An interview with author, Alec Greven

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Alec Greven is going to periodically guest blog here. I have been asked so many times by students in schools I visit about getting published. I am all about encouraging people to follow dreams. There is no better way to show the possibilities than to show one who is doing it. Alec is not only a best-selling author, but a darn nice person. I look forward to seeing what he can offer here.

This is what is found on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Greven about him:

Alec Greven is a New York Times bestselling child self-help author. His first book, How to Talk to Girls, was published when he was nine years old. He has subsequently published two additional books, How to Talk to Moms, and How to Talk to Dads. He is slated to release a fourth book, How to Talk to Santa, in 2009, and a fifth book How to Talk to Grandparents in reportedly in the works.

He appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February 2008 and April 2009, and on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien in December 2008. On February 12, 2009 he also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Greven appeared a second time on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April 2009 to promote his two new books, How to Talk to Dads and How to Talk to Moms.

How to Talk to Girls

Greven's first book, How to Talk to Girls, started as an elementary school project and ended up on the New York Times' best sellers list. He wrote the book after observing boys in the playground and their mistakes when talking to girls.

Alec's book How to talk to Santa is available now and I personally recommend it!

What books have you published?

I have published 4 books called How to talk to Girls, How to talk to Moms, How to talk to Dads and just in time for Christmas my newest book How to talk to Santa.

How many books have you written?

I have written 5 books. Four are published and one is in the publishing stage. It is called Rules for School and it will come out next year for back to school time. It’s like a big guidebook to school and talks about the first day, where to sit, what bugs teachers and much more!

How old were you when you started writing?

In third grade when I was 8 I wrote my first book How to talk to Girls. Then when I was nine, Girls got published and then I did a lot of publicity. When I was ten I wrote How to talk to Dads Moms and Santa.

How many times do you rewrite a story?

I only rewrite a story when I don’t really like it or I might stop writing the story. But usually when I like a story I might just do some editing modifications.

Do you know other authors?

The only author that I really know and have met is you!

Do you plan to go to college?

Yes I want to go somewhere like Harvard or Columbia or some schools like those.

Have you always lived in Colorado?

No. I was born in Washington State and after a few years I moved to Colorado and have lived here for the rest of my life so far.

What experiences as a published author have you enjoyed the most? Least?

Sometimes it is hard when people ask me the same question over and over again. But going and doing the TV interviews are really fun and the people are really nice so that is a great experience.

What was your biggest challenge in writing?

I think revising and editing because it is very hard finding and correcting your own mistakes. That is the part that I usually take the most time on in my story.

How did you overcome that challenge?

I try to ask other people to read my writing because it isn’t very hard to correct other peoples mistakes. It also gives me good feedback that I can use to make my story even more fun and exciting.

How would you end stories?

I usually like ending my stories with the reader asking a question and waiting for the next story so my reader can get interested in the next one.

What is your favorite writing subject?

Well, I like writing about mysteries and adventure. I also like to write guide books and really any idea that pops into my head. I think that the more you read the more that you write. And to keep in the spirit of writing you just have to read a ton.

What other subjects in school do you like?

I love reading and writing. I also enjoy book group and social studies and science. Pretty much I like all of school!

What is the best book you have written?

Well I can only say what I like. Right now it is pretty hard to choose, but I like Santa and also Girls because Girls started everything. I also like my new book Rules for School

What was the first book you wrote?

I wrote stories and stuff in school but How to Talk to Girls was the first book I got published.

Do you like reading?

I love reading especially about adventure and fantasy. They make you want to keep reading and itching for the next book.

What are some of your favorite books to read?

I love reading so it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. I like the Harry Potter series I also like the Warrior series and Wimpy Kid. Then I got interested in mythology from the Percy Jackson series.

What is it like to be on national television shows and to meet celebrities?

So fun!

How do your brother and sister feel about having a big brother on television?

They think it is fun to watch and they are happy when I bring them presents

What do you say to other people your age about following his or her dreams.

I think that it is really important because if you say you can’t do something you won’t be able to do it. I think that if you believe you can do something there is a pretty big chance that the thing that you want will happen.