Writing Clean for Today’s Teen
23 May 2012 7 Comments
in For Writers, Goals, Writing Tags: Teen Reads, Writing, YA Fiction
Teen readers are some of the most avid readers in the market. They deserve well-thought out novels that entertain and inspire. Yet, every time I pick up a YA novel at the bookstore there’s some kind of cuss word, explicit reference, or drug reference in the first five chapters. Sure, teens deal with heavy stuff every day at public high schools. But that doesn’t mean authors need to promote sex, drugs, and rock and roll. (Just kidding on that last one. 
)
Why Teens Need Better Options
Ok, before you get Footloose on me and organize a dancing protest, consider this. Teen reading is a great time to show kids making good choices. Those high school years are not only a teaching time academically, but relationally as well. That’s why it’s important to portray characters who eventually make good choices, even if they mess it up at first. They still need to get it right in the end.
Teens want to read books they can relate to. But what makes a book transcendent? A book that rises above the standards, shows real characters fighting tough choices, and becoming better people in the process. Don’t give the character exactly what they want. Watch how they deal with it. That’s real life. Adulthood. Aren’t teen years preparation for adulthood?
Readers want to grow with the character. It’s part of a good story. Especially to teenagers. They’re in the middle of a hyped-up time of change and they are open to learning new things. So give ‘em what they need, not just what they want.
Why I Choose to Write Clean
I read clean fiction. The Christian market is a great place to find clean reads, but I’ll consider books that meet the clean standard. I prefer positive, redemptive books that show a glimpse of a new reality or shed a new light on something.
It’s what I strive to write. Even in the land of the unpubbed, I picture my reader when I write. In my mind, my reader is a teen girl who is tired of the same old click-lit, mean girls club, vampire romance. They want something that’s funny, honest, and thought-provoking. And they don’t want the junk they deal with every day. They want to rise above it to learn more about themselves and their world.
I loved those stories as a teen. Madeleine L’Engle is still my favorite author. I grew up reading her young adult books, A Wrinkle in Time and my all-time favorite A Ring of Endless Light. Those books stayed with me. They transcended the time period they were written in and spoke to me. One day I hope to publish novels that will speak to any reader, anywhere, just like that.
An Author’s Challenge
In YA fiction, it’s hard to stay on trend and still write a transcendent story. It takes extra research, plotting, and characterization. But it’s well worth the effort for a book that will speak to teens the way no other book can. And those books are usually appreciated by adults as well. I still love finding that great YA book I can rave about.
Everybody loves a good story, but a great one is remembered for a long time. Maybe that’s why Jesus taught in stories. Yeah, I like to set my standards high. Reach for the stars and all that. A good story is something we can all relate to. A great story is one that makes us see the world in a whole new light. Gotta love the power of story.
Here are some of my favorite YA authors:
Madeleine L’Engle Classics that read like modern-day stories.
Jenny B. Jones Hilarious and thoughtful books that inspire.
Robin Jones Gunn Godly stories the portray girls making good choices.
Stephanie Morrill A thoughtful, funny, and dramatic series of how a bad girl finds a good path.
Kristin Billerbeck Lighthearted, inspirational chick lit for teens and twenty-somethings.
Nicole O’Dell Great choose-your-own-ending series.
For more insights on this topic go to Holly Michael’s Writing Straight blog post with guest blogger YA author Jennifer Donohue What’s In a Story.
Q4U: What are your pet peeves about YA fiction? What are some clean reads you can recommend?
Time to Turn That Blog Into a Book? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself First
17 May 2012 2 Comments
in Publishing, Writing Tags: content marketing, ebooks, fateful decision, joel friedlander, profitable books, self publishing
Lately I’ve been thinking about turning my blog into something publishable, a column, a book, or an ebook. There’s so many options to choose from. And lots of resources out there clamoring for attention. As I formulate my thoughts into some kind of plan, I wondered if other bloggers are in the same predicament. If so, here’s a look at my thought processes before the fateful decision is made:
1. Am I Ready? How much time it will take, and how much of my resources will be needed? Now is a great time for self-publishing, but is it right for me? I’ve always told myself to try the traditional publishing route first. Would a short self-pubbed book ruin my chances? I know it all depends on the publisher, but it’ll take some research to figure that out.
