Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

Just a short writerly ways today, trying to catch up the word count and all that jazz (while desperately trying to finish as many lectures as possible before nano, which caloo calay the hematological lectures for pathophysiology as the ppts come from the company are in much better shape than the neurological ones were.)

I’m THIS close to finishing Kept Tears, my paranormal m/m erotica featuring disabled veteran, Aaron and Rhys (formerly known as Sebastian and still is in the rough draft), a prince of the Tylwyth Teg. I’ll send it out to my betas when done (don’t worry, I know at least one of you is attempting nano so no rush). If anyone else wants a peek at the novel let me know. (the dream is to get it out before the end of 2012 but the reality is probably going to be 2013).

I have to go through the galleys for Peace in the Valley and do a final edit on Staples (first story under my non-erotica pen name Eliana D. Evans who if anyone wants to follow her twitter just mash that name into one word and remove the period after D).

So here’s the writing question for you all today: young adult novels. It’s becoming an on-going (and rather dead ended) discussion in my writers group about the violence and sexual suggestion (there is no sex in my novel, fyi, but there is violence) and it being too much for YA readers. Honestly, I think we’re not making the distinction between juvenile readers (the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson set, the 12-15 yo) and the older reader 18+. I do know there has been discussion about setting up a distinct title for books for the younger teen and tweens and leaving YA for the older teen (Because, let’s face it, what 13 year old wants the word ‘juvenile’ attached to him/her).

Anyhow, I was wondering in the books you’re reading in the YA category, which ones would you tag as having sexual situations and/or violence? I’ll start us off. (also it might contain spoilers here and in the comments)
1. Tithe by Holly Black – this had sex violence, f bombs everywhere and drug use (and I didn’t like or finish it but that’s besides the point.
2. The entire Hunger Games series. Kids killing kids on screen. Actually I never read beyond book one but it looks to me like sexual situations would be there
3. Tyger Tyger – Mom is killed in front of her kids
4. Anna Dressed in Blood Anna, a ghost, kills a lot of people and is yes, dripping with blood
5. The Percy Jackson series certainly has violence and character death
6. Incarceron kids locked up in a terrible prison

My point, of course, is that I’m not the first person ever to write violence for YA. I would say I don’t even approach the level of the Hunger Games. So what do you all think about this? Anything you care to add? Heck I could be here all day if I were to include manga in this.


Yearly Word Count -

157971 / 175000 words. 90% done!

Kept Tears (I broke through the 60K barrier so I put this up to 65K which is a print run as well as ebook for most of the m/m erotica publishers)

62589 / 65000 words. 96% done!

Comments

[bay115.livejournal.com]

I admit to not really read much YA books so I can't say much on the distinctions. I have read all three books of The Hunger Games and can say that after book one there are references of kids sold into prostitution, so some sexual situations mentioned.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks. I do read a lot of them (I didn't when I WAS a YA) so yes that's a help.

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Considering how much sex and violence is in Tanith Lee's adult fiction, it's not quite the same in her YA stuff. Her Unicorn Trilogy does have some violence, but it mostly happens off-screen.

Healer's War series has some violence and also mental control/mind rape in it.

Webs didn't have violence, though were some threatening actions, and attraction, but no sexual content.

Ummmm...that's all I can come up with on the top of my head.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

healer's war definitely had broken bones, children being left to die among other things

did you ever finish that

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's why I thought of it. I thought I posted a review.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i remember book 2 but not book 3 (or did it only have 2)

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Three books; the series is finished. Here's my review (http://bookheaven.livejournal.com/157200.html).

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

ah that's why i only remember 2

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yeah. XD