di Picoult hatched her debut novel during her first pregnancy. This was the starting point of a fertile authorship of 20 bestselling books with the 21st on the way. She recently shared her thoughts on her own writing process with Gotham:Q: What is your method for overcoming writer’s block ?
A: I don't buy into writer's block. I think it is for people who have time on their hands. If you don't, you sit down and you write. Period.
Q: What are your favorite or most helpful writing prompts?
A: I used to like to write an argument from the first person point of view of each character, one at a time. I also loved: Write a narrative as an ice cream truck driver...who hates kids.
Q: What is the most valuable advice you received as a young writer?
A: My mentor, Mary Morris, taught me that I wasn't nearly as great a writer as I thought I was. If not for her, I wouldn't have challenged myself—and kept challenging myself—until I was where I am today.
> Order Picoult's newest novel: Sing You Home
> For more on Picoult's writing practices, visit JodiPicoult.com
