Goodreads asked Lourie Nolan:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Lourie Nolan Just don't force it. If it doesn't come flowing out of you naturally... it isn't going to be any good anyway. Let a story be as long as it needs to be... but no longer than it takes to actually tell the story. Your readers are smart. They can spot filler and most would rather not waste their time reading about how many distinct colors were in a sunset on a particular day of the week when they could be reading substance.

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