Old People Writing for Teens, IV

[Moni]

Originally Posted by houndrat

Lindz--haha, you might be all, WTF? I've already written three new chapters that come before the chapter one you've read. Now, I'm just trying something different to see if I like it better. (but I'm keeping all the world-building/tech stuff I added for sure).

Why do I torture myself again? Oh yeah, bc I'm a writer.

That and we're all our own worst critics...human nature WILL prevail...it's inevitable! We could have something that everyone else thinks is awesome & we'll look at it and say "Nah...I think that I need to tweak this....put a little of that in there....and oh yeah....add this, that, & the other thing. LOL

[Sage]

Also, since SCBWI LA, I've seen nothing but agents saying that historical is a hard sell, even if they love it.

Interestingly, I've been getting more interested in reading historical, if not writing it.

[HayleytheScribbler]

Originally Posted by Sage

Also, since SCBWI LA, I've seen nothing but agents saying that historical is a hard sell, even if they love it.

Interestingly, I've been getting more interested in reading historical, if not writing it.

Definitely interested to see if the whole historical prediction comes true.

Also curious as to what the next 'creature' trend will be. Whenever I tell someone I write YA, they ask me if my books about vampires. I've started telling them it's actually about gnomes that become hot guys at night, haha. I think YA needs more gnome fiction.

(sadly, there are no gnomes in my WIP. I think I need to fix this.)

[lindzmill]

I was just reading through the SCBWI conference blog and the presenters even contradict each other in terms of "what houses want" (granted, their presentations were all independent of each other). So I think each agent interacts with certain editors and has his/her finger on a different pulse of the pub machine.

Basically, what Dawn said.


ETA: http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/

[Dawn Schaefer]

Originally Posted by Sage

Also, since SCBWI LA, I've seen nothing but agents saying that historical is a hard sell, even if they love it.

Interestingly, I've been getting more interested in reading historical, if not writing it.

I've been told straight historical is hard, but historical with other elements is much easier to sell. *shrugs* Who knows. And to be honest, I don't really care. It takes me so long to write anything that by the time I finish everyone will say "Epic Stories about cross-dressing space monkeys searching for true love" is the next big thing.

Basically, my best advice: ignore trend talk. Like in fashion, trends grow old quickly. But classic and timeless are in, year after year.

[Moni]

Originally Posted by dawn miller

I've been told straight historical is hard, but historical with other elements is much easier to sell. *shrugs* Who knows. And to be honest, I don't really care. It takes me so long to write anything that by the time I finish everyone will say "Epic Stories about cross-dressing space monkeys searching for true love" is the next big thing.

Basically, my best advice: ignore trend talk. Like in fashion, trends grow old quickly. But classic and timeless are in, year after year.

Epic Stories about cross-dressing space monkeys searching for true love??? WHERE do I get one of THOSE books!! Snicker snicker! I'm sorry...I just couldn't resist...although...it might make for a very good novel!

[Sage]

Does anyone know if Across the Universe was written by an AWer (maybe one who doesn't post anymore?). I swear I've read the query or an excerpt or both from it. Could have been from some contest sometime, though.

[bethany]

I find trends (and rumors of trends) fascinating.

At the same time Dawn is right. It would be silly to be too preoccupied.

I'm writing post apocalyptic steam-punk.

[HayleytheScribbler]

I'm interested in trends more because they tell me what I'll probably be reading--not writing--in the near future.

ETA: of course I'll always want more of my favorite subgenres no matter what's "hot" right now.

[Danaalisonlevy]

Originally Posted by houndrat

ETA: how about, they just publish stuff that's good and not worry about categories?

Yes. THIS.

Originally Posted by HayleytheScribbler

Definitely interested to see if the whole historical prediction comes true.

Also curious as to what the next 'creature' trend will be. Whenever I tell someone I write YA, they ask me if my books about vampires. I've started telling them it's actually about gnomes that become hot guys at night, haha. I think YA needs more gnome fiction.

(sadly, there are no gnomes in my WIP. I think I need to fix this.)

Gnomes FTW! My WIP is mermaid-based, but in a way it reads more like a contemp than a trad PR - no "battle-killing-good-versus-evil-I-love-him-but-he-might-be-the-end" type stuff - more themes of love/loss, friendship, independence and freedom etc. I started it a while ago (and am a far-gone sucker for the ocean and swimming so had been playing with this for ages) and now I keep reading about how mermaids are the next vampires, how agents are getting tired of them, how they're overdone. It's enough to make me panic if I let it, but I'm trying to keep the blinders on and make the writing as good as it can possibly be.

