I am often asked by budding young authors what my best advice for becoming a published author is.

If I were to advise anyone dreaming of writing a book, I would tell them that persistence is critical. Writing a novel is the hardest thing I have ever done, and the difficulty is pretty high.

However, it is possible too! It is a marathon, not a sprint, and you have to be determined to keep going even through the murky parts of the creative process.

Create stories you do not want to let go of and ones you are willing to see throughout the publishing process.

Moreover, when you lose sight of the end of the rainbow and feel like everything you have written is any good, you cannot give up.

So if you are an emerging author who is second-guessing yourself, I want you to know that persistence is crucial.

Writing a novel is the hardest thing I have ever done. But now I’m proud to say I have successfully published three YA novels, with a few more in the works!

Writing any book is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to be determined to keep going even through the murky parts of the creative process.

When you lose sight of the end of the rainbow and feel like everything you have written is any good, you cannot give up.

The most important thing for me in my creative process is to avoid trying to edit as I write. Editing is a process all on its own, so do not try to weave it into your writing process.

When publishing your final product, the same persistence principles apply. Not everyone is going to love your story, so keep trying until the right fit finds you.

Sometimes writers find themselves in the right place at the right time, and everything comes together. Other writers find they have to struggle for years before they get published. If this is the case, as long as you believe in yourself and your story, I guarantee someone else will believe in it too.

Create stories that you don’t want to let go of and are committed to bringing to life. The journey may be long, but it is sooooo worth it! I feel like I am living proof that dreams come true.

Write on.

Author Hannah Rials

As the recipient of a Master’s degree in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University, author Hannah Rials has dreamed of being an author since childhood. A native of Maryville, TN, Rials began writing her first YA novel at age twelve. That same novel, Ascension  (Book One in a three-book trilogy), became her first published book at age 19.

Published by Aletha Press in 2017, the Ascension series is a saga of modern-day teenage romance filled with “double-blooded” vampires and revenge-seeking witches.

Her second YA thriller in the Ascension series, Clandestine, was written and edited while she was a full-time college student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

When not writing YA novels or selling books at Mr. B’s Emporium, Hannah can be found roaming around England in search of unique bookstores and coffeehouses to experience.

Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and via her website.

All of Hannah’s books (Ascension, Clandestine, Reclamation) are available in paperback, ebook, and now…::drum roll:: even a 3-Book Bundle Deal!