Writing Advice

I want to be a writer too. Can you give me some advice about how to do that?

Of course! First of all, write a lot and often. Whether it's in a diary, a blog, or in an app, write down your thoughts and ideas. Hopefully, you are already doing this and enjoying it. If you are not enjoying it, then you really shouldn't become a writer.

Second, READ. The more you read, the more you improve your vocabulary and broaden your world to different authors and writing styles. If you find an author you like try to write like them. It's not plagiarism, it's INSPIRATION, and something a lot of authors do.

Third, share your work with your guardians and teachers. If you want to become a writer don't be scared to share your work. When you share your work with teachers and your guardians, you will get feedback that will help you improve. Ask your teacher if there are any writing contests you can enter (that's actually how I got started writing in second grade- I was published in my local newspaper).

Are you from Strongsville, Ohio?

Nope! I am from Santa Clarita, California very close to where Will Banks grows up in Sherman Oaks, California. My grandparents were from Strongsville, Ohio, so like Will, I spent many summers going to Strongsville to visit my family.

A lot of inspiration for Will Banks comes from my own childhood experiences. My grandfather was an avid gardener and I featured his vegetable garden in his memory. My grandmother, like Will's grandmother, always had my photos on the front of the refrigerator with the rest of her grandchildren.

My grandparents also had a shed in their backyard just like Will... unfortunately, it was filled with tools and gardening equipment.

Where did you get your idea for Stories from Strongsville?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to fulfill a lifelong dream to be an author, and wrote the book I wish existed for my former fourth grade students. My students were high readers who really struggled finding books that met their reading level but were also age appropriate. Finding and recommending books was always challenging.

I wrote this book to help them and other teachers looking for a book to recommend.

Like most authors, I wrote what I knew. I took inspiration from my childhood and from my former students and created this story.

I hope this book inspires kids to write from their own experience and to pursue their dreams.

How many books will be in the Stories from Strongsville series?

I would love to explore the world of Will, Braxton, PopPop and the Berry family forever, however, I see this series wrapping up at the third book.

From there, I see myself writing new novels and exploring new stories. I would love to write and grow with my audience.

I'm SHY, AND i AM NERVOUS ABOUT SHARING MY WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE. what should i DO?

Find a trusted adult- a teacher, a family member, or coach to share your work with. Ask them to read over your work and give you advice on how you can improve and become better.

Before I published my book, I had countless people read it and give advice. I had friends, former students, my friend's children, teachers, principals, anyone that would read my book I had them read it and give me feedback.

And guess what?

A lot of the feedback was great and positive. A lot of the feedback I didn't take- and that's okay! Feedback just tells you what other people see... sometimes they see something different than you do and sometimes they see something you don't see.

Remember, when you are asking for feedback you are asking them to review your work- not you. They aren't criticizing you as a person... they are looking at ways to improve your writing.