Answers to your Questions

Q: I've always wanted to write a book, but I don't know what to do.
A: Here are my top five tips for how to write a great book:

• Read tons of books in the genre that you are writing for.
• Learn the market. Read blogs. Browse websites of authors you respect. Hang out with other writers. Join author groups. Immerse yourself in the world of writing. (see links below for some places you can learn more about the market)
• Research your subject.
• Read books on how to write (see suggestions below).
• Write the book! It's important. There are no magic elves that will write the words for you, so you're going to have to do it yourself. So put your butt in a chair (BIC), and get writing.

My Favorite Books on Writing:

• Fiction First Aid by Raymond Obstfeld
• Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
• On Writing by Stephen King
• The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler
• Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King

Places on the web to visit if you're interested in getting a book published:

• SCBWI - Join Today!
• The Writers' League of Texas - Join Today!
• SFWA - Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America - Join Today!
• Query Tracker
• TOR - Publisher for Solstice and Tut

Q: What do you like to read?
A: So many things! You can check out my Goodreads account to see what I'm reading now.

Some of my favorite books growing up include:

• The Hobbit
• The Mouse Book
• The 21 Balloons
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• James and the Giant Peach
• The Cave of Time
• Gone with the Wind