Yes I Read YA...And?

I intended on writing something else today, but yesterday I saw these comments on author Zoë Marriotts blog, and I had to share my views.

Because the pictures are bit small here is what was said:

Anonymous said...

This isn't really a comment on your post (but it is awesome by the way, I hope that Big Secret Project can someday see the light of day) but I have a question that I'd like to ask; I thought I'd ask you because you're one of my favourite authors and you're really nice so I thought you would be able to answer without thinking I'm being stupid or something.
I've just started college; I'm 17 years old next month. I'm taking English Literature because it's my favourite subject, but I feel like a baby because I discovered yesterday that most people in my class read 'adult' books and I'm still in the YA section. Is it stupid that I feel like crawling into a hole and dying, to never pick up a YA book again? I feel like such a baby, should I stop reading YA and move on to 'older' fiction?
Sorry, I know you're not an Agony Aunt but I didn't know who else to ask.

Zoë Marriott said...

Anonymous: This is absolutely the right place to ask this question! Talking about books and reading and writing is what we do here. I'll do a Q&A post Monday next week and post my reply then, OK? But in the meantime, please don't feel that you want to crawl into a hole and die! Most of my best friends and the smartest people that I know (including fellow writers!) spend between 50-90% of their reading time on YA novels. Including me! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

And then I responded with:

AmieSalmonYAWriter said...

Anonymous...I do understand what you mean. When I was in a training session for xmas temp at a book shop, people seemed to look down at me for being a fan of YA/even children books in general. I do however also read 'adult' books as well; I am a fan of literature no matter what the age label.
I do think there is a big judgment against YA books, but I don't understand why. I've read so many 'teen' books that are just as beautiful, well written and full of great drama/comedy. Sometimes even more so than a book aimed for the older reader.
Don't feel pressured to read something you won't enjoy it. Be true to your own personal interests.
YA is a great place to be at the moment. I mean look at Zoë’s writing, her (or yours if you read this Zoë) books are some of the most intelligent I have read.

Now I want to add on to what I said. I do think there is a stigma against YA books, especially if you are an older reader and fan.

What is wrong with reading what you love?

As I said above, the YA books I read are so imaginative; intelligent; funny; full of great characters; stellar writing and are just simply amazing.
I mean lets take everyone’s favourite; the Harry Potter books. They are children’s books that go on to become YA as the characters grow older and the stories become darker. They have one of the most diverse audiences around, and are universally loved. No one looks down on if you've read them and adore them.
Twilight Saga is another one with a range in ages, and yes I admit I have gone off them a bit now because of the hype around them, but people love the books because they have a great core story.
I hate that people don't think you're smart just because you enjoy reading something that's aimed at teenagers. Or think just because you have a large collection of Mills & Boon books that somehow means you can't read a hard hitting historical fiction.
I don't stare down at 30-year-old guys who read comic books, because they have great stories in them. And if I could draw something like that I'd be happy to have such a devoted audience.

YA is one of the most exciting markets to be a part of at the moment; it is full of some of the most talented writers around. They create these amazing wonderful worlds that are so gripping and feel so real.
They write books that interest teens, who are largely seen in the media as 'hooded yobs' who go around vandalising and drinking and having sex.

I'm not saying just read one genre, if you want to grow and learn not only as a writer but also as a person then read as much as you can. But please don't go dissing someone for their taste. If you respect mine then I shall respect yours.

I think I got my point across there. Any thoughts?

This Journey…

I’ve been away for a few days; I spent a long weekend away with some of my girls. I think my livers glad to be home and have a breather from the wine, although I did manage to get in some great exercise with swimming and lots of laughter. Those are some of my favourite things.

Now I’m back home, back to reality. I am about to embark on my first term at university, studying creative writing. Those who know me will know that this is not the first time I’ve started uni, but unfortunately losing my Dad and then being ill has made completing my academic studies somewhat difficult.

I am nervous. I am quite a shy, nervous person on first impressions. I often find it hard to find the right words, and then never know what to say. (For those who are my friends, they know me as quite the opposite.)

I am also not particularly looking forward to having little time for my own reading and writing, that isn’t related to my course. Although, I am looking forward to some challenges. I am trying to remain focused and enthusiastic.

For most of this year I’ve had a lot of time to think what I want to do with my life, what I want out of it. Yesterday I made some goals that will take me up to the end of next year.

Sort of like an early resolution list:

• Pass a term of uni.
• Query for book 1.
• Complete first draft of book 2 & other main project.
• Loose weight.
• Purchase a wireless printer.
• Have driving lessons.
• Be more financially stable.
• Save.
• Decorate my bedroom.
• Go on holiday / book next dream destination.
• Keep reading.
• Experience new things.
• Laugh.
• Dance.
• Make sure Mum is happy.
• Keep writing.

