I was feeling bad about the whole, Adult books are the spawn of satan tone of the last post. So I decided to hit the bookstore in search of an adult book I could read when I finish Catching Fire.
I wasn't sure where to start. I floated around the nonfiction section for a bit, but felt like I really needed to embrace an adult novel. So I walked over to that part of the store and started looking around. I grabbed a copy of Cormic McCarthy's book The Road, and looked at Everything is Illuminated - both books that I think I'd enjoy.
(Enter hipster book store employee)
Hipster Book Store Employee: Can I help you find anything?
Awesome Me: No thanks, I'm just looking for some adult books.
HBSE: Oh, you mean Erotica?
AM: Um, no...
HBSE: Erotica is located...
AM: No, I meant adult fiction. I read a lot of young adult fiction, so I was looking for something like this *wags THE ROAD at HBSE*
HBSE: OHHHH, you mean literature (imagine snooty fake English accent here)
AM: Um, no...adult fiction.
HBSE: Yes, literature
AM: *sigh*
I took The Road and Everything is Illuminated to the coffee shop part of the book store and started flipping through them, trying not to get all ruffled about her literature comments.
Everything is Illuminated looked like something I'd really dig, and I have a couple of friends who put it on the same level as Catcher in the Rye in terms of 'important' books everybody needs to read. The Road intrigued me simply because McCarthy is a literary beast, and I'd really like to see how somebody like him does dystopian.
I ended up buying both of them (I had a coupon, man...) and for the first time in a few years, I'm excited about reading something outside of YA. I think the outside influence of great nonfiction and fiction (regardless of age designation) can only help in my ability to tell a story - why limit myself to only learning from YA? So, I'm excited.
Stay tuned for upcoming reviews and serious literary analysis.*
*I wouldn't get too excited.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Adult Books Suck.
I just recently got back from San Francisco, where I had an opportunity to meet a couple of really great YA types. We talked about my book, how I would surely be famous soon, my outfits - you know, all the stuff of a well-balanced conversation.
But more importantly, I had the opportunity to meet two people who are heavily invested in young adult literature - one from the writing side, the other from the business side (although she writes too). As we talked, I realized how hungry I am for insightful discussion (friendships?) that share a love for young adult books.
Without sounding too arrogant, most people who are unfortunate enough to run into me in the YA section of the book store are at a different place. I love YA. I read almost predominantly YA fiction. But, as a YA writer, I tend to come at it from a different perspective. Now, what this perspective is could be debated. Am I an elitist? Do I scoff at people who read books that use awful words like smolder to describe the way a vampire's eyes look?** (No and Yes.)
My perspective, I guess, is maybe more of a deep interest - one I hope will be an invested, professional interest at some point. I love YA because it doesn't carry the baggage that 'serious', 'adult' fiction seems to bring. The idea that there HAS to be a message. That it can't just be fun. YA, I think, will eventually grow out of the small section in the back of the bookstore. In many ways, it already has.
This growth comes from the urgency in the writing. It comes from the sometimes confounding hope that all teenagers have in their life. Their big ideas. Their sense of invincibility. Their fear that life won't work out in the exact way the have it planned. At the very least, it makes me think about that time in my life - the stupidity and glory of it all - and I am transported back.
Rarely does adult fiction transport me anywhere (besides back to the library or bookstore.) It's not necessarily a harsh critique, as much as it is an observation. I recently spoke with another writer about his book idea about a mormon family that did something and then they did something else and the whole thing made me want to take a nap.
I hope that doesn't sound terrible. Because this guy is a great writer. And his book has already generated interest from multiple agents. But when he asked about MY book and MY agent....well....
Let's just say that dropping the young adult label got me a polite smile.**
That arrogance, the opinion that adult fiction is somehow more serious, or even better than YA doesn't make sense to me. Yes, I titled this post "Adult Books Suck". I hope the irony is evident. I would never look at somebody carrying a copy of THE LOST SYMBOL and snicker to my YA buddies. I just wonder what happens when the bookstore becomes filled with more YA books. How does that attitude change?
Do you run into this in your writing? Is it limited to kid lit only?
*To be fair, I don't want to trash TWILIGHT too much. It's just the whole his eyes smoldered like an extinct volcano of love stuff got old. I get it. He's hot.
