May 13, 2013
I received a lovely letter from a second grader named Maya this weekend. She asked very good questions, so I thought I would answer it here for everyone to read. Here is what she wrote:
My name is Maya. I am in second grade. I am 8 years old. My birthday is May 22nd. I love writing books. That is my favorite thing to do in school. I have 2 brothers. My school is Maugham Elementary School. I am writing to you because you are my favorite Author.
It was interesting to learn that you have been writing for more than 40 years. Why did you write for more than 40 years? I love writing books! It was surprising to learn that you have written more than 250 books. Have you written any Dolphin books? I have written an "All About" book about school. I learned that the first book that you wrote was Space Monsters. Was it hard to come up with that idea? It was hard when I wrote my first book. I love that you read "The Sea Around Us" to come up with the idea. Did you have to think a lot? I had to think a lot when I written my first book. Can you please write back to me?
Your fan,
Maya B.
Dear Maya,
Thank you so much for writing! It is always a pleasure to talk about my work as an author with a fellow writer.
I suppose it does seem as though 40 years is a long time to write. However, writing is my job, so just like other grownups you know, I have done my writing job for most of my adult life.
Of course, I am very lucky to have such an enjoyable profession. Even if it were not my job, I think I would write just because I love to do it. Writing books gives me the opportunity to explore new topics and think about how and why things fit together in the natural world. When I am writing, I am always learning.
In answer to your second question, I have indeed written a book called DOLPHINS. They are magnificent creatures of great intelligence.
It is also true that the first book I wrote was called SPACE MONSTERS, when I was in second grade. I loved reading science fiction when I was in elementary school, and I was making up my own stories like the ones that I loved to read in the science fiction magazines of that time. 
I wish I had a copy of that little handwritten book, but unfortunately it was lost many years ago.
I wrote it again when I was first being published as an adult. This time it was called SPACE MONSTERS FROM MOVIES, TV and BOOKS, and it described all my favorite fictional aliens.
Then last year I wrote a third version, called SILLY SPACE MONSTER JOKES AND RIDDLES. Are you getting the idea that I really, really like space monsters?!
Your last question is probably the most critical one from a fellow writer, as you wonder whether I had to think a lot to write my first book. Of course I did, and in fact, I do a lot of thinking when I write every book. Writing involves a lot of thinking before you start - that helps me get to an outline, which I always do before I start writing.
Then I write a first draft and set it aside for a while. When I come back, usually several days or even a week later, I read it and I start to think again. I ask myself questions like: What am I trying to say in this section? Is the point I am trying to make clear? How could I express this idea more clearly and simply?
The truth is, both thinking and rewriting are big parts of the writing process. You need to give yourself time for both of these things if you want to do your best writing.
Thank you so much for your letter, Maya. My advice to you as new writer is to write every day. Writing takes practice, and just like any other skill (sports, music, etc), the more you do it, the better you get at it. Keep a notebook and scribble down your ideas, thoughts, interesting bits of dialogue that you hear or fascinating sights that you see. Even if you don’t use these bits and pieces right now, you never know when they might be useful in a future piece of writing.
Happy early Birthday!
Seymour Simon
Posted by: Seymour Simon
