Writing and Selling the YA Novel Read online

  Remember the first day of school?

  Can you recall the feeling of walking into each new classroom wondering which of your friends would be there, where you would sit, and what the teacher would be like? Well, this is a school for two—you and me. You can sit wherever you'd like, but I have to warn you: Although you'll change subjects from period to period, I'll be your teacher for every single class. That's why I thought I'd start by telling you a little bit about me and my teaching style.

  First of all, I hope you'll be comfortable, but do have your pen and paper ready because we will be using it. I believe the only way to learn how to write is by practicing again and again and again. So, yes, there will be lots of homework.

  Some of you might be thinking, "Uh-oh, this teacher is strict. Homework on the first day of class?" But you can relax. There won't be any homework until the school day officially starts, and although I am

  strict (you'll read more about discipline later), I'm also one of those teachers who really cares about her subject.

  And her students.

  So here's a little bit of information about me.

  I like to tell people that I know books from every angle. It's true.

  The daughter of a librarian, I grew up reading aloud with my parents from the time I was very small. I started out sitting on their laps, listening to the sounds of the words. As I grew older, my whole family passed the books from person to person, each one taking his or her turn to read a passage.

  It was this love of reading that prompted me to accept a volunteer position after college working with adult students on basic reading skills. Reading had always been something I adored, so why not share that with others?

  I worked as an adult literacy tutor for two and a half years before returning to my home in New York. The question "What should I do next?" was never far from my mind, but fortunately for me, a friend recommended I apply for a job at a literary agency. To my surprise, I got the position. This was the start of almost five years at Curtis Brown, Ltd., where I was privileged to work with many top literary agents. I watched manuscripts move from unpolished gems to the bookshelves of Barnes & Noble, from the slush pile to a contract, and from an agent's desk back to the author for another try.

  This was invaluable experience, especially since I was also writing my own books. I wrote my first full-length novel in high school, but I was always writing "just for fun," lacking the confidence to submit my work. Even while working in publishing, it was still a long time before I showed my writing to anyone. I was convinced that as soon as people saw what a horrible writer I was they'd lose confidence in my ability to critique manuscripts or judge query letters and my job would be at stake.

  Sharing my work was a risk, just as it is for you, but I'm certainly glad I did it. My first published novel, Fat Kid Rules the World, was named a Michael L. Printz honor book and has been a Junior Library Guild selection and a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. I now have four novels published with more under contract, and my books have been translated into Japanese, Korean, and Italian. Each book has been made into an audiobook, and I've even had a movie option for Fat Kid Rules the World!

  Of course, getting published doesn't mean you necessarily get rich (more on that in math class), so what have I been doing besides writing books?

  Well, I couldn't work full time and still produce novels on deadline, so I left my job at the literary agency and got a job at, you guessed it, a local bookstore. Where else? For the next two years I stood behind the counter watching customers browse the shelves, hand selling my favorite titles, sadly boxing up books for returns then happily ordering new ones from publishers' catalogs, and occasionally catching the unsuspecting customer checking out my own titles when they were on display.

  I've followed my books from start to finish, moving from reading to teaching to agenting to selling, and all along I've continued to pursue my greatest passion—writing. Now I write, speak at conferences, visit schools and libraries, and critique manuscripts.

  Do I know books from every angle? Well, I'm certain there are one or two I haven't covered—so to help me out, I have some wonderful teaching assistants ready to take up the slack. At the end of every chapter you'll hear directly from teens all across the country about every subject we discuss. If there's one thing you'll hear from me again and again in this book, it's that teens are smart, articulate, and know their minds. So how could I not let them speak for themselves?

  Participating teens come from a school in New Mexico, a soccer team in New Hampshire, libraries all across America, teen reading Web sites, and numerous individuals who responded to my request for teens ages twelve through eighteen willing to fill out a questionnaire about teen reading. Responses were wonderful, and it was difficult to choose which answers to quote, but I've tried to choose the responses that best represent the majority, while at the same time giving you an idea of how diverse teens are in their opinions. I can't wait to share the wit and wisdom of today's teenagers with you.

  So, what kind of teacher will I be?

  Hopefully the kind who can share real-world knowledge and inspire you to go farther than you thought possible. I've been privileged to see publishing from the inside out, and I'm excited to share my experiences with you. Now, if you're ready to start your school day and learn more about writing novels for young adults, let's open up your locker and see what's inside.

  Writing books for publication is not an easy task. There are many authors competing for a limited number of slots on each publisher's list. How can you make sure your book catches an editor's attention? How can you be certain the material you've produced is well written? Is there a magic formula for success?

