Dear Yash, how do you start writing a story?

Firstly, get inspired. I highly suggest re-reading books that have inspired you previously or have just been written really well such as JK Rowling. Pay attention to the way the author sets out the storyline, the fiction that's used and the details added. Remember that this should only inspire you, it's illegal to copy someone else's work.

Next, write down a few main plot ideas and slowly eliminate some based on which ones you feel the best about until you left with one.

Plan out the name, chapters, and extended storyline. If the planning doesn't flow well, try a different idea. Sometimes it's easier to just write a story as you go. Work out which option works best for you!

Remember not every day is going to be a 'writing day'. Some days you're not going to be able to write more than two sentences. Others, you'll writing two chapters. Don't allow the bad days to bring you down!

How do you build up the confidence to write and actually publish a story here on Wattpad?

You need to firstly gain confidence in yourself. This is not only going to help you with your story but also just generally in life. If you keep thinking negative thoughts, you'll get nowhere! Try encouraging yourself to get your work out there. I'm encouraging you! We can't wait wait to read what you've written!

Secondly, you can start small by getting someone to review and/or edit your chapters. You can find people willing to edit for you in the Wattpad forums, and that can really boost your confidence so you know you're putting good work out there!

Plan your work and put a lot of effort into it. This will make you proud of your work - and you should be. Writing is a skill that strengthens over time. Practice makes perfect. Read through your work and critically analyze each chapter but also don't be too hard on yourself.

Writing is supposed to be fun, but it takes a lot of work to write anything!

Dear Yash. This is a reading-related question. Recently I have lost all interest in books. I get bored easily or I fall asleep... I really love reading and I want to get back into it but I don't know how...

Forcing your interest in something isn't going to create interest, it's just going to bore you more.

Take a break from reading and books. Lucky for you, it's the holidays! Which means you aren't forced to look at textbooks and notebooks for two months. So take a break from all that reading and enjoy time with your friends and family.

Once your holiday from books is done, re-read some old books that you have previously enjoyed and are intriguing you. Or if you not a fan of re-reading, read books similar to your past favorites. Sometimes you just need that right book to get you out of a reading slump. 

Once you've found your comeback book, visit fan sites or speak to people who are reading the same book and converse about it. Speak about the plot, your predictions or the drool-worthy main character. It'll help you find that passion for reading that you seem to have briefly lost. 

Basically, let it flow. By forcing things you are going to push your love of reading further and further away. Your best bet is to find your passion again by relaxing and not overthinking it.

Dear Yash, I am the only person in my family and among my friends who like to write. I'd really like my family to read or review my work but I'm scared that they'll judge me or make fun of me.

Confidence. Self-trust. Pride.

These are the three characteristics you must have to be successful in anything you and once you believe in yourself, you won't be insecure about others viewing your work. And you only get these traits if you practice them.

To have confidence in your work, you must confidence in yourself. Now, confidence is not easy to acquire. You going to have people knocking you down and insulting you - but you're going to have to stand up and believe in yourself. Once your family and friends read your work, you need to accept constructive criticism. It's feedback that's going to grow you and help develop your work.

Trust is something earned. No matter how many times you fail, you have to trust that you're going to get up and get better. No successful author has ever stopped writing due to a bump in the road. When you get knocked down, you have to get back up.

Now pride is a pretty interesting thing. You have to work your hardest to obtain pride in your work. If you get lazy and do a half effort job, you going to have very little pride in what you do.

So practice these traits. Allow others to know who you are. You can't stop others from judging you but their judgments shouldn't affect you because until they've walked in your shoes, they can't review your journey.

The holidays are finally here and it's always so busy. I'm writing my first book and I still want to publish throughout December and January. How do I make time for writing editing and publishing?!

Try not to push yourself. The festive holidays are supposed to be fun - don't ruin yours with too much stress! Remember: it's only two months.

You need to decide how many chapter are you going to post and when. So for example, you can post a chapter every Friday or every second Friday. Devise a schedule to help keep you on track.

I highly suggest using your planner or a calendar to plan out your months. Inert sessions where you can write, edit and have it all worked out so you're ready for the time when you're going to publish. Make sure that you'll have enough time to do each task and don't get sidetracked or procrastinate. Sometimes, you cannot write an entire chapter in one session so make sure you know what you going to do in each session and how much you going to do. Don't push yourself if you know you're setting an unrealistic goal. 

Don't forget it's the festive session! Your readers aren't going to hold it against you if you miss one chapter.

Make sure you leave time for family, friends and the wonderful celebrations. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Do you have a question for Yash? Leave it in the comments below and you might see it answered in our next issue!