From the welcome thread, it seems like we have lots of YA writers. I thought I'd create a new thread to discuss writing YA in Louisville. Do you guys have local crit groups? Are you members of SCBWI (uh-oh, I think I need to renew my membership). Are you students, teachers, avid readers of YA? What makes you want to write it?
I actually started writing YA when I was teaching middle school (I teach high school now). I get to teach YA lit and creative writing electives as well as using YA books (Hunger Games and Speak this year) in my English II classes.
I like writing YA because I love the immediacy, and I feel it has a lot of leeway for commercial/literary crossover. AND present tense first person is very common in YA, and that's all I can write, pretty much. My only published book is realistic contemporary, but I'm also trying some different stuff.
How about you guys?
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www.bethanygriffin.com
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Nov 3, 2009 - 16 55
Hey Bethany!
I love writing YA, and consider myself an avid reader (I probably own more than a semi-normal 26 year old should). I studied creative writing in my undergrad, but unfortunately my program was looking for the next great contemporary fiction writer, and had zero-tolerance for me and my YA ideas. Like that could stop me.
I've been filling notebooks for years, but only recently started writing. I, too, love the immediacy. The characters you find in YA are so relateable, and even if they have so supernatural power or gift, there is still a shred of them that one can identify with. I think YA is an under recognized genre. There are some who give no merit to the works of the genre (hello, undergrad program!), but I feel like children, middle grade, and YA all carry themes and conflicts that are timeless.
I also write in first present. Four of my six WIPs are in first present, but you can't beat the addictive feel of that narrative type!
I am THRILLED to read that you are using Hunger Games and Speak in your classroom. Both of those books are amazing, and all I hear from teens is how much they love and connect with the characters. The whole Hunger Games series, I think, will open up an avenue of political discussion along the lines of Animal Farm and 1984. I'm not saying they are the same, but I feel like the students will rip through Hunger Games faster, and the story line might animate more conversation given the age of the characters.
Lastly, congrats on your publication! I went to your website and read your query hook--outstanding! I will have to pick up the title the next time I'm at the store-- the premise sounds great! When you say you're trying some different stuff, what are you thinking about?
Excited for this thread! Hope more YA NaNoers jump aboard!
- Corey
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Nov 3, 2009 - 17 01
The site was slow, and I might have hit the post too many times because it posted my OP three times. SO, this is me editing the comment because I can't figure out how to delete it.
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Nov 3, 2009 - 17 02
Yup.
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Nov 18, 2009 - 02 35
Hi Corey, thanks for responding.
Yay for YA!
SCBWI held a sold-out event in Louisville last weekend, so I'm hoping we're going to see lots of YA writers. I know that several have contacted me since my book came out.
I know there are more of you YA writers out there!
----------www.bethanygriffin.com