**He didn't know I'm kind of ninja-ish. And he was pretty huge. Plus, I'm not as fast as I used to be. I apologized to him for even thinking about a come back like, I got your Adult Novel right here, sucka!
But more importantly, I had the opportunity to meet two people who are heavily invested in young adult literature - one from the writing side, the other from the business side (although she writes too). As we talked, I realized how hungry I am for insightful discussion (friendships?) that share a love for young adult books.
Without sounding too arrogant, most people who are unfortunate enough to run into me in the YA section of the book store are at a different place. I love YA. I read almost predominantly YA fiction. But, as a YA writer, I tend to come at it from a different perspective. Now, what this perspective is could be debated. Am I an elitist? Do I scoff at people who read books that use awful words like smolder to describe the way a vampire's eyes look?** (No and Yes.)
My perspective, I guess, is maybe more of a deep interest - one I hope will be an invested, professional interest at some point. I love YA because it doesn't carry the baggage that 'serious', 'adult' fiction seems to bring. The idea that there HAS to be a message. That it can't just be fun. YA, I think, will eventually grow out of the small section in the back of the bookstore. In many ways, it already has.
This growth comes from the urgency in the writing. It comes from the sometimes confounding hope that all teenagers have in their life. Their big ideas. Their sense of invincibility. Their fear that life won't work out in the exact way the have it planned. At the very least, it makes me think about that time in my life - the stupidity and glory of it all - and I am transported back.
Rarely does adult fiction transport me anywhere (besides back to the library or bookstore.) It's not necessarily a harsh critique, as much as it is an observation. I recently spoke with another writer about his book idea about a mormon family that did something and then they did something else and the whole thing made me want to take a nap.
I hope that doesn't sound terrible. Because this guy is a great writer. And his book has already generated interest from multiple agents. But when he asked about MY book and MY agent....well....
Let's just say that dropping the young adult label got me a polite smile.**
That arrogance, the opinion that adult fiction is somehow more serious, or even better than YA doesn't make sense to me. Yes, I titled this post "Adult Books Suck". I hope the irony is evident. I would never look at somebody carrying a copy of THE LOST SYMBOL and snicker to my YA buddies. I just wonder what happens when the bookstore becomes filled with more YA books. How does that attitude change?
Do you run into this in your writing? Is it limited to kid lit only?
*To be fair, I don't want to trash TWILIGHT too much. It's just the whole his eyes smoldered like an extinct volcano of love stuff got old. I get it. He's hot.
**He didn't know I'm kind of ninja-ish. And he was pretty huge. Plus, I'm not as fast as I used to be. I apologized to him for even thinking about a come back like, I got your Adult Novel right here, sucka!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Music for the Muse
I was asked to take part in a blogging...um....experiment? Joint Venture? Well, a bunch of cool bloggers are writing about how music affects their writing. When they asked me I was like, How much you paying, sucka? To which she said, You'll do it and like it! So I was all, Oh Yeah? And she was like, Yeah!
It went down very similar to that exchange.
Music is a huge part of my writing process. Some writers, I think, attempt to 'see' their story by placing themselves in situations to get a better look at what they're trying to describe. In some ways, I do that too. However, if I'm trying to get into a particular mood, I will always turn to music.
Certain bands will always be associated with certain times in my life. Oasis, Weezer, Nirvana - all of them have this particular spot. Now, when I'm writing, I can 'see' the situation in my own life by listening to music.
With The Legendary Days of My 17th Year, my music choices have been very...um...eclectic. Because of the nature of the book (lots of musical components), I've found myself listening to Tegan and Sara one minute, Guns N Roses a few later, and rounding it out with a classic Willie Nelson album.
**This is all for research, people**
The music, in many ways, drives my writing. It serves as a soundtrack, an inspiration, an affirmation that I'm doing something I really love. And, yes, at times it is even a muse.
How does music affect your writing?
Here are the other people writing about this topic:
http://jenniferlinforth.blogspot.com/
http://www.jerismithready.com/blog/
http://chapmansmythe.livejournal.com/
http://marleydelaroseauthor.blogspot.com/
http://stephaniekuehnert.blogspot.com/
http://thetaratracks.com/blog
It went down very similar to that exchange.
