An opinion piece from The Huffington Post made me think about this. The author's point was that books for children shouldn't have a "Young Adult" designation.
Actually, her post isn't what got me thinking.
Scroll past the short post and read the comment by BlackJAC, who states that once you're old enough to vote/gamble/drink, you shouldn't even be reading young adult books.
What?
There's a hidden (or not so hidden) implication that one's emotional growth must be stunted if one is reading children's books.
If you're not an educator/librarian/children's book author/parent, should you be reading children's books?
Personally, I read both children's and adult literature. When I bring our adult children to the library, they head to the adult section and I to the children's section.
When I research a topic, I always begin in the children's non-fiction section to get a solid overview of the topic before heading to the adult non-fiction section.
Yesterday, I got an e-mail from someone who said she enjoyed Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen and flew through its pages. The author of that e-mail is 31.
Why limit oneself? A great story is a great story.
I'm a richer person for having read Patricia McCormick's Sold. It gave me context for watching the documentary, Half the Sky, about abuse and oppression of females turned on its head by hope-filled, can-do people. Jerry Spinelli's Wringer, allowed me to see inside the cruelty of the annual Higgin's Pigeon Shoot, which used to take place near my home. And Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls allowed me to have a cathartic cry about my mom's death from cancer.
Children's literature contains a wealth of timeless/ageless themes -- surviving loss, cultivating individuality, creating compassion, responding to injustice, etc. It would be a great loss to dismiss the entire canon of children's literature because one "should outgrow it."
Has a children's book made an impact on your adult life? Is it okay to read children's books at any age? I'd love to know what you think.
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
November 16, 2012
May 8, 2012
CALLING ALL WRITERS . . .
I'm delighted with today's guest!
Victoria Hanley is the author of several books, one of which caught my attention and hasn't let go -- Seize the Story -- A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write.
This is one of the best book for young writers I've ever read. Some of the tantalizing chapters are: "Freeing Your Imagination," "The Heart of a Writer" and "Plotting and Scheming." The book also includes informative, inspiring interviews with authors of young adult fiction, such as David Lubar, Nancy Garden, Joan Bauer, etc.
Isn't the cover fabulous?
After reading this book, I knew I had to invite Victoria Hanley to visit the blog.
She generously agreed.
The new edition of her book, Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market, was released May 1, 2012.
Victoria is sharing a sample chapter, along with interviews with MT Anderson, Chris Crutcher, Lauren Myracle, and Amy Kathleen Ryan. Wild About Words blog readers can enjoy this fascinating pdf file by clicking here.
In addition, Victoria also shares ten tips for writers:
Top Ten Tips for Young Adult Novelists
By Victoria Hanley
1. Write what calls to you. Open up to what’s most original about you. In the YA genre, a fresh voice is high on the list of what agents and editors are seeking.
2. Add passion. The teen years are a time of exploration and honesty, of new independence, rebellion, and heartache. Tap your own inner teen to help you create authentic characters who have real feelings.
3. Bring on the conflict. Without tension, your book will be like a balloon with no air. Put pressure on your characters—and don’t let the adults resolve things.
4. Get into growth. In YA, whether you’re writing realistic contemporary or dystopian fiction, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or some other subgenre, make coming-of-age a part of your plot.
5. Pick a powerful point of view. First person? Third person? Second? Get close to your characters to discover which point of view will showcase your story best.
6. Get through that sucky first draft. Allow your first draft to be messy and jumbled. You can always tighten and polish later. Just write it out!
7. Read. Seriously, read, read, read everything you can in the YA genre.
8. Polish your pages. YA is highly competitive. For your final draft, don’t settle for “good enough.” Aim for outstanding!
9. Study up. Pay attention to industry standards, including submission guidelines and correct manuscript format. Learn how to write a synopsis and a query letter.
10. Get 'er done. Write at least an hour a day. Join a critique group. Take a class. Don’t be surprised if you hit the wall at some point, because writing YA can get emotional. But keep going, find the doorway, and finish your book!
Thank you, Victoria Hanley, for sharing your wisdom and the sample chapter and interviews from your new release! We wish you continued success with your excellent books!
Victoria Hanley is the author of several books, one of which caught my attention and hasn't let go -- Seize the Story -- A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write.
This is one of the best book for young writers I've ever read. Some of the tantalizing chapters are: "Freeing Your Imagination," "The Heart of a Writer" and "Plotting and Scheming." The book also includes informative, inspiring interviews with authors of young adult fiction, such as David Lubar, Nancy Garden, Joan Bauer, etc.
Isn't the cover fabulous?
After reading this book, I knew I had to invite Victoria Hanley to visit the blog.
She generously agreed.
 |
| The very talented Victoria Hanley |
The new edition of her book, Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market, was released May 1, 2012.
Victoria is sharing a sample chapter, along with interviews with MT Anderson, Chris Crutcher, Lauren Myracle, and Amy Kathleen Ryan. Wild About Words blog readers can enjoy this fascinating pdf file by clicking here.
In addition, Victoria also shares ten tips for writers:
By Victoria Hanley
1. Write what calls to you. Open up to what’s most original about you. In the YA genre, a fresh voice is high on the list of what agents and editors are seeking.
2. Add passion. The teen years are a time of exploration and honesty, of new independence, rebellion, and heartache. Tap your own inner teen to help you create authentic characters who have real feelings.
3. Bring on the conflict. Without tension, your book will be like a balloon with no air. Put pressure on your characters—and don’t let the adults resolve things.
4. Get into growth. In YA, whether you’re writing realistic contemporary or dystopian fiction, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or some other subgenre, make coming-of-age a part of your plot.
5. Pick a powerful point of view. First person? Third person? Second? Get close to your characters to discover which point of view will showcase your story best.
6. Get through that sucky first draft. Allow your first draft to be messy and jumbled. You can always tighten and polish later. Just write it out!
7. Read. Seriously, read, read, read everything you can in the YA genre.
8. Polish your pages. YA is highly competitive. For your final draft, don’t settle for “good enough.” Aim for outstanding!
9. Study up. Pay attention to industry standards, including submission guidelines and correct manuscript format. Learn how to write a synopsis and a query letter.
10. Get 'er done. Write at least an hour a day. Join a critique group. Take a class. Don’t be surprised if you hit the wall at some point, because writing YA can get emotional. But keep going, find the doorway, and finish your book!
Thank you, Victoria Hanley, for sharing your wisdom and the sample chapter and interviews from your new release! We wish you continued success with your excellent books!
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