But i am not good at writing, anyway else to improve?

Your novel comes out ten days before my birthday. Guess what I'm buying for my birthday and not waiting ten more days to read?

LYSH: Thank you so much. I love your Harry Potter comparison, because that's how *I* always think about it! ("Gryffindor, Steph! Be a Gryffindor!") Good luck finding the courage to put your work out there. Maybe this will inspire you? (It inspires me): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hidvElQ0xE

WRITE-BRAINED: Thank you so much! And thank you again!!

FRANKIE: So happy to see you here! Thanks, as always, for being so encouraging.

JENNY: You are very, very welcome. I'd imagine a lot of us writers are introverts by nature. Putting myself out there is SO nerve-wracking, but every time I've done it (usually with a push from someone else), the results have been better than I could have ever dreamed. Be brave!

STEPHANIE: I *get* that. My characters are REAL to me, too. When you spend so much time with them . . . well, frankly, I've never understood authors who are able to make that disconnect. My hope is that it makes for strong, character-driven fiction! That's what I *tell* myself, at least. Tee hee. (And your dream sounds WONDERFUL.)

KIERSTEN WHITE: I love you, too. So so so much. What would I do without you? Probably curl into a ball and die. (Not that I'm feeling melodramatic today or anything.) I'm so happy you committed yourself to that dream. I *know* it wasn't easy, but I also knew it was the RIGHT dream. And, um . . . how great did it turn out? Pretty much in the most awesome fashion possible. Because you are awesome, and everything you touch turns to awesome. Like King Midas. He should have asked for the awesome touch. I am totally rambling. Shutting up now. Bye-bye.

AMY: I seriously could NOT believe it when you signed up for improv! Even now, the idea makes my stomach queasy. That has to be the bravest act I've seen in a long, long time. I'm thrilled it's going so well!! (Roller derby next? I hope?)

And… here I am a few months later. Starting the third-level class in less than a week. Doing this for serious. Loving it. It's still terrifying, but I've stopped wanting to puke.

This is so, SO true. My fears weren't about learning something new, mine were about completely and totally committing myself to a dream and having it all amount to nothing. And it was terrifying. But making that commitment? Best thing I ever did!

You helped, by the way.

And anyone on the planet who doesn't read ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS will be sorry. Mostly because I'll hunt them down and hit them over the head with the book until they admit that it's the Best Book Ever.

Oh joy was this touching to read. I've often felt like I've lost my mind the past year since I've been writing my first novel. It is intimidating.

I've fallen in love with these people in my head, and I've often had to sit back and remind myself that they aren't real.

Mine, too, stemmed from a dream. There was nothing flowing or consequential about mine–except the way this boy looked at this particular girl. That was the only thing that stood out in my mind. And so I wrote about the way he looks at her and what she does to him.

It's been scary and daunting, and I've find myself crying over these not-real people, but I wouldn't take them to save the world.