Wednesday 10 October 2012

Writing YA Is Not A Rehearsal

Recently, I was asked a question. The question. The one that most, if not all people who write for children and young adults gets asked at some point:

"When are you going to start writing for grownups?"

I wasn't in a situation where I could say what immediately came into my head, so all I could do was look at them like this:
 
der
Errr, WHAT did you just say?  (Image licensed for use under Creative Commons)



But later – much later, long after this person had gone, because that is what ALWAYS happens to me – I thought of a proper (and polite) answer.

This is it.

I came to writing YA after trying everything else, including writing for adults (which nearly made me give up on writing altogether – you can read more about that here). But I didn't start writing it because it was a last resort, or because it's easy. I didn't start writing it because I wanted to hop on a bandwagon or because it was 'something to do' while I was striving towards writing 'proper' books for adults. And I don't know any other children's or YA authors – and that includes authors who write for young people AND adults – who started writing it for that reason either.

Y'see, it's not only the author you insult with a question like that. It's their readers, too. To dismiss books for young people as somehow being inferior to those for adults is to dismiss the young people themselves – as if, somehow, they and the books they read have less worth.

You only have to read a handful of the many amazing children's and YA books that are out there right now to realise what a crazy attitude this is. As categories, they contain some of the most challenging, frightening, beautiful, downright exciting books I've ever read. Philip Pullman, anyone? Roald Dahl? Melvin Burgess? Malorie Blackman? Tabitha Suzuma? I could go on… and on…

Which isn't to say I don't enjoy books written for adults, because I do. In my mind, there's no distinction – and there wasn't when I was younger. If a book is well-written, has a gripping storyline, relatable characters, I'll devour it no matter what age group it's aimed at; I've been the same all my life. Which is why, when people start pitching one category against another, looking down their noses at literature for younger readers, it drives me crazy.

I may write for adults one day, or I may not. Why should it even matter? Kids are not just adults-in-training. Their books are not dumbed-down versions of the books their parents and the other adults around them read. And the writers who write for them aren't just doing it as a rehearsal. We write what we write because we can't not write it – because it's in our DNA.

And we're having a great time doing it, thank you very much.

32 comments:

  1. Quite right too. What an odd question to be asked - as if writing for a younger audience is somehow second-best. However, I think your original answer was the right one; a scathing look was all they deserved!

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    1. Thanks, Dan! Yeah, I'm quite good at scathing looks… :D

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  2. Great post, Emma. I'm equally irritated by those who think I shouldn't be reading YA (as a 38yr old woman). It particularly annoys me that they don't see a connection between my being an English teacher and reading kids and teen books - apparently I should limit myself to 19th century novels and Shakespeare...

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    1. Gah, how daft is that? Surely, for an English teacher, reading literature that is relevant to kids' lives *today* is just as important as reading "the greats"?

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  3. Oh that stare - I'm afraid, I'm very afraid ...

    How can anyone denigrate writing for children and young people - what is more important than feeding the imagination of the young?

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    1. Ha ha - it's a great photo, isn't it? Maybe I need to get me a cat like that to stare at people who ask those sorts of questions!

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  4. I agree with Dan - scathing look, definitely - why should we have to justify or explain ourselves? Your post is spookily close in theme to the one I've just written today - 'Are you a proper writer?' I love these synchronicities!

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    1. Ooh, I'll go over and have a read - thanks, Jenny!

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  5. Hi Emma
    Very good blog, and I love your cat (just don't let the hound see it). Completely agree with what you say. I remember reading the first Harry Potter, and saying to a friend that 'it's really well written for a children's book'. She gently pointed out that that was quite a patronising attitude, and why shouldn't children's and YA fiction be well written? My only excuse it that it was quite a long time ago, and I obviously know better now! Like you, I read books which I enjoy whatever the intended audience.

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    1. Thanks, Lynn (and I won't!). I'll forgive you for that comment… I suppose… ;)

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  6. So true Emma! I will read and appreciate anything that's well written and grips me, from moving children's picture books (I've been moved to tears by some of the most gorgeously illustrated and written picture books), to Michael Morpugo (think 'Warhorse' anyone?) and Terry Pratchett who manages a seamless crossover from children's to adult, to YA and Adult! To me there is no distinction if the writing is good!
    And as for writing for one or the other...you're writing for the love of writing, for the love of the story, and for the love of the reader!

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    1. Exactly, Lisa! And I agree about picture books - there are some incredible ones out there. I love it when we get sent new ones at my library and I can have a sneaky read!

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  7. Well said Em. Oooh, and the cat stare. Almost as bad as The Hound 'look'. We should write what comes to use creatively - isn't that what it's all about? It's a diverse world that we live in, and as writers, we cater for that. Thank goodness we do!

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    1. Thank you, Abi. That stare is scary, isn't it? And I agree with you completely!

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  8. 'it's not only the author you insult with a question like that. It's their readers, too' THIS!

    I am stealing this line Emma, for the next time I get asked that question! It frustrates me as much as 'why don't you write some short stories to get started...'

    You write what you feel in your bones, and what your heart tells you to. There is very little ‘choice’ in the matter!

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    1. Steal away! And I agree about the short stories. I find them SO hard!!

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  9. Great post! I write YA becuause that's the voice that comes easiest to me. Plus, all of the amazing firsts that teens encounter are so much fun to write about.

    Plus, if they think writing for kids is a warm-up, maybe these detractors should try writing a picture book. Those things scare the heck out of me and make me bow to the skill of PB writers!!!!

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    1. ooops! lots of "plusses"!

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    2. Thank you! Oh, you are so right about picture books. I am in awe of anyone who can write those!

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  10. We always think of the proper response hours even days later. Hats off to you for sharing it with the world. It needed to be said!

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  11. AH-greed. For the longest time, this is what Mom said to me. About both reading and writing. I don't know why but I've always felt a connection to YA/children's literature. I have such a passion for it - all my friends/family say so. so now Mom has stopped asking this question ;) thank goodness!

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    1. Thanks, rachel. And eep, thank goodness indeed!!

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  12. JKR did and just look at the uproar! Just kidding ; ) Go and hunt this person down - with printout of this post ready to stuff into their hand. It never entered my head to write for adults - it's just not me. Even though I am one - honest! Very grown up me. But considering I was named after one of the characters in Peter Pan it's hardly surprising. I don't like to think there are some who consider writing for children to be somehow not as worthy as writing for the grown-ups. Well said Emma!

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    1. Thank you, Wendy! I feel the same… perhaps I'm just not "grown up" enough to write for grownups! :D

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  13. I feel sorry for people who have lost touch with their inner child! Embrace the child in you! Much more fun!

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  14. That is exactly the stare I give my husband when he stands by my PC as I write away and he says 'What is it all for?'
    Love your attitude!

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn! And your husband says what?! Give him another scathing cat stare from me! ;)

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