 Drama: January 17, 2018 Issue [#8713] |
  Drama
This week: Writing Drama For Teens and Pre-teens Edited by: NaNoKit  
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A substantial amount of drama for teens and pre-teens is issue-driven. Should that be the case? And if you want to spread a message, what is the best way to go about it?
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about drama with a message.
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It’s not easy to write drama for younger readers. Recently I was in a discussion with teachers and they told me that there is some pressure to introduce teens and pre-teens to issue-based stories. It is true, of course, that children that age find themselves increasingly exposed to different influences and pressures. These days, there are even more pressures than I was exposed to when I was that age. The Internet and social media have many positive sides, but there are negative ones as well. For example, if a student is a victim of bullying, they may no longer be safe once they get home. Facebook, Twitter, other websites... the bullies can make life difficult for them day and night. This, of course, has to be addressed. Part of addressing bullying and other issues is education. And it is true that literature can be a part of this – by finding characters to relate to and seeing these characters overcome obstacles, someone might be able to overcome their own. The other side of the coin is, however, that sometimes we just need to get away from our troubles, and stories are good for that, too.
I read my fair share of issue-based drama when I was younger. It did expose me to aspects of life that I had never thought about before. I can’t say if it helped me or hindered me. There was that extra insight, but I much preferred to escape in a good novel that had nothing to do with the reality that I lived in rather than dwell on serious matters. I know that I would have loved the Harry Potter novels when I was younger. I actually love them as an adult! Harry and his friends face dramatic situations and the novels touch upon bullying, peer pressure, loss, grief, and so on, but there are a lot of moments to make the reader smile, and the fantasy setting draws you in, and the overriding theme is that of love and friendship and loyalty. It doesn’t feel as though you’re being taught a lesson. The later books in the series are of a darker nature, this is true, but the magic is still there and reading them is hardly a chore.
That wasn’t the case with some of the books I read. They were dark and depressing and upsetting all the way through. Sure, the “just say no” message came through loud and clear (amongst others), but it’s not that great when all you remember those books by is how much you disliked the experience of reading them.
If you’re a writer who wants to spread a message, then, how do you go about it? How can you create a story that says what you want it to say without making that story an unpleasant read for your intended audience?
Well, I am just one reader. It is possible that there are people out there who loves stories like the ones I so disliked. You will never manage to make everyone happy. There’s not a single author out there whose work is loved and admired by the entire population of this planet. From what I have heard from other people over the years, however, and from feedback upon raising this topic, it seems that there are some things to do, and some things to avoid.
Let’s begin with what to avoid: readers don’t tend to like messages that are too “in-your-face”. You don’t have to shout it from the rooftops. That can make people feel as though you are underestimating their intelligence, which don’t endear them to you. Likewise, don’t throw in random shocks for the sake of it. It’s unnecessary, and not at all pleasant.
Instead, show, rather than tell. Engage with your readers, rather than lecture them. Create an interesting tale and, if necessary, weave a certain theme through it, but don’t try to drain your audience or upset them just because you can. Not all stories can have a happy ending, but the journey has to be a worthwhile one. There’s a special relationship between author and reader, and on the reader’s end that’s one of trust – trust that the investment of time and emotion will pay off. Get it right, and they will pick up your next book. They may even share the word to other potential readers.
As is so often the case, then, it’s about balance. That balance can be difficult to find. Perhaps you can think back to your younger years... what did you like? What did you dislike? What would have worked for you? That can be an excellent starting point.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. There will always be people willing to help you out.
And love what you do. Even if it’s a difficult piece to write. If you pour love into your work, it is likely to shine through.
NaNoKit
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Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team.
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