I’m pretty sure I’m crazy. I decided to do National Novel Writing Month this year. Just a day and a half until the first day of November, when I will hypothetically begin my journey of sleepless nights and sore wrists and computer eye strain. Like I don’t spend enough time in front of the computer already.
Archives for October 2009
What I’m reading….
Marshall Zeringue, from Writers Read and Campaign for the American Reader, recently asked me what I’m reading. Here’s what I said:
I usually try to alternate between reading Young Adult and Adult novels, though distinguishing between the genres seems a little silly to me at times. The only consistent difference seems to be that YA is always about teens, while adult literature is only sometimes always about adults. There’s a perception that YA is somehow less serious or “literary,” while in truth the variation in style, subject and quality is infinite.
I just finished the YA novel The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams. It’s the story of Kyra, a 13-year old girl growing up in an isolated polygamist cult and doomed to become the 7th wife of her 60-year-old uncle. It’s a complex and heart-wrenching look into one girl’s struggle for truth and freedom—not usually what you think of as “kids’ stuff.” I could not recommend it more, to both adults and young adults. This is one of those YA books that is so powerful and well-written, I want it to serve as a kind of ambassador to the adult literary world. I’d like to include it in a gift basket to the skeptics, with a note that reads “Read these books. I dare you to tell me you still think YA’s a lesser genre.”
The thing that touched me most about this book is how much I related to Kyra, despite the fact that my world is nothing like hers. Kyra’s unique story illustrates how curiosity and the need for love and freedom are core human traits, regardless of how one is raised. It is books like this that remind us how alike we are, and how finding empathy for others despite our differences is one of the best displays of our humanity.
Reading at Orinda Books Tuesday 10/20. 7:00 pm
Hello friends,
I will be doing a reading from Beautiful at Orinda Books on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:00 pm. I will be sharing the reading with three wonderful authors:
Dorothy Hearst, reading from her novel Promise of the Wolves, about the ancient relationship between wolves and humans
Mary Mackey, reading from her historical novel, The Widow’s War
Jessican Barksdale Inclan reading from her paranormal romance, The Beautiful Being
As you can see, it’s a mixed bag. We will be discussing genre, and books that crossover between genres. We’d love for you to join us.
Here are the details:
Orinda Books
Tuesday, October 20
7:00 pm
276 Village Square
Orinda, CA
925-254-7606
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Some musings on high school
I’d love to embarrass myself by sharing journal entries with you from when I was a teenager, but they unfortunately don’t exist. I tried many times to keep a journal because it seemed like the appropriate thing for a self-described “writer” to do, but I could never get the hang of it. I’d usually last a couple of days, then give up in frustration. It seemed to me that there were very strict rules of non-fiction which were impossible to follow. I failed at keeping a journal because, quite frankly, I thought I was not allowed to lie.
I always felt compelled to stretch the truth a little, to make the characters (myself mostly) a little more interesting, to move events and details around to construct a more compelling narrative. Telling the truth was so…well, boring. Every cell in my body was dying to make stuff up, but I conjured all my strength to rein that impulse in. Instead of a cathartic release of my deepest thoughts and feelings, I remember each journal entry more like a painful exercise in restraint.
BEAUTIFUL in NYC
My boss was in New York for business this week, and look what she found in the Teen New Releases section at the Union Square Barnes & Noble! (middle row, on the left)
BEAUTIFUL releases TODAY!
Yippee!
I can’t believe it. I just really can’t believe it.
I walked into work this morning and my co-worker asked me to sign her copy of Beautiful. I felt like an imposter with the pen in my hand. To make it worse, the president of the company was standing right next to her. I wanted to hide under my desk.
My husband and his band are taking me out for ice cream tonight. I’m going to order the biggest sundae on the menu, eat it all, and probably get sick. But it’ll be worth it.
Here’s a picture of my little sister Maddie with my book in a Seattle Barnes & Noble.
Amy
I nominate Ellen Hopkins Queen of Banned Books Week 2009
Hi all,
In honor of the last day of Banned Books Week, I’m re-posting this blog by fellow writer Ellen Hopkins. Maybe by this time next year, Beautiful will be on the list of books that gets folks’ panties in a bunch because of its “controversial” content. I would be honored. I would be proud to be grouped with YA authors like Ellen who dare to explore difficult subject matter in an honest and thoughtful way. No one benefits when we pretend painful stories don’t exist. And no teen I’ve ever known responds to “I told you so” as a valid reason to not do something. I don’t know about you, but I need to trust someone before I can take their opinions seriously, and I certainly cannot trust someone I know is withholding information and not telling the truth.
Would you trust someone who refuses to talk openly with you?
Would you follow the rules of someone who won’t let you read a book because they think you can’t handle the content?
I didn’t think so.
Amy
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