Another link worthy of sharing!
Check out yesterday's LA Times article on the adult appeal of today's YA.
We're taking over the world!
* I discovered this via my lovely Publishers Marketplace daily email. Signing up is free!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The LA Times takes note: Adults who love YA lit
We're taking over the world!
* I discovered this via my lovely Publishers Marketplace daily email. Signing up is free!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
In Defense of Hush, Hush
I recently came across a pretty negative review of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick that hinted at some serious allegations toward the story.
Some of the dangerous and sexual undertones of the book were discussed and a deep concern was expressed over the effect this could have on teenage girls. Is the book teaching them that a healthy relationship means that you get involved with someone who acts like a huge jerk? Treats you like crap? Threatens you with violence? Does it help girls to read a book that glorifies the idea of the alpha male who objectifies and endangers the MC?
I have no intention of butting heads here, or calling out the reviewer or even disagreeing with some of their points. Many of the points are valid. Patch is not a perfect gentleman. But he's not supposed to be. Becca set out to write the ultimate bad boy love story, and she did. She spent 5 years perfecting her craft and writing and revising and achieved her dream of becoming not just a published writer, but a New York Times Best seller and that is AWESOME. And none of that achievement should be dimmed by people who suddenly fear her book.
We've said it before here and I'll say it again. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions and the freedom to express them in whatever manner they choose. If the reviewer somehow finds her way here and reads this post, then you should know I am totally supportive of you writing what you felt and feeling the way you did. Just as much as I support Becca's writing of Hush, Hush. I also know you recognized that this is a fantasy not real life. The review was not the problem.
BUT...here is where I became concerned and uncomfortable. This review has been reposted and has led to comments along the lines of:
"I was going to read this, but now I won't."
"I no longer want to read this story."
"I'm spreading the word that this is a bad book...pulling it from my library...telling students not to read it...etc"
"What is wrong with the author? Why does she want to promote such negativity?"
These kinds of comments make me so uncomfortable, I can't even tell you. Because this is the start of censorship and it's reminiscent (though granted on a MUCH MUCH smaller scale) of the witch hunts and attacks on Harry Potter. I hate censorship. I hate the idea of banning books. I hate the idea of believing we have any right to decide what a teen can and can't read, what they are ready for, what truths to tell them and what truths to hide. I hate the idea that people can see a book as dangerous and attack it. A teen girl is no less likely to seek out an abusive relationship after reading Hush, Hush or even Twilight, than a middle schooler is about to become a member of the occult after reading Harry Potter.
Teens are dealing with more crap than ever these days. They know and understand harsh realities that even those of us who were teenagers half a decade ago didn't have to go through. The world is rapidly changing, and teens are rapidly adjusting. They're smart. They're savvy. And they are tough cookies. And if they want to read a book--any book--that is fantastic. Because reading rocks.
Now back to Hush, Hush, if you're the sort of person who just doesn't like romance, or bad boys or angels or fantasy....then sure, Hush, Hush might not be the book for you. But you shouldn't refrain from reading it or sharing it with others because you think it's damaging, or it sends out a bad message--especially if you haven't even read the book, which is the impression I had from the majority of people commenting. That's what truly concerns me. How can you have an opinion on something you haven't read?
Most teens know the difference between a normal relationship and an extremely unhealthy one, which yes- it does often gets glorified and depicted in paranormal romance. And if there are teens or adults reading a book along those lines, believing it's sexy to threaten violence, believing its healthy for a person to want to kill themselves over you, dreaming of a guy who stalks you...I have a hard time believing that those thoughts and desires stemmed from the reading of a book. Unhealthy ideas about relationships stem from a deeper source than that and are often the fault of other factors, not a story.
Please don't jump on a bandwagon of book bashing or hide a book. Discuss it with the teens you know if you're concerned. Instead of telling the school board to ban it, I'd LOVE to see a teacher make Hush, Hush welcome in class, or start a book club and open up discussions with their students about the themes and events inside.
No YA book deserves to be bashed, banned, or boycotted. Writers put their hearts and souls into their work and try their best to create the vision of the art they feel inside of them.
I have corresponded with Becca several times and I can tell you with confidence, she's a lovely person and had only the best of intentions at heart when writing Hush, Hush. Sure she likes the bad boy and can write some mean and sexy lines for fallen angel Patch...but I'm pretty sure she also knows the difference between someone like Patch on the page and someone like Patch in real life.
