Alexandra Bracken on Being Brave with Your Writing

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“You’re brave if you’re already writing.” -Alex Bracken

So excited to share today’s episode with you! Alexandra Bracken is the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Darkest Minds and Passenger series, as well as a young reader adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope: The Princess, The Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy.

Connecting with Alex was like catching up with a long-time friend; we immediately kick it off with talks about premonitions, past lives, witches, signs from the universe, and women’s intuition.

Alex walks us through how she first fell in love with writing and her experience in the publishing industry as an editorial assistant. We discuss how to discover story ideas for writing fiction and chat about her newest book Wayfarer releasing on January 3rd, 2017. We freely chatted about everything and anything, no-holds-barred, easily making this episode a writer’s dream. From tips on writing under pressure, overcoming writer’s block, character development and building strong characters, to developing a unique writing voice, and writing through emotional challenges; this is an episode packed with inspiring personal stories and actionable step-by-step advice for writers.

PS. Know a friend who would appreciate amazing writing tips and advice? Pass it on for some karmic goodness!

“What’s more important is the innate affinity that a person has, or a compulsion, that they want to write.” -Alex Bracken

“Be brave and be willing to show your work to someone to help improve it to make it the best it can possibly be.” -Alex Bracken

“The more you write, the more you should be paying attention to craft.” -Alex Bracken

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

- How Alex discovered her love for writing through her love for reading
- Alex’s experience in the publishing industry as an editorial assistant
- Tips for writing under pressure
- How to overcome writer’s block
- The importance of discipline for writing daily
- How writing fanfiction can improve character development and help you build strong characters in your stories
- How to create and develop a strong and unique writing voice
- How to discover and strengthen the weaknesses in your writing
- Why creating a flexible plot outline is crucial to Alex’s writing process
- How to keep writing when you want to give up and quit
- How to develop story ideas for writing fiction
- Find inspiration for your writing from history and genealogy
- How to write through emotional challenges in your writing
- Where to find helpful writing resources and writing groups to improve your craft
- Why effective feedback helps the morale of your writing process
- Why critiquing makes you a stronger and better writer

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"Wayfarer" by Alexandra Bracken

About “Wayfarer”

Etta Spencer didn’t know she was a traveler until the day she emerged both miles and years from her home. Now, robbed of the powerful object that was her only hope of saving her mother, Etta finds herself stranded once more, cut off from Nicholas-the eighteenth century privateer she loves-and her natural time.

From colonial Nassau to New York City, San Francisco to Roman Carthage, imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, New York Times #1 best-selling author Alexandra Bracken charts a gorgeously detailed, thrilling course through time in this stunning conclusion to the Passenger series. Releases on January 3rd, 2017.

Learn More About Alex Bracken

Alexandra Bracken is the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Darkest Minds and Passenger series, as well as a young reader adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope: The Princess, The Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy. Born and raised in Arizona, she moved East to study history and English at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. After working in publishing for several years, Alex now writes full-time and can be found hard at work on her next novel. Her work has been translated into over 15 languages.