I’d like to think they are all achievable goals, and I really want them to happen.

My Mum said to me that she felt it was about time I took some time to do what I want, and because I know seeing me happy will make her so, I have agreed to try.

Frexing...Wow

Amy has left the life she loves for a world 300 years away.

Trapped in space and frozen in time, Amy is bound for a new planet.
But fifty years before she's due to arrive, she is violently woken, the victim of an attempted murder.
Now Amy's lost on board and nothing makes sense - she's never felt so alone.
Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her-
and more if she'll let him.

But who can she trust amidst the secrets and lies?
A killer is out there - and Amy has nowhere to hide.
(Blurb from back cover.)
(Oh and when it says she has nowhere to hide - it's actually true.)

I don't know what I expected when I wanted to read Across The Universe. It has a very pretty cover and the blurb has a great hook.

The one thing I was sure about was how different this book would be to other things I've read.
I was not disappointed.

Immediately the first few pages had me feeling exactly what Amy, the protagonist, felt. And in that first chapter you were left asking yourself the question, would you? (And that happens a fair amount in this book I've realised, which I love.)

I will admit that for the next couple chapters I had to tell myself to keep going, but that's only because I'm not great with description. Although the map in the back of the book really helped me visualise, and then after that I was totally hooked on the book.

There were so many themes in the book that I hadn't expected, I don't want to say what because I don't want any spoilers.

One of my favourite characters was Harley, he was tickling my funny bone and pulling my heartstrings all in the turn of a page. He is such a beautiful character, he has stayed with me long after I put the book down.

Also I think the characters of Eldest and Doc were fantastic. I felt towards them everything I was meant to. That was probably because the voices of Amy and Elder were so strong.

This book was brilliantly rounded, with clear defined characters and a well thought out world/concept. You really believe and understand why everything in the book occurred. And it really made you think and feel.

I never thought a book, set on one place could be so engaging.

Once I finished it I had to read it again, and I think I will pick it up over and over because there feels like there is so much left for me to discover.

I am SO excited for the sequel, A Million Suns, out early next year. (And look how beautiful the cover is.)

If you haven't read it I urge you to pick it up.

Wow.

Hello Monday....Now Decisions

Hope all have had a good weekend, and took some time for remembrance yesterday (I read through Meg Cabot's blog, but warning it will make you cry.)

Mine has been rather lovely.

On Saturday night I held a quiz night for some friends, I was the master of proceedings. I had rounds such as taste test, memory games, name the song/artist/film with music clips and some local and general knowledge. My friends/contestants seemed to enjoy themselves.

Then last night I stayed in, experimented by making a beef&sausage red wine pie. My Mum said she really enjoyed, now that is a compliment. And then we caught up on Saturday night tele.

I spent most of Friday prepping for the quiz (actually I've been gathering questions and such since the last one I held a while back) then I was going to spend the Saturday morning/afternoon finishing it off. Unfortunately that didn't happen, which isn't unusual.

I slept in late Saturday, due to being up to some ridiculous hour listening to One Day (which is really making my laugh). Then I had to pop out to get some shopping, and while I was pushing the trolley around I had an idea for a short story.

When I got home I quickly set about writing this story, thinking it would be quick or I would just write down the idea. I ended up writing over 4000 words, and finishing the questions after some of the first of my gang arrived at my house.

This isn't particularly unusual, I often find words distracting me. I can't help it, and it's a reason I am in love with writing.

In other news I have started reading Across The Universe by Beth Revis. The first few pages stirred some pretty big emotions in me, so I am hoping for good things from the rest. It's something that feels a bit different to other stuff I've read.

I also am going to be spending this week getting ready for a weekend away with some of my girls, it is a late 21st birthday present. We are off to a holiday park to stay in a caravan, and I am really excited to get away. Although a bit sad to be leaving my Mum home alone. I've asked my dog to take good care of her.

Now I am going to spend this week agonising over what to pack, I've been told I'm not allowed to pack alone. If I could I would probably take my whole bedroom away! I always pack for the what ifs. And I always have to take a few essentials like one of my beds cushions, at least one notebook and a game.

However the biggest decision I've got is what book to take with me. (I am defiantly going to take 2 just in case, if it gets good nothing will stop me finishing it.)

I am probably going to finish Across the Universe before the weeks out, so am leaning towards starting The Iron Fey books, and maybe Divergent. But I do really want to read Case Histories, or maybe Unearthly or even The Help or this other humongous fantasy I've got.

This could take me a while to decide, the option is so unbelievably varied. (And no need to worry about what notebook, the girls have promised to buy me a special one when we're down there - now that's love.)

