Help please!

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Help please!

Help please!

I have no idea what to do: I started writing my novel as a children's book, aimed vaguely at a PJO/HoO age audience, but as I went on, adding more characters and developing them, it's turning frighteningly into a teen novel that sounds wretchedly like fantasy pulp fiction. I hate the idea that I will make a name for myself as a "teen writer" (which somehow seems to me so much worse than a children's author), but I can't get rid of the more...questionable parts of the story. Well, it's mainly romance, but I don't want to get rid of it, because I think it does contribute to the plot (well, it contributes entirely to the plot), so I feel caught in a double bind. *headdesk*

If you can help me out with this in any way, I'd love to hear your input. Thank you!

submitted by Everinne, age Want to, Kick Something
(January 6, 2014 - 7:39 pm)

back to the Inkwell

There's honestly only the teensiest of lines between the two and it's hard to figure out when you crossed it.  My suggestions would be to age down the MCs if they're in their late teens.  Typically kid's books only cover the early teens & younger with their MCs.  One or two older should be fine.  Secondly, tone the romance down a bit if your charries are getting beyond holding hands and an innocent kiss.  Think PG.

 

People correct me if I'm wrong.  I feel like something's off in what I just said. 

submitted by Melody, age 15, Disney
(January 6, 2014 - 9:13 pm)

Toppington

submitted by blink, Eye
(January 7, 2014 - 1:02 am)

Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with being an author for teens rather than children. John Green and Scott Westerfeld are two of my favorite authors, and they both write YA that isn't trashy or stupid at all.

submitted by FantasyQuill
(January 7, 2014 - 6:52 pm)

Okay, maybe all teen writers aren't bad. Maybe I've just been running into the bad ones. If there are any more books/authors you could recommend to boost my confidence, I'd love that!

And thank you, Melody, for your advice. 

submitted by Everinne, age 14, Feeling Better
(January 7, 2014 - 7:40 pm)

In my experience, cutting out all romance is a bad idea. It changes the plot most of the time, but you shouldn't overwhelm your reader. I've been reading YA since I was about six, so I think that it has a better plot. Take the wide-awake princess. It is pretty romantic. It's a children's book though. It depends on the.... details.

submitted by S.E., age 11
(January 7, 2014 - 8:11 pm)

I love YA too but I think I see what you're getting at.   

submitted by Melody, age 15, Disney
(January 8, 2014 - 9:37 pm)