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Laura Griffin | Breaking in this New Year: Tips for Aspiring Writers

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Are you one of those voracious readers who believes that somewhere, deep down,
you have a book inside you? If you are, Iโ€™ve got some tips about how to break
into the business this year.

As Susan Sontag once said, โ€œWriters begin as bewitched readers,โ€ and I know this
was certainly the case for me. I can remember combing the dusty bookshelves in
my grandmotherโ€™s house and making a discovery that would impact my life: a
complete collection of Nancy Drew mysteries. What books influenced you as a kid?
I love asking book lovers this question, and Iโ€™m always amazed by the varied
responses.

Tell Laura about one of your favorite childhood reads, and youโ€™ll be eligible to win a free autographed copy of her upcoming release, WHISPER OF WARNING (Pocket Star Books). Comment below or Click Here Now for those tips I promised. If you follow these suggestions, I canโ€™t guarantee that youโ€™ll land that elusive book deal. But I can guarantee youโ€™ll be several steps closer than you were before: Read the rest of the blog...

Comments

9 comments posted.

Re: Laura Griffin | Breaking in this New Year: Tips for Aspiring Writers

Even as a child, I loved mysteries. I read all the Nancy Drew books, of course!
(Gwendolyn Bruno 12:02pm January 21, 2009)

The book that made the biggest impression on me was "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham, which I read in the 5th grade. It set off a love of fantasy that remains to this day :)
(Zita Hildebrandt 12:04pm January 21, 2009)

I read and re-read the complete Chronicles of Narnia - they have been the only books I could re-read. C.S. Lewis meant for you to read them at different ages - because you really do get a different meaning out of them every time you read them. I have LOVED seeing them come to the big screen - they follow the books VERY closesly. Also, all the Judy Blume/Beverly Cleary books.
(Kelli Jo Calvert 12:28pm January 21, 2009)

I am an only child and I always remembering having a book in my hand. My most vivid memory was reading Christine by Stephen King. I had a hard time imagining a car coming to life. However, I still read his books and anything else I can get my hands on.
(Roberta Harwell 1:06pm January 21, 2009)

My fave childhood read was "The Secret Garden". Another fave was the one about the kids living in the "boxcar"....I use to try and act that one out.....my poor mother!
Thanks for the great tips too!
Darby
(Darby Lohrding 2:27pm January 21, 2009)

My favorite childhood reads were the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. I loved reading those books over and over.
(Leslie Gladnick 3:41pm January 21, 2009)

Nancy Drew was a favorite. In high
school I found Mary O'Hara' trilogy MY
FRIEND FLICKA, THUNDERHEAD, and
GREEN GRASS OF WYOMING. I spent a
lot of time reading books on
archeology and scientific discoveries
and exploration.
(Patricia Barraclough 8:58pm January 21, 2009)

My favorite book as a child was Grimm's Fair Tales. This was before they were edited with light endings. These were dark fairy tales - and written for school age children. The match girl danced til her feet were bloody, the stepsister of Cinderella cut off their toes to fit in the slipper! etc.
(Wanda Sissle 5:28am January 22, 2009)

Nancy Drew was also a favorite of mine, Great minds think alike.
(Teresa Miller 1:04pm January 23, 2009)

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