Posted by Rebecca Gordon 7 months ago

1. 

   7 months ago Emma A, The Next Stephen King. replied:

   So we write them here?

   Lots and lots of questions shall come.
2. 

   7 months ago Emma A, The Next Stephen King. replied:

   Do you think anyone has the makings of a writer, or only people that have been doing it their whole lives?

   Do you plot out before you write, or just wing it?

   What do you like most about your characters? What makes them different from other author's characters?

   Who or what is the biggest inspiration in your life?

   What advice do you have for a young writer that dreams to become a published author someday?

   What is the WORST thing about being an author?
3. 

   7 months ago Diddly Dudio replied:

   What do you think your job would be if you weren't an author?

   Any advice to us?

   How long does it take you to write a book?

   How much pages is in each chapter?

   How much words per chapter?

   How much money do you make? (Don't answer if you don't want to! :P)
4. 

   7 months ago Zovos replied:

   He want's to answer your questions?
   No he doesn't. :P

   Last updated 7 months ago
5. 

   7 months ago Lauren "Fia" Fletcher replied:

   When you revise your first draft, how do you go about it?

   Do you plan in detail, or just wing it?

   What's the BEST thing about being an author?
6. 

   7 months ago Jennifer + the Machine replied:

   If you come up with a new idea, even in the middle of a different story, do you start writing it down, or do you ignore it?
7. 

   7 months ago just_another_bookaholic replied:

   How do you know when an idea is good enough to make into a story or if it's destined for the garbage?

   How do you keep your spirits up when people are bagging on your writing or people tell you you're not good?

   How do you keep people interested in your books? I mean, how do you hook them, keep them reading 'till the end?

   if you would answer even one, that would be AWESOME.
8. 

   7 months ago Chris Roberts replied:

   A thought on Oscar Wao: The brief wondrous life of my attention span was not engaged by Oscar Wao, but rather it was made hazy by the bombardment of counter-intuitive, nonsensical descriptors, wave after wave of gibberish speak, a cut and run narrative that lends itself well to the destruction of comprehension and, best left to the last, an author hell bent, due to poor self-esteem, on name dropping the literate ones in hopes of becoming one himself, but he's not, posturing isn't art, it's not even writing 101 style.

   Chris Roberts
9. 

   7 months ago Carson Cummins replied:

   What are you looking for in a story?
   How do you make a bad story amazing?
   How do you make a story like this good without making it into a rant?
10. 

    7 months ago Jenna Markham replied:

    Wow, Chris. You're just a bundle of sunshine.

    Anyway, Mr. Diaz - - - as a person whose 'inappropriate language' is monitored quite heavily, what do you think the perfect insult in Spanish would be? And what does cursing add to a story? Has anyone ever told you to watch your language?
    Thanks,
    Jenna
11. 

    7 months ago H.G. Rody replied:

    Mr.Diaz, How can you make sure your characters stay inline? When writing about strong characters, how do you make sure you can control their personality?
12. 

    7 months ago cat and a half replied:

    I LOVE JUNOT DIAZ.

    MR. DIAZ.... you went to MIT and teach their in their creative writing department. why pick this school not traditionally known for their humanities departments?
13. 

    7 months ago Anna Libertas replied:

    how did you get into writing?

    was novels the first type of writing you did or did you start with something else?

    why do i keep trying to turn novel into a verb and say noveling when referring to writing novels?

    how hard was it to get published and what was the publishing process like?
14. 

    7 months ago K.A.E replied:

    Hello!
    Thanks for coming out into the Figverse to give all us Figgies some great advice and wonderful writing prompts!

    Of course, I can think of a million questions ranging from complicated ones to mind-numbingly ignorant ones that are so cliche' you've probably answered them ten-thousand times by now.

    I already see lots of great ones out here on the message boards... and a few of that latter kind too.

    I'll look forward to hearing your responses to everybody's.

    Here is my question(s)...

    1. Excluding the Pulitzer Prize, What is one of the best moments of your writing career?
    You know, one of those moments where you stop and go "Wow, this is amazing".
    Why was it special for you and what about it was different from anything else you'd experienced?

    2. How did you discover your "voice"?
    One of the biggest things I struggle with is finding my voice. All of the people who read my writing, my professors who read my essays, they all say I have a "voice". My English teacher has often praised my ability to use a unique voice in my work.