Music is a huge part of my writing process. Some writers, I think, attempt to 'see' their story by placing themselves in situations to get a better look at what they're trying to describe. In some ways, I do that too. However, if I'm trying to get into a particular mood, I will always turn to music.
Certain bands will always be associated with certain times in my life. Oasis, Weezer, Nirvana - all of them have this particular spot. Now, when I'm writing, I can 'see' the situation in my own life by listening to music.
With The Legendary Days of My 17th Year, my music choices have been very...um...eclectic. Because of the nature of the book (lots of musical components), I've found myself listening to Tegan and Sara one minute, Guns N Roses a few later, and rounding it out with a classic Willie Nelson album.
**This is all for research, people**
The music, in many ways, drives my writing. It serves as a soundtrack, an inspiration, an affirmation that I'm doing something I really love. And, yes, at times it is even a muse.
How does music affect your writing?
Here are the other people writing about this topic:
http://jenniferlinforth.blogspot.com/
http://www.jerismithready.com/blog/
http://chapmansmythe.livejournal.com/
http://marleydelaroseauthor.blogspot.com/
http://stephaniekuehnert.blogspot.com/
http://thetaratracks.com/blog
Monday, November 16, 2009
Revising and Television
I'm stuck in the middle of a seemingly non-ending revision. Honestly, it's going well. I revise pages every day, but there are days when it is hard to power up the macbook and get going. Some of this has to do with wanting it to be good, of course. Some of it is just I'd really like to be lazy today.
Lately, when the I'm gonna get my lazy on today-vibe comes along, I've been taking a break and watching one episode of t.v. shows that I have on the DVR or from Netflix. I've never been a huge t.v. fan. I don't watch reality shows, and can never remember when shows come on (I blame myself for Arrested Development going off the air....sigh.) But there are a lot of shows out there that I really enjoy.
Entourage
Californication
Ugly Betty
Friday Night Lights
Lost (at least the first 3 seasons I've watched)
And now Glee (thanks to a publishing-type that will remain nameless.)
I've always seen television as a weak alternative to movies.
I love movies.
But recently, I've grown really attached to certain characters on television shows like Entourage. I've watched every season, and I've come to expect a certain brand of humor from the show. From the characters. I think this longevity is something that television, unlike movies, can offer. If done well, a television show can be a lot like a book series (seriously...did I just say that?)
I guess I'm saying that character development in a movie is forced to develop a lot quicker in movies. And with television, I've been able to watch a show and know that I'm going to get something out of it when I need it most....like when I'm stuck and ready to pull out my hair from revising.
I don't know...this all sounded pretty profound before I started writing the blog. Maybe not so much now.
Lately, when the I'm gonna get my lazy on today-vibe comes along, I've been taking a break and watching one episode of t.v. shows that I have on the DVR or from Netflix. I've never been a huge t.v. fan. I don't watch reality shows, and can never remember when shows come on (I blame myself for Arrested Development going off the air....sigh.) But there are a lot of shows out there that I really enjoy.
Entourage
Californication
Ugly Betty
Friday Night Lights
Lost (at least the first 3 seasons I've watched)
And now Glee (thanks to a publishing-type that will remain nameless.)
I've always seen television as a weak alternative to movies.
I love movies.
But recently, I've grown really attached to certain characters on television shows like Entourage. I've watched every season, and I've come to expect a certain brand of humor from the show. From the characters. I think this longevity is something that television, unlike movies, can offer. If done well, a television show can be a lot like a book series (seriously...did I just say that?)
I guess I'm saying that character development in a movie is forced to develop a lot quicker in movies. And with television, I've been able to watch a show and know that I'm going to get something out of it when I need it most....like when I'm stuck and ready to pull out my hair from revising.
I don't know...this all sounded pretty profound before I started writing the blog. Maybe not so much now.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
This is not work, family, or any other kind of friendly...BUT...
I took a break from revising last night after trading a couple E-mails with my friend Ray Veen and watched an episode of Californication.
This scene came up and I felt like I needed to go find a Xanax or something. It Freaked. Me. Out.
**Disclaimer: This video uses some bad language and isn't really work, family, children friendly. But, my blog post does hinge on it...you decide.**
What crawled up my spine, you say? Oh, just the awfulness of the kids writing. Of course, I don't write about Vampires. And I'm not guilty of using phrases like, Rogue-ish Good Looks (or whatever). The part that got me?
