Tahereh Mafi & Sabaa Tahir

This was the very first author signing event I have ever been to. I was very nervous for such an event, for I did not know what to expect. I was about to meet an author! That very though, seeing a room full of published authors, was frightening and exciting. Not only that, but I was going to meet the author of a series that I had just recently read. I couldn’t believe it and didn’t know what to do or say at the event. I can honestly say I was awe-struck at seeing so many writers. Needless to say, when I came face to face with Tahereh Mafi, I froze and could not say anything. At least I have the picture that captured my frozen state.

 

I do have a major regret from this signing event. I was there to mainly meet Tahereh Mafi, but had the opportunity to have Sabaa Tahir sign some books as well. My regret is that I had no books for Sabaa Tahir to sign! I got to see her because my friend did have books from here, but at the time I had not read any of the books in the An Ember in the Ashes series. It was after this signing event that I read the series and hugely regret not having a book for her to sign. It’s a regretful mistake, so all I have is the pictures below I took of the amazing series!

 

Marie Lu

Another author signing event that came to my nearby area was the Wildcard signing event for Marie Lu. I was also extremely excited about meeting this author and was extremely grateful that I was able to meet Marie Lu. She is such a humble and lovely person! Once again, I was in awe at meeting the author of such amazing books! In the picture below, I was attempting to stay calm and hide the fact that I was so nervous I was face to face with her!

Marie Lu’s event was very inspiring to all writers, for she took some time before the signing to speak of her novels and of her writing tips. She gave a lot of information that I keep trying to tell myself to not lose motivation in my journey. Below are the main tips she provided during this event:

• Find a style that works for you: Lu stated that she outlined three chapters and then wrote those three chapters. She would then outline the next three and do the same.
• Lu also mentioned that most of her writing is chaotic! She stated that her writing goes in different direction than she may originally plan and has no control over her characters.
• Lu stated that she usually takes 6 months to write a first draft and goes through several more drafts to have a polished story. Wildcard, for example took her 5 or 6 big drafts
• Lu stated that the third of fourth draft of Wildcard went to her editor, and then the editor  reads and edits
• Lu’s #1 Advise is: Don’t be afraid to write something bad. Don’t make it perfect. Just finish what you’re writing. You learn when you revise. That’s where the magic happens. Everyone’s first draft “kinda sucks.” That’s okay. Silence your inner editor!