Sunday, July 20, 2008

Just YA Writing Stuff

Recently, a friend of mine who is sort of related to me as well (in one of those inlawish kind of ways) read my novel, and asked why, since I seemed to be able to write, did I "waste" my ability on YA.
It's not the first time that's happened. I don't walk around meeting people, saying,
HI, I WRITE YA.In fact, I rarely tell people I write. But when I do, I see them look away into the distance, and say, "What is YA? Like the Hardy Boys?" This is said with thinly disguised contempt. Okay, maybe it's not so thinly disguised. Maybe it's painfully obvious.
So I can't wait to tell these same folks that I'm almost done with an MG...
But in today's New York Times today, there is an essay that lets me know I'm not alone:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/books/review/Rabb-t.html

8 comments:

Jacqui said...

Aargh aargh aargh. The things people say.

I actually think some of the best writing around is YA. And this is from some who, as you know, has been mired in "classics" all summer.

But if you think people are snotty about YA, try telling them you write picture books, and don't even do the art yourself. If I hear "That is so cute!" again, I may scream...

Mary Witzl said...

I've had the same comments myself, always made with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. These people obviously have no idea how hard it is to get a YA or an MG written -- and published.

To this day, I remember with love and fondness the wonderful MG and YA books that made a difference in my life. That is why I hope to publish an MG or a YA novel -- to make a difference.

Anne Spollen said...

I think writing picture books, Jacqui, is similar to writing poetry. And I should know -- I've read thousands of them, and for months my kids would be "hooked" on Eric Carle or Maurice Sendak. I can't imagine having the word/page constraints of a picture book, and getting the whole story, the rhythms, imagining illustrations --doing all that, AND having kids respond to the story. They are a tough audience.
And, Mary, when I first began teaching English, I did my first lesson unit on "Coming of Age" stories which is what we called YA back then in the 80's. It was the only time my remedial kids ever read. I read "coming of age" stories all the time, not knowing yet that I wanted to write YA. Those stories DO make a difference.
And I agree that some of the best stuff around is MG and YA, at least now that the world seems more receptive to these genres.

I wonder if I can only hang around children's writers now in the same way that my single, childless friends became strange to me after the birth of my second son...

TerriRainer said...

Okay, it can't be worse than the eye-roll you get after telling someone you write romance! It brings to mind cheesy names of anatomical parts...I HATE THAT!

I have actually had several of my friends in the writing community ask me why I DON'T write YA. I was told that the best writing out there in the market right now is in that genre.

Speaking of best writing out there...I will be most surprised if you don't win that contest!

:) Terri

Anne Spollen said...

Okay, Terri - you are wonderful!

<3 <3 <3

And that does it: it's true. I CAN only hang around with writers WITH kids.
As if my social life isn't sparse enough already...

TerriRainer said...

YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON!!!!!

I knew you would (or at least SHOULD have).

Congrats...you so deserved it!

:) Terri

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks so much, Terri - are you psychic? You did say that before the results were announced. (Music from Twilight Zone rising).

Now I guess I have to get my revising butt in gear to send the three chapters 8> )

Mary Witzl said...

Ooh, congratulations, Anne! I came back here to do some more whining about the whole "Why don't you write for adults?" thing and found this good news!

My whining will hold...