He was wicked-smart.
I went back to my book and, yep, there was this line staring at me like some kind of purple, hyphenated freak:
"All with that crazy-beautiful smile."
Egads!
One adjective's enough, I'd say.
Back to Mr. Veen.
In his E-mail he said, "I've spent so much time reading my own writing lately, I'm losing my grip on how to phrase things."
True-dat, my friends. For me, it's a matter of keeping up the pace of my voice (for this book, it's a very fast-paced, wicked-smart....gasp!.....;)....kinda voice.) I fall into the habit of over-extending, trying to be too clever - overwriting, to be all blunt about it.
So how do you deal with this? Am I alone?
This scene came up and I felt like I needed to go find a Xanax or something. It Freaked. Me. Out.
**Disclaimer: This video uses some bad language and isn't really work, family, children friendly. But, my blog post does hinge on it...you decide.**
What crawled up my spine, you say? Oh, just the awfulness of the kids writing. Of course, I don't write about Vampires. And I'm not guilty of using phrases like, Rogue-ish Good Looks (or whatever). The part that got me?
He was wicked-smart.
I went back to my book and, yep, there was this line staring at me like some kind of purple, hyphenated freak:
"All with that crazy-beautiful smile."
Egads!
One adjective's enough, I'd say.
Back to Mr. Veen.
In his E-mail he said, "I've spent so much time reading my own writing lately, I'm losing my grip on how to phrase things."
True-dat, my friends. For me, it's a matter of keeping up the pace of my voice (for this book, it's a very fast-paced, wicked-smart....gasp!.....;)....kinda voice.) I fall into the habit of over-extending, trying to be too clever - overwriting, to be all blunt about it.
So how do you deal with this? Am I alone?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
In Which I am Self Congratulatory
People keep asking me stuff like, "How has your life changed since getting an agent?" Of course, there are derivatives of this question like, "You bastard!" And, "You wrote a book? Oh, it's Young Adult. I don't like Vampires."
And honestly, my life hasn't changed that much. Except now I feel an undeniable pressure to make my writing good, better than before, because somebody else is involved with me in the whole writing endeavor. More on that in a bit.
Inevitably, what has changed most in my new status is pretty simple: I feel humbled. And no, that is not a joke. As I've been working on my revision, I'm struck by the amount of faith Michael has to have in my writing to take me on as a client. On the other side of this faith, is a huge dose of affirmation of my skills and abilities as a writer. While I won't say the anxious Is this any good? stuff has disappeared...I feel like I'm close to realizing a dream of being a published fiction writer.
In so many places in life, humility is expected. But I'm going to take a moment and suspend the obligatory and say: Yes, Yes, Yes! and Finally, Finally, Finally! - because that's how I'm feeling. Yeah, my road to getting an agent was like the Autobahn. But I don't think that lessens the accomplishment, or how I should feel about it. I've been working on becoming a better writer for six years now. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at my book and said, "This is a dream, stop worrying about it."
Of course I always dreamed about having an agent, getting published, touring the world with my book (and a re-united Guns n' Roses, but that's another blog post...) But I never quite let myself believe it was going to happen. Because why get excited about a dream that - for most people - will never happen?
And I guess that's what I'm trying to say: it is happening, and I've been a bit cavalier about the whole thing. I've made all the jokes, tried to be humble and not get crazy obnoxious (read: running naked through the streets yelling something to the effect of, I've got an agent, byatch!) So I'm not sure why I've adopted this attitude.
Maybe I'm still scared that the book is going to suck, that it does suck, or at some point everybody who ends up investing in it (and me as a writer) is going to read what I write and say, "We KNEW it. He's a no-talent hack."
At least for today, I'm going to give myself a pat on the back and say, Good Job. But then it's back to revising.
You know, so the whole book-sucking thing doesn't happen.
And honestly, my life hasn't changed that much. Except now I feel an undeniable pressure to make my writing good, better than before, because somebody else is involved with me in the whole writing endeavor. More on that in a bit.
Inevitably, what has changed most in my new status is pretty simple: I feel humbled. And no, that is not a joke. As I've been working on my revision, I'm struck by the amount of faith Michael has to have in my writing to take me on as a client. On the other side of this faith, is a huge dose of affirmation of my skills and abilities as a writer. While I won't say the anxious Is this any good? stuff has disappeared...I feel like I'm close to realizing a dream of being a published fiction writer.
