Battling the Stigma of the YA Writer
Posted by annastan on May 16th, 2011. Filed under: Craft, Guest Post, YA.Today’s guest post comes from writer and blogger extraordinaire, Lydia Sharp:
“Hello. My name is Lydia. And I write fiction for teens.”
I’m very open about it now, but there was a time when I thought saying those words meant I had either sold myself out, or that my writing skills had taken a step backward. Somewhere along my writing journey I discovered stories within me that were focused on “the teen experience” rather than an adult viewpoint. This happened without forethought. Like any other story ideas, I didn’t know exactly where these stories came from or why I suddenly felt the urge to write them. All I knew was that they could not, in any way, be considered “fiction for adults.”
This was a bit scary at first. One of the main reasons was that I didn’t know how to write YA. I hadn’t read any YA fiction since I was a pre-teen, so as an adult I had no idea what good YA looked like (or bad YA, for that matter). I had nothing to judge my work against.
The only way to learn how to do it right was to start reading YA again, but this was during the peak of the Twilight years. I didn’t like that people thought I was just riding on a trend. “Well, golly gee whiz, all you gotta do is whip out a novel for teenagers and you’re set for life!” No. I already knew that’s not how it works–I knew of all the hard work that goes unseen by the public eye. But when people outside of my writing world asked what I was working on, and I said, “a novel about teenagers,” they replied, “Oh, you could be the next Stephanie Meyer!”
Le sigh…
I was also, without realizing it, blocking my own path for writerly growth with belief in an ugly stereotype– that YA fiction is dumbed down. It’s easy to think that when you place a YA novel side-by-side with an adult novel and open them both to any given page. Adult novels have larger pages and smaller print, so comparatively, a YA novel looks dummified with its (sometimes) smaller pages and (almost always) larger, more spaced-out print.
But that is only what’s seen on the surface. Once I started reading YA novels again, this time as an adult with writing and publishing experience, I discerned they are not at all dumbed down. They employ the same storytelling techniques as adult novels, although usually with a much faster pace, and the vocabulary is just as broad. I can honestly say now that YA novels are my most favorite to read and write.
There is an old stigma about YA writers being substandard to writers of adult fiction, but I firmly believe that stigma is disintegrating with time, as more aspiring authors are exposed to the truth.
What truth? Consider these five bust-worthy myths:
Myth: YA authors write YA because it is trendy, an easy sell, fast money.
Truth: YA fiction is just as difficult to break into as adult fiction, the publishing process is exactly the same (read: SLOW), and your chances of breakout success are just as slim. YA authors write YA because, for varied reasons between individuals, that is what they desire to write, nothing more.
Myth: YA novels are easier to write than adult novels because they have less words.
Truth: YA fiction is just as difficult to write as adult fiction, and just as complex in its layering. Each type (adult vs. YA) has its own pros and cons. As a writer of both, I can vouch for that. And as a writer of short stories as well as novels, I can vouch for the fact that a smaller word count does not equal easier. It may mean you finish the first draft more quickly, but you use the same basic skills of storytelling and writing technique to complete the finished product.
Myth: YA writers are only successful because they live on the Internet (blogging, twitter, facebook, YouTube, etc.), and that’s where teenagers are.
Truth: Online activities can increase your exposure, which is important, but people sill have to read your book, like your book, and recommend it to others for it to garner any kind of success. And this is true of any fiction, not just YA.
Also, not all teens are on the Internet 24/7. If a YA writer really wants to promote where their target audience is, they visit schools and/or libraries. Online venues work best as a promotional supplement rather than the main.
Myth: If you write YA and adult novels under the same name you will lose credibility with the audience of either/or.
Truth: Some authors choose to write different types or different genres under different pen names, but that is by no means required just because you have a different target audience. This is something you would discuss with your literary agent and/or editor before making a final decision, but there are successful authors who use the same name for everything. (Ally Carter, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Ann Aguirre, James Patterson, and (yes!) Stephanie Meyer, to name just a few.)
Myth: Adults only write YA fiction because they seek validation, redemption, closure, and/or vengeance for their teen self.
Truth: Most YA writers, myself included, write YA simply because that’s what the story calls for. Many (again, myself included), find the pacing and technique agreeable with their natural writing style. Some of us also take a more noble approach. We feel we can help modern teens get through a difficult time by providing an escape through fantastical entertainment, or let them know they are not alone in their trials by way of “issue” books. And really, this holds true for adult fiction, too, just through a differing viewpoint of world experience.
Bottom line: If you discover you have a teen-focused story in you begging for release, don’t let the stigma of the YA writer hold you back. The YA author community is one of the most supportive I have found, with some of the most talented and dedicated workers in the craft of fiction writing. So don’t be afraid to openly admit you write and love YA.
