Madeline asks “What was the biggest obstacle you faced in becoming an author and how did you overcome it?”

It was probably myself. My inability for a long time to push my writing up to the next level. It seemed like I was close many times. I did do pretty well selling short stories to the small press (which pays very little money), mostly horror tales back then, and, later, to some higher-paying more professional markets. But, to be honest, it wasn’t until FRAGMENTS that I felt I had “broken through” as it were—and I had been writing for over twenty years by then. One thing that happened is I got a great agent, named Scott Treimel, who worked with me and pushed me. He helped me see the light, so to speak, and I am eternally grateful to him. And just because I have published my first novel, and it has even achieved some success having been nominated for a 2008 Edgar award and selected as a 2008 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers (Plug! Plug!), I still I have a lot to learn. I absolutely love to write and it’s fun—but it’s also hard work.

Jeffry W. Johnston is the author of FRAGMENTS. Visit his author page for more information.

Madeline asks “What was the biggest obstacle you faced in becoming an author and how did you overcome it?”

I’ve heard this before, but I didn’t realize there were obstacles. My co-author and I just set out to write out story and get it published and we did. Since then we’ve realized how smoothly everything has gone for us. I would guess that simply knowing and saying you have the ability to do something helps make it so.

Rhody Cohon is the author of such books as IN THE STARS and the BLAST TO THE PAST series. Visit her author page for more information.

Madeline asks “What was the biggest obstacle you faced in becoming an author and how did you overcome it?”

Tiny weenie little attention span and easily bored. I get over it by writing in short bursts and doing different books all the time, so I never know what I’m doing next.

Melvin Burgess is the author of such novels as SARA’S FACE and BLOODSONG. Visit his author page for more information.

Madeline asks “What was the biggest obstacle you faced in becoming an author and how did you overcome it?”

I think my biggest obstacle that I faced and still face is my social anxiety. It was very hard for me to send out manuscripts, to call people or to do readings. I have gotten better with practice, but the overwhelming feeling that I am doing something wrong and will be horribly punished still haunts me. Honestly, I think my publicist thought I was going to break and run on my first book tour and my friends had to pry my manuscript out of my hands to get me to send it to an editor. It sounds silly, but it can be really exhausting.

Holly Black is the author of such novels as IRONSIDE as well as the coauthor of the SPIDERWICK series. Visit her author page for more information.

Madeline asks “What was the biggest obstacle you faced in becoming an author and how did you overcome it?”

The only obstacle I felt was when I didn’t believe in myself or when people whose judgment I cared about were reluctant to encourage me or tell me they believed in me. Today, on television, in film, on stage, in books, there seem to be less and less rules about what can be produced. It seems to me if you have a product and you really believe in it and are ready to go the distance, you can get it out there to the public. So, if the goal is to be published, just write the book and keep believing in yourself and your right to create.

Bil Wright is the author of novels including WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS and ONE FOOT IN LOVE. Visit his author page for more information.