2. Do I Have Enough Content? I wonder if it makes sense to pour time into one tiny ebook without any other products to back it up. I’d probably have to charge a few bucks to make it work it. I could follow the advice of Joel Friedlander(@JFBookman) in his CopyBlogger post today: 3 Simple Ways to Turn Your Website Archive into Profitable Books and eBooks.
3. What Would the Focus Be? I have a great Writer’s Tips series that I could easily make into an ebook. It would be great for beginning writers who aren’t sure where to start. But beyond that, I’m not sure what else I can offer. Then again, I could turn my new focus of faith and entertainment into a short ebook, too. Or I can start future blog series to turn into books, like Joel suggests.
4. How Can a Book Promote My Blog? A blog in itself reaches a certain niche of people. There’s an audience to reach, if I can learn to target them. Free content, otherwise known as content marketing, would promote my brand further, and in turn promote my blog. It’s all a new process to me. And I wonder if free content would be better than a cheap book. There are examples of how both can work like The Creative Penn.
5. Can I Make it Professional? This is a big deal to me. If I put something out there, I want it to be professional. That means fully edited and promoted. But those things cost money. And time, not only to find a great editor but to go through rounds of edits. Marketing and promotion are tools I’m interested in, but I wonder if I can do it all myself.
Will my reasons of promoting my blog and enhancing my platform outweigh my concerns of self-pubbing? The verdict is still out on that. Right now I’ve got a query out and a contest to worry about. But when those things are decided, this might be a next step to consider. Food for thought anyway. I’ll keep you posted.
4 Thoughts From Psalm 139: Even the Darkness Will Not Be Dark
15 May 2012 3 Comments
in Bible Study, From the Bible Tags: Psalms
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
–Psalm 139:11-12 (NIV)
Psalm 139 is one of my absolute favorite Bible passages, but for different reasons. It’s a great passage about how much God knows me, how He made me, and how He has great plans for me. When I reread this passage recently, verse 12 struck me in a new light. (Pun kinda/sorta intended.)
1. How many times do I want to hide from God? When I mess up, aka sin, or just plain get it wrong. I always want to run and hide, but I never feel like I can. And now I know why it never works.
2. In Bible college, my theology professor tried to explain it to me. There was one question on the test that I got wrong–and I didn’t understand why. He told me that we are always in God’s presence. There’s nowhere to hide. “For darkness is as light to you.” Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
3. If God is everywhere, even in my darkness, then it doesn’t have to be as dark as it seems. Of course it still hurts when things don’t go my way. Sometimes it really hurts. But instead of it being pitch black, maybe it’s really a charcoal gray. With a light in the corner, waiting to burn away the darkness.
4. “Even the darkness will not be dark to you.” In the darkness God is with me, holding me tight. Telling me it’s going to be okay. When I stop trying to fix it and let him take over . . . it’s on, baby. He has a way of transforming my blackest moment to charcoal gray, to light gray, to white as snow. In His own unfathomable, out-of-the-box way.
It’s still a process for me. I’m still learning. Learning to look for the light in the darkness. To watch and pray for it. And one day there will be no more darkness.
Holy Paris Gellar: 8 Emerging Godly Girl Websites
10 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in For Readers, For Writers Tags: Godly Girls, Teen Reads, Teen Writing, YA Books
I’ve been checking around for new websites for teen girls, and I’ve stumbled across some rocking sites. I stole this phrase from a Twitter teen because I thought it was awesome! Not that Paris was a Godly girl, but if she was, I’m sure she’d endorse these sites, too. (And I seriously miss Gilmore Girls.) Here’s my top 7 up-and-coming girls-for-God sites:
1. Nicole O’dell.com and Choose Now Ministries: For the Good Girl, who wants to surf the Web on parent-approved sites. This site has advice columns for parents and teens–separately. Nicole shares her site with top Christian authors who give advice on Dating, Boys, Dreaming Big, Teen Pregnancy, and more.
