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When I wrote on Sunday about YA/MG fiction seeming like a welcoming world of rainbows, bluebirds and unicorns in comparison to the Phantom Zone of adult fiction, this is what I was talking about—here’s a quote from today’s post from the wonderful YA writer Beth Revis.
“YA doesn't care about the rules. The YA genre is one of the few genres where you can have a contemporary romance beside an action-based sci fi and no one bats an eye. YA books care about telling a good story, and the rest of the rules don't have to apply. In adult books, you have someone like Nicholas Sparks, who always writes one type of book. In YA books, you have someone like Laurie Halse Anderson who can write a contemporary novel about rape and a historical fiction about the American Revolution and they can sit side-by-side on the shelf. Adult authors who genre bend are rare (Neil Gaiman, I'm looking at you), but since YA is, by definition, genre-bending, authors get to place the story over the genre tropes (since there are no genre tropes).”
For anybody thinking about jumping on the YA gravy train, Beth’s post today is a must read. Actually, it’s a must-read for anybody writing fiction. The truth is YA has become mainstream fiction these days and I think it will soon dictate the style of all fiction. And from what Beth says, that’s a good thing.
18 comments:
Hi Anne, thought I'd return the favour and take a look over here -- great blog, btw! I think you could be right about YA dictating the model for mainstream fiction in the future, and I agree it's a good thing. We've had a ludicrous situation up to now with some contemporary authors having to adopt pen names if they want to write outside "their genre" so they don't lose "their market" when they cross over. Personally, if one of my favourite authors writes something, I'll read it whatever the genre -- I trust that the story and execution will be great, because I know from past experience I'm in good hands. I think readers in general are far more open-minded and willing to take a punt than conventional publishing or marketing people would have us believe. Maybe we'll see a glut of historical romance writers now writing steampunk... Hey. That could work.
Neil's blog: A WRITER, HE MUTTERED
Loved this post, Anne. I think you're spot-on about everything. YA has a freedom the other genres lack.
I tried to register for the blog you're going to be on but the usertip was over my head...*sighs*
Excellent post Anne! As a reader I wished that YA books (currently out now) were out when I was younger! i love the genre and enjoy writing so it was really a no brainer for me.
Agreed! YA takes more risks which is probably why so many adults read YA. However, I think you have to look at publishers too. Some publishes (e.g. Carina Press) are more about stories, less about trends.
Thanks, Anne, for your comment. Yes, I think there are more bullies out there. Perhaps it's because (at least, here in the States) that just about anything goes on reality tv, that 15 min. of fame some crave, and how denial is so convenient -- all of which push respect further and further back -- don't know, don't know -- but it's got to stop. Hmmm, maybe I should write a YA novel about bullying. Taught school, know it's there, unfortunately.
Anyway, I was relieved to read you have problems with those widgets, too...but *hangs her head* I've got a really dumb question: where do I paste the link? *turns red*
Any idea why genre-bending is allowed in YA and so rare otherwise? I didn't realize that. Great post!
I'm off to check that link now... Thanks!
~Tui
Kittie--this is the MOMENT for YA books on bullying. Go for it.
Mental--Scroll down to my last post about the Wimpy Kid. Since H. Potter, YA has become the creative hub of the industry--because taking a chance can pay out big time. (Who'd have ever thought an old-fashioned, Halloweeny English boarding-school book would have sold in the 90s--much less paid the bills of an industry for a decade?) Breaking rules pays in YA.
It would probably pay in adult fiction too, IMHO--if a little less--but that whole part of the industry is in gridlock.
Lots of wonderful food for thought in that post. I think you may be on to something here, since those young readers will bring their expectations with them as they either "graduate" into adult books or read more YA as adults.
The question of genre is interesting, as literary fiction is becoming more and more like genre fiction and vice versa. There seems to be overall blurring out there. Thanks for the post.
Very interesting point, Anne. I like to think of YA as overcoming those annoying categories.
I personally hate how everything is boxed into stiff "genres."
I wish YA was easy to break into. And I suppose, when compaired to other genres, it is perhaps easier. But agents are inundated with so much of it that they are particularly hard to interest. As a writer of YA, its hard, really hard, to get picked out of the slush now a days. I sometimes think I should start writing other genres just to set me apart. lol
I loved that post by Beth.
CQG--Every aspect of publishing is tougher than ever to break into. But more YA is being published than anything else, and the whole process is friendlier and more fluid. But I don't want to pretend any of it is easy. This whole industry in a state of terror and nobody wants to take any chances. Many agents have sold NO adult books for two years and the only success they have is with YA and MG. So keep going--you've at least got a fighting chance!
Interesting thought - it is kind of refreshing that the books all get mixed on the shelves together. It's nice that YA readers don't have to peg themselves to a genre like you have to with other books.
RC--"Refreshing" is a good word. YA/MG fiction are refreshing the whole publishing industry, by letting in fresh air and new creative ideas.
Thanks for contributing to the discussion! I'm so glad that it resonated with people here--my intent was just to discuss the genre. I was going to talk more about it here in the comments, but I think Anne covered everything pretty well!!
Thanks Beth! Obviously, humor is subjective and we both stepped into some sensitive areas in trying to make a simple point--YA/MG is the future. Kids are reading, and hopefully will continue to do so--and that's a very good thing.
Great post! And thanks for visiting my blog today, Anne!
Welcome to the blogosphere, Nina!
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