 Drama: January 20, 2010 Issue [#3478] |
  Drama
This week: Banned & Challenged Books - Kids Lit Edited by: esprit  
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"There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges."
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Banned & Challenged Books - Kids Lit
How is your writing for kids coming along? Has anyone told you yet that your YA novel is inappropriate for the targeted age? YA consists of teen-agers, and unless you're writing for a specific publisher that requires 'clean and innocent', don't worry about it. Tiny tots need gentle, innocent stories with easy conflict-but as they grow older, they want realistic stories that they can identify with. And believe me, they have seen and heard plenty by the time they reach high-school.
When you choose to write childrens genre, it's because you want to write something kids can relate to, yes? Something they can slip inside of and evolve along with the character, coming out a winner. Did you know kids generally choose (some, not all) their books according to issues they are dealing with? They hope a hidden solution to their problem might be found between the covers, though they may not realize that's what they're doing. And they would never admit it. Teen-agers can be very secretive about their inner demons and the insecure never ask questions of the adults around them. Especially if those adults are unsupportive or untrustworthy. So they go to a book that addresses a real issue that a child their age might encounter, knowing it will actually be solved in some way.
If you have a great idea for a YA book, go ahead and write it, but write it in the language of YAs if you want them to read it. Don't sugar-coat reality. It isn't sugar-coated at school, on the street, or at home, so don't do it here either. They read for the same reasons adults read, to be taken away and returned safely--but smarter.
Take a look at why these books are 'Challenged' at city and school libraries all over the country. If all these reasons had been edited out because someone might be offended, there would be no book. I especially like the statement at the end of Judy Blume's info. She was the only adult who didn't lie to them. Keep that in mind when writing a serious YA novel. No theme is off-limits.
 The Giver by Lois Lowry for being sexually explicit, occult themes, and violence.
http://www.loislowry.com/pdf/Newbery_Award.pdf
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, for offensive language and being unsuited to age group.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, for sexual content, racism, offensive language, violence, and being unsuited to age group.
Harry Potter
Virtually everything by Judy Blume. Forever, Blubber, Deenie and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret are among Blume's most controversial novels. But many women (and men!) I know swear Judy Blume saved their lives by being the only adult who didn't lie to them.
Write it, and if your book winds up on the Challenged list, it will be read by many.
Go to the complete list of books and reasons at this USA Today link--you might be surprised.
Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/popcandy/2004-09-28-pop-candy_x.htm
American Libraries Online news stories from 2009
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/alnews2009.cfm
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I like to pick writing tips and how-to's for my editions of the letters. They are the most helpful to writers of all levels, and need to be promoted more. Here are a few good ones.
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Comments on "Invalid Entry"
Submitted By: bronxbishop
Submitted Comment: Excellent newsletter! Details, details, details...You hit the nail on the head when you reminded me of how many details I put into a story and then cut because I can't remember why they were relevant. I tried to note the ideas on the bottom of my outline but then I lose the frantic flow in which I write. Surely, there must be a simple solution? There is! I will very often talk to my wife as I write and query her about the details later. A better solution could be to run a tape recorder when I write and make oral notes as I go. Thanks for the great newsletter. Happy Holidays!
I like the tape idea, Scott! Thanks! Easier on the spouse too.
Submitted By: Coolhand
Submitted Comment: Another interesting and insightful newsletter. The Chekhov quote was great--and says so much. Thanks for including "Invalid Item"
Thanks, Coolhand, and you're very welcome! 
Submitted By: northernwrites
Submitted Comment: esprit --
I do see abandoned details quite often in the pieces I review. As a reader, not much is more annoying than having something central left dangling at the end.
Thanks for sharing a good explanation of what the Chekhov advice means, and directions for what to do about it. Having good evaluation questions to ask can unlock the creativity again. I'm sure this will be useful to many.
Northernwrites
I hope so, Northernwrites, I dearly hope so. Did you know writing well is hard? 
We always appreciate feedback, thanks!
Editors:
Joy 
Adriana Noir
StephBee 
esprit
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