In an email talking with a new fellow wrimo friend, she mentioned that there's a YA draw for novels that might fit mine (judging from the synopsis.)
Rendered paralyzed from the accident , Valerie learns to live her life all over again. She learns that no matter how careful you are, life can take an unexpected turn for the worse.
Left to deal with her demons and desires she never knew she had, Valerie sits at the crossroads of her life. Will she succumb to the dark comfort that depression and solitude hold for her? Or will she pull through and learn to find joy in unexpected places?
The first thing I thought was no way. This is too dark and too complex for YA (which usually are pretty light novels that skirt the real issues of depression, suicide, sex and the like.) then I did a google search out of curiosity and came up with something called "Edgy YA" which apparently nothing is off limits when it comes to issues it deals with.
A brief description of edgy YA: Edgy YA from somewhere on Google (lost site link)
When formerly taboo subjects are handled with an intense perspective, it is considered Edgy YA. There are no forbidden subjects here, but they are written with sensitivity and care, not gratuitously. These books are aimed at older teens. Instead of a friend or acquaintance having issues, the main character is the one being abused, cutting, considering suicide, etc., or it’s a family member or best friend of the main character. The viewpoint is very close, the bond and introspection and questioning are strong. Overall, teens can identify keenly with the character’s feelings, if not the situation.
Now I wonder if it's more this genre or litfic (and yes, I know this really isn't all that important right now, and even after it's done it's usually not the author that picks the final genre.)
With that having been said, what do you know about Edgy YA and does a novel about a teen injured by a drunk driver and rendered paralyzed sound like an edgy YA plot? (We follow her post accident into other touchy subjects like: death, suicide, depression, sex, teen sex - not described, but discussed - and more.) There's no cussing and there's a strong theme of religion through the MC's life (so it's not all dark and bad)
While this all seems possibly YA, here's the catch. The plot arc reaches into the MC's adult life. She starts the novel as an 18 year old ready to graduate with a college all lined up and ready to go. However, she will be a 20-something once the plot and novel rounds out. Is this still YA if she winds up a 20-something at the end or is it then Litfic or mainstream?
Any and all help is appreciated, and good luck to you all!
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'06: Flowers Of Blood (police procedural): Winner
'07: Fade & Remain (18th Century Historical): Winner
'08 The Art Of Dying (Mystery/Suspense): Winner
5,887 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 20 36
Honestly, I think it depends on the actual writing itself.
----------It could be YA, for teenagers in the 16-17 age bracket, but it might also be adult, depending on the style in which it is written, and the level of depth and detail you go into.
Although to answer your question simply: yeah, it's possible it could qualify as YA for older readers.
check it out at
http://bibliothecadiscordia.wordpress.com/
59,173 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 11 15
So far the writing is pretty clean (no cursing and no sex) but it will be very dark and deep emotionally, and that alone might knock me out of the YA bracket.
I suppose I'll know better once the novel is complete.
----------'06: Flowers Of Blood (police procedural): Winner
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'07: Fade & Remain (18th Century Historical): Winner
'08 The Art Of Dying (Mystery/Suspense): Winner
44,178 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 13 30
Do a search on "Sarah Dessen" - a successful YA writer who deals with serious issues. I expect your story, unless you're *trying* for edgy, will be fine -- particularly if the emotions your MC is dealing with are "common" ones for teens (even if her specific circumstance is not).
----------Fingers tap brightly,
Plum blossoms' drift on the keys,
And sewage pours forth.
*
Job: "O Lord, why hast Thou visited so much suffering upon me?"
God: "I got behind on My word count."
*
42,785 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 14 58
Bad things happen to teenagers too. If your character is a teenager, I don't see anything "edgy" about that. From your description, it doesn't sound like you usually read YA novels? Pick up one of Madeleine L'Engel's novels in the "Austin" series, especially, "The Young Unicorns" which deals with a teen deliberately blinded because she sees too much, and a whole family, children, teens, and parents who are in danger for their lives, all in real-time, real-life New York City.
----------59,173 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 19 33
Thank you LP I'll check out Sarah Dessen on my next library trip.
----------'06: Flowers Of Blood (police procedural): Winner
![]()
'07: Fade & Remain (18th Century Historical): Winner
'08 The Art Of Dying (Mystery/Suspense): Winner
59,173 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 19 34
Thank you for the suggestion. I'm now 32 and it's been at least 15 years since I last read a YA novel. Back then they were pure fun, rarely tackled issues like this one will, never swore nor had sex in or even referred to in them. So I guess things have certainly changed since I was a teen.
I'll add The Young Unicorns to my list for the next library stop. Thanks again!
----------'06: Flowers Of Blood (police procedural): Winner
![]()
'07: Fade & Remain (18th Century Historical): Winner
'08 The Art Of Dying (Mystery/Suspense): Winner
16,512 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 20 19
I myself am writing a book that delves deep into depression, cutting, and suicidal thoughts, but I still consider it YA because the MC is in high school and I think it will appeal more to teenagers than to adults. From your description, it sounds as if your story would fit right in with the type of YA books that are being published in this day and age. Teens these days have been exposed to serious issues already through television and school, and not much in a YA book would phase them (I know, I'm a young 18 year old). Good luck! It sounds like you have the beginnings of a fantastic story! :)
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