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Hey all. Great idea for a thread.
I generally write YA, but I read a lot of MG.
I completely understand those of you saying you find many books written for the adult market less engaging. I'm in an adult book group, which forces me to read at least 10-12 adult books a year, and I usually voluntarily read a few more adult books each year. I have a theory as to why so many feel less tight and engaging than the MG and YA books we read.
I think that in the adult market, it's ok, and sometimes even encouraged, to show off your prose skill and style, and so sections/sentences/paragraphs that don't really move the story forward but are lovely/well-written/etc. get to stay for showoff/artistic value. Whereas in the YA and MG market you'll hear more often editors and agents say, "this is lovely and well-written, but is it necessary?"
Also, I see more books that seem to have sections/paragraphs included because the author did lots of research and is essentially geeking out on the subject - whereas, again, I think more MG and YA editors/agents would ask "Why does the reader need this? Is it organic for the character to be thinking/saying this?"
~suki
I generally write YA, but I read a lot of MG.
I completely understand those of you saying you find many books written for the adult market less engaging. I'm in an adult book group, which forces me to read at least 10-12 adult books a year, and I usually voluntarily read a few more adult books each year. I have a theory as to why so many feel less tight and engaging than the MG and YA books we read.
I think that in the adult market, it's ok, and sometimes even encouraged, to show off your prose skill and style, and so sections/sentences/paragraphs that don't really move the story forward but are lovely/well-written/etc. get to stay for showoff/artistic value. Whereas in the YA and MG market you'll hear more often editors and agents say, "this is lovely and well-written, but is it necessary?"
Also, I see more books that seem to have sections/paragraphs included because the author did lots of research and is essentially geeking out on the subject - whereas, again, I think more MG and YA editors/agents would ask "Why does the reader need this? Is it organic for the character to be thinking/saying this?"
~suki