Say it with me. “Hello. My name is…”
Happy writing,
~Lydia
Lydia Sharp is a novelist, short story author, book reviewer, and is one of eight honorary contributors to the award-winning blog for fiction writers, Writer Unboxed. She also blogs weekly, tweets, and shares what books she’s reading at goodreads. Most of them are YA.
May 16th, 2011 at 8:32 am
I guess b/c I was never in the world of adult lit. I never saw YA writers/authors as having a bad stereotype. Still don’t see it. Interesting you ran into though.
May 16th, 2011 at 9:18 am
GREAT post, Lydia! I never read YA before a crit partner said of my first ms, “this voice is pretty young.” So I looked into it … yep. And yay! The YA I’ve read (and at this point, that would be … A LOT) is consistently well-written and powerful. I write adult stuff, too, but YA is where my heart is. And you’re totally right about the community–incredibly supportive and full of brilliant, interesting people!
May 16th, 2011 at 10:06 am
I never got the stigma, either. I see it more in the “lit fic” vs. “genre” debate with YA as a sub of genre fiction. Lit fic acolytes will still point to CATCHER IN THE RYE as an all time great, though.
Your point about word count is right on the money. In my opinion, telling a full, rich story with fewer words is damn hard to do. If higher word counts indicated better work, then why are so many first novels 20k-40k over the mark? And let’s be honest. There aren’t that many short stories out there not only because “short stories don’t sell” (false, esp. with eBooks) but because a lot of novelists can’t write a short story. It’s the hardest form of story telling. When a novelist attempts a short story, it often turns out to be a chapter of a bigger work. Cramming a full story arc into 20k words is HARD.
May 16th, 2011 at 10:40 am
@Laura,
I guess I’m a bit more in-tune (or maybe too sensitive) to those things. It seems like I get flack from SF writers for writing contemp, and vice versa… and I get flack that my contemp stuff is too “literary” and not “commercial” enough… and I get flack that my YA is too “edgy” and my adult fiction is too “tame”… and I get flack from novelists who think short stories pubs are not a real credential…
It’s all very exhausting. I say just write what you want to write. There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t agree with it.
May 16th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@Sarah,
I’ve had similar experiences.
My husband (who is a hardcore military SF writer) said my first SF novel “reads like YA”, and admittedly, the MC is only 22 so I guess that’s technically a true statement– she is a young adult, just not a teenager. I took offense to this, though, because I thought it meant he wasn’t taking my writing seriously.
That isn’t at all what it meant. The faulty thinking was mine.
But it happened again with one of my women’s fic novels. I offered the first chapter up for public critique and someone said “the voice is too young for a thirty year-old”, which I didn’t really understand because that was my age and I thought the MC’s voice was natural for someone like me.
Then I remembered I’m a very immature adult.
It wasn’t long after that that I started my first YA novel, and I found the “teen voice” easy to tap into. Not that all teens are immature, but the difference in teen viewpoint vs. adult viewpoint came very easily for me. I still write adult fiction, but YA is definitely my favorite now.
May 16th, 2011 at 10:54 am
@Laurel,
The lit fic vs genre debate has never made sense to me. They are simply different types of stories, and no, not everyone is going to like every type of story, but that doesn’t mean one or the other is wrong. The bulk of the publishing industry is founded on opinions, and sometimes we need reminders of that no matter how long we’ve been a part of it.
Regarding short stories, I completely agree with everything you said. Very well put.
May 16th, 2011 at 11:06 am
GREAT post! (longtime lurker; first time commentor!)These myths are SO true, and particularly when you write YA and target a popular “trend,” which are becoming more like sub-genres, like zombies or vampires or werewolves. But I’ve always been told that I “write young” and as a former teacher I’m committed to witing for kids because to me, even if it *is* zombies or vamps, writing YA is an outgrowth of teaching, sharing, whatever. It’s definitely a calling and isn’t for everybody, and I love a post like this that points that out!
May 16th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Rusty,
That is a really beautiful comment. So true. A lot of new writers (no matter what they’re writing, but it seems especially so in the YA fantasy genre) get hung up on not wanting to appear trendy. But if you want to write about zombies, vampires, mermaids, etc. then just DO IT.
You will never be wrong if you write your passion.
May 16th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Ah, I so know what you mean. When I was in a MFA program and turned in a YA short story, I got a lot of flack from it.
I don’t know. I think some adult writers just don’t get it. But it doesn’t matter, b/c the YA writing community is so supportive so it makes up for the naysayers outside who don’t understand.
May 16th, 2011 at 11:55 am
I bet it was a snaztastic short story, Karen!
