Part of my responsibilities as co-president of the Class of 2k12 is collecting interviews and guest posts (meant to run next year) to pass on to book bloggers. This gives me the opportunity to read up on members’ books and get to know their work intimately. I’ve also been able to learn about the ways my classmates approach their writing, something I never tire of.
Author J. Anderson Coats recently shared something in a post that, while working on my new manuscript, has given me a lot of freedom:
The best piece of advice I ever got was from Elizabeth Bear, a fantasy writer I admire greatly. She said, “Learn to write this book.” If I have a “process,” it’s to take each novel as it comes and use the writing tools in my toolbox to construct it according to its needs.
Thanks, Jillian, for helping me approach my new manuscript in the way best for this book.
Ooo! That’s a REALLY good one! And what do you mean by the class of 2K12? Is that anybody whose debut releases in 2012?
could not be more true. ABSOLUTELY.
but this doesn’t mean it ain’t hard.
Katie, I should have defined my terms. Sorry! The Class of 2k12 is a group of debut middle-grade and young adult novelists. It’s a great place of support and group promotion.
Beth, YES to the hard part.
What wonderful advice! I’d never thought of finding a process that works for each book, but now that I think about it, that’s true!
Thanks, Caroline!
Amy
Good advice. Each and every book has its own personality.
Great line. I love the thinking behind this.
(And thanks for sharing!)
— Tom
That is great advice.
🙂
Can’t wait to read your book next year!
Excellent advice. Love it.