Accomplishing Your Goals As a Writer

Me and Brandon Mull (author of Fable Haven Book, Candy Shop Wars, Beyonders) at LTUE:

Here are a few tidbits from Brandon's presentation:

Editor's Dream—your book fits neatly into a category but it's a little different in a cool way.

Discovery writing—think about, see story like a movie in your head.

Why do I write fantasy stories? I can break the rules of reality and make up new ones.

Either your writing is just a hobby or you really have to love it. All you can do is write what you're most passionate about and hope an editor and other people like it.

Mission statement—write a book the whole family can read and not get bored.

• Eg. . . Harry Potter—young character, story really smart, twisty, cool. Kids and adults like it. 

Writing comes from daydreaming.

As writers, one of the most powerful tools we can have is "evocative details."

• Scents
• Painting a picture

Characters are everything—I love getting my characters into situations they can't get out of and finding legitimate ways to get them out

The hard stuff—get the book written

Time—squeeze in wherever you can

Rejection—if you can, hang in there through the rejection and find the time to write so you can succeed

Connect with editors

That's it!