10 Things

My last post was meant to be my only one for today, but I see this Tag thing going around where you post 10 random facts about yourself, so I thought I'd do it. It is just another way the internet stops me from doing anything else, although I do rather enjoy it.

(I discovered this from a rather funny post here, by A.J. Mullarky)

1. I only wear black trainer socks, I have no idea why. There use to be a time where I hated them.

2. I am the youngest of 8 children, I have one brother and six sisters. I have 18 nieces and nephews, although I am not in contact with all all my siblings. (Imagine how expensive Christmas would be.)

3. I have two pets. One black Labrador dog who goes by the name of Oscar and is 16 years old, and a goldfish called Sooty who is at least 10 years old. (Yes he is named after the puppet. It was my favourite show as a child and I won him at a Christmas fare when I was young.)

4. I love taking pictures, I own two cameras (one of which is a big beautiful black thing) and I have plans to buy more. You can see some of my pictures scattered around this blog. (Two are from New York; one of me and one my best friends, one of a bird in the snow. Two are taken on my holiday to Berrick-Upon-Tweed; one from the garden of a castle on the isle of Lindisfarne, and the other is my Mum and two of my nephews in Edinburgh.)

5. I don't have a favourite song, because there are so many to choose from.

6. I work as a steward at the Royal Albert Hall. It's exists because of my favourite royals, it's always breathtakingly beautiful, and I've been paid to watch some of the most amazing shows. (Cirque Du Soleil, The Fray, a number of Proms, Eric Clapton, Swan Lake.)

7. I think I prefer watching TV shows to films. (Although I do love them.) Glee & Doctor Who are my favourite shows in the world.

8. I love Disney films, probably some would say I'm obsessed. I've watched Tangled 20 times in the past few months.

9. If I didn't write at least one line of something a day, I would probably combust.

10. I come from a large family, have a great relationship with my Mum, however I have a fantastic group of friends. They are my family too.

That was fun to play. Now you're meant to tag someone but I wasn't actually tagged for this, so if you wanna share some things about yourself then go for it.

Have a good weekend =)

Hello New Friend...

On my way to work a couple days ago, I started a new story. I was thinking, oh god another one, doesn't that make the total 30 or something? (Actually I'm not even sure, I've tried to avoid counting them.)

But the character voice was really strong, and so sure of herself, yet I knew she was vulnerable in other ways. I couldn't just wave her off.
Out came the notebook I was carrying to work with hope of spending some time on a different story, and I began writing down what came to my head.

These are some random extracts from what I've written:

I suppose I've never been like other girls, well not ones I knew anyway. I didn't really share their interests or dreams.
The friends I'd made in year 7 weren't really what I'd call friends, not like the ones I'd seen on TV who were so lovingly loyal. I stuck with this small group because I had no one else, and it was better than eating my packed lunch in the corner of a classroom, waiting for a teacher to catch me.
That defiantly wasn't my best week.
The group I'd fallen into were seen as the 'rebels'. I defiantly wasn't what you called a misfit, but they never seemed opposed to that. Besides, it did them good to associate with me.

That was another thing about school that I hated, I blamed it for taking away the one friend I really cared about. And then that bloody place took away my passion for music. I had never really felt pressured to be good until I went there.

It sucked every last note I had, until I began playing so mechanically that I went home crying. I even went through a period where I was skipping lessons all together.
I suppose I did have a bit of rebellion in me after all.

"Look, here comes vacant Violet," Alisha smirked. I tried not to look too quickly in her direction, but I didn't want to prolong the feeling that came with seeing her. I loved that rush.

Violet was anything but vacant, the other girls had given her that name because she never said anything, and spent most of the lessons looking out the window in a day dreaming haze. That and they were jealous of how beautiful she was.

I suppose I always knew I was gay, even when I had to kiss Kay's older brother in a game of kiss or dare on her 13th birthday. I guess...I guess I just simply knew I liked girls.

There was no big moment of revelation or shock, no fighting it. My Dad even sat me down one day and asked me outright if I was a lesbian.
"Yes," I shrugged. He just nodded and smiled in a sort of contented way.
"Your aunt will be pleased," he said. My Dad's sister, Aunt Hilary, was gay, and extremely proud. I suppose you could say that explains my relaxed attitude over my sexual orientation. Some might even say it's genetic, but what should any of that matter? I am what I am as that song goes.
And every time Violet smiled at me, I couldn't help but wonder if she was what I am too.

Those are just a few things about this character that came into my head and I really enjoyed writing her.

I shared what I wrote with a good friend of mine, and she asked me if this was related to a short story I wrote some time ago. I said that wasn't the intention, then I began to think about that story. Somehow without even realising it I knew the stories were connected.

I wrote down a couple ideas and they all seemed to fit with other random ideas and notes I had jotted down somewhere, hoping I could use them later.
Now this story has been born, and although it will probably just be something I work on when an idea comes, I love it already.

