edward ashton interview notes

teaches quantam physics
if you can't explain something to someone with a highschool education, *you don't understand it*

should find places to publish my short stories. might be able to get paid for it
write 1k words, then revise those. repeat for book. (this might not work for me, but it might be worth trying)
symbolism lets you get through people's defenses; "wait, he's talking about me!" if you're too specific and modern

for a series, you have to keep in mind sales numbers; if only 80% of people who read original liked it, only 80% of the sales numbers max (most likely at least) for sequel. repeat for each sequel

what is the "heart" of a book (chapter 19)
keep in mind the kind of words a character would use in dialogue
"literary fiction"
think about what you like to read, and write it
don't worry too much about everything being original; just a bit works

write because you need to write, because you need to say what's in your heart, because you want to be heard

for traditional publishing, YOU NEED AN AGENT. a literary agent to represent you is how you get your book there; you can't just email it to a publisher and expect it to be good.
put together a list of agents that might fit you and would be great, and send it to them all. getting rejected 30+ to even 100+ agents is pretty average

once you have an agent, getting a publishing contract is MUCH easier