I Finally Get It!
You'd think after years of writing and reading fiction, I would have put this together sooner. But I finally figured out why it's important to read a ton of YA now that I'm working on a YA novel.
I used to think I didn't want to read anything resembling my story because I didn't want it to influence me. But now I see how wrong I was.
In the past three days, I've read three novels. Three! I read two Sara Zarr books (Sweethearts and Story of a Girl), and Lisa Schroeder's I Heart You, You Haunt Me. This last one I read in an hour and a half today. It's written in verse so it was a quick read, but very good.
I have learned more in the past three days from those books about writing for YA, than I have from any writing book on YA. I've learned about pacing, characters and plotting.
I have a list of books I want to check out of the library next. I can't wait.
I used to think I didn't want to read anything resembling my story because I didn't want it to influence me. But now I see how wrong I was.
In the past three days, I've read three novels. Three! I read two Sara Zarr books (Sweethearts and Story of a Girl), and Lisa Schroeder's I Heart You, You Haunt Me. This last one I read in an hour and a half today. It's written in verse so it was a quick read, but very good.
I have learned more in the past three days from those books about writing for YA, than I have from any writing book on YA. I've learned about pacing, characters and plotting.
I have a list of books I want to check out of the library next. I can't wait.
Comments
I write YA, too, but I'm currently reading one of my favorite authors for adults, Margaret Atwood, and I find myself going, "Oh, look at how long she waited to drop that little gem into the story." Or, "That information changes everything!" It's really eye-opening and inspiring.
Good for you :) :)