Happy February, Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Writers helping writers. I’m pleased to be a part of this world-wide support group for writers created by our heroic leader, Alex J.Cavanaugh.
This is my first time co-hosting our group’s monthly question along with wonderful fellow writers Stephen Tremp, Pat Garcia, Angela Wooldridge, and Madeline Mora-Summonte. Thanks for this opportunity, Alex!
Our February question is: What do you love about the genre you write in most often?
What do I love most about writing YA contemporary adventure? Who doesn’t want to experience a life-threatening adventure [vicariously, of course!] and come out the other side changed both physically and mentally? Okay, it’s true. I would never allow my five children to actually experience the adventures I write about; however, the children’s actions usually do trigger my next YA short story.
Like a lot of story ideas, my YA adventure stories begin in truth. Sometimes I change up the initial experience my family had; place it in a different national park or in a different season. Then the research begins. All stories should be researched—even fantasy.
The best stories begin with something that could be known to readers—even if it’s a little known fact. Writers should delve into science, sociology, mythology, philosophy, or history to name only a few subjects to ponder. I enjoy research because I love learning something new. And there’s a good chance your reader will, too. I believe both children and adults come to story to learn something, even if it is to consider a universal idea or subject through a new perspective.
Then the story-building happens. This is the best part for me. Fiction is much easier than memoir. In fiction we create events and actions and emotion to build a story. In memoir, the writer needs to look for the story in life’s truth—explicitly.
In my YA adventures I know no one will die. Children’s magazines usually don’t like it when characters get into dangerous situations and make a mistake and die. That’s not to say that children’s magazines don’t deal with death in a family or friendship. I sold a short story to Cricket Magazine about a protagonist whose parents had died, and she needed to cope with grief and deal with living with her grandparents. Of course, I did add my signature danger that the protagonist had to face to help her realize the importance of her grandparents.
Story is internal. In writing my contemporary adventure stories, I need to find a realistic method to get my protagonist out of danger. Usually, the protagonist needs to realize that it’s up to him or her to save the day or be the hero of the story, and the protagonist changes internally as a result.
Thanks so much for stopping by Adventures in Writing and offering your insight. Please follow my blog if you haven’t already. It’s greatly appreciated. I’ll be sure and do the same for you.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s SupportGroup. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
"All stories should be researched—even fantasy." Absolutely! Thanks for co-hosting.
Thank you, Ronel! As you well know, fantasy is a complicated genre. More power to you for writing in it. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing. All best to you.
Such great advice. 🙂 Note to self, when writing YA adventures for magazines, the protag lives. 🙂
Thanks for being a co-host this month, hope you enjoy the experience. I agree about the research, I always start by making lots of notes around the subject and themes |I am going to write about. Mythology is a big one for me. Interesting post, thank you.
Thanks for all the great advice and being a co-host. Enjoyed reading.
Thanks for co-hosting, Victoria. Creating these YA stories seems difficult to me, especially coming up with new “dangerous situations to come out of smarter”. I think I’d rather stick to real life experiences for now. What is your favorite part about writing memoir?
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Writing YA is an art unto it self. I applaud you for being on the front line, seeking our budding readers. It only takes one book, one voice, one idea, to make a real difference in a young life. Thanks for co-hosting today!
Nice to meet you. 🙂
I enjoy writing YA as well, although I take a bit of a different approach to you.
Thanks for co-hosting this month, Victoria! I agree – the research is part of the adventure. As a voracious young reader once upon a time, I applaud you for encouraging young people to begin that wonderful journey that will continue for a lifetime.
Thanks for co-hosting. I haven't volunteered for that yet. I love YA, but write fantasy, not contemporary. I've just started reading more contemporary and enjoy reading the main character's growth through the book.
I also write YA, and even in fantasy, I feel there has to be a grain of truth to the story. It has to be believable, right? Wishing you success in 2018.
And thank you for co-hosting this month.
Sounds like good reasons to enjoy writing for a specific age group. Thank you for co-hosting.
My kids always inspire my stories too! I agree with you that it's more fun to write this stuff than to experience it first hand. Thanks for co-hosting.
I love to do research… my problem is it's kind of addicting. I can get lost in it and "forget" to write the story!
I like what you say about learning something new as the part of the process of writing. I'm currently doing some research on sea turtles. Fascinating subject, something I probably wouldn't have looked into if it wasn't for my WIP.
Thanks for co-hosting! Ellen
It's a great way to experience adventure without the real dangers attached.
Thanks for co-hosting today!
I love the little nuggets of knowledge you can pick up from books (and research) – it also makes me quite useful in pub quizzes 😉
Hope you enjoy your day co-hosting!
YA rocks! And isn't that why we read? To experience things we never could WITHOUT the danger?
Congrats on getting published in Cricket! Sounds like you really know how to create an exciting story that people can relate to. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Mary at Play off the Page
I don't read enough YA, but I do gravitate towards YA movies. Maybe because I also raised 5 children and it was important to watch movies that they could enjoy and learn from. Better than me preaching at them, for sure. Thanks for co-hosting, Victoria.
Cricket Magazine! Oh gosh, that brings back memories of my childhood! I had a stack of them on my dresser. 🙂 I loved reading the stories in them.
It's funny, my daughter can handle stories in which character suffer or die, but my husband can not. It's tough recommending good books for him outside of Winnie the Pooh.
Thanks for co-hosting!
Beginning a story with the known makes the reader comfortable. They've been there or done that. That draws them in, hooks them. From there, you take them on a fantastic ride. I love reading YA. Where were all the great books when I was young? Thanks for co-hosting.
The story-building, choices, and challenges are definitely the wonder of writing.