2. Girls, God, and the Good Life: Authors like Betsy St. Amant, Camy Tang, and Jeneatte Hanscome post candid life lessons that really make you think. This site is chockfull of great resources for book and entertainment lovers who want “clean” alternatives to the entertainment choices always out there. Check it out.
3. RelateMag.com: This site is like the Seventeen Magazine for the Godly Girl. It has all kinds of articles from style and health tips, to celebrity and entertainment news, to relating your faith. Girls who are godly and girly will love it.
4. GoTeenWriters.com: Author Stephanie Morrill shares her insights on writing just for teen girls. She is joined by Jill Williamson, Rachel Coker, and Roseanna White who post their tips and offer contests for the Writer Girl who wants to improve her craft.
5. KatharosNow.com: This site is a mix of published authors and teens who post on timely topics like The Hunger Games, dating and relationships, daily living, and more. There’s even guy perspectives on a few issues. I just LOVED all the different perspectives this site has to offer.
6. Novel Teen @ Jill Williamson.com: Author Jill Williamson posts interviews and book reviews of “clean” teen novels, and even offers teens a chance to submit reviews. (Within certain parameters of course.) This is a great site for all the latest in Christian teen books.
7. RealTeenFaith.com: Great site with videos, testimonials about teen topics, and an advice column for teens. If you need a boost for your faith, this site will help you make sense of it all.
8. ProofSeeTheEvidence.org: This is a new site with YA writers Becky Dean, Tanya Eavenson, and author Shellie Neumeier. They post devos, and thoughts on deep Christian issues, along with author interviews and other lighthearted topics. Give it a try.
5 Reasons I’m Afraid to Finish The Hunger Games
03 May 2012 2 Comments
in Book Reviews, For Readers, Movies Tags: Hunger Games
I’ve watched the movie. I’ve read part 1 of The Hunger Games, but can’t seem to get past that point. Part 1 was great. Seeing the plight of District 12 juxtaposed next to the excess of the Capital was quite a striking picture. But now I’m frozen. I can’t seem to make my fingers turn to Part 2–The Games. Maybe there’s a reason, or five, for that. Mostly questions spinning around in my head. If you love The Hunger Games, help me answer these questions:
1. Is it too violent? The whole concept of the Hunger Games is barbaric and utterly violent by definition. Kids killing kids, can it get any worse? As a YA novel, the violence should be kept to a minimum. But I’m not sure if the publisher’s minimum and my maximum are at the same level. I’m a chick lit, romantic comedy, happily-ever-after kind of girl. Sure, I love the occasional sci-fi/fantasy like Neil Gammon’s Interworld, but it’s not too violent. My friends tried to convince me that the violence is minimal and tastefully done. Still, I hesitate. At some point I’ll have to just see for myself.
2. Is it too bleak? For me, fiction needs to have a redeeming quality to it. I love to learn a lesson or look at something different because of a great story. Since I’m very empathetic with the characters I read, I had to stop in the middle of Part 1 and do something happy. It was hard to picture myself in District 12. What a horrible place. Made me compare the conditions to how people live in third-world countries. It did open my eyes in that respect.
3. Is it completely hopeless? Katniss has to enter a game she can’t win, but all along I’m rooting for her to overcome. Is it even possible? These people in the Capital are horrible, unfeeling, double-crossing lunatics. (Is that how the rest of the world sees America? How sad.) Katniss has trained herself to survive, but the odds are completely against her. I just wonder how many hopeless situations she’ll have to overcome. I’m not a drama queen. In fact I hate it. My fear is that she’ll face too much drama and I’ll stop reading.
