Goodreads Choice Awards Finalists 2025

Ask the Author: Rick Acker

“Ask me a question.” Rick Acker

Answered Questions (3)

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Hello! I'm writing a book about kid spies and I'm wanting it to be as realistic as it can be in that genre, but I have a character with lavender eyes and I'm starting to wonder if I should change that. Most of me doesn't want to, but I read that purple eyes don't exist outside of albinism and my character's not albino. What do you think that I should do?
Rick Acker Hi, Haylee! That's totally your decision. Readers do notice & comment on things they think are mistakes, so if you try to get your story published, an editor is likely to ask you to change the eye color. But if you're mostly writing for yourself and your friends, you can do whatever feels right for the plot & character.
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Hello! Do you have any writing advice? Thank you!
Rick Acker Hi, Haylee! My main advice to new writers is to never stop learning. There are lots of terrific books on writing (Writer's Digest has excellent resources, for example). Once you've read a few of those and started putting them into practice, consider going to a good writing conference. You'll further hone your skills there. And at least as important, you'll make connections with other writers and industry professionals who can help you on your writing journey. Hope that helps!
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So glad to see you're writing juvenile fiction as well. Do you ever visit schools to talk about writing with the students?
Rick Acker Hi, Lynn. I've visited schools two or three times. It's great to talk with kids--they're very enthusiastic and ask fun questions.
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Rick Acker
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