Hello! I am a 5th grade student at Munson Elementry, and I am writing a series of books. I am still working on the rough draft of the 1st book, and I’m having some problems with writing the following; the many mysteries that the reader isn’t supposed to know exists, finding the perfect traits for some background characters, and tying up chapters to really make them want more than anything to read the next chapter instantly. I felt like this when I read Edgar Allen’s Official Crime Investigation notebook. Please help me.

Hi,

I am very happy to hear that you are writing. It sounds as if you’re working on an ambitious project. My advice would be to think in terms of a series of stories, rather than a series of books. It takes a long time to learn to write a novel because of all the issues you are discovering! It often takes me a year or two to write a novel now. When I was first starting, it took much longer. The fact that you are identifying issues that are difficult is a sign that you are thinking like a writer and that is so important. I think you’ll find more satisfaction if you write a short story and try to do just one thing in each story. Write one focusing on character. Write one focusing on creating suspense. Write one focusing on word choice. Every time you write, you will be learning.

All the best,

Mary Amato