Julie Musil, author of YA fiction, is a chocoholic and obsessive reader. As the mother of three teen boys, she’s immersed in teen speak, drama, and gym socks. She loves to chat! Connect with her on her blog, Twitter, or Facebook.
Young Adult and Middle Grade Author
Julie Musil, author of YA fiction, is a chocoholic and obsessive reader. As the mother of three teen boys, she’s immersed in teen speak, drama, and gym socks. She loves to chat! Connect with her on her blog, Twitter, or Facebook.
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Thanks to Sheri Larson for the YATT |
Here I am at Young Adult Teen Tuesday-iv! I have more to say about this thing called culture, and this time it’s about including it in our stories.
When we’re writing stories that include people of other cultures than our own we have so many opportunities to explore differences. We also have a chance to increase the depth of our stories and add tension between our characters if we understand some cultural rules, then break them.
I love to put two characters together who know nothing about the other’s culture and let them interact. Here’s one example. Say we have Paulo from South America and Kevin from Wisconsin in a hallway. They like each other and even want to ramp up their friendship, but something about each of them bothers the other. Here’s a possible scene:
“So, about that movie.” Kevin stepped back and ran his fingers through his hair. He wished Paulo would stay back a little and stop breathing on him.
Paulo stepped forward, smiling. “I can go, but not early. After four is good.”
“Sure. That works.” Kevin took another step back and bumped into the wall. Paulo was in his face and Kevin had no way to put more distance between him and this guy. “Can you back off, man? You’re crowding me here.”
At first Paulo didn’t seem to understand, then hurt flashed across his face. “What? I don’t smell good or something?”
These two may not go to the movies after all; they may not get to know each other better, and that’s only because of a little cultural issue called “personal space.” Personal space is an invisible area that members of different cultures find comfortable. In north America we tend to need more of this space than other cultures, and if someone invades that space who is not an intimate (a mom, a husband, a child) we don’t like it. Usually we back up until we’re in our “comfortable” zone again.
Poor Kevin. He’s only trying to put the right distance between himself and Paulo, but then so is Paulo. In South America being close is comfortable.
Using this kind of cultural insight allows you to create a lot of different outcomes:
Paulo and Kevin could have a fight, so you have a dramatic scene.
They could back themselves up and down a hall, so you have a comic scene.
Have you tried any cultural clashes in your stories? If not, next time you have a chance, add a bit of cultural misunderstanding between your characters and see what you come up with. Next Tuesday I’ll see what little cultural tidbit I can find to blog about.
I don’t usually blog on Wednesdays, but today I have some special news that I have to share. Twenty-five 2009 Debs have banded together to produce an anthology of super fine Young Adult short stories and here’s the cover. Tell me what you think. And then be sure to have your Kindle at the ready for this great eBook when it’s available.
Last month I asked, “Why Do You Blog?” and your answers were really interesting. This next question is, “Why Do You Write for Young Readers?” It certainly isn’t a new one for any of us who glue ourselves to the seat of our computer chairs and create stories, but I love to hear the reasons. They are usually similar, but always have a unique twist–we’re a varied group, that’s for sure.
So, I’ll start.
I think my answer is somewhat like my answer to “Why Do You Blog?” because in both cases I started for one reason and ended up continuing for another. I wanted to write a book about a troubled teen for others like her or for others who might know someone like her. I wanted my teen to not only survive and overcome a lot of bad stuff, I wanted her to find her heart and her direction in life. I thought that if she could succeed, others who read her story might find the courage to do so as well. Actually, I had writing one book in mind and then I’d take something like a trip around the world. 😀
Now, I’m hooked. I love writing about and for teens who are troubled or working through life issues or growing into adulthood as we all must. This writing has introduced me so many wonderful people of all ages and all backgrounds. I’ve learned how much I don’t know about my craft and the highs and lows of being a published YA author. I’m enjoying the experience. I’m enjoying YA literature. I’m enjoying the authors. So my short answer is: I’m enjoying myself — a lot.
Now it’s your turn. Why do you write for young readers?
FLASH BURNOUT is here and it’s fabulous. L.K. Madigan has written one fine book. It’s funny. It’s poignant. It’s a “connect-with” kind of story that teens will love.
Having the author here today is a special treat because I was one of the fortunate members of The Garett (a group of fine YA writers) who read Flash Burnout as it developed into the novel you’re going to love.
Here’s a little bit about the story.
Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who’s a girl. One of them loves him, the other one needs him.
When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa’s long-lost meth addicted mom.
In a tangle of life, death, and love, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of loyalty.
So who is this author?
L.K. Madigan is a writer living in Portland, Oregon, who finds it odd to speak in the third person. Therefore:
Hi. I am married with one son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of beaters, I mean vintage cars.
While you’re hanging out here, give us a little insider stuff about the person, L.K. Madigan. Tell us of all your favorite books, which one do you wish you had written?
I’ve been sitting here staring at the blank screen for a long time … which must mean I can’t think of a good answer.
So what I’ll say is that I wish I could write a really excellent mystery someday, like FINGERSMITH. I admire the gorgeous prose and the many deep, dark secrets, and the satisfaction of the ending. I’d like to be able to knit together that many plot threads so neatly, and create the kind of tension that makes readers fear for the well-being of the characters.
