Ask the Author: Wendy Mass
Answered Questions (8)
Wendy Mass
HI! There are four books in that series, Robin Hood was the newest. Not sure there will be more, but they were SO much fun to write and I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Wendy Mass
I really had fun writing that series (which ended with Graceful at least as of now!) and spending so much time with Amanda and her friends. I'd say that the book FINALLY is the one that made me laugh the most while writing it. Poor Rory! ;o).
Wendy Mass
Hi, I think my favorite (for both) is realistic fiction with a touch of fantasy running through it. Just like life! (or like we wish it was!)
Wendy Mass
Hi, writing that book in verse was definitely a challenge, but if felt like the right format to tell that particular story. I'm not sure I will do another one like that again unless the same situation comes up and it feels like the right match :-)
Wendy Mass
I'll often find interesting names when I visit schools that I'll write down to use later. Baby-naming websites are really helpful too! Sometimes I look online for names that were popular in certain years, and that's helpful depending on the age of the character.
Wendy Mass
It's here it's here! The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase. I hope you like it!
Wendy Mass
Usually I start with a theme or topic that I'm passionate about, or want to learn more about, and then I build the characters and plot around it.
Wendy Mass
My advice would be that it's never too early to start collecting story ideas. Find a notebook that you love (I use those black and white composition notebooks) and start filling it with your own experiences, snippets of overheard conversations, quotes that you read which affect you in some way, funny/sad/moving stories that you've heard about other people's lives, and descriptions of people and places that you find captivating. That way, when you're ready to sit down and write a story, you'll have all this background to draw from. I'd also suggest taking creative writing classes whenever possible. If your school doesn't offer them, there are after-school and summer programs, and even classes through the Internet. Or form a writing group with like-minded friends where you can comment on each other's work in a supportive environment. Perhaps the most important thing to do if you want to be a writer is to learn how to be a good reader. Read everything you can get your hands on, especially within the field that you think you'd want to write. See how these other authors create their characters and weave their plots. More goes into it than you'd think, and when you start looking at stories closely, you'll see how they all have the same building blocks in common. I'd also recommend getting on the staff of your school newspaper or literary magazine.
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