and read. I read books in a genre similar to what I am writing, by authors I'd be okay with sounding like. To me it's like an athlete watching film of the athlete they aspire to be.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more