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This week: Young Adult Fiction - A New Direction? Edited by: zwisis
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| After researching my last Drama newsletter I decided to continue the theme of Young Adult Fiction. It’s all very well to bemoan the state of this genre, but there’s really no point in complaining about something without trying to put things right. So a bit more research made me feel a lot better about Young Adult Fiction, hence the theme for this week’s newsletter. |
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Over the last ten years the number of books published in the Young Adult genre grew by over 120 percent between 2002 and 2012, proving the increasing interest by readers in this market. Although Young Adult books are for and about teenagers more than half the market purchasing and reading these books are adults. While some authors deliberately write a story specifically for young readers other authors only realise their books fit the Young Adult genres once they’ve finished writing.
Many top writers claim there’s no secret to writing for teenagers. And they’re right - a strong story, good writing and believable characters are the mainstay of any good book. The most important point to remember is to THINK LIKE A TEENAGER. Young Adult fiction tells the story from a teenager’s point of view. Every single one of us has been a teenager, and we can remember how we thought, felt and behaved during those adolescent years. And a teenager views the world differently to an adult.
Every one of us still has a bit of the teenager in us, and accessing the teenage YOU is a great tool for writing Young Adult Fiction. This can be challenging, especially when your character is trying to make important decisions. Lack of experience means a teenager’s actions might not necessarily provide the best solutions, so writers in this genre need to ensure the character makes a decision any teenager believes is the right one, and deals with the resultant mistakes and fallout. Remember, even as adults we also make mistakes and have to deal with the consequences.
What’s important is to keep the adult perspective out of the books. One of the most common ways this happens is through the use of dialogue. Much of dialogue conveys a character’s feeling to the reader, so if the dialogue sounds too adult it will probably stop your audience from finishing the book. Age and experience means adults usually rationalise each situation, weigh out the pros and cons before making their decision. Young adults tend to be a bit more concerned with their own feelings and how their actions will make them appear to those close to them – they don’t always see the bigger picture, and that’s what makes Young Adult Fiction so interesting and exciting.
Perhaps this is the reason J.D Salinger’s classic “Catcher in the Rye” has been described as the “seminal” Young Adult fiction novel. The lead character Holden Caulfield tells the story using his cynical, know-it-all point of view, describing events and people the way they appear to him. While his opinion could be described as “selfish” it not only emphasizes his character and personality, it also demonstrates what can be described as the arrogance and naivety of youth. The lack of narrative distance in the book means the reader experiences the story through Caulfield’s perspective rather than as an onlooker.
Young Adult Fiction is often written in the present tense first-person point of view. The present tense is faster and more urgent than the past tense, and many teenagers live for the present. The present tense gives a more urgent sense to a story. Remember – not all Young Adult Fiction is written in the present tense, but it can be a useful feature. Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” trilogy makes excellent use of the present tense because of the excitement and uncertainty of the dystopian world in which the books are set. The first person narrative can be a faster and more direct way of writing than the third person point of view. Think of teen diaries and journals which are often more personal, intimate and self-involved than adult writing.
Marcus Zusak’s “The Book Thief” is the story of a young German girl called Liesel, living in a suburb in Munich during the Second World War. The story is unique – Liesel’s story is narrated by Death, who speaks frankly about living in the middle of a terrible war. While the horrors of the war are described they never overpower the characters. Death does not dictate the story; Death merely describes the human tragedy unfolding around him. Contrary to “Catcher in the Rye” the narrative distance in “The Book Thief” draws the reader into the story, making us feel Liesel’s emotions as she deals with a life few of us could ever imagine.
This brings me to a final important point we should all consider if we want to write Young Adult Fiction. Remember when you were a teenager? There are a lot of issues we all dealt with that we may tend to shy away from given today’s universal “politically correct” attitude. Think about your teenage years: those first days at high school, your first crush, the school bullies, trying to fit in, parents not understanding, the kids who smoked or drank at school, your first kiss... and then there’s the culture of drinking, drugs and those changing hormones. Not every single teenager gets involved in these things, but you have to admit they are a reality of life, and have been for many years. Today’s young adults are often confronted with some very adult, grown up issues.
Jodi Picoult has become one of the world’s top Young Adult Fiction writers, writing stories about the challenges faced by young people growing up today. “Plain Truth” tells the story of an unwanted teen pregnancy, a dead baby and the lengths to which the 18 year old girl’s family will go to protect her reputations, as well as that of the family. “The Pact” deals with the effects a supposed suicide pact between a teenage couple has on their families, and offers a brutal yet brilliant insight into the teenage psyche.
Remember: Young Adult Fiction must never be about selling books to teenagers. It’s about writing books that speak to teenagers.
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All of her friends came and brought presents, and cards. Kids from school sent a huge banner with a bunch of signatures and well-wishes. People from church came and filled the room with flowers and more cards.
The tips of the two blades pointed at the bright sun, as the swords criss-crossed in a momentary pause. In one swift movement, Lord Petrus spun inward toward his son, firmly grasped the small wrist with his free hand, and removed the boy’s sword with the other.
Gina and I thought it was a good idea to start our own detective agency. We want to save up money so that we could buy a big playhouse from Toys R Us. That would be our office. In the meantime, we sell lemonade and things like flowers and rocks.
If it weren't for the wind and the birds and that homeless little boy who sleeps with his back to my trunk, I'd die of depression with everything I have been through and everything I fear will happen.
Trudy was about to tell them that her mom was Jewish and didn't believe in Jesus either, but instead she held her tongue. If Marjorie knew that she would have her blacklisted for the rest of the year.
Charlie Foxwood liked to tease the girls, especially Helen Cooper. He would pull her braids every day and when she turned around to yell at him he would lean forward and kiss her on the lips.
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The warning bell rang, and the tempo quickened, an increasing crescendo in noise and rapacity of movement that climaxed as the final bell rang. Diminishing numbers of students went past her, most managing to dart aside at the last moment.
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dwarf2012
Thank you for an excellent newsletter!
Quick-Quill 
You have spoken the words of my heart. This is the second year I volunteered at the Portland Wordstock Festival and the second year a set of about 6-8 6' tables made a U shape stacked with supernatural YA books. Last year I picked two for my nephew and nieces. This year I was almost disgusted at the number of bloody teeth, nail scratched book covers I saw. there was a line up to get the books signed. I picked up a couple and thumbed through but put them down. They were all the same. Even among different writers they were the same plot style. I am sad this has become such a pulp fiction. Quantity no Quality. 
"Quantity no Quality" - so true! I do believe there's a place for good, original Fantasy writing in the YA genre, and you are so right - so much of this kind of writing is "pulp fiction."
Joy 
"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."
So true, Sarah. And worse yet, some impressionable young adults may believe in the hype.
You put your finger on what should be an important concern for the publishers and the movie industry.
Thanks! 
Thank you, Joy .
blue jellybaby 
Thank you for a great newsletter. It's funny because I couldn't pin point my sudden love for young adult supernatural type stories, but you're right, there are so many of them out there now it's hard not to pick one up. And as much as I love them I do agree they're becoming quite cliché and in need of some sprucing up! Thanks for a great piece
Can't wait for the next, original YA supernatural/fantasy novel. Wonder how long it'll be before it comes out?
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Drama: December 04, 2013 Issue [#6028]
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