Goodreads asked Fenton Grace:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Fenton Grace I think this is an odd question because all writers, no matter how successful or well-known, are "aspiring" in one way or another. We all want to be better. I think all of us would like to be different from what we are in some way. That is, we admire some other writer's work and wish we could be more like that, and we imitate and copy a bit to improve our work.

My main advice would be to be yourself. Never doubt yourself. Believe in what you do and the importance of it. Don't give up. You should be having fun writing. Yes, it's hard work, but if it starts to feel like a burden, take a break. Enjoy life outside of writing. Read for the sheer pleasure. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to write the perfect book or story. Don't be discouraged if your work doesn't sell or get published. It's a long process. You must continue to work at your craft despite rejection and disapproval. Remember that writing is a craft, as well as art. Take the time to learn techniques of the craft -- characterization, plot, structure, story, narration. But most of all, believe in yourself.

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