New Here

[insane-poet-46.livejournal.com]

Hi people,

I'm new here and pretty new to writing. I've been a computer professional most of my life, but the past few years I've developed an itch to write. Back around 2004 I had an episode of writing poetry (available on my journal) but then stopped - lost motivation.

Now I've been moved to write a Young Adult novel, and I've got a prologue and two chapters. Only one other person has read it so far, but she thinks it's good and that I should finish it and try to get it published. I'd kind of like to post excerpts here and see what others think - but I don't know if that would mess up chances for commercial publication.

But in any case, I'm glad I found this place and hopefully I will be able to learn from others here.

-Steve

Comments

Re: Need critique on a basic point - two of two parts

[insane-poet-46.livejournal.com]

(Continued from previous)

Some of your suggestions about going back to change elements of the story might work for other pieces of fiction, but not this one. The major plot turns are known and they depend tightly on age and setting. In particular, the entire theme of the novel (conformity/non-conformity) is bound up with setting. (Wood City, "forest products capital of the Midwest". Forest Park - the "snooty" side of town. Forest Academy, the exclusive private prep school - Kaitlyn is more than a little surprised when she gets a scholarship and finds herself there as a Freshman. Wood City Central High - a very different place. Metal detectors at the doors and all the rest.
Kaitlyn ends up there after she is officially invited not to return for her Sophomore year at Forest Academy.)

The story can't really be told without these settings, or settings like these. If they don't work, then the story doesn't work. I'm sure the theme could be rescued, since it's a universal. But it would be a completely different story.

So if this stuff doesn't work, I should find out before I invest a lot more of my life into it.

As to meeting 14 year olds. I approve - in principle. I'm single with no kids or grandkids, and hanging out with the teenage kids of one of my close friends was one of the best experiences of my life, and helped inspire me to write about and for that age group. Sadly, my friend is now several years dead of breast cancer, her kids and their friends have begun to grow into adulthood and go their own ways. My window into their world has closed. And, unfortunately, given my age and gender, going out to "meet 14 year olds" will be viewed with suspicion and hostility. Sad sign of our times.

Let me know what you think,

-Steve

Re: Need critique on a basic point - two of two parts

[davien.livejournal.com]

There's no law about hanging out in public places where teens meet. The trick is breaking into the clique with approval. Someone here had a similar problem and managed to break his way into a creative writing club that the local junior high was having at a local starbucks.

You could talk with school teachers as part of your research as a writer. They would be closer to an age you would feel comfortable with, able to give you insight into real character, and possibly give you ideas on how to meet the parents of other kids the age you're looking for.

I wish you the best of luck.