Road Trip Wednesday is a "Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors and followers post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.
This week's topic: What IRL people can you talk to about YA?
I'm busy with Pens for Paws stuff, but I can't let another Road Trip Wednesday go by without participating! Though I think this prompt would be better phrased as "What IRL people can you talk to about YA, and they'll enjoy it and be enthusiastic too?" Because I try to talk to lots of people about YA books and writing, but the most common* reaction is a blank/glazed-eyes look. And yet, my carpet-bomb method of spreading the word about YA has led to some interesting conversations.
My main enthusiastic outlet is my nieces and nephews; they love that I've read the same books they have, and can make informed recommendations. I hit the library and used book sales all year long, and then read as many of those purchases as I can before sending a box of books to each relative for Christmas. Reading them first gives me the opportunity to match them to the right kid, but also tempts me to keep the really good books for my own collection!
Also, the YA/MG critique group we formed from local SCBWI members has spawned a book club. It's a great way to allow ourselves those fangirl moments and gush about the YA and MG books we love. We have similar standards for writing, but different tastes, so it's fun to wade into a new genre with a book that's already been vetted. Everyone should have an outlet like that--it really helps keep your writing momentum going!
What about you--where do you get your talkin-bout-YA fix? Don't forget to go to the comments on the YA Highway RTW post to see everyone else's answers!
*Only slightly ahead of "You mean like Twilight?"
P.S. The Pens for Paws Auction is coming up, so press that purple button in the sidebar.
Lots of signed YA and kids' books? Check!
ARCs? Check!
ARCs? Check!
Critiques from agents and pubbed authors? Check! (hint: these would be a great gift for a writing mom)
Unique gifts? Check!
Unique gifts? Check!
Come check it out!
We're still taking donations, and don't forget to go back to P4P starting on the 7th to bid on all the awesomeness!
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4 comments:
I don't talk to anyone about it IRL, haha. ;) Most people I know either aren't readers, or read ENTIRELY different books. I do try to educate people when, after telling them I write YA and, they say 'kids books?' Because it's so much more than that and not just for kids.
...But, yes. I did get a number of people say, "Oh! Like Twilight/Harry Potter/Hunger Games!"
Oh, you need to find some local YA-ivores, Kelley! I know where there's a whole pack up the hill from you . . .
Aaaahhh, the 'like Twilight' response, I get that often too! Especially because I mostly read/write historical fantasy which has nothing to do with Twilight it isn't very helpful. But I should adopt your tell everyone method, maybe I will find some closet YA readers/writers out there like me :)
I always accidentally say, "YA" rather than young adult, at first. And it confuses people. They're like, "Wha?" So then I'm all, "young adult," and then I KNOW they are not my people. ;)
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