Comments on: the artifice of YA: a crisis of faith http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/the-artifice-of-ya-a-crisis-of-faith/ busy, busy, busy says the tyroscribe Wed, 14 May 2008 02:39:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: April Lurie http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/the-artifice-of-ya-a-crisis-of-faith/#comment-186 April Lurie Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:27:43 +0000 http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/?p=104#comment-186 Hmm, the story you described sounds familiar. Maybe that's because I wrote it. Sorry you felt it was full of cliches. Sounds like you were bothered mostly because your soon-to-be-finished YA novel has similar elements. Well, the truth is, there's nothing new under the sun. But I guess that's another cliche. Best of luck with your project. Hmm, the story you described sounds familiar. Maybe that’s because I wrote it. Sorry you felt it was full of cliches. Sounds like you were bothered mostly because your soon-to-be-finished YA novel has similar elements. Well, the truth is, there’s nothing new under the sun. But I guess that’s another cliche. Best of luck with your project.

]]> By: Beth Fehlbaum http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/the-artifice-of-ya-a-crisis-of-faith/#comment-176 Beth Fehlbaum Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:01:05 +0000 http://fomagrams.wordpress.com/?p=104#comment-176 Interesting post. I don't know if we should be so concerned with conforming to a "genre" per say as we should be concerned with writing stories that speak to the hearts of people. Of course, I write gritty, realistic fiction-- my novel is about a teenage girl's initial steps into recovery from being sexually abused by her stepfather for several years, and her mother turns her back on the girl-- and I know that that's not going to be for everyone's taste. Teens want to be understood. But we ALL want to be understood, right? I think maybe the "gimmick"-y issue is at its worst when the decision-makers at publishing companies are so driven by what's "hot" that what's at the heart of storytelling-- characters, in my opinion-- falls away. I feared, when I was seeking publication, that because my story was not about (I'm taking a deep breath here..ready?)-- vampires-fairies-elves-sprites-supernatural-mystical-beings OR Gossip Girls-type characters that I would not have a snowball's chance of having my book accepted for publication. But it's being published and the response to news of its being published is very positive and excited so I have to think I did something right that will have an audience. You asked if YA is a legitimate audience. YES it is, of course it is. But maybe it's more important to focus on your storytelling and not worry quite so much about the age of your readers. I, like many adults, love Chris Crutcher books and Sarah Dessen books and Joyce McDonald and...and.. and.. get my point? Tell your story and make your characters real. That's what matters most. Beth Fehlbaum, author Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com Interesting post.
I don’t know if we should be so concerned with conforming to a “genre” per say as we should be concerned with writing stories that speak to the hearts of people. Of course, I write gritty, realistic fiction– my novel is about a teenage girl’s initial steps into recovery from being sexually abused by her stepfather for several years, and her mother turns her back on the girl– and I know that that’s not going to be for everyone’s taste.
Teens want to be understood. But we ALL want to be understood, right? I think maybe the “gimmick”-y issue is at its worst when the decision-makers at publishing companies are so driven by what’s “hot” that what’s at the heart of storytelling– characters, in my opinion– falls away.
I feared, when I was seeking publication, that because my story was not about (I’m taking a deep breath here..ready?)–
vampires-fairies-elves-sprites-supernatural-mystical-beings OR
Gossip Girls-type characters that I would not have a snowball’s chance of having my book accepted for publication.
But it’s being published and the response to news of its being published is very positive and excited so I have to think I did something right that will have an audience.
You asked if YA is a legitimate audience. YES it is, of course it is. But maybe it’s more important to focus on your storytelling and not worry quite so much about the age of your readers. I, like many adults, love Chris Crutcher books and Sarah Dessen books and Joyce McDonald and…and.. and.. get my point?
Tell your story and make your characters real. That’s what matters most.
Beth Fehlbaum, author

Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com

]]>