In the midst of writing adult romantic suspense books (The Conduct Series), I decided to publish a Young Adult novel I'd written back in 2007: Streamline.
It's been interesting to cross genres so far, and I have a feeling I'm in for quite an education with the upcoming blog tour for Streamline on May 7-12. About 40 YA bloggers will be reviewing my baby, eek!
This story isn't your typical YA, for several reasons:
1) It's 129,000 words, when most YA's are about 80,000. (It started over 200K words(!), so my editor and I have done a LOT of chopping.)
2) It features many points of view beyond the hero (Leo) and heroine (Audrey), including parents, siblings, and coaches.
3) It's a murder mystery that's for older teens and adults due to mature themes of abuse, violence, and sexual situations.
4) There's no love triangle.
Because of these anomalies, I'm nervous about the reception to the novel by passionate bloggers. I hope there's room for my unique take on YA! Regardless, I'm sure this will be a learning experience that will help me become a better writer.
What's your favorite genre to read? If you're a writer, have you crossed genres?
It's been interesting to cross genres so far, and I have a feeling I'm in for quite an education with the upcoming blog tour for Streamline on May 7-12. About 40 YA bloggers will be reviewing my baby, eek!
This story isn't your typical YA, for several reasons:
1) It's 129,000 words, when most YA's are about 80,000. (It started over 200K words(!), so my editor and I have done a LOT of chopping.)
2) It features many points of view beyond the hero (Leo) and heroine (Audrey), including parents, siblings, and coaches.
3) It's a murder mystery that's for older teens and adults due to mature themes of abuse, violence, and sexual situations.
4) There's no love triangle.
Because of these anomalies, I'm nervous about the reception to the novel by passionate bloggers. I hope there's room for my unique take on YA! Regardless, I'm sure this will be a learning experience that will help me become a better writer.
What's your favorite genre to read? If you're a writer, have you crossed genres?
Comments
As a reader I tend to stick toward Fantasy and YA. Though I do read some romance and contemporary/mystery type books as well.
I haven't crossed genres yet, but only because I have just finished my first book. Not sure what I will do next!
I haven't crossed genres yet, but only because I have just finished my first book. Not sure what I will do next!
Perhaps for the same reasons little children will ask to have the same book read to them at night over and over.
One of the best YA fantasies I ever read, THE BLUE GIRL by Charles de Lint, had multiple viewpoints -- actually from past and present even.
In that marvelous book there was nary a triangle in sight. It actually was a book of a friendship between two misfit young girls: one goth, the other a shy scholastic type -- both intelligent, both desperately lonely. Boys were on the edges of the story. But friendship under fire was the concept. (Feral faes and human bullies in case you were wondering.)
Too late now, but had you thought of splitting the book in two to take advantage of the wordage?
Good to hear unusual can be positive! Your comment about children wanting to hear the same story over and over again made me laugh. I definitely like variety.
And I didn't make it in time to comment on X-Rated, but I must concur with your friend, the writing isn't all that great, but for some reason you just can't put it down. :)
I also write whatever sounds good too!
Best of luck.
Heather
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I kept reading on yours for a big. I'd like to read Unbroken. It sounds very good, and I thought she did a great job with "Seabiscuit."
Play off the Page
I like what you say about the difference between adult and YA. That's how I see it too.
As an author, I suppose I can't help crossing genres. I haven't discovered yet the genre that fits me best, so I'm just writing as the ideas come. Generally, though, YA is hard, so I avoid it.
Zombie westerns are certainly unique! It is fun trying out different genres. What do you think makes writing YA difficult?
Handling tough themes, and doing it right, is something hard to find in YA, and I think more risks are needed in that department.
Also, no love triangle! Yay!
This is on top of my To Be Bought books. Great post about what is good YA!