Kseniia Klesova is an eighth grade student at Clarke Middle School
Janae Marks is a well-known author and publisher, most recognized for her Zoe Washington series, which includes From the Desk of Zoe Washington and On Air with Zoe Washington. She is also known for Split Second and A Soft Place to Land, and several of her works have become New York Times bestellers, earning her numerous nominations, honors, and awards.
When I first reached out to Marks, I had only read the Zoe Washington series, which I discovered through a summer reading bingo challenge conducted by Barnes & Noble. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from a bingo card—usually I’m just trying to win a free book at the end—but instead I stumbled into a series that felt like it was written for a community I can connect with—Bostonians! While reading, I could vividly picture Zoe walking across Davis Square or past a Dairy Queen, and those familiar details made the story feel even more alive. It’s one thing to imagine Hogwarts; it’s another to imagine your protagonist dodging traffic in Boston.
The Zoe Washington series itself follows Zoe, a girl who secretly writes letters to her father Marcus, who is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Zoe’s frustration grows when she learns her mother withheld Marcus’s letters over the years, and at the same time she is a passionate baker who dreams of more than just working as an intern at Ari’s bakery. Instead of baking, she is stuck with menial tasks like handling the cash register. (Honestly, for me though, putting me to frost cupcakes would be a BIG mistake). Multiple plot twists unfold throughout the story, but I won’t spoil them for anyone who hasn’t read the books yet!
Talking with Marks about her writing process, she explained that her books are inspired by many different things. Sometimes her ideas come from personal experiences, while other times they stem from topics she’s interested in exploring. When it comes to naming characters, she often chooses names she likes, but if she struggles, she turns to baby naming websites for inspiration. (I love the idea of an author scrolling through “Top Baby Names of 2025” and thinking, yes, that’s my villain). As for settings, she decides based on what works best for the story, and once she figures out the plot and characters, the setting naturally follows.
Marks also offered general advice for young writers regarding story development and formatting. She emphasized the importance of reading widely, saying, “You can learn so much about story structure and plot by reading other books and seeing how other writers told their stories.” She highlighted the abundance of advice available online, from articles to videos, which can help writers learn how to outline and structure their stories. One system she particularly loves is the 7-point plot structure, explaining, “I love using the 7-point plot system to help plan out my books before I start writing.” For those unfamiliar, this system was developed by author Dan Wells and is widely used by writers across genres. It begins with exposition and a “status quo,” then builds through incidents and escalating conflicts, leading to a midpoint where the protagonist shifts from reactive to proactive. From there, the second “pinch” introduces major problems, and the story doesn’t resolve until the final plot point offers a path to resolution.
Marks also cautioned against a common mistake: resisting revision. “I do know that sometimes young writers are resistant to spending a lot of time revising. I spend way more time editing my stories than writing the first draft, so all writers should get comfortable with receiving feedback and revising their work.” (Translation: if you think you’re done after draft one, you’re not. Sorry). Honestly, I think this is great advice, because even writing this article I went through a couple drafts, and lots of editing hours!
When asked about her personal insights, Marks shared that she has always loved writing prose fiction, though she didn’t always write stories. Growing up, she filled journals and diaries with reflections on her life, and as a young writer she submitted stories to short story contests in magazines, though none were published. Those experiences, however, helped shape her journey. Her influences came largely from reading, as she has always been a big reader and gravitates toward contemporary, realistic stories and mysteries. The books she read in those genres over the years impacted the kind of stories she now writes, showing how reading not only inspires ideas but also helps writers discover the genres they feel most at home in.
Marks’s novels lean toward heartfelt realism and mystery, showing Boston can be more than just a setting—it becomes a character in its own right. As someone who is only thirteen, I find it exciting to see how writers of different backgrounds can use the same city to tell very different kinds of stories. It makes me want to pay closer attention to the places around me when I write, even if my “setting” right now is just my messy bedroom.
During our conversation, Marks made it clear that writing is both an art and a discipline. Inspiration may spark the first draft, but revision, structure, and persistence are what transform ideas into published books. Her advice to young writers—read widely, embrace revision, and explore systems like the 7-point plot structure—offers a roadmap for anyone hoping to grow in their craft. For me, interviewing Janae Marks was not only a chance to learn about her process but also a reminder of how personal connections to stories, whether through setting or theme, can make reading unforgettable. Her journey from journaling to bestselling novels shows that every writer’s path is unique, but passion and persistence are always at the heart of success. And if you ever get stuck, just remember: even bestselling authors sometimes scroll baby name websites for inspiration.
Credits: Janae Marks Official Website and Campfire Writing: Seven-Point Story Structure
And of course author Janae Marks!