(and to everyone, my apologies, I seriously just now noticed there is a “reply” button below each comment. I’m so used to the old way…)
May 16th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
My protag in my current series starts out at 18, but 8 years goes by in the first two books. Her voice matures, as it should. A lot of people say her voice is even young for an 18-year-old in the first book, but considering her life…this is how she came to me and I’ve just been true to her voice.
A point about your first myth is that YA sales have been down for over a year – every month they’ve fallen more. And the number of YA writers has increased over recent years. So, really, it’s a HARDER segment to break into than adult. I’ve been reading a lot of YA for a while and recently went back to some adult paranormal books. As far as structure, character development, etc., the adult books have been quite disappointing compared to most of the YAs I’ve read.
May 16th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Great post Lydia! I actually find myself in the opposite conundrum – all of my writerly pals online write YA, so it feels a little weird to say that I write for the adult audience. Luckily the YA crowd are incredibly nice and helpful!
May 16th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Wonderful post! I think it may be harder now to break into YA for the very reason that there are so many “aspiring” YA authors who do, unfortunately, just want the instant success they attribute to authors like Stephanie Meyer.
Besides…adult authors should consider that a large part of their audience are teens, anyway! Because, really, I think the YA brains are still working better than ours.
May 16th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Good points, all. I think the stigma also exists for those of us who write for MG and/or children. The same assumptions apply: anyone can write a kid’s book; they’re easier to write; if you were serious, you’d be writing for adults, etc. I guess we just have to do our best and prove the naysayers wrong.
May 16th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
I was also resistant to my inner YA author. But, when I began working at a bookstore, I decided to read some YA novels – and they were fantastic!! (Tamora Pierce single-handedly drew me into the genre.) Now, I am working on a YA historical fiction novel and have written several novellas and short stories for teens.
Great post, Lydia.
May 16th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Great post Lydia. It’s all so true. I rediscovered middle grade & YA when I started writing. I’m totally hooked even if I stopped writing.
May 16th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Kristie,
Admittedly, it’s difficult for me to read (most) adult fiction now. But I still do. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a slower, more detailed read.
I don’t follow actual sales numbers, but I imagine sales are down all around, not just in YA. But you’re right, that means that it’s harder to break into, because what you have to offer can’t just be “good”, it has to “stellar.”
May 16th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Sierra,
That’s an interesting point! I never thought of it in reverse.
May 16th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Faith,
That’s true! A lot of teens skip YA altogether and go straight to adult fiction. Personally, I didn’t have much time for leisure reading when I was a teenager. I read YA books when I was a pre-teen, then went to adult books after high school.
May 16th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Kathryn,
That’s very true. In fact, I found an article about that just the other day… I’ll see if I can scrounge up the link for you.
Yep. Here it is:
http://adamrex.blogspot.com/2011/05/open-letter-to-everyone-who-thinks-it.html
May 16th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Thanks, Kaycee!
Sadly, I must admit that I have yet to read any of Pierce’s books. *hangs head in shame*
May 16th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Natalie,
haha. I get that. I really do. If I ever stopped writing (which I doubt will ever happen, but for the sake of argument…) I will still have stacks of YA novels surrounding me. Love.
May 17th, 2011 at 1:12 am
Nice guest post!
I have not ran into many of these situations, but I see how one could.
May 17th, 2011 at 8:21 am
Great post, Lydia.
It drives me nuts when people put down the genre without reading it. Books like SPEAK and 13 REASONS WHY are the reason why I love reading and writing it. They help teens.
May 17th, 2011 at 9:49 am
Thanks, Stina! 13 REASONS WHY is one of my all-time faves.
May 17th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Brilliant post, Lydia. Love your breakdown of the truths and myths of YA.
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
May 17th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Excellent post. I very much agreed with it. I particularly recognise the sigh that comes after the ‘you could be the next Stephanie Meyer’ comment. It’s a nice thought but it always tempts me to disclose how much I actually earn (or rather don’t earn) from writing.
May 18th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Lydia, this is great! I’m a bit behind the times, because I didn’t know about the stigma. Doh! I think writers should just write the story that’s within them, and not worry about the other noise.
May 20th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Wonderful post! I love reading YA the most these days as well. Sure, I’m still in the basic age range…but that doesn’t mean anything. I’m also an aspiring writer who finds that most of my ideas are YA, and if they aren’t, I don’t think it’s “better.” It just fits for an older or younger audience.
May 22nd, 2011 at 7:59 pm
My name is Erica and I write books for kids…
Great post, Lydia! One of the reasons I write for preteens and teens is because, well, I’ve found most adults to be really boring (with the exception of YA writers, of course).
May 27th, 2011 at 2:47 am
This is a great post, thanks for sharing. I guess the stigma is a bit of backlash, since YA has gotten so popular. I love YA, reading it, writing it.