In so many places in life, humility is expected. But I'm going to take a moment and suspend the obligatory and say: Yes, Yes, Yes! and Finally, Finally, Finally! - because that's how I'm feeling. Yeah, my road to getting an agent was like the Autobahn. But I don't think that lessens the accomplishment, or how I should feel about it. I've been working on becoming a better writer for six years now. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at my book and said, "This is a dream, stop worrying about it."
Of course I always dreamed about having an agent, getting published, touring the world with my book (and a re-united Guns n' Roses, but that's another blog post...) But I never quite let myself believe it was going to happen. Because why get excited about a dream that - for most people - will never happen?
And I guess that's what I'm trying to say: it is happening, and I've been a bit cavalier about the whole thing. I've made all the jokes, tried to be humble and not get crazy obnoxious (read: running naked through the streets yelling something to the effect of, I've got an agent, byatch!) So I'm not sure why I've adopted this attitude.
Maybe I'm still scared that the book is going to suck, that it does suck, or at some point everybody who ends up investing in it (and me as a writer) is going to read what I write and say, "We KNEW it. He's a no-talent hack."
At least for today, I'm going to give myself a pat on the back and say, Good Job. But then it's back to revising.
You know, so the whole book-sucking thing doesn't happen.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
In Which My Revision Takes Me Many Odd Places
I've been doing a lot of research lately. And by 'research', of course I mean watching old music videos on youtube and clips from old movies like:
Now, you might be thinking: Oh, Bryan is sooooo awesome....
That is normal.
But some of you also might be thinking: Research? I've been researching the habits of 17th Century Witches for my new YA novel! Now THAT'S research!
That is not normal.
Still, I've been doing my own weird form of research a lot as I've been working on this revision. Today, as I was waiting for some kids to show up for a youth event (I'm a youth pastor), I re-wrote a section that I really liked in previous drafts. Without going into too much detail (I'd hate to get you too excited...), my MC waxes philosophical on how Daniel-san would never leave Ali (Elizabeth Shue) like what they had in Karate Kid didn't mean something. He wouldn't just blow her off and high-tail it to Okinawa with Miyagi like some chump.
No idea what I'm talking about? Well, check this out:
Daniel-san wouldn't be participating in some Tea Ceremony...he'd be off trying to win back Elizabeth Shue. At least, according to my main character.
Of course, as I'm writing this part I started thinking about Peter Cetera. I mean, who wouldn't, right? Right....? Because Glory of Love? From what I remember, that was a kickass jam.
For you, friends:
Time has a way of making you reevaluate what kickass means.
And while this might not seem like revision, for me it is. I'm finding that a couple sentences here and there (based on my research, of course) takes a great line and gives it substance. It goes beyond just purple prose, and turns it into something that points to why my character believes something, and who he is.
Okay, I gotta go do some more research...
Now, you might be thinking: Oh, Bryan is sooooo awesome....
That is normal.
But some of you also might be thinking: Research? I've been researching the habits of 17th Century Witches for my new YA novel! Now THAT'S research!
That is not normal.
Still, I've been doing my own weird form of research a lot as I've been working on this revision. Today, as I was waiting for some kids to show up for a youth event (I'm a youth pastor), I re-wrote a section that I really liked in previous drafts. Without going into too much detail (I'd hate to get you too excited...), my MC waxes philosophical on how Daniel-san would never leave Ali (Elizabeth Shue) like what they had in Karate Kid didn't mean something. He wouldn't just blow her off and high-tail it to Okinawa with Miyagi like some chump.
No idea what I'm talking about? Well, check this out:
Daniel-san wouldn't be participating in some Tea Ceremony...he'd be off trying to win back Elizabeth Shue. At least, according to my main character.
Of course, as I'm writing this part I started thinking about Peter Cetera. I mean, who wouldn't, right? Right....? Because Glory of Love? From what I remember, that was a kickass jam.
For you, friends:
Time has a way of making you reevaluate what kickass means.
And while this might not seem like revision, for me it is. I'm finding that a couple sentences here and there (based on my research, of course) takes a great line and gives it substance. It goes beyond just purple prose, and turns it into something that points to why my character believes something, and who he is.
Okay, I gotta go do some more research...
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