“So when it comes to how you know if your book is any good, I'd say that if you can hire an experienced pro to tell you, you'll *actually* know. If you're going it alone, querying will tell you. I didn't know if I was technically ready to query, but I was doing it anyway. I suggest sending out 5 quer…”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“So I'm going to take on two related editing questions: How do you know if your edits are improving your book, and how do you know when you're ready to query? The bad news: There is no surefire way to know. But I can give you some tips! So let's say you have a 1st draft. It's garbage, because all 1st…”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“Writing has NEVER flowed for me. Not once, not a word, not ever. I have dragged every book I’ve written, kicking and screaming, into existence.”— Myke Cole, twitter.com
“We had a question this morning: How do you come up with names for characters and places in Science Fiction and Fantasy? Easy. STEAL 'EM. Kidding. You can't have Mr. Spuck go to Chogwarts. But you can take inspiration. Start by considering names that stuck with you. Why? Luke Skywalker = Timeless Bib…”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“For me, I want to query a finished book--not end on a cliffhanger, assuming they'll pick up a series. So I would make build a rich world with places to explore and plenty of characters but definitely end the book in a satisfying way. If it sells, you can switch up the ending.”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“If your writing is compelling from page 1, NO ONE CARES WHAT THE TITLE IS. Titles can change. No one rejects an amazing book because the title is bad.”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“I'm still with my 1st agent, but from what I hear, some red flags with an agent are: 1. If they take more than a week to return a simple email, more than 6 weeks w edits 2. If you've been working on a book for over a year and still haven't gone on sub. 3. That sinking feeling...”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“I don't edit a thing until I have a finished first draft. That way lies madness, or at least the opportunity to fall into a pit of hot garbage that will remind me how much I suck and convince me I forgot how to write. Finish the first draft. fix it later.”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“1. Here's the question: How do you get more comfortable with descriptive writing? And I'll add: Without verging into purple prose or an info dump. This ties in with worldbuilding, which is one of my favorite things. 2. So. Worldbuilding starts on page 1. The words you use, the things you point out,…”— Delilah S. Dawson, twitter.com
“there are a lot of bad stories out there doing real harm in the world it’s up to us to tell better ones”— Saladin Ahmed, twitter.com
“I'm increasingly asked about sensitivity readers and my personal belief is that they *can* be a good tool, but they are NOT The Answer. The Answer is for the author to consult experts, do the research, put in the time, and understand why they're writing what they're writing. Writing, especially abou…”— Milanda Lo, twitter.com
“Writing short stories is much more difficult for me than books. I started SIX short stories before I settled on 'Midnights. Part of the problem is, I like to really BUILD characters and relationships. But you have to get in and get out, with a short story.”— Rainbow Rowell, twitter.com
“Travel is what people live for. It’s what they save their money and precious vacation days for. There’s a lot of anxiety that surrounds planning and getting it right. There’s so much pressure on trips to deliver happiness and make memories and create transformations, so it’s a lot of responsibility.…”— Pilar Guzmán, thecut.com
“When you start putting pen to paper, you see a side of your personal truth that doesn't otherwise reveal itself in conversation or thought.”— Anthony Kiedis, amazon.com
“I'm a lazy writer. My idea of heaven is not writing. On the other hand, I'm obviously compulsive about it.”— Stephen Sondheim, en.wikiquote.org
“It takes almost as much imagination to justify what you write as it does to write it.”— Stephen Sondheim, amazon.com
“When in doubt, write. To celebrate, write. As a balm, write. When you mess up, write. To escape, write. When the world burns, write.”— Quiara Alegría Hudes, twitter.com
“When you feel the instinct to apologize to your oppressors, don't do it. Hold your tongue, grab a pen, whip up an ink storm. Write.”— Quiara Alegría Hudes, twitter.com