A

　　What’s it like to be a popular teen author? We asked Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, author of In the Forests of the Night to find it out.

How do you come up with your ideas?

　　I start with a minor character, and then expand on that character. In the first book, I just wrote some flat characters to pass the time. Eventually, I wanted to know more about the characters I’d created. The first things I wrote weren’t very good, but they did get me to start writing, which was important.

How has your writing evolved?

　　Every book I write, I get more into it. History is one of my passions(酷爱) right now. Sometimes I’ll take inspiration from characters in Ancient Egypt, Rome, or Mesoamerica. My first characters were flat, but now they’re like my best friends.

How did you feel when your book was first published?

　　It came as a shock. The first time I saw my book in print I could barely believe it. I had to tell myself, “This is real. I’m not dreaming.”

What does your writing space look like?

　　I mostly write on the computer in my room. I can write anywhere as long as it’s quiet. I also do writing in notebooks.

How do you make time for your writing?

　　Writing is one of those things that you will make time for if you want to do it. When I have something to write, I’ll need to write it. If you love writing, you will make time for it.

Do you think reading helps writing?

　　Definitely. When you read, you get used to visualizing things in print. I’m not a big television fan, so I have always spent a lot of time reading. You learn to see things in words. You figure out how to express yourself in words. You learn the basics, and then get the ideas for your writing.

What’s your advice for aspiring(有志向的) kid writers?

　　Go out and do it. Find other people who write. Keep at it! You can always edit. Every author is his or her own worst critic. If you love to write, just do it．

21．What do we know about Amelia?

A．Historical characters inspire her to write.

B．She likes to create perfect characters from the beginning.

C．She considers In the Forests of the Night as her best novel.

D．Flat characters once stopped her from improving her writing.

22．When Amelia first saw her book in print, she was ________.

A．amazed　　　　　　　　　B．disappointed

C．confused　　　　　　　　D．unconcerned

23．Which advice would Amelia most likely give us?

A．The best time to write is before you go to bed.

B．It is easier to start writing when you are young.

C．If you want to write, there is no excuse for not writing.

D．If you want to be a writer, you shouldn’t watch television.