Ask the Author: Alison O'Leary
Answered Questions (5)
Alison O'Leary
Write, read, revise, repeat. Outline your piece to be sure it has all of the necessary components and that it flows logically. Read what you've written aloud to refine word choice. Plan for it to take longer than expected. Don't quit.
Alison O'Leary
Writer's block affects everyone, but a true writer can work around it. My secret is "words on paper." It's all about momentum -- even if you think you're writing junk that will never see the light of day, it helps to keep going and clear the cobwebs. Eventually the words will begin to flow, and you can go back and edit (or throw out) the bad parts. One of the biggest problems that aspiring writers often have is that they believe they have to write from the beginning, so if they have trouble with that they never get started. I believe you can start anywhere, then figure out that perfect beginning later on, even last if necessary.
Alison O'Leary
We are working to make So Close to Home a Young Adult reader for Henry Holt Publishers! It will join my coauthor's other titles, including The Finest Hours, A Storm too Soon, and Ten Hours Until Dawn in the category for the 10-15 yr age group, hopefully inspiring kids with actual heroes rather than those with made-up superpowers.
Alison O'Leary
The best thing about being a writer is getting paid for doing what I love to do. The second best thing about being a writer is having (and enjoying) a flexible schedule. I am an avid outdoorswoman and would go crazy very quickly in a traditional 9-to-5 office environment.
Alison O'Leary
I have been a journalist (newspapers and magazines) for more than 25 years. I love listening to people who have good stories and passion about a topic, then crafting that story into something that a larger audience can identify with and perhaps learn something from.
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