Ah, Maggie!  Please forgive me--I would have answered you a LOT earlier, but your comment was on page 2 and my ding-dang mini-pea-sized brain didn't notice that!  And it makes me feel bad, because I like your note so much!

Okay.  First, I think it's cool that you have this general desire to be an artist in some form, whether acting or singing or writing.  I couldn't act my way out of a kindergarten, but I do love music just as much as writing.  I don't think people have to choose between them in life (though of course it's hard to make a living doing either one!).  And yes--I'm fully aware that I am one Fortunate Canine!

Congrats on getting your poem into that anthology!  But even bigger congrats on keeping at writing, as your many examples show.  THAT's the way to do it.

As to your questions:

1--It's a little weird with me, but for decades of my life I wrote without any thought of a writing career at all.  But gradually I just grew into that idea--mostly because writers need readers just like readers need writers.  So I didn't really decide; it just happened.  And mainly, I suppose, because I loved it so much there really wasn't any other option.  I should add, BTW, that I have a full-time job teaching at a university (which I love)--I don't make enough money from writing to live on--not even close.

2--I actually can't think of a least-favorite part of the writing life.  Which means I'm a little strange, because it's not an easy life financially speaking.  But it's kind of like loving someone--you just take them for all and all, know what I mean?

3--Thuh thril uv speleng stuph weerd iz uh noo wun 4 mee, butt Ime digeng itt!

And thanks for the rabbit--that's so ingenious!

Best,

Tim 

First, Katie, forgive me for taking so long to answer!  I didn't see your message because it was on the second page--very dopish of me!

I really appreciate your kind words for the story!  And I'm HAPPY to answer ANY questions--

So--my favorite literary genre.  Gee, that's a little like asking a father to name his favorite child.  I love them all, and each is unique.  So I write short fiction, and long fiction, and nonfiction of different kinds--oh, lots of different kinds of fiction too.  I just love it all.

It felt wonderful when my first book was published.  But it's funny--it's not really the thrill of seeing your name on a book.  What I love is knowing someone may actually read what I wrote.  That's the sweet thing.  Because it's something like a conversation, don't you think?  Even if it's kind of one-sided...

Reading is EVERYTHING to my career as a writer--equal in importance to living! 

And finally, yes--things like being with my family, feeling our love for each other--and being outside, hiking or biking--and making music--and just looking at the world and noticing things--all of this and more keep me VERY motivated for writing. 

So best of luck to you with YOUR writing!

Tim 

Hey, Isabella!  I would've responded a LOT sooner had I known your message was here; I thought this whole thing was finished.  I just stumbled upon this tonight.  So forgive me for not replying before this!

I know that feeling of creating something and then being disappointed in it.  And the thing is, that's pretty normal for writers.  My advice is simple:  If you keep feeling like writing and painting, then keep doing that!  And if your work doesn't please you, don't let that stop you.  Often enough it just takes time.  After all, being a writer or an artist isn't easy, or everybody would do it.

And only daughter of an only daughter--that has an air of magic and mystery to it.  Ask yourself some more questions about it, in order to develop your idea.  Then go for it!

Best,

Tim 

Hey, Livv!  I think it's great that the Harry Potter books moved you so much, and inspired you to write.  At the heart of being a writer is being excited about how important books are, and--like you said--wanting to make an impact on people's lives.  So my first piece of advice is that you have a REALLY good reason to try writing!

My second piece of advice is pretty simple, and I say it all the time:  Read, read, read--write, write, write--live, live, live.  One of the most beautiful things about writing, I think, is that there's no real difference between becoming a writer and becoming a person.  I think the two go hand in hand.  So keep being Livv and growing toward the adult Livv--and write what you feel the need and desire to write.

And you might read the post above, since it's often the case that a young writer doesn't like what she writes, especially at first.  As I said to Isabella--don't let that stop you!  If you lose interest, okay.  But if you still really feel like writing, keep on!

Take care!

Tim