The one bad thing about Kindle, and other e-books, is that there are too many people that don't want to go into a physical bookstore anymore. It's great to browse books online and read all about them from the comfort of your couch in your fuzzy PJ's, but there's something inspiring about walking into your local bookstore and just being surrounded by amazing literature.
When I first started writing, I didn't feel as free to write how I truly felt, and I was also very naive about things. Now that I'm older and have more experience, I truly feel more free to write. So, I'd say that my writing style has aged and grown more aware of how the world truly is.
I did not see myself as an author. I thought it was fun to write short stories, and I loved it. But, I actually wanted to become an actress before I found that I love to be behind the scenes on things.
What's the first thing you see when you look at a book? The cover. The second? The title. If you want to draw someone in and get them to pick up your book, you'd better have one awesome cover and an equally awesome title. Otherwise, your book is going to be passed over, unfortunately.
Oh yes, I have. It's not the best feeling in the world to not know where your story is going to go. One of the things I like to do is set my work down (metaphorically if you're on your computer, of course) and pick up a book. It can be one you've never read or one you've read a million times. Just read for a while. Sometimes, just reading your favorite author's books can be enough inspiration to pick up your work again.
Trying to get into that character's head and not having them think like the same sex you are is the hardest thing. I love having my co-author's opinion on how that character would react to a certain scenario, just to make sure I'm grasping it well. Once you have a decent feel for that opposite gender character, it becomes a little easier.
I've been writing since I was about thirteen or fourteen. My first inspiration was just knowing how good it felt to dive into a good book that feels like it takes you miles away from your house. I'd spend hours just reading, well into the night and past my bedtime. I knew I wanted to do that for someone else.
Don't stress over trying to be a published author. Write what you would love to read, and it'll be great. Take breaks often, and don't try to write it all in one night.
Something I've done is write the story and a general idea of where I want it to go, and then I go back and read it as I fluff different areas, expand upon the details, and add different things that I didn't think of the first time. Then, I go back and read it again, editing as I go. Don't try to get it all right the first time around. Just get your thoughts out.