I love Hush, Hush. I think it's awesome. It's a fast paced thrilling whirlwind of a book and I cannot wait for Crescendo to release. Patch is sexy. He's fun. He makes for a pretty kick butt book and a fun way to spend the night reading.
But would I want Patch as a boyfriend? Um, no thanks.
Would I make out with Patch? Now we're talking ;)
Books are meant to be read and discussed, not banned and feared. If you come across a book in the future that concerns you, don't jump the gun, but use it to open the lines of communication and discussion--it's one of the best things you can do. And if you read a review that brings up concerns about a particular book, I challenge you to read it yourself and see in which ways it makes you question life.
Some of the dangerous and sexual undertones of the book were discussed and a deep concern was expressed over the effect this could have on teenage girls. Is the book teaching them that a healthy relationship means that you get involved with someone who acts like a huge jerk? Treats you like crap? Threatens you with violence? Does it help girls to read a book that glorifies the idea of the alpha male who objectifies and endangers the MC?
I have no intention of butting heads here, or calling out the reviewer or even disagreeing with some of their points. Many of the points are valid. Patch is not a perfect gentleman. But he's not supposed to be. Becca set out to write the ultimate bad boy love story, and she did. She spent 5 years perfecting her craft and writing and revising and achieved her dream of becoming not just a published writer, but a New York Times Best seller and that is AWESOME. And none of that achievement should be dimmed by people who suddenly fear her book.
We've said it before here and I'll say it again. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions and the freedom to express them in whatever manner they choose. If the reviewer somehow finds her way here and reads this post, then you should know I am totally supportive of you writing what you felt and feeling the way you did. Just as much as I support Becca's writing of Hush, Hush. I also know you recognized that this is a fantasy not real life. The review was not the problem.
BUT...here is where I became concerned and uncomfortable. This review has been reposted and has led to comments along the lines of:
"I was going to read this, but now I won't."
"I no longer want to read this story."
"I'm spreading the word that this is a bad book...pulling it from my library...telling students not to read it...etc"
"What is wrong with the author? Why does she want to promote such negativity?"
These kinds of comments make me so uncomfortable, I can't even tell you. Because this is the start of censorship and it's reminiscent (though granted on a MUCH MUCH smaller scale) of the witch hunts and attacks on Harry Potter. I hate censorship. I hate the idea of banning books. I hate the idea of believing we have any right to decide what a teen can and can't read, what they are ready for, what truths to tell them and what truths to hide. I hate the idea that people can see a book as dangerous and attack it. A teen girl is no less likely to seek out an abusive relationship after reading Hush, Hush or even Twilight, than a middle schooler is about to become a member of the occult after reading Harry Potter.
Teens are dealing with more crap than ever these days. They know and understand harsh realities that even those of us who were teenagers half a decade ago didn't have to go through. The world is rapidly changing, and teens are rapidly adjusting. They're smart. They're savvy. And they are tough cookies. And if they want to read a book--any book--that is fantastic. Because reading rocks.
Now back to Hush, Hush, if you're the sort of person who just doesn't like romance, or bad boys or angels or fantasy....then sure, Hush, Hush might not be the book for you. But you shouldn't refrain from reading it or sharing it with others because you think it's damaging, or it sends out a bad message--especially if you haven't even read the book, which is the impression I had from the majority of people commenting. That's what truly concerns me. How can you have an opinion on something you haven't read?
Most teens know the difference between a normal relationship and an extremely unhealthy one, which yes- it does often gets glorified and depicted in paranormal romance. And if there are teens or adults reading a book along those lines, believing it's sexy to threaten violence, believing its healthy for a person to want to kill themselves over you, dreaming of a guy who stalks you...I have a hard time believing that those thoughts and desires stemmed from the reading of a book. Unhealthy ideas about relationships stem from a deeper source than that and are often the fault of other factors, not a story.
Please don't jump on a bandwagon of book bashing or hide a book. Discuss it with the teens you know if you're concerned. Instead of telling the school board to ban it, I'd LOVE to see a teacher make Hush, Hush welcome in class, or start a book club and open up discussions with their students about the themes and events inside.
No YA book deserves to be bashed, banned, or boycotted. Writers put their hearts and souls into their work and try their best to create the vision of the art they feel inside of them.
