So, I’m all about getting Christine’s Odyssey out by year end. After honing it on my writing network and having it critiqued by writers I respect, I entered it in a competition. In 2008, the book won an award in a local creative writing competition. I think it’s time to get other people reading it.
Christine was stuck with a publisher for many, many months, the main problem being the subject matter of the story. In brief, Christine loses one parent in a domestic dispute—a violent one. I’ve rewritten the scene several times, attempting to make it not-so-graphic. My aim isn’t to traumatize anyone.
I’m grateful to the publisher that had the manuscript because the manager passed on a copy of a book report from the Ministry of Education. The educational officer who read the story deemed it fine for entertainment, but not fitting for the school curriculum as it focuses on the affective (to do with the emotions), which isn’t so wonderful for the classroom.
Of course, the writer in me wants this story out in the world. I’d really like to hear your thoughts on any of my questions you care to answer. Feel free to share.
Christine was stuck with a publisher for many, many months, the main problem being the subject matter of the story. In brief, Christine loses one parent in a domestic dispute—a violent one. I’ve rewritten the scene several times, attempting to make it not-so-graphic. My aim isn’t to traumatize anyone.
I’m grateful to the publisher that had the manuscript because the manager passed on a copy of a book report from the Ministry of Education. The educational officer who read the story deemed it fine for entertainment, but not fitting for the school curriculum as it focuses on the affective (to do with the emotions), which isn’t so wonderful for the classroom.
Of course, the writer in me wants this story out in the world. I’d really like to hear your thoughts on any of my questions you care to answer. Feel free to share.
- D’you think there’s too much violence in YA fiction?
- Would you tolerate/understand violence in a YA story if it’s necessary to the plot line?
- Would you allow your child to read a YA novel that has violence if it’s relevant to the story being told?
- Have you written any YA stories with violent scenes?