I 've always wanted to be a writer. Any advice? If you want to be published, write about something you feel others would want to read, not necessarily what you know. Then do the research, which will flesh out your story. Before writing, it's best to start with an outline. Who are the main characters? What are their arcs? In other words, what is their personal challenge and how, by story's end, do they resolve it or develop as a person. How do I get published? It's not easy, but don't listen to the nay sayers. First, find a book that lists Literary Agents. Going directly to a publisher is very difficult. An agent can get your manuscript read-assuming he or she likes it. Most agents want a two-page query letter about your story. When I was looking for an agent to read MEG, I sent out more than 50 letters. I received back 27 replies, mostly cards or form letters saying, "thanks, but no thanks." Only three agents wanted to read pages. Two rejected it, one (Ken Atchity of AEI) saw the potential. (Thanks, Ken!) If you are not prepared for rejection, you cannot succeed at anything. Remember, only those individuals who never try never fail. Do you adhere to a strict writing schedule? Absolutely. Every morning I feed the dog, drink my protein shake, then read the newspaper (for research) from front to back. It's important to stay current. (It's also important to feed the dog or she won't let me work.) I spend the next hour answering e-mails. Once I start working, I will plow through until about one o'clock, take a ten minute lunch break, answer more e-mails, then start the afternoon session. I stop when my brain feels fried, usually between five and six. But I never stop thinking about the story. I keep a pen and pad in my car and by the night stand in case an idea hits. When writing a novel, I literally eat, sleep and dream the story. Who are your favorite authors? I am a big Thomas Harris fan. I also enjoy Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy and Anne Rice. When I was growing up, I read and re-read every Ian Fleming/James Bond novel twice. Loved Bram Stoker's Dracula, and of course, JAWS. Where do you do your research? When I wrote MEG, I had no computer, so I went to the public library. Of course, now I have Internet access, which is the most valuable tool there is. I watch a lot of television, Discovery Channel, History Channel, and the Learning Channel, subscribe to Science magazines like DISCOVERY and SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, and (best of all) stay in touch with my readers, who are sometimes my greatest source for information. Have you met any famous people? Yes. I was on the TODAY SHOW. Matt Lauer interviewed me. He was terrific. I was also interviewed by Katherine Crier of FOX NEWS' CRIER REPORT. She was also excellent. I was fortunate enough to be an invited author at the Broward County Annual BIBLOS FESTIVAL and met some very famous authors, including two of my favorites, sports writers George Plimpton and Dick Shaap. I told both of those guys the first night that I wasn't leaving until I had my picture taken with both of them. Both were very warm and generous individuals. -Steve Alten