There’s something magical about books. Not only do they create these worlds and stories for people to explore, but they also bring people together as they read them. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can suddenly be on a space ship or on a pirate adventure. And just as any age reader can enjoy the pleasure that is reading, I feel any age writer can be involved in writing. The world of literature doesn’t have to stay locked until you’ve graduated college with an English degree or are in your thirties.

Take Flavia Bujor for example. The Prophecy of the Stones was her debut novel which she wrote at the age of 12. What happened with her childhood project that some adults may have ticked off as simply a hobby? It was published two years later by HarperCollins. Bujor was a HarperCollins published author at only 14! And the book was wildly popular in her home country of France.

And while I’m not attempting to brag, I also can use myself as an example. I wrote my first novel when I was 16. And while it may have not been published by HarperCollins or another major publisher, I did take on the roller coaster adventure of self-publishing when I was still only 16. I organized my own crowd funder, hired my own cover designer, editor, formatter, and more, and had it published to Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

What these examples are trying to show is that, if writing is your passion, you shouldn’t let your age keep you from it. In fact, I think the self-publishing industry has opened the doors for young authors to share their stories and their creative imaginations. Readers can experience a wider range of author backgrounds and ages than traditional publishing ever allowed. So here are three tips from my time as a high school author that I want to pass on to you. It doesn’t matter if you’re 9 or 19, these tips, I hope, will give you the drive to tackle your writing goals.

1. You CAN Balance School and Writing
When I decided I wanted to write, one of the biggest concerns I heard from parents and friends alike was how I was going to juggle high school classes with the world of publishing. And, yes, there were times where my exam and SAT test were far more important. But it’s all about time management and picking priorities. Would you rather watch Netflix or write 1,000 words of your next book? Would you rather go to the park or finish editing a chapter? Decide what is more important to you and manage your time around it.

2. Practice Makes Perfect
No one expects you to be able to perform Mozart the first time you lay hands on a piano. So why would you expect anything different from writing? While some prodigies may happen upon the next bestseller their first time, it usually takes practice. Start with short stories and write in response to prompts online and from friends. And then work up from there. The more time you spend writing, the better you will become at it. And don’t be afraid to read some books about creating characters and building worlds to help build up your craft.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
While we may want to be able to do everything on our own, that’s not always possible. A friend or family member can be a crucial resource when writing. And that goes for any age. When you have finished a short story or a novel, have a friend, parent, or sibling read over it and give feedback and comments. And even when you’re still making an outline, run it by a friend to have them ask questions that you should answer during the story. Asking for help can go a long way.

Writing and publishing is hard work. Don’t get me wrong there. And it does take dedication if you want to do right. But I have never felt age has been a road block to a great story. So if you have a story idea inside you and the desire and passion to put it on paper, do it. And never take no for an answer!