  Drama
This week: The Problem With The Young Adult Genre Edited by: zwisis
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Never before has the Young Adult genre been more popular. Writers and editors, publishers and producers are all hunting for the “Next Big Book/Blockbuster”, and much of the rise in this genre’s popularity is due to Hollywood. Some of the most popular films in recent years have been the result of books targeted at the Young Adult market – from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games, Twilight to Percy Jackson... these books have all translated into blockbuster films. |
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It a recipe that works for everyone – an author writes a book which is taken up by a publisher. People read the book, enjoy it and it tops the best seller lists. A film studio buys the rights, produces a blockbuster film and more people read the book. The writer, the publisher and film studio rake in the cash, and the fans are entertained.
This leads to publishers and studio heads sifting though thousands of books featuring similar characters and plots, desperately seeking a gem of fiction they can develop into the “Next Big Book/Blockbuster”, giving hope to thousands of writers hoping their submitted work might be chosen. And that's a good thing for any writer.
But there’s a downside. While this scenario pleases everyone it is also cause for concern. For those of us who want to write and enjoy good stories this "fairytale" is leading to some bad habits and unethical practices. And ultimately it's writers who are at risk.
Financially, turning a popular book into this summer’s blockbuster is a good idea, but not necessarily for writers. Success can inspire imitation, which in turn can stifle imagination. Since the publication of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” back in 1997, the young adult genre has become pre-occupied with stories about magic and superstition. The confusion and feelings of loneliness and "being different" so common to many teenagers can be perfectly symbolised by the supernatural world, and that’s not a bad inspiration for any writer. Unfortunately the publishing world has been trying to capitalise on the popularity of this genre, which continued with the first “Twilight” book published in 2003.
Stefanie Meyer’s books were so popular they resulted in a huge number of books featuring teenagers and vampires – a glance at Goodreads.com lists over 360 “best” teen vampire fiction books on its website. Some of these books are indeed popular,and well written, but not one has achieved the book to film deal and cash successes of Harry Potter or Twilight.
But success is not the issue here – the hopes some writers and publishers harbour to emulate the success of a few good books has led to far more original ideas being overlooked or even discarded. This has led to the Young Adult genre being represented by a group of strong, angst-ridden teens with supernatural powers. This is so wrong – the genre should be as diverse and multi-faceted as its readers.
An example of the growing trend of viewing the financial rather than literary resources of Young Adult Fiction can be seen with the release of Pittacus Lore’s “I Am Number Four”. The film rights were purchased in 2009, with the book being released in 2010, followed by the film’s release in 2011. The book was specifically created to be turned into a motion picture. Some reports claim the film was completed before the book was published. The Wall Street Journal claims the scriptwriters worked with the book’s writers to change the original plot to ensure it worked better for the screen version! As a writer I find this offensive and demeaning - it's almost as though my imagination doesn't matter if it's not going to work on the big screen.
Bottom line: the Young Adult genre needs to reconsider its attitude before it implodes. Treating this genre as a platform for movie deals and merchandising is wrong. There is the very real threat that the exciting pool of great writers and their stories will disappear. The Young Adult genre needs to consider its young readers and stop producing recycled, faded stories. There are plenty of excellent writers of Young Adult Literature who deserve to be noticed, and have their work read. Just because their stories don't focus on the supernatural doesn't mean their work isn't worth reading.
After all, today's young readers are the next generation of writers. They deserve and need good and diverse stories. Let's give them some!
No man was ever great by imitation.
Samuel Johnson
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I have included some Young Adult stories featuring fantasy and the supernatural, because I personally enjoy reading this kind of fiction, and I hope we continue to read them in the future. I have also tried to choose some stories that focus on everyday life and common issues faced by all teens.
I'd have to say that my geekiest moment ever came in my senior year of college. I was hippie-minded and so attended a Gulf War protest.
|  | Lost Identity (E)
This is about a girl and a boy who think they are very much alone. But are they really?
#919519 by Meggy   |
They didn’t know each other, yet they both felt like that they had been best friends for their whole lives. They were connected.
"No, Sweetheart. That's not true. Did you know that when I was growing up in Alabama my best friend Sandra was black? Who told you that foolishness about black rubbing off anyway?
| | | A Cold Night (E)
On a cold night, on a lonely roof top, a young man contemplates the words of an odd man.
#1683612 by 陰 |
There was noise below, but none could be heard from the rooftop. Not that the young man would have noticed, as lost in thought as he was.
"You'll see. Not a very patient young man, are you, Son?" Professor Benton said this with a wry little wink toward Jake, who didn't miss the gesture
| |  | Invalid Item
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#1680708 by Not Available. |
Somehow, I managed to fall asleep that night, even with the fairies whispering about me. When I woke up the next morning, they were still there, filing their nails and dancing on my desk.
In less than a week Jenna would board a plane to fly back north and start the new school year living with her dad, that is, if bouncing around from babysitter to babysitter can be called living.
| | | Invalid Item
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#688864 by Not Available. |
I know I could have stopped him.. And I also know that I should have. But what if I had? Would he have dumped me and went on to someone else?
| | | Invalid Item
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#1193516 by Not Available. |
She would slowly turn to stone, and her color fade, and, eventually, those perceptive eyes would see less and less, and her mind would cease to work in quick blinding brilliance, becoming dulled until the spark of life in what use to be a girl dwindled into nothingness and she existed no more.
A chill ran down her spine like the touch of the snow water that ran down from Mount Hebris. She felt her fate unfolding before her. |
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Quick-Quill 
I cut and pasted this in a page to keep on hand. I'm not sure where my story falls. I'm guessing the MC will have to decide the fate of the painting and keep it safe. She will have to make some choices she would not have had to before thus causing a change in herself and the painting. I'd like to Up the Stakes, not sure how but something to think about. I wish I had a partner to bounce ideas off. TIME at first I didn't think of a time limit, What if she found something in the diary that says the Painting stays for 30 days and 5 days has past before she found the diary? What if only she knows the time limit? Would it make a difference? to much to think about. Thank You again for the salad bar of discovery to think about.
Thank you for your kind comments. How many times have you found your story changing direction while you're writing it? It's such an exciting process, because you may have your storyline ready and have done a lot of planning a preparation before hand, but somehow a different road always appears! I hope that newsletter helps your story writing flow!
dwarf2012
Good points. A story is boring unless there are problems to over come.
True, and if we had no problems to face in life we would all be very dull, wouldn't we? 
Elle - on hiatus 
Thank you! This newsletter focused on my biggest weakness in my novel. My characters don't have enough challenges/needs/problems to solve/overcome. This was a really helpful newsletter, and I'll keep it to refer to again. Thank you!
I am glad you found it helpful. Good luck planning your challenges!
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Drama: November 06, 2013 Issue [#5981]
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