    My issue is, I can't recognize my own voice. I can't see it, maybe because I am too close to it all.
    So, I was wondering how you discovered your voice.

    3. Any tips for recognizing this "voice" everyone seems to say I have?

    4. How do you decide what to write about?
    Lots of people write about what matters to them, things that are relevant to their life, things they observe in the world, etc.
    How do you decide what to write about, and do you set out with a theme/message to relay or do you set out to tell the story of the character and let the rest of it develop on its own?

    5. Can you really tell the story of the character without understanding of the overall meaning/message you are trying to communicate?

    I always felt that one affected the other. The overall meaning plays into the characters story and vice versa. Can you really tell one without understanding the other?

    Sometimes I have started with a moral or a meaning, but my characters always come off flat and fake.
    Other times, such as now, I start out with the character and a broad idea for a story... But then I always struggle to find the meaning of it and the message I am trying to convey, which makes it hard for me to develop my character and plot beyond a certain point.

    I would love to hear your answers to these questions, your personal experiences, advice, etc.

    Thanks for coming out to Figment and holding the contest!
    You are in for tons of reading.... So many entries!
    I hope you like Coffee.. :0)

    - K.A.E.
15. 

    7 months ago Izzy Skissorhands replied:

    THE Junot Diaz? WOW. Hello there.
16. 

    7 months ago Kevin Hodgson replied:

    I am wondering about voice of characters, Mr. Diaz, and how it is that you can capture the nuances of a character in a story so that they seem so real to the reader. I put down Oscar Wao but the voices kept with me long afterwards. It's a sort of magic that some writers have. Care to share some secrets with us?
    Kevin
17. 

    7 months ago Kirsten replied:

    1. How did you develop your voice? Did it come naturally, or have you been honing it for years?
    2. What is the most important piece of advice you have ever given?
18. 

    7 months ago Avriℓ replied:

    1. How do you stay motivated when you write?
    2. What is one thing that all writers should know?
19. 

    7 months ago Sophie Maison replied:

    I have my own ideas about this, but I want to hear yours! Can novels make the world a better place to live in? Can it make us love one another more? Does a novel do something that a film can't?

    Yunior is so likable despite being a sucio. How did you do that?!

    You teach and give readings . . . how do you find time to write? How do you find balance?

    Do you have vivid dreams? Are they full of alphabetized monsters?
20. 

    7 months ago Kamren Curiel replied:

    Did you get a lot of flack for your use of the "N" word from those who don't understand that Dominicans are Afro Latino? How do you justify it?

    What is your writing space like? What should every writer consider when setting up their writing spaces?

    How do you start your writing process? Any rituals you can share?

    Do you write in sequential order or piece by piece?
21. 

    7 months ago Adriana Tassie replied:

    Hello! I would love it if you would be able to anwser my questions to help me improve in my writing abilites!

    1) How do you come up with a good purpose?
    I know that seems like a strange question, but it happens to me a lot. I'll come up with a great setting, and great characters, but then I find I don't have a plot or a purpose. How do you normally find one?
    2) How do you find your 'voice,' and what exactly is it?
    I know you probably get this alot, but I'm still curious. People keep commenting on my 'voice,' and I was curious on to how you find it, and exactly what it is.
    3) When You have a basic idea for a story, do you just wing the extras, or do you plan it out very carefully?
    When I get a good idea, I try to plan it out very carefully, but then random ideas keep poping into my head, and I move away from my plan. How do you do it?
    4) How do you begin a story so it keeps people interested?
    I seem to do this alot. I have so many ideas for later chapters or parts, but I can never start it off. Why do I have trouble with this?
    5) When is there just enough discription?
    I have issues sometimes with discription. I can't seem to get enough, or I put to much... when do you know when there's enough?

    I would love and appreciate it if you would anwser my questions. Thank You!
    * Adriana *
22. 

