Today's featured novelist is none other than Anne Tibbets, co-author of "The Amulet Chronicles" and author of "The Beast Call".
So, grab a drink, curl up in your favorite chair, and enjoy Anne's witty thoughts about writing...
By Anne Tibbets
I may burn a few bridges with this blog post, and quite a bit of you readers could call me insane for saying so, but I think a great portion of Young Adult Lit is stupid. It’s true, when you are a teen, and having been one myself I can attest to this, there is no small problem. Everything feels BIG. Everything!
The fact that Eric the Volleyball Captain just said ‘Hi’ to you in the halls can make or break an entire day. And that some skank from Homeroom just told your best friend’s brother that you had a sexually transmitted disease, could in fact, ruin your entire High School existence.
But in the grand scheme of life, it won’t kill you. I mean, literally, despite the wonderful Jane Austen’s epically romantic novels, you cannot die from a broken heart. You can die from starving yourself to death, swallowing a bottle of pills, or jumping head first off a balcony, but you cannot, in fact, die from the emotional aching that occurs in your chest when you find out Eric the Volleyball Captain called you a Butterface.
“You know,” he said, “she’s got a hot body - but her face…”
Yikes.
I think to write entire Young Adult novels about the emotional devastation and heartache and terrors of actual High School, is in fact, stupid, and redundant. High School is hard enough without reading a book to remind us of this fact. Perhaps the reader can take some solace in that someone else is suffering just as much as they are, but it is my express opinion today’s teens don’t need a reminder of why or how High School sucks. We know that already.
Hence, the title of my blog, ‘Beyond the First Kiss.’ If you haven’t noticed, Fantasy and Paranormal are kicking Young Adult Lit butt. I think this is because today’s young readers, in my humble opinion, are looking for a form of escapism.
If, indeed, there is drama to be had, we want it to be true life and/or death drama, and not just if you got your first kiss. What if you got your first kiss on the night your brother was murdered right in front of you by a band of evil castle guards and now you don’t know whether to laugh or cry…Better, eh? Eh??
What if you got your first kiss from your new boyfriend but he’s a vampire and kissing you could ultimately lead to him eating you. So! Much! Better!
I hope this trend in YA Lit continues, because I can honestly say, in my mind, epic battles, magic spells, and monsters mixed in with first kisses, love triangles, and growing up, makes for a WAY better read.
If everything feels big, let’s make it really, honking BIG.
But that’s just me.
***
And now...more about Anne's terrific book, "The Beast Call"!
Seventeen year old Dray is no ordinary human. But possessing a magical capability to talk to animals in a land where magic is feared, is dangerous. When Dray's adventure hungry brother leaves the family farm to join a rebel militia, Dray follows him, but as Dray discovers her natural warrior capabilities and word of her magical talents are discovered by the rebel General, Dray becomes an intricate part of the revolution, and the evil King Nuro would like nothing more than to see her destroyed.
Wanna win a FREE copy of "The Beast Call"? (Of course you do!) Just leave a comment about this remarkable post! Then, on or around August 19, Anne Tibbets will choose one random commenter to receive an ebook copy of "The Beast Call" absolutely FREE!!!
Comments must be posted no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on August 18! Feel free to comment as often as you'd like, however, only one comment per person will be entered in the contest. Please leave an email address or other way to contact you if you're the winner! Happy commenting and GOOD LUCK!
Anne Tibbets is an SCBWI award-winning author. Anne found her way to young adult fantasy by following what she loves: strong female characters, magic, sword fights and ferocious and cuddly animals. Anne is co-author of the middle grade time travel adventure, "The Amulet Chronicles," and author of the young adult fantasy, "The Beast Call." She divides her time between writing, her family, and two furry creatures that she secretly believes are plotting her assassination. For more information about Anne, visit her website at http://www.writeforcoffee.blogspot.com or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AnneTibbetsAuthor
Don't forget to check back tomorrow for a fun-filled interview with New Zealand's own Lisa J. Flaus!!!
Yep, great post. But personally, the paranormal YA is only slightly different. It's the same emotional center. It's my same uncaring vibe to it. I tried. I'm just too old. So it's not the genre, it's me but, well, you get the idea. Great article though. Wish there was more stuff like this to make me want to chime in.
ReplyDeleteU.L. Harper was here. Thanks
Can I just say that is one ROCKIN' cover.
ReplyDeletewoow. looks interesting. I would like to read it :) Thanks for the giveaway and notice.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with most of what you said about YA books being stupid.
ReplyDeleteMost YA books that don't wallow in the misery of a teenager but find ways to cope with it without the self destruction. That's the power of literature.
That same theme finds it's way into the more adventurous titles as well. I think that's why YA is so popular even among adults. It's comforting to find ways to cope with the trails of life, reassuring.
That's my opinion.
valerie(at)stuckinbooks.com
I pasted YA many moons ago. I never read much YA when in that age group. I always went towards mysteries, biographies, fictional reads, etc. Since I started reviewing, I have done some YA and I find them quite likable. I am with you. I think teens especially like a means to escape. I have always loved to read for that specific reason. I can escape to my own little world as long as I so chose. Thanks for the grewat post and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteejcoppersmith at yahoo dot com
I am to agree with StuckInBooks on this one. I love YA epic fantasy but that doesn't discount the normal YA every stories. Sometimes, I just want to read something set in this world where the only problems are a girl liking a boy and wanting him to kiss her. Either way, if it gets kids to read I am all for it.
ReplyDelete