Future Author (interview): Crystal from Write Because You Must

There are so many wonderful writers who someday wish to be published and become an author. And most of those people, including me, find it helpful to get some advice and just overall support to acheive these goals. I felt a lot of people, including me once again, could learn a lot from an interview.


So I interviewd Crystal from Write Because You Must. First of all, I love the title of her blog: it's so true! On her blog, she reviews books and gives some really great advice. Her most current post is titled Never Give Up. I have learned a lot from her blog including my favorite post she has written: Discipline, Practice Patience-and I think the quote at the end is very inspirational. So I highly recommend checking out Crystal's blog and encourage Crystal and all the other aspiring authors out there to keep up the good work!

Here's the interview:

1. Why do you want to be an author?

I've always loved to read, a good book is one of my favorite things in the world. I loved feeling swept away in someone's story, something they created out of nothing but an idea. I wanted to try and do the same thing. I wanted someone else to fall in love with a story I created. And I love putting words together, trying to come up with the perfect way to make people feel like they're right there.



2. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Since I was little, probably around nine or ten. I used to make my own books and draw illustrations for them too. My parents were so proud, they'd always laminate them and make a big deal out of it. But then when I was in college I received some really harsh criticism for something I wrote and it pretty much devastated me. I stopped writing for about six years, but I missed it so much. It was really my husband who encouraged me to jump back into writing, and finally write that novel I was dreaming about. That was about two years ago, I guess that's when I decided to get serious about writing and getting published.


3. Have you ever felt like you've wanted to give up?

Yes, all the time! I constantly struggle with feeling like I'm not good enough, that maybe I won't ever be good enough to be published. But it's the love of writing that keeps me going, and also I feel like I need to prove this to myself. I need to know that I've done my best and tried as hard as I can to make my dream come true. I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't do that. And I also strongly believe that if you work hard, and really believe in yourself it will happen.


4. Do you have a daily writing goal that you try to maintain every day?

 I used to set a word count that I had to meet everyday, but that was really stressing me out. I felt like I was writing words just to add to my total, not to move my story along. Now my goal is to write every day, and that doesn't count blogging. I write in my fictional world every single day. Even if it's only 200 words.


5. What or who has been your biggest inspiration to keep writing?

My husband, my mom and my sister. They have all encouraged me, believed in me and told me to keep going when I felt like giving up. Having someone behind you, knowing that they think you can do it, helps so much. But some of my favorite authors that inspire me are Maggie Stiefvater, JK Rowling, and Stephenie Meyer. Because they wrote because they loved to, and they didn't give up even when it was hard, even when they were criticized. And I just love their books


6. Can you tell us a little bit about your blog?

My blog started because I found Maggie Stiefvater's blog. I found hers so inspiring, and encouraging. I would check it out ALL the time! And I found other people who were following her who had blogs about their writing journey, and I thought what a great community of support for a writer! I try to keep my posts positive and encouraging. I want to help other people feel inspired and not give up. I talk a lot about goals and keeping motivated and things I've found helpful as an aspiring author.


7. Does blogging help your writing and if so, how.

Blogging helps me a LOT. It helps me to set goals and know that I've said I'm going to do something, and other people know about it so I better get busy! It also is a great way to learn about writing, some of my favorite bloggers always have posts about some aspect of writing that makes me think about something I hadn't before. But most of all it's the support of the other bloggers that helps me. Everyone is looking for ways to help and encourage each other. It's just awesome!


8. What is your favorite thing about writing?

 I love being caught up in a different world. Even if it's not 'fantasy', it's something different and new and usually exciting. I love creating my characters and then watching what happens in their lives. I love that for a small part of my day I don't have to worry about all those obligations that can drag you down, I get to just have fun and write.


9. What is one piece of advice for other aspiring authors?

 Believe in yourself, write as much as you can, read as much as you can, and NEVER give up. Sorry, I guess that's more than one!


10. Where do you see yourself in the next two years, writing wise?

I'm positive that I'll still be writing, by that point I hope to be actively looking for representation with an agent.


Thank you so much Crystal! Once again, you should really check out her blog! And if you're an aspiring author and would like to do an interview, email me at: smittenwithbooks (at) hotmail (dot) com