Goodreads asked Kimberly Sue Iverson:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Kimberly Sue Iverson Since most give the, "learn the rules so you can break the rules speech," I'll offer something different. Don't be afraid to go against the grain. Be yourself, in other words. THAT is who your reader wants. Not someone else. YOUR voice. It's very hard, and it takes a few years to really build that confidence, but be fearless. It's not about having thick skin. I've never learned that, and may never learn it. Otherwise getting a scathing review wouldn't hurt because my heart is in my work. But it's about learning persistence, and having the ability to get back up after you've been knocked down. Learning how to control your reaction to things. Let things make you better instead of quitting. Let yourself never know enough, and always strive to learn more. Persistence and grit is what writers who make it have. They simply don't give up. They can be nobody else but themselves. Not everyone will be a fan. People will hate your work for no reason. But the people who love your work? They will love it for every reason you do. Love what you're writing.

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