Future Author (interview): Sarah from Confessions of the Un-Published

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 interviewed Sarah from Confessions of the Un-Published. If you haven't read her blog before, I highly recommend you do because I have learned so much from her. First of all, she reviews some awesome YA books and then she posts some great challenges that she has with her own writing. It's an awesome blog to recieve great advice and support so make sure you check it out.

Here's the interview I did with her:

1. Why do you want to be an author?

The truth...I want to quit my day job. That's probably the wrong reason but in the end--that's really what inspires me. I want to wake up in the morning and have no one to report to but myself.


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

November 2008. I was sitting at the movies--watching Twilight--when I decided I wanted to be a writer. It wasn't Twilight that inspired me as much as the crowd. It was opening night and the girls wouldn't stop screaming. I kept thinking how awesome it would be to write something that provoked so much of a responce in others. If I could have just one person love (or even hate) my book like that it would make it all worth while.


3. What or who has been your biggest inspiration?

In the beginning I would have said my sister. She was so supportive and wanted to read everything I wrote. But now she's sick of it. It's like pulling teeth trying to get her to read my stuff. I guess it's pretty easy to wear out your welcome with family. So now the answer to your question is myself. I'm my biggest inspiration. I constantly want to quit but at the end of the day it's me who keep me going.


4. What is the toughest thing about writing?

Persistence. It's nearly impossible not to get discouraged and by nature I'm a very pessimistic person. I've never published anything. I don't have an agent and who knows if I ever will. I don't know if I'm good enough or if I'll ever be. That's really tough. Am I just waisting my time here? I can't answer that and often makes me want to give up.


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

Yes and no. Through blogging I've meet so many other people who are un-published wannabe writers just like me. It's great having that support network. But I also spend too much time blogging. It's distracting.


6. What's the greatest thing about writing?

The daydreaming part. When I break with reality and think and dream situations up for my characters. I love it. I love creating these conversations and plots in my head. To me that's so much fun--and entertaining.

7. Can you tell us a little about your 50,000 words in 50 days?

Well, this is a little challenge I created for myself. The goal was to write 1,000 words per day for 50 days. That's still the goal. I have a big problem with editing. I never write much in one day because I am constantly backtracking and editing. I figured if I could force myself to just write then perhaps I could get past all the editing. SO that's why I created the challenge. It's been over 30 days now and sadly my word count is only at about 13,000 words. I can't stop myself from editing. I'm going to run the challenge again this summer. Hopefully with round two I'll be a little better at it.

8. Has your 50k/50 days helped or inspired you?

Yes and no. It helped me start my latest story, so that was good. But lately I've been feeling sort of burnt out on writing, especially with summer coming. (That's where that persistence part comes in.) No matter what I still keep on writing... That brings me to your next question.


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

Just keep on keeping on. Even if you think you suck just keep trying. Write some everyday. And I don't mean on your blog. I don't really believe that blogging will make you a better writer. Sure it might help you connect with other writers but in the end a blog entry and a chapter in a book are so different. I have kept a diary my whole life. I have tub full of notebooks. And none of that really helps me now. I think it's important to try to work on a storyline daily. So write a little everyday. Keep chugging along and hoping that maybe one day you'll be good enough.

And if you've never written before and are thinking about giving it a try--I say why not? Just do it. It can't hurt to try. You might just like it.


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

Although I wish I could be published or at least have an agent in that time I bet I'll still be in about the same place as now. I still have so much to learn. I have a critique partner who just recently got her agent and it took her 5 years to get to that point. I figure I still have a few more years of persistance to put in. And even then who knows if I'll be any good.


Thank you so much Sarah! Once again, check out her blog, it's truly amazing and I find myself going to it several times a month. And if you are an aspiring author and would like to do an interview, please contact me at smittenwithbooks (at) hotmail (dot) com, I would be more than happy to interview you for my blog.