tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post3201395536654902211..comments2024-01-02T06:39:28.476-06:00Comments on erica and christy-two moms. two teachers. two writers. one blog.: KEEPING IT REALerica and christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post-74076037832125169952011-10-19T18:27:03.181-05:002011-10-19T18:27:03.181-05:00That's a tough question. on the one hand, who...That's a tough question. on the one hand, who wants to depress them with reality - they'll find out soon enough :) I'm kidding - I don't think reality is all that bad. It's just... reality. I'm guessing most teens are smart enough to tell the difference. Does anyone really read one of those romantic-type novels and think that's the way life is? Life has moments of romance mixed in with moments of taking out the garbage you wish your husband had taken out. I think it's all about the type of novel. If you want to escape, you choose the happy romance type. If you need to feel connected to a character who struggles as you do, you choose a book that will fill that need. That's why it's great that there are so many choices out there. Also, the hard moments of life are hard, but the amazing ones are amazing - and hopefully for most people, you get some of each.Susanna Leonard Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655630528649780363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post-90893841608474444812011-10-19T12:42:03.131-05:002011-10-19T12:42:03.131-05:00This is great and sort of funny and sad all at onc...This is great and sort of funny and sad all at once. The perfect post:)<br /><br />As for expectations for teens, I think its a little bit like when people tell us what parenting will be like. It's not until you have a 3 month old who has just peed all over you for the third time in an hour and hasn't slept in 4 days that you say, "how come no one told me about the parts that suck?" But even if they had, would you have believed them?<br /><br />I am pro-realistic fiction for teens (as you both know), but I also expect to be hamstrung by this in selling my books. Sigh.Christa Desirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614441465633549710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post-28622190242647089572011-10-19T11:32:26.819-05:002011-10-19T11:32:26.819-05:00That's the beauty of fiction, it can be both a...That's the beauty of fiction, it can be both a retreat and offer a realistic look at life at the same time. I think adding a certain sense of realism is important, even if it means showing the parts of life that sometimes suck.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post-69728316669383934902011-10-18T22:22:04.806-05:002011-10-18T22:22:04.806-05:00I think a YA audience will connect with a portraya...I think a YA audience will connect with a portrayal of marital strife and other mundane "real" things... if you write it as observed by the teen, who may hear such arguments from their parents, but not really fully get it. Like, wondering why mom gets so bent out of shape about the garbage. Good post!alexiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07122487552931794871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post-233442671776074682011-10-18T12:24:30.110-05:002011-10-18T12:24:30.110-05:00I agree with Matthew--it has to be the story you c...I agree with Matthew--it has to be the story you can't wait to explore. <br />Your post reminded me of how I can empathize with my teen characters, but if my own teenager acts in a similar way....um, suddenly i'm having trouble remaining neutral!Coleen Patrickhttp://coleenpatrick.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804696485095159380.post-71554802599431409042011-10-18T09:32:57.537-05:002011-10-18T09:32:57.537-05:00Eh, I don't know that there's an answer fo...Eh, I don't know that there's an answer for this. I think you just have to write whatever story it is that's dying to come out of you so badly that you can't hold it inside.<br /><br />And for what's it's worth, I get home at 3:30, and always make the dinner, but then Kelly works nights, so our family situation is not the average one.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.com