    7 months ago Kien DeMent replied:

    Mr. Diaz - I teach 8th grade English in a small town on the Arkansas border with Oklahoma. My students are a mix of Hispanic (many are from Mexico or El Salvador),Hmong, Cherokee, and white. Nearly all are from families who are barely hanging on.
    My students LOVE books. They love to write stories, especially fantasy. Fridays students come to my room for lunch to read what they have written. At the beginning of the year, I talked to them about books and writers I really enjoy, so they know about Oscar Wao and your background. So with these things in mind I have one question for them that I think would be good for my kids to hear and one from them.
    1. Why should art matter to an 8th grade kid in Arkansas? What did it mean to you at their age, epecially as someone not from a wealthy family? Why should kids keep writing, keep reading during difficult times?
    2. My students love horror, fantasy, and graphic novels. What did you read at their age? What kept you motivated to write stories even when it felt so difficult?

    They are into apocalyptic writing as well. This, I believe, is due to their teenage nature and things going on around them. I appreciate how busy you must be. Any response is welcome.

    Last updated 7 months ago
23. 

    7 months ago Kien DeMent replied:

    I apologize. These are difficult to type. I meant to say thank you for your time.

    Ms. DeMent
    8th Grade English
    Fayetteville, AR

    Last updated 7 months ago
24. 

    7 months ago Miguel Camargo replied:

    Dear, Junot,
    Do you classify your novel as Ethnic Literature? I'm currently enrolled in an Ethnic Literature class, and we're going to read your novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao near the end of the quarter. Another thing I have to make a presentation based on the chapter "The Dark Age" and up until the ending of the novel. Any tips or suggestion you can give me? Please reply so I can say, "Yeah, I hit up Junot and he told me this..."

    Thank You,
    Miguel Camargo
25. 

    7 months ago Alexes replied:

    Do you prefer silence when you write, or do you like some nice instrumental music?

    How do you motivate yourself to write even on those days when you don't really feel like it?

    What are your thoughts on Nutella? What about tacos?
26. 

    6 months ago Keri replied:

    CHRIS ROBERTS - Your inability to comprehend Junot Diaz's writing is a glaring reflection of your own inadequacy. It's also embarrassingly clear you are muy celoso. That means 'very jealous' (don't wish to confuse you further). Instead of hating on talented, hard working writers who achieve their endeavors and still want to help people, focus your energy on being the writer you want to be. Perhaps one day people may seek advice from you.

    Last updated 6 months ago
27. 

    6 months ago Keri replied:

    Hi Junot, my question is related to those fictional characters and incidents that closely resemble those in your life. Have you ever gotten heat for writing about them?

    You have inspired me in many ways, and I'm sorry you were unable to make it to Words & Music Festival in New Orleans this year. Maybe next year?

    Thanks
28. 

    6 months ago Sheska replied:

    Hi Junot!
    You know, you're the reason I started writing. After I read "The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" I was inspired!

    I realize there are tons of questions here and mine has probably been answered, but where do you get your inspiration from?
    And what's your weakness? (Mine is sweets!)

    Thanks!!

    Come to NYC and visit Hunter College!!

    -Sheska
29. 

    6 months ago Stasa Fritz replied:

    The very concept of voice is an elusive one. Margaret Atwood writes of the "illusion of voice," in her book "Negotiating with the Dead." Implying that you almost hear the tale-teller as if s/he were speaking and would recognize it. She later discusses writing as the score for the voice and the voice tells the story. She makes a distinction that other art, such as painting, sculpture, music, actually has no voice. It may last, but it is not a voice.

    In a more clinical perspective, John Gardner in his "Art of Fiction" speaks of voice as a permutation of the point of view and the narrator. He speaks--for instance--of the essayist-omniscient voice as being more personal, more distinctive while every authorial-omniscient voice sounds the same. I generally find Gardner pompous in his writing craft books, but underneath the pomposity there are some insights. For instance he does note two things: one that no writer should rely on voice alone and that part of the voice is not explaining things. This is a bit of the clichéd “show don’t tell.” However, I believe the message here is that only through not bogging us down with explanation, avoiding telling us how a character is thinking, do we see the voice revealed.

    With that huge preamble, I would ask what it is that you see as the way to explain, or illustrate, a voice? Or to make it even more difficult, would you be able to describe your own voice in a manner that would allow us to examine our own writing and say, I see my voice there?
30. 

    6 months ago Minnie Vasquez replied:

    Hello Junot!

    What are the the latest trends in contemporary Latina/o literature, including Young Adult?

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