Has anyone else ever had these moments, when you're so intent on working on one thing but something new manages to wangle it's way in, and you sigh but there's excitement rumbling in your belly? (Ok that last part might just be me, though you know what I mean.)

As I have said in a previous post I am always doing it, part of me is surprised how I've managed to finish any story. (That was one of the most satisfying feelings ever.)

Now after sharing that I leave you, wondering which story my fingers will want to write for first.

Words Speak To Me

When I was younger I used to love going on long car journeys (actually I still do). Mainly because it meant I was going somewhere exciting like Hastings, Chartwell or Batemans, or any another of my favourite seaside towns or national trust venues. It also meant that we could listen to an audiobook, which when I was really little was played on by cassette, and later by CD when we updated the car.

(A very funny time was when we were on our way to Blackpool. I had a whole box of cassettes on my lap, and then the car broke down on the way up. We got a courtesy car, which had a CD player in. We had to buy one CD, the hits from 1996. I still own the CD and it makes me smile.)
So I've always associated fond memories with audiobooks, they remind me very much of my parents who introduced me to many wonderful stories and characters via the spoken word. I wanted to share some of my favourites, because this week I've recently downloaded a couple new stories. (Another development in audiobook technology.)

First and foremost, I love dramatisations. Love love love them. I have rented the dramatisations of His Dark Materials at least eight times from the library, I guess I really should purchase myself a copy of it soon. However I think my most favourite full cast stories are mysteries, especially when they involve the detective Paul Temple.

Paul Temple is a marvellous English crime novelist/detective created by Francis Durbridge. He solves all sorts of mysteries, sometimes going internationally to do so, and is often (if not always) accompanied by his wife Steve. And their lives always end up being endangered.
My first outing with Paul Temple was that of; Paul Temple and The Conrad Case. (Yes it was on cassette) I love the sound of Peter Coke's voice, it is like music to my ears. And I especially love the era created in this piece; there's fast cars; cocktails; jazz; fashion; murder; novelists; nod to movies. It is a fabulous story with many exciting twist and turns. I can't express my love for it enough.

I have The Time Travellers Wife on my iPod. If I had to summarise this in as few words as possible; I cried in the middle of the station, at rush hour. I didn't care, it was so powerful (even though I knew the story) that it just hit me. I don't think I have ever had my emotions so powerfully evoked like that before. Although I just downloaded One Day, and even though I don't think I'm going to shed tears for quite the same reasons, I know it's inevitable.

I own an abundance of Doctor Who audiobooks, because it is my favourite TV show. I love how they tie in with the stories shown on screen, it allows you to imagine other adventures for yourself that the doctor and his companions have enjoyed. They also prove how talented the actors on the show are.

And also I do have a couple dramatisations too, featuring the 'old' doctors. Jon Pertwee is my favourite of them all.

I also love readings/ dramatisations of Cadfael stories, written by Ellis Peters. The readings are read by Derek Jacob and he has a beautiful commanding voice.

There are of course those of Emma, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice etc. I love having some of the best love stories read to me.

I also have many different versions of the Narnia stories. I mean many. I had to tell my Mum not to get rid of any because they are all unique. I still don't think she's convinced but I think she knows it's better this way.
My favourite Narnia story is the Magicians Nephew, I think it is the most magical and interesting story of all.
My first introduction to Narnia was watching the 1989 BBC production of The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe (I am terrified of the Maugrim in that show, I still have nightmares about him and get shivers if I see his picture. That fear is courtesy of my siblings).
In the Magicians Nephew I loved finding out how the world was created, and it has all those little things that of course tie in with later stories.

Now I have to mention the story that has become a tradition in my house to play every year in the month of December, although I'm going to confess I did listen to it the other day. Simon Bates' Save Our Santa.

Santa gets thrown in prison by taxmen Greedy and Grab for not paying his taxes. Yea of course we all know Santa shouldn't pay taxes. So Santa's young assistant Rupert marches to London with an enormous band of children and they ask the Queen for help.
It is very short, very sweet and the songs are extremely catchy. I just love it, when I hear it being played I know Christmas can't be far behind.

These are just some of the things that delight my ears. I think audiobooks, especially now they are available on all types of format, they are a great way for wonderful stories, new and old, to be shared with a wider audience.

Also there is currently an offer going around to get a free download from audible. Just type in Google; free audible download. Then you have 14 days to cancel your subscription, so I feel it's win win. Or you could accept the other of £3.99 for three months and get 1 audiobook download a month. (And if you purchase certain ones that will more be than enough - the unabridged One Day is over 16 hours long.) And then you can just cancel before the subscription fee goes up. I highly recommend.