Each week I get an email, a tweet, or someone stopping me in public asking the same question, over and over. So I have decided to answer that question right here on my blog.  So enjoy the answer to my most asked question.

Can you give me any writing advice?

1. Read, Read, and then read some more. 
If you love to read, then you have the potential to be a great writer or storyteller. I've never considered myself a great writer. In fact, I think I'm downright awful. But I consider myself a FANTASTIC STORYTELLER. 

2. Get a great editor. 
My mistake, one that I am continually paying for in my reviews, is not having a professional editor for any of my books. Hey, they cost money, which I don't have. If I hired an editor, then I would have to charge more money for my books, and I want to keep my books at a reasonable price for my teen readers to afford.

3. You need a to have a phenomenal concept. 
Just because you wrote a book, doesn't mean you will sell it and make money. In fact, it is quit the opposite. Most likely, it will sit on a digital shelf collecting cyber dust. But hey at least your wrote a book! Which is more than most people. I uploaded UnEnchanted just for fun, (without spell-checking) and it hit the charts within days. That is NOT the norm.
My favorite book series is The Iron Butterfly, because it's written in first person and it's epic fantasy.  But it doesn't sell. My least favorite book is UnEnchanted, because I struggle with third person and tenses, and I felt like I almost burnt myself out by writing it in 3 weeks, but that is everyone's favorite.  What can you do?

4. Don't read your reviews!!!! 
I feel that reading bad reviews and ratings is almost like submitting yourself to cyber bullying. There are people who will rip your book to shreds, rip you as an author apart and tell you your horrible etc. It will make it hard to gain confidence in yourself or keep writing. Some days I lay in bed and go "what did I do? I'm a horrible author...so and so just said so!" And I will find it very difficult to continue writing, but then I remind myself of all the teens and adults who want to know what's going to happen next and I get up and continue the story. Telling myself everyday, I can do it! I'm a storyteller. 
Just read your fan mail and the comments on your blog or website! It is way more ENCOURAGING!!!!

5. Yes, a cover does sell a book! 
Please, please don't make the cover yourself. Try and find someone who loves to play in photoshop, or a graphic design student, who wants to add to his or her portfolio. Find something that looks great as a thumbnail, because be honest with yourself, you thumb through your phone looking at the pictures to decide if you are going to stop and read the blurb.

6. Don't give up.
Not every book is meant to be a best seller. Not every story is meant to be a book. But every story should be written down and recorded. Find yourself a support group of other writers. I had the chance to stumble upon an awesome group of YA authors online. The Pacific Northwest Young adult Authors, who encourage me, help me promote, and answer all of my dumb and author book questions. Believe me, I have a lot.