I have corresponded with Becca several times and I can tell you with confidence, she's a lovely person and had only the best of intentions at heart when writing Hush, Hush. Sure she likes the bad boy and can write some mean and sexy lines for fallen angel Patch...but I'm pretty sure she also knows the difference between someone like Patch on the page and someone like Patch in real life.
I love Hush, Hush. I think it's awesome. It's a fast paced thrilling whirlwind of a book and I cannot wait for Crescendo to release. Patch is sexy. He's fun. He makes for a pretty kick butt book and a fun way to spend the night reading.
But would I want Patch as a boyfriend? Um, no thanks.
Would I make out with Patch? Now we're talking ;)
Books are meant to be read and discussed, not banned and feared. If you come across a book in the future that concerns you, don't jump the gun, but use it to open the lines of communication and discussion--it's one of the best things you can do. And if you read a review that brings up concerns about a particular book, I challenge you to read it yourself and see in which ways it makes you question life.
Defending YA, Stiefvater Style
If any of you haven't read Maggie Stiefvater's post defending YA lit to all narrow-minded naysayers, you're missing out!
It's snappy and well-argued, and I kinda wish I could keep a copy of it on me at all times to hand to the doubters. It's that awesome.
It's snappy and well-argued, and I kinda wish I could keep a copy of it on me at all times to hand to the doubters. It's that awesome.
But do we expect any less from the marvelous Maggie?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Contracts: Demystified! with agent Edward Necarsulmer
Super Agent Edward Necarsulmer (of McIntosh & Otis) gave a great presentation at SCBWI NYC explaining contracts in layman's terms -- and I just happened to be there!
Now, I know you're all like, "Donna, if someone wanted to publish my novel, I wouldn't CARE what the heck was in the contract."
Here's the thing: when the glow of the shiny new author-publisher relationship wears off and you realize you just traded months (ahem, years) of blood/sweat/tears/sanity for a year-long fruit-of-the-month club membership and a bag of Swedish Fish, you'll be a little upset.
Or maybe not.
Either way, I wrote a summary of his talk, and it can be found at the ever-so-excellent Guide to Literary Agents blog.
PS - Contracts sound like a snooze-fest, but they're not -- PLUS, it's super important that you understand what's what in all that lingo -- that's your novel baby it'll be talking about one day!
Now, I know you're all like, "Donna, if someone wanted to publish my novel, I wouldn't CARE what the heck was in the contract."
Here's the thing: when the glow of the shiny new author-publisher relationship wears off and you realize you just traded months (ahem, years) of blood/sweat/tears/sanity for a year-long fruit-of-the-month club membership and a bag of Swedish Fish, you'll be a little upset.
Or maybe not.
Either way, I wrote a summary of his talk, and it can be found at the ever-so-excellent Guide to Literary Agents blog.
PS - Contracts sound like a snooze-fest, but they're not -- PLUS, it's super important that you understand what's what in all that lingo -- that's your novel baby it'll be talking about one day!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Writing Rituals
When we moved into a two-bedroom apartment back in September, I was excited to finally have space for an office! But it takes a while to get settled and organized in a new place. Nearly six months later, our office is finally more than the "junk drawer," as my sister called it, that it was for the first several months of our residence here, and I now have a little room of my own in which to write fiction!
Well, half a room, anyway. I do have to share it with the Aussie, after all.
My corner:
(Isn't it sweet! The black square beside the chair is one of those ribbon boards--kinda like a bulletin board, but w/o tacks. I'm gonna hang it this weekend.)
His corner:
(He doesn't use it much.)
Our shared corner:
(Love that chair!)
The corner yet to be tackled:
(We have a bit of work to do yet.)
So...why the pictures of my personal space? Because I want to discuss writing rituals, and it's in this space that the writing happens.
My writing life has picked up over the last couple months. Writing is becoming a priority and a part of my weekly schedule rather than something that happens if I'm lucky. I've noticed lately that I have developed a few writing rituals--things I must have in place while I'm writing.
First, I always have a candle burning on my desk.
Second, I have cup of tea in my cute tea cup, poured from my cute tea pot.
Third, I always use the light on my desk rather than the overhead light. The desk lamp casts a soft warm glow.
With these elements combined, I've been enjoying many fruitful writing sessions lately.
What are your writing rituals?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Princess Jasmine: A YA Character Study
It's baaaaaaaack! It's been way too long since we did a Disney-fied character study, and today is Jasmine's turn.