  We all wish such a formula existed, but writing is a personal journey that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The material you create will naturally reflect your own style, voice, and life experiences, and there's no way to guarantee that what you have to offer is what a

  publisher will be looking for at the time you submit your work. That's a truth that cannot be sugarcoated.

  However, having said that, I can assure you that the more you learn, the more you increase your odds of success. There are many tools you can use to improve your skills, make your work more marketable, and best of all, help you create stories that readers will return to again and again.

  Here are a few of them:

  • determination

  • perseverance

  • creativity

  • intelligence

  • willingness to explore

  • ability to practice

  • learning from the experience of others

  • Web sites

  • magazines

  • conferences

  • writers' groups

  • reading

  These are just a few of the tools within your grasp. Undoubtedly, everyone's locker is different, and you surely have some opportunities that are uniquely yours. Intimate knowledge of your subject matter? A friend in the publishing business? Experience writing in other fields? Take time to look around and inventory what you have at your disposal. Don't discount anything that might help you along your path. That teenager lurking around your living room just might be the perfect source of inspiration.

  Oh, and here's one more very important tool: Your schedule.

  Books like this can be invaluable because they not only allow you to carve out time in your busy life to study your craft, they also offer a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to succeed.

  So, here's what your school day will look like:

  Homeroom: Here, we'll discuss your motivation for writing teen books. This is the time to look at how YAbooks differ from
their adult or juvenile counterparts, and see what defines YA literature. Plus, I'll reveal my number one, most important piece of advice.

  1st Period: History. Names and dates won't be dull when it comes to learning the history of books written for teenagers. Knowing where YA literature started and what has been accomplished by the authors who came before you can enrich your stories and allow you to innovate.

  2nd Period: Gym. Many of us loved or hated gym class with a passion when we were in school, and isn't strong emotion exactly what fuels a good book? Here we'll explore what makes an idea great, where ideas come from, and how to implement them once you've found an idea you want to work with.

  3rd Period: English. I don't know about you, but English was always my favorite class. If there's one thing I love it's a good book, and good books are full of great characters. A memorable character will linger in a reader's mind long after she's finished reading. Learning to create and develop interesting personalities is essential to storytelling, and there's no better place to practice your skills than English class.

  4th Period: Lunch. Isn't there more to a good story than characters? The characters have to do something, don't they? That's where lunch comes in. In the lunchroom alliances are formed, gossip is rampant, and cliques are everywhere. Someone is almost always in tears or in the process of breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. In short, lunch means action, and action means plot.

  5th Period: Social Studies. After lunch you'll proceed to social studies, where we'll take an in-depth look at setting. We'll discuss what role location plays in stories and how it can be used to affect plot and characters. Do you know which details can bring a location to life? If not, have your notebook ready.

  6th Period: Study Hall. Narrative voice and point of view are two qualities of YA literature that have stood out over the years. In study hall you'll learn how you can make your teen voices sound realistic and how to figure out the best way to tell a given story. Learning about narration techniques will help you make good decisions. What does this require? Time! Good thing you've got study hall.

  7th Period: Science. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, science is a branch of knowledge requiring systematic study and an expert's skillful technique. Skillful technique is what editing is all about. Very few of us (if any!) produce polished material in our first drafts. Learning how to improve what you write can make the difference between a manuscript that makes it to an editor's desk and one that gets lost in the slush pile.

  8th Period: Math. How many of you dreaded math class when you were in school? But as a writer, you'll love it, because this is where we talk about money! Yes, writers can and do make money. Here's where you'll

  perfect your query letter, decide whether you're looking for an agent or an editor, and research the best marketplace for your material. You'll also learn the basics of negotiating a solid contract.

  9th Period: Shop Glass. In your school, was shop class reserved for the kids who smoked in the bathrooms and wore black leather jackets all year round? Or maybe shop class meant computers and learning the most up-to-date technology. Maybe you were one of those kids who waited all day for a chance to get your hands dirty, or the artist who made statements in the only class that allowed you to create. Regardless, there's no better place to talk shop than shop class. Here's where we'll discuss swearing, drugs, sex, slang, technology, and all the other ever-changing hot-button issues unique to the teen market. We'll also look at marketing your book once it gets published.

  Sound like a lot to learn? Relax. You've got all the tools you require in your writing locker. You can progress at your own pace, taking all the time you need before moving on to the next class. In fact, I encourage you to do each of the homework assignments you receive, not because they'll be graded, but because practicing your skills is the best way to improve them.

  So, if you're ready to go, the morning bell is ringing...

  What's your most vivid memory from high school? How about middle school? Can you recall where you sat in ninth-grade social studies? Does the smell of the biology room still linger somewhere in your subconscious? What was your favorite class? Who was your best friend? Your worst enemy? Were you homeschooled? What's the one thing you know now that you wish you'd known back then?