I think we all just have to keep writing our best work and trust it will find an audience. and BTW, I also heard that contemps are hard to sell, but fun light romances (i.e., Ann@ and the k1ss) are in demand. So WTF??

[bethany]

Originally Posted by HayleytheScribbler

I'm interested in trends more because they tell me what I'll probably be reading--not writing--in the near future.

ETA: of course I'll always want more of my favorite subgenres no matter what's "hot" right now.

Good point. I've loved post apocalyptic stuff since I read The Stand in high school, but The Hunger Games sure brought that end of the world stuff into the limelight. (I realize HG is dystopian rather than post-apocalyptic, but whatever it all goes together...) So now we have so much in that genre to choose from. I always love a good contemporary, but I like other things in between.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by HayleytheScribbler

I'm interested in trends more because they tell me what I'll probably be reading--not writing--in the near future.

ETA: of course I'll always want more of my favorite subgenres no matter what's "hot" right now.

On the other hand, it's sometimes annoying to know what's coming and not being able to read it. Like hearing that such and such a thing is hot and then "over" and wondering where all the books are, lol.

Also, I was just so excited to have an e-mail... Beta request. Oh well. (But, yay, something to read)

[Moni]

"I" think that ultimately it'll simply come down to our salesmanship of our MS's to the agents....and then the agents to the publishers....if the agents love love love our MS's....I'm sure that they'll fight like holy Hades to get it printed.....although....since I haven't had the wonderful experience of really dealing with agents yet, what do "I" know.....but those are just my thoughts....because if I get caught up in the craziness that is trends I might lose my gumption to keep on this path. (Probably not....but I might try to please everyone & get TOLD to get off of this path....same difference in a way I guess!) JMHO....and my opinions are free...so ya get what ya pay for!! LOL

[Moni]

Originally Posted by Sage

On the other hand, it's sometimes annoying to know what's coming and not being able to read it. Like hearing that such and such a thing is hot and then "over" and wondering where all the books are, lol.

Also, I was just so excited to have an e-mail... Beta request. Oh well. (But, yay, something to read)

Doesn't that make you feel all warm & gooey to get an email asking you to read their stuffs? I got my first one today & I feel absolutely on top of the world about it!!

[Sage]

Well, I usually offer first. This was exciting because I've been waiting for her to polish the novel up. But not agent e-mail exciting, lol Nope, all's silent on the agent front.

[Moni]

Originally Posted by Sage

Well, I usually offer first. This was exciting because I've been waiting for her to polish the novel up. But not agent e-mail exciting, lol Nope, all's silent on the agent front.

I understand about the "not agent e-mail exciting" part.....sorry that you haven't gotten any emails from the agents......I'm crossing my fingers for ya!

[houndrat]

Sage--OMG, I TOTALLY thought the same thing about AtU...I swear I read a query for it at some point, and if not, a book with a very similar premise!

[neener]

Originally Posted by Sage

Does anyone know if Across the Universe was written by an AWer (maybe one who doesn't post anymore?). I swear I've read the query or an excerpt or both from it. Could have been from some contest sometime, though.

Originally Posted by houndrat

Sage--OMG, I TOTALLY thought the same thing about AtU...I swear I read a query for it at some point, and if not, a book with a very similar premise!

Miss Snark's First Victim. Pretty sure she posted it in a contest there at some point.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by houndrat

Sage--OMG, I TOTALLY thought the same thing about AtU...I swear I read a query for it at some point, and if not, a book with a very similar premise!

Okay, so I'm not totally crazy, maybe.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by neener

Miss Snark's First Victim. Pretty sure she posted it in a contest there at some point.

I haven't read or participated in many of hers, though. But it could easily have been a Nathan contest or something. People who do one agent contest, usually do several.

[Epiphany]

So, I stayed up until four last night. I need to get it into my head that I'm no longer fourteen and I can't just do shit like that any more. Sigh...

Well, luckily as soon as I finish the dishes it is three hours of writing for me!!!

[Moni]

Originally Posted by Epiphany

So, I stayed up until four last night. I need to get it into my head that I'm no longer fourteen and I can't just do shit like that any more. Sigh...

Well, luckily as soon as I finish the dishes it is three hours of writing for me!!!

I still haven't finished my dishes....I think that procrastination has become a disease with me!

Sorry that you feel badly about how late you stayed up last night. Maybe there's a psychic flash to be had & a vacation in your future??

[bethany]

I can't even stay up when I want to. Is old and tired.

[houndrat]

No, it was totally on AW in QLH, Neens.

[Epiphany]

Speaking of QLH and SYW, I've noticed several queries and first chapters of published authors "mysteriously" disappearing as of late. Do people gets mods to take them down?