Here’s one that may be easier . . . or not. What fictional character do you wish you could be?
Hermione Granger. 🙂
I’d like to be Hermione too, just to have people call my name. Now here’s a deep, deep secret kind of question. After chocolate, what do you eat to make the writer-block pain go away?
It’s not food, it’s drink that helps with writer’s block … strong drink! No, I’m kidding. I drink coffee or iced tea while I write.
Whatever works. And what you’re doing seems to be doing the trick.
Be sure to visit L.K. Madigan’s web site to find out more about the author and her work. Whatever you do pick up your copy of Flash Burnout today. It’s on Amazon or at
Indiebound.
Five young adult authors had some fun at Corte Madera Book Passage Monday night. Cheryl Herbsman, Malinda Lo, Sarah Quigley, Jon Yang and I presented our books and talked about our journeys to publication to wonderful audience.
We even had a surprise guest, former Senator George McGovern stopped in.
Thanks, Lissa for a great evening at your wonderful bookstore.
The title sums it up. I’m working.
Here’s what I’m doing: harvesting one hundred-pound squash and carrying them up a hill in a wheelbarrow. You think I’m kidding. Not!
I’m writing my great American blockbuster novel. This time I am kidding.
I’m querying agents–well, I’ve queried one, but she did ask for a full. That’s good, right?
I’m looking at other options for ways to spend my life. I’m always doing that.
I’m trying to think of something really pithy to say next week at Book Passage when I’m suppose to talk about my writing journey and sign books.
I just got Necessary Heartbreak by M. J. Sullivan. Now I have a new adventure for tonight.
In SHINE, COCONUT MOON Samar-a.k.a. Sam-is an Indian-American teenager whose mom has kept her away from her old-fashioned family. It’s never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a demanding boyfriend. But things change after 9/11. A guy in a turban shows up at Sam’s house-and turns out to be her uncle. He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage. Sam is eager, but when boys attack her uncle, chanting “Go back home, Osama!,” Sam realizes she could be in danger-and also discovers how dangerous ignorance is.
The author,NEESHA MEMINGER, was born in India, grew up in Canada, and currently lives in New York City with her family. All of her writing explores the inner landscape of her characters, and how it merges or conflicts with the outer. She writes stories of women and girls defining themselves and shaping their own destinies within the confines of their day to day realities.
I feel so close to this book and this author because I was very fortunate to read it during its development. Right from the beginning I knew it was a winner, a book I’d tell friends to read. How much fun it has been to connect with NEESHA MEMINGER along her creative path to publication.
So trying to be as creative as Neesha, here’s the interview I conducted. Already I wish I had oodles more time to do this. This writer bubbles over with enthusiasm and her responses only bring more questions to mind.
COCONUT MOON does Sammy’s struggle for a big, loving family stem from your personal experience?
Yes and no. I had a pretty large extended family and a medium-sized immediate family. But we are an imperfect bunch and when I was in high school, I probably bought into the Hallmark commercials and television families and thought I wanted what was depicted. My poor, flawed, family didn’t stand a chance next to those picture perfect ones :). So maybe that was part of the experience I drew upon when I wrote about Sammy’s longing for a big, beautiful, perfect family.
Since your story is about such universal issues–search for love and belonging, family half-truths, breaking from tradition–I’m thinking a mom /dad/grandmother/grandfather would find it a fascinating read. Can you comment on this observation?
Actually, the relationship between mothers and daughters is what I initially wanted to explore when I began writing SHINE. That includes Sam’s relationship with her mother, and her mother’s relationship to her own mother. Then, of course, Sam’s relationship with her grandmother. I loved being witness to the complexities in those relationships — what made them work and what made them fragment. I also wanted to look closely at how these relationships and generational rifts fare when issues like immigration, displacement, and migration are thrown into the mix.
So, to answer your question, I think mothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and aunts would find this a terrific, perhaps insightful read :).
Okay, Neesha those were fabulous answers. Here are some sorta not so book-specific, but maybe a bit self-revealing questions, things your readers just might find fun to know about you.
Of all your favorite books, which one do you wish you had written?
Wild Seed, by Octavia Butler
That’s an interesting choice, Neesha. Sci-Fi.
What fictional character do you wish you could be?
The main female character in Wild Seed — I can’t remember her name right now, but it became Emma toward the end of book two.
Was it Anyanwu? No wonder you couldn’t remember it. I can barely spell it. But I did admire her power and her generousity in using it for the good. Says something about you Neesha.
After chocolate what do you eat to make the writer-block pain go away?
Cheese, or something creamy. Or caramel.
Yeah! My kind of writer.
Order your copy of Coconut Moon from Amazon, U.S or Amazon, Canada now, and visit Neesha at her website to see what’s up with this writer-diva.
AND . . . there’s more to come. Check out what Neesha and Cindy Pon talk about on March 31st.
I’m waiting and not very patiently for Heather Duffy-Stone’s YA ARC, This Is What I Want to Tell You. Come on ARC!