Aspiring writers are lucky to live in an era where there are many platforms such as WordPress, available to them. These platforms make it easier for writers to get their work to the public. I, my self-have sat down in front of my computer staring at the blue and white borders of WordPress, intimidated by the sheer fact of not knowing where to start. Thankfully there are authors that want to help struggling writers. Laura Silverman author of "Girl out of Water" granted me a glimpse into the life of a published author and her writing methods.

1. How long have you been writing?

"Since I was a little kid!"

2. Where did your passion for writing come from?

"From all the books I read! I loved reading stories, and I quickly found out I loved creating them also."

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

"There was this coffee shop in Brooklyn I wrote at almost every day. It was across the street from my apartment and had giant floor-to-ceiling windows and smelled oh-so-good. Unfortunately, I live back in Georgia now haha!"

4. What is your writing process? Where do you get your ideas?

"Everywhere! Some just "come to me." Some I get from observing the world, listening to podcasts, reading, movies, television. I try to just soak it all up, and it all tangles together and becomes something new for me."

5. What is your writing process?

" Stick to word counts and schedules. Inspiration is fantastic but most of it is just hard work. I write Monday-Friday for anywhere between an hour and like seven hours depending on where I'm at with the book. "

6. How do you handle writer's block?

" 99% of the time I just keep writing anyway and accept it might be work I'll have to delete in the future, but it'll get me to the next scene and the next. Every now and then I kind of know it's a more serious problem, and I just need to take the day off and relax.

7. What was the best money you spent as a writer?

"Probably my MacBook Air! I've had it for almost five years now, and it still works great. I use it for hours every day. I'm using it to answer these questions :)"

8. How long did it take you to write Girl out of Water?

" If I remember right, it took about six months to get to the draft I used to query agents."

9. What does your title mean/represent?

"My main character, Anise, is literally out of the water this summer because she has to fly from her surfing city of Santa Cruz to Nebraska for the summer to help take care of her aunt and cousins. Metaphorically, she's a fish out of the water. She's in a new place and away from her friends, and she has to find her footing there."

10. Is this your first published book and/or are you working on something new?

"It is my first! And then I'll have two more books coming out in 2019, another YA contemporary novel and also a YA anthology of short stories all written by Jewish authors about Jewish characters!"

11. How does your advertising degree from UGA help you write and sell your books?

"I do feel like it's given me a bit of an edge of social media! I know how to and enjoy genuinely engaging with people on there!"

12. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

" Keep writing and keep reading!"

A note to aspiring authors reading this, don't give up. It took Silverman seven months to write her first book. Everything worth having requires patience and hard work. Silverman's favorite writing place is really sweet. I love checking out cool coffee shops in the metro Atlanta area, especially on the belt line.

My favorite writing spot is at my barn in Macon, GA. There is this one pasture behind the barn that has more grass than the others. There is a horse named Windy that stays there and she is super cuddly and likes to lay down next to me like a dog. On top of the hill in that pasture, I'm able to look over Wesleyan College's campus.

At sunset, it is the most beautiful array of colors. Under the sunset, I see white picket fences and horses grazing. It is the most calming and creative place I enjoy writing and reading. Silverman reminds us to keep writing because if you are not moving forward you're not going anywhere. And only those who move forward will reach the top.