Member Spotlight: Nedda Lewers

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? From a young age, writing has been an important way for me to express myself and process big emotions. As a writer, I have a deep respect for story and the power it has to foster compassion and understanding by entertaining and captivating readers.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? When I struggle with getting words on the page, I find it helpful to work in small chunks. They are less overwhelming. I set a timer for twenty minutes and commit to only writing for that period. Usually, by the time those twenty minutes are up, I’ve gotten something down, something I want to see through for another twenty minutes. Small steps for sure when writer’s block hits.

What is your favorite time to write? My favorite time to write is after I drop my daughters off at school. I relish sitting in the very lived-in chair in my living room with my dogs at my feet and dreaming up stories.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Be patient with the process and seek out a writing community. Take the time to hone your craft—your writing is one of the few things you can control. The road to publication is different for everyone, but it will likely include some form of rejection. I would encourage writers to celebrate the wins along the way so that when rejection happens, you have a well of positivity to counter it with. On those hard days, surrounding yourself with a writing support system that understands how difficult the journey can be is also really important. My writing friends are invaluable to me. They have carried me through the hard days and celebrated me on the great days.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I enjoy connecting with readers and fellow writers from all over the world through social media. I am most excited that kids from all backgrounds, including my own, Egyptian, are finally seeing themselves as the heroes and heroines of their own stories. Here’s to more diversity and inclusivity in kid lit!

Nedda Lewers’s Daughters of the Lamp is out now with ‎ G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.