Why Jasmine? She's a Disney princess, but NOT the protagonist. (Hi, Aladdin! We love you!) The story isn't hers, so I get to analyze her as a secondary character and love interest.
Her best friend is a tiger.
She's not too street smart.
She's mom-less with a kindly-but-suffocating dad.
She's SO over d-bag rich boy princes.
She's going stir-crazy in that palace.
The pluses. Jasmine has one of the strongest personalities of the Disney princesses, so it's no wonder that Aladdin falls for her. She stands up to her father and refuses to marry someone she doesn't love. Despite her luxurious upbringing, she doesn't care about class or wealth. And she's a saucy little risk-taker. Seriously! A guy's all like, "Hey, wanna check out the back seat of my magic carpet?" and she's like, "Why not?"
AND are Rajah and Abu jealous that Iago can talk...
Why Jasmine? She's a Disney princess, but NOT the protagonist. (Hi, Aladdin! We love you!) The story isn't hers, so I get to analyze her as a secondary character and love interest.
(This prospect makes me gleeful. I'm such a nerd.)
Princess Jasmine 411.
She prefers flowy, stomach-baring outfits.
She rocks the incognito look.
AND
She's not afraid of heights. Or pole vaulting.
The pluses. Jasmine has one of the strongest personalities of the Disney princesses, so it's no wonder that Aladdin falls for her. She stands up to her father and refuses to marry someone she doesn't love. Despite her luxurious upbringing, she doesn't care about class or wealth. And she's a saucy little risk-taker. Seriously! A guy's all like, "Hey, wanna check out the back seat of my magic carpet?" and she's like, "Why not?"
* Did anyone ever notice that Aladdin and Jasmine's first kiss happens way earlier than any other first kiss in a Disney cartoon? And it almost happened the first time they met. Feisty lady!
The negatives. Despite her inherent awesomeness, Jasmine doesn't really develop as a character in the movie. If this were a novel, I'd want to see a shift in her personality. I mean, Aladdin finally begins to accept who he is, but Jasmine ends up the same person as when she started. And suddenly having a live-in boy toy means she's ok with her humdrum palace life? (Honestly, you can argue with me here. I forget the other two movies. Maybe her social calendar evolved a bit?)
I'd love to know... Are there no other rich girls around to be friends with? (No offense, Rajah.) And when did her mother die? How did it affect her? What does she do all day in the palace? Why is she smart enough to figure out that Prince Ali is Aladdin, but too stupid to realize her hopelessly inept father is being sorcerized by Jafar?
AND are Rajah and Abu jealous that Iago can talk...
but they can't?
(They're totally up to something.)
And because this is what you've probably been waiting for the whole post...
Ok, what are your thoughts on the great and beautiful Princess J?
Monday, March 1, 2010
2009: Year of the Twilight Babies. Welcome to the world, little Esme.
When a character name doesn't come naturally to me, I head over to BabyNames.com. Today, I checked out the Top 100 Baby Names for 2009, and lo and behold, most of the Twilight characters made the list.
GIRLS:
18. Bella (increased position from 2008)
40. Alice (increased more than 10 places)
84. Esme (new to the top 100)
88. Rosalie (ditto)
BOYS:
8. Jacob (actually a small decrease in popularity)
42. Jasper (increased more than 10 places -- hey lil Jazzy!)
54. Emmett (new to top 100)
65. Edward (increased more than 10 places)
I don't know if I should be thrilled that a YA series had this much impact in the world... or disturbed.
All I can say is THANK GOD Carlisle and Renesmee aren't on the list.
There might be hope for us, after all.
GIRLS:
18. Bella (increased position from 2008)
40. Alice (increased more than 10 places)
84. Esme (new to the top 100)
88. Rosalie (ditto)
BOYS:
8. Jacob (actually a small decrease in popularity)
42. Jasper (increased more than 10 places -- hey lil Jazzy!)
54. Emmett (new to top 100)
65. Edward (increased more than 10 places)
I don't know if I should be thrilled that a YA series had this much impact in the world... or disturbed.
All I can say is THANK GOD Carlisle and Renesmee aren't on the list.
There might be hope for us, after all.
However ... this cutie pie's name is Kinetica Joule, so maybe Renesmee isn't so bad.
How traditional are your character names? What's your favorite?
What's the worst real-life baby name you've heard of? I heard of a teenage girl whose baby's name is pronounced "Ab-uh-cee-dee" ... spelled "Abcde." No joke.
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