4. Where’s the romance? I wouldn’t call any of Katniss’ interactions with Peeta and Gale romantic. Gale is just trying to survive. It makes him a good guy, but I didn’t see the sparks fly. And Peeta’s doing the same, in his own way. At this point I’m not sure if I like him, but he’s unpredictable. Half the time he seems to hate Katniss, and then he doesn’t. That wishy-washy kind of character is true to life, but not any kind of man I’d want.
5. Can Katniss ever return to normal? After seeing the Capital and being in the Hunger Games, will Katniss survive? If she does I hope she doesn’t have to go back to the horror of District 12. She already knew it was awful. Her new experiences would certainly change her forever. Who can deal with such trauma and be the same? I guess that’s why there’s two more books to read. I wonder how Collins can twist such depressing circumstances into some kind of satisfying ending. I can’t see it. But I hope I’m wrong.
If you’re a Hunger Games fan, why do you love it? Could a happily-ever-after kind of girl love it, too? Go ahead, convince me. I dare you.
Life, Faith, and Entertainment that Teaches
01 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Movies Tags: entertainment, faith, Fame
Robin Blue - stockxchng
Have you ever learned something from a movie, TV show, or book that made you look at life differently? It’s what I love about stories. Stories have power. The power to focus our attention on certain aspects of life and come away changed. Then it’s not just entertainment–it has takeaway value. It becomes a lens to see the world around us better.
Maybe it’s just me, but every time I watch or read a good story, I try to find a way to empathize with a character. Put myself in their shoes. (And if I can’t I stop watching/reading.) It’s kinda cool to see what life would be like in a dystopian future like The Hunger Games, or as a modern-day woman who gets swept off her feet by a blast from the past like in Kate & Leopold. (Here’s a link to my previous blog on Kate & Leopold.)
The best part is how I can become part of the story. When I do I learn more about myself. What to do . . . what not to do. And if it’s a great story, it can give us a picture of God’s truth. Those are the best stories for me. They can come from Christian writers, or non-Christian writers. It’s kind of a mystery how it all works. But I believe God uses not only His children, but those who are seeking him as well. (Whether they know it or not. ) Somehow, it’s all a part of His plan.
If you agree with me, and even if you don’t, I hope you can join me on a new journey I’m about to take with this blog. I want to steer it in a new direction. I’ll blog every Tuesday and Thursday about life, faith, and entertainment. I’ll extract nuggets of wisdom in various forms of story-telling. If you’re willing, come back and check out what’s in store. Hope to see you on Thursday.
P.S. If you didn’t have anything better to do and watched Fame on MTV like I did last Saturday, maybe you know what I mean. Doesn’t that movie make you want to go out and chase your dreams? (No, it’s not all copacetic, but the edited TV version is okay.) Here’s a great song from that movie, Try sung by Asher Book. Enjoy.
2012 ACFW Genesis Contest Semi-Finalists Announced
19 Apr 2012 2 Comments
in Contests, Writing Tags: ACFW Genesis, Contest
Great news! Yesterday ACFW announced that I qualified as a semi-finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest in the Young Adult category. What does that mean? My young adult story ranked in the top 20% of all entries in that category. This contest is a big deal, and just being named a semi-finalist is such an honor. I am truly humbled. And excited, too.
Due to judging restrictions, I can’t reveal the name of my entry until the judging is complete at the end of May. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know as soon as I find out what the judges comments were. I want to congratulate all of the Genesis Contest Semi-Finalists. Way to go! It’s time to celebrate. Here’s the complete list of the 2012 Genesis Semi-Finalists.
I also want to give a shout out to my fellow KC West ACFW chapter members who semi-finaled, Cora Allen for Contemporary Romance, Christina Rich and Lora Young for Historical Romance, and Sally Bradley for Women’s Fiction.
Thanks also to everyone who sent me email and Facebook congrats. They were so encouraging. For me, this couldn’t have come at a better time. No matter what happens next, I’m ecstatic! And that’s an understatement.
