Goodreads asked Jean Collen:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Jean Collen If you have a good idea, start writing! When I first began writing, I thought I should do some kind of writing course first, but I discovered that many people running such courses want you to write according to a certain set formula. I think that this approach stifles creativity and originality. The other piece of advice I can offer the aspiring writer is that you should go over your work carefully and edit it before you submit it to a publisher or an editor. There's nothing more disheartening and soul-destroying for anyone to have to read through your first unedited draft!

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