  If you've made it to homeroom today it's because you want to write novels for young adults. Congratulations! This is a wonderful goal, worthy of many hours in the classroom. Writing for young adults is an expanding field attracting some top authors. If you're looking to break into this market, you're off to a great start. Studying the craft is essential for success, and knowing who you are as a writer and who your audience is can help you begin your career with a solid foundation.

  But maybe you're not so sure you've come to the right place.

  Maybe you've tiptoed into homeroom because someone put it on your schedule, but you're not certain where you should sit or whether you really belong here at all. Perhaps you think you're too old to go back to school. Maybe you can't answer any of the questions at the beginning of this chapter. The smell of the biology room? That was years ago! Is remembering your locker combination a prerequisite for success?

  Why would someone choose to write for the teen market anyway?

  If you want to write a young adult (YA) novel this is the number one question to address. Writing takes a lot of stamina. It requires hours of solitary work, creating and recreating characters, plot, and setting. It takes energy and enthusiasm, and trust me, if you aren't entirely in love with your book and its characters, you'll never make it through round after round of editing. So it's important to be sure that the work you create is coming from your heart.

  Does this mean you can't experiment? Try out different voices and styles? Absolutely not! Experimentation is essential if you're going to learn what works for you, but you can save yourself a lot of time by understanding the field you're delving into. Learning about other books similar to the one you're writing can spark ideas, shape the choices you make, and maybe even influence the way you approach your novel.

  In homeroom we'll explore the defining characteristics of the YA novel, the reasons someone might (or might not!) want to write for teens, and what you'll need to know to get started.

  WHY WRITE FOR TEENS?_

  Okay, class, settle down. Let's go around the room and share why were all here today.

  Remember when you were a kid and adults asked this question? Back then the answer was almost always, "Because I have to be." Only that was never what you said out loud. Instead, it was necessary to come up with platitudes to please the teacher.

  I chose this class because I really want to learn about economics.

  I'm here so I can become a well-rounded individual.

  I truly love science.

  Sometimes those platitudes were true, but more often they were just what you said in order to get through the activity you'd been forced to attend. Now that we're adults, we get to enjoy the freedom of choosing our activities and arranging our schedules exactly as we'd like. "We have unlimited choices and can usually do exactly what we want.

  Or can we?

  When was the last time you stifled a yawn at a meeting? Have you ever wished you could throw your daily planner out the window? Are you constantly promising yourself you'll slow down only to find it never seems to happen?

  The truth is, no matter how old we get, we share much in common with teenagers. The experiences and emotions of those years never disappear completely, and that's part of the reason I love writing for teens. No matter how old you are, you still experience emotions that are the same as when you were younger, but nowyou possess more life experience than you did when you were a kid, so you can put them in a different context. Writing books for young adults is a unique opportunity to channel both familiar emotions and unfamiliar experiences, exploring ideas and issues that are meaningful to teens yet still relevant in your own life.

  Of course, this can be a challenge because, while
the core emotional truths stay the same, there are also a lot of things that have changed since you were in school, even if you graduated only a few years ago. Think of all the things that are different now than they were when you were in high school or middle school:

  • your body

  • technology

  • language

  • relationships to friends and family

  • how you spend your time

  • your goals

  • the world around you

  This list could go on and on, and maybe that seems intimidating, but it can also be exciting. Writing books for young adults allows us to revisit the world in a new way.

  If you're feeling out of touch, don't panic. Television, movies, music, and people-watching are easy ways to observe what's going on in the world of teens. If you don't know any teenagers personally, go see the top-rated teen movies, or read Teen Vogue or Seventeen. Better yet, stop by some forums online, or get a MySpace or Facebook page. Just beware of judging adolescents by their covers. You certainly wouldn't want teens to base their assumptions about adults on the hit Monday night TV show or the latest romantic comedy. And beware of writing your book with the sole intent to reach a "hip" portion of the demographic. Books are first and foremost art and entertainment, and books for teens are no exceptions. The best YA books can appeal to almost any age group and almost any type of teen because they use strong writing to tell meaningful stories with well-developed characters.

  Many people underestimate teenagers, but I think the average teen is far more complex than we think. Most teens are already reading adult books, so the intent of the teen novel isn't to "write down" to them, but rather to give them a body of literature that is uniquely their own. Our teenage years can be tumultuous ones. Teenagers are on the brink of adulthood, and their understanding of the world can be simultaneously very broad and very limited. Some teens live sheltered lives, yet others catapult forward, dealing with experiences and issues most adults would be hard-pressed to navigate. Books for teenagers must tap into both ends of this spectrum.