Six Timeless Truths From the Movie Kate and Leopold
18 Apr 2012 1 Comment
in Movies
In case you’re wondering, Kate and Leopold was on TV the other night and I watched it for the umpteenth time. This time was different, because I stopped to think about why I love this movie so much. That’s when I came up with the following list that encompasses my favorite parts of the movie and the lessons I’ve learned watching it over and over again.
- Real Life Isn’t Always Pretty: I love how this movie portrays aspects of real life even though it’s a romantic comedy at heart. Kate gets tired and tells Leopold to go away like every unperfect woman in the world does every now and then. What a contrast to the perfect heroines you see in every other movie.
- Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams: Sometimes it’s hard to believe in yourself when no one else does and everything goes wrong. Kate and Leopold wrestle with this along with the other characters in the movie. Even though they face setbacks in their relationships and careers, each character finds their own way to keep moving forward and not let their setbacks define them. How inspiring.
- It’s Okay to Apologize: One of my favorite scenes in the movie comes when Leopold sends a heartfelt apology note to Kate after running his mouth off to her boss. Then he provides even further proof of his sincerity with a rooftop dinner. Now that’s what I call a romantic way to win over a lady. And it works on the audience, too.
- Have Faith in People: While nobody’s perfect, most people have some redeeming qualities. Not everyone is wholly bad or wholly good. Kate’s ex-boyfriend, Stuart, was too involved with his own experiments and neglected Kate in the process. But the end of t heir story led to the beginning of Kate and Leopold and their crazy-fun, time travel romance. What’s not to love about that?
- Believe In The Impossible: Whether it’s a dog seeing a rainbow—or a career woman jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge into the 1800s–sometimes what seems impossible is actually logical if you look at it from another angle. Don’t be afraid to believe, and even hope, for things t hat seem impossible. You never know, it just might happen.
- Go Ahead And Take That Leap Of Faith: What comes after believing in the impossible? Well, if you really believe then it’s time to take that leap of faith just like Kate. Maybe yo u need time or proof like Kate did, but once you finally let yourself believe in something don’t let anything stand in your way. Sometimes it’s hard or even dangerous to take that leap of faith. What’s waiting on the other side will be well worth it. What girl doesn’t want to follow a duke back into the 1800s [spoiler alert] so he can announce her as his new bride? Really that whole concept is my favorite part of Kate and Leopold.
Now that’s what I love about Kate and Leopold. What do you love about the movie? What are your favorite parts? Gasp, what could you possibly dislike about the movie? Go ahead and share thoughts, whatever they are. I’d love to hear from you.
A New Leaf
10 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: rejection letter, sci fi, Writing
Good news! My hands are getting better everyday, thanks to your prayers. You guys are so inspiring. I can’t wait to begin blogging regularly again. Strange, but I kinda missed putting my thoughts into the blogosphere. Mostly I missed interacting with all of you.
This month I’m reshaping my blog. I want to focus on my future readers, just in case I ever get anything published. (Yep, got another rejection letter today. Shocker.) Since I write YA romance and sci-fi/fantasy and twenty-something suspense, I’m going to experiment with a younger vibe. I might even tweak the look. Overall, my posts will have a similar style with more me and a lot more fun.
If you have any ideas for me, now is the time to fire away. Go ahead have at it! I could use some help here.
One More Week of Winter . . .
23 Feb 2012 4 Comments
. . . at least for me. I’m happy to report that my hands are slowly getting better, day by day. I’ll have an MRI on Friday which should help my doctor determine the correct diagnosis. I hope that goes well, but I won’t know until I see the doctor on Wednesday.
That means one more week of winter in the job realm until my doctor clears me to go back to work. There have been many setbacks along the way, like my workers’ comp claim being denied. Even so, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I can’t wait to get back to work, writing, blogging, and all of the other wonderful things you can do with your hands. I’ll try to update sporadically until my hand function returns to normal.
Thanks so much to all who have prayed for me and commiserated with me. It’s nice to know I have friends like you, and it’s truly what keeps me going in the hard times.
ACFW
Recent Comments