For those who are new to me, I’ve featured some writer friends who have some excellent books out this year. I asked them to send me their latest book, their tagline or log line and a short piece of advice they wanted to pass on to writers, especially those still seeking publication. Last week JENN HUBBARD with her book, UNTIL IT HURTS TO STOP. Today I have Brinda Berry of UNCOMMONYA joining us. Take it away, Brinda.
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| Brinda’s Book Available at AMAZON, B and N, KOBO, APPLE ITUNES |
In keeping with Brinda’s advice, one thing that seems to still surprise readers is that what is categorized as young adult, intrigues older readers. That’s because, even though the MC is usually a teen, the plot, the characters and the themes are not limited to reach a stereotyped teen profile. Here’s what one reviewer–THEBOOKSAGE–said about some YA books he read. One is mine. I blush! But not much, not anymore.
“I have a confession to make. I am NOT a 16-year old girl. And, yet, I absolutely loved C. Lee McKenzie’s The Princess of Las Pulgas, which IS about a 16-year old girl. I have read and enjoyed several YA books in the past that had teenage female protagonists – Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne and Wyndano’s Cloak by A.R. Silverberry (his was a fantasy to boot) come to mind. So I’m not a novice when it comes to YA’s. You can add [McKenzie’s] to my recommend list. It’s absolutely terrific.” The Book Sage
Now here’s a little drum roll.
Below (if Blogger hasn’t sabotaged me) is a Linky. This is NOT a HOP, so you can relax, Gary, and you can sign up, too. September is National Literacy Month, and I hope that you’ll join me in supporting LITERACY. Here’s how.
1. Let me know you’re interested by signing up on the Linky. Then, please get the code and post the Linky on your own blog if you can. If you don’t want to add the Linky to your blog, put up a link to THE WRITE GAME, so others can sign up. I’ll keep the Linky on my blog until the last week in September.
2. Below are some pre-written Tweets and I’m hoping we can TWEET UP A STORM with Tweets and RT’s the month of September. I’ll be posting more pre-written Tweets during the month to keep them fresh.
3. I’ve created a LIST/GROUP for Twitter @WeWrite4U_Lit, so please join and use the group’s handle in your Tweets.
4. I’ve followed and been followed by these literacy groups. You might want to add some of them or find some local to you.
@supportliteracy
@LitPartners
@literature_dp
@literacycoop
@HouLit
12 PREPARED TWEETS ( in parentheses I’ve put the source just in case you need it) Hope you’ll create some of your own, too.
30 min of reading to a child each week=literacy & love of reading
Don’t give kids a sucker. Give them a book. Make reading valuable
Learn to read. Read to learn.
Get books into homes. Create readers.
Children who can’t read can’t contribute to society.
Read aloud to your kids. Make it dramatic. Make it fun. Create readers.
$225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce (FYI citation: http://www.literacypartners.org/literacy-in-america/impact-of-illiteracy)
over 2 million New York City residents are functionally illiterate That’s 25% (FYI citation: http://www.literacypartners.org/literacy-in-america)
This is the first year I’ve tried to organize this, but I’m hoping to make this an annual event, improving it as I learn what works and what doesn’t. Any suggestions? Leave them in your comment. Thanks.
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My quote for the day: “Another belief of mine: that everyone else is an adult, whereas, I am merely in disguise.” One of my favorite authors, Margaret Atwood
No questions today. You’re on your own.
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Thanks for the advice! And I signed up for the literacy effort. 🙂
Yvonne
You did more than that! You said, "Get that spamy egg image out of there." And then you found a logo to make this thing work. Thanks, YV.
Love that quote! Lore sounds great.
Thanks
Thanks for the great advice, Brinda! Congrats on the fabulous review from The Booksage, Lee! Promoting Literacy Month is a fantastic idea! I'll be happy to help spread the word, though I'm not on Twitter.
Julie
Woot! You are the best. Thanks, Julie.
I read (and write) for girls who are even younger than teens, and there's something SO fun about it! It just takes me right back to childhood.
You're doing a lot with that writing. Let's get as many girls to read them as possible.
That is a gorgeous cover. I tend to lean toward older protagonists though. Literacy is a great cause!
Literacy is a writer's cause. That's for sure.
The cover for Lore is stunning! And I'm not a 16-year-old girl either, but I love YA. I actually read a ton of YA books this year and enjoyed them immensely. 🙂
YA is not only for the 16-year-old reader. Thanks for adding to that, Chrys.
Great advice. I'm one of those adults who reads mostly YA books, not because I write them but because they're better than most adult books. 🙂 An editor recently reminded me that the reader was smart and would get the point. I didn't have to keep repeating it. Ouch.
Signed up.
I know you're a YA book reader and a YA book writer with a lot of awards to show how well you do your job.
Excellent advice from Brinda! And what a wonderful compliment to YOU from that reviewer. That is so cool!
I love a good story, despite the age of the main character. One of the most haunting stories I've read is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I think the protagonist is 10, but wow, what a story.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas will never leave me. It should be required reading for everyone.
Not underestimating your audience seems to be a theme in this series!
I think you're right, Dianne. If we miss our audience, we don't succeed.
Great advice from Brinda. It all comes down to audience for your book.
And so older writers have to 1) learn about their audience 2) dredge up those memories from their youth and use them. Maybe a combination.
Great advice from Brinda (I thoroughly hate, as a reader, when a writer beats me over the head with the obvious…readers are smart! Respect them!)
All signed up. What a great cause for writers to take on!
My thoughts exactly. If there's no one to read what we write, what's the point? 🙂
It all comes down to audience. Good advice by Brinda. Will RT you on Twitter when I see it. October is uber, uber busy…
Think Sept, Mary. 🙂
Literacy is an excellent cause, and great advice from Brinda!
Thanks, Tyrean.
Thanks for having me here today. I have a heart for literacy. I worked for many years as a coordinator for a local literacy council and tutored students with reading difficulties. What a worthwhile project to support!
You're wonderful, Brinda. Great to have you here today.
I signed up. I don't know how much of this I'll do because I'm going to be busy promoting my new book. But I'll try to stick in a plug and a tweet whenever I can.
I'm going to link back to you because I'm going too busy to watch a linky on the Tiki Hut.
That's fine. Let's see what kind of a stir we can cause.
Ok,that is a spectacular cover, and I LOVE retellings of myths, folklore, and fairy tales! I'm not 16, either, but I want to read it.
I'll help with Tweets! I have to remember somehow, though. What a good cause.
I'll come over and knock on your door in the mornings!
Beautiful cover!
I'm not sure what the linky is for. And, for me, it's broken.
I can help with Tweets and promoting it next month.
Awesome. I think I could tweet along. =)
I think YA is the most challenging spot to write, but the funnest at the same time. You still get to be creative, but you really do have to build everything adults demand into the story.
Yay! The more the merrier.
Brinda's advice is good. A well-written YA book can appeal to adults, too.
Your idea for supporting literacy month sounds great. Wish I could help but I've got to survive being swim captain mom and my mother is visiting in September.
Good advice, and what a beautiful cover for LORE!
Love the advice! I've classified my WIP as YA because the main character is 15, but it's definitely got some adult moments.
I'd love to help out with Literacy Month.
I love Brinda's advice. It's true that YA readers want much of their stories and that is part of the thrill of writing stories, developing those plots, twists and turns to delight the reader.
And I'm an adult who also loves reading YA. Heck, I even enjoy MG stories 🙂
I know Brinda!
Cool TheBookSage said he really enjoyed your book.
Be glad to help with Literacy Month.
Thanks, Alex.