Thanks for co-hosting! Loni
I do love to go on adventures myself! Thank for co-hosting today. 🙂
That's cool that your own YA inspire the start of your stories. And character growth is the key to a good novel.
Terrific post,Victoria! You've echoed my thoughts on so many levels. Drama is a must for YA and is fun to write, not sure I could ever kill off a young character though 😉 I think that's where the "internal" part comes in.
Great job as your first time co-hosting IWSG Wednesday. I love that you write adventure for YA readers.
What a great discussion on YA Contemporary Adventure. I've never heard of that genre and it is now on my radar.
Probably no writer would ever want their friends and family to go through what their protagonist has to. Heck, if I were in my protagonist's shoes, I'd probably just go and hide somewhere and let the story pass me by. The reader may know (or suspect) that everything will work out at the end, but the protagonist doesn't, so the stories we readers love so much must be hell for the protagonist to live through. I don't envy them.
Thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG bloghop!
Now I've never written about a young person battling a terminal disease, but as I've said, I did write about a young person's parents having just died.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Raimey. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
I'm very excited to be a co-host this month, Suzanne!
I believe research is key to all writing. I, also, begin with pages of research notes. Mythology is a great way to ground story logic.
Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
I always enjoy reading, Juneta. Thanks for your kind words. And it's a pleasure being an IWSG co-host.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
My pleasure, Liesbet! Yes, writing YA adventure is challenging for sure. But you know, many times I find writing memoir even more challenging than creating my adventure fiction. In memoir, ALL the story facts need to be true. So crafting real life as story can be tricky.
Thanks for following my blogs, Liesbet, and offering your insight and comments. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Yes, it is, Lee. Your kind words mean the world to me. It does take only one voice or idea to make a difference in a young person's life.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Misha! It's a pleasure "meeting" you as well. How wonderful we both write YA. I'd love to know your approach to writing it. There really is no one way to write.
Thanks again for your note on Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
"life-threatening adventure [vicariously, of course!] and come out the other side changed both physically and mentally?"
That's what I do with my adult stories, but my character are usually a bit beaten up by the end. lol You're right that stories for children and adults are different in that way.
Thank you, Nancy. I think research is part of the adventure as well. I love discovering new things. Notice I said "discover" and not "learn" new things. If we are lucky, we all learn something new each day. But discovering something new adds passion into the mix. I am always hopeful that writers encourage young readers to become lifelong readers. Bravo to you for being a voracious reader.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving such kind words. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
I enjoy the research too, no bit of trivia is too trivial! You're right that the best books teach you something, and it can be something practical or historical. I loved Hatchet, by Gary Paulson, for just that reason.
Thanks for your kind words, Natalie. I'm having fun co-hosting, but it took me a while to volunteer, too.
In fantasy as well as contemporary your characters should grow along with their adventure–especially in book length manuscripts.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Cathrina. What a beautiful name you have, my dear.
I agree. All stories need to be believable. I believe this can happen if we begin with fact. I include mythology and folklore in this.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving such kind words. It's greatly appreciated. All the best to you in 2018 as well.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Karen! Thank you for following my blog. And thank you for your kind words. I truly appreciate your note here on Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Hi, Jennifer! I think kids are a great inspiration for many things in life–especially writing. And yes. It's much more fun to write about danger without really experiencing it firsthand.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Ohmygosh! Research can be sooo addicting, Bish. I have trouble stopping my research phase to begin the story phase as well.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Research is so much fun. Like I said to Bish above, sometimes I forget to begin my story and get lost in research. Sea turtles are very interesting. I love going to the aquarium and watching them glide through the water.
Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures is Writing, Ellen. It's been my pleasure to host the IWSG February question. Good luck with your research.
Some of the best stories I've read start with a truth or something readers can relate to. And it is an adventure. Totally agree. Thanks for co-hosting.
Hi, Victoria, that's a great point about the enjoyment of learning something new as we write. Thank heavens for internet search engines.
Definitely the best way to experience adventure without the danger. Thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing.
Say, boss, I'm truly enjoying this co-hosting thing. Do you think I can do it again sometime? Thanks for all you do, Alex!
I am thoroughly enjoying co-hosting, Angela. I hope you are, too. Yes, "nuggets of knowledge" can be gathered in many ways: books, internet, and even park rangers at national and state parks [which I share at http://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com].
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
I don't write for children so in my stories everyone is fair game. 😮 But I do read the occasional MG book, and so many of them handle the deaths of other characters and other serious subjects incredibly well.
So true, Crystal! At least, that's why I read. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Mary! Thank you so much for your kind words. It is always a thrill when I get a story accepted for publication.
Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures is Writing, Mary. It's been my pleasure to host the IWSG February question. Thanks for leaving your link. I'll visit you there. Enjoy your week!
So neat that you have 5 children, too. You understand. I watch YA movies with my children, also, mostly to answer any questions or engage my children in what happened and what it meant to the characters. Much, much better than preaching.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. My pleasure to co-host. Enjoy your week!
As I've said before, it never ceases to thrill me when I have a manuscript accepted to be published. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week, Megan!
Yep! I have the same problem. I cry too much when the character dies, whether reading or watching a movie. Bravo to your daughter; but I can sympathize with your husband. You know, it is difficult to try and think of a title where someone or something doesn't suffer and die in it. Hmm…
Always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing, Tamara. Enjoy your week!
Yes it does, Diane. Beginning with known facts or situations feels familiar to the reader. Everything you say is true. Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your day!
Yes they are, Loni. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
I adore adventures…when I know my children are safe, Christine. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
I think a lot of story begins with an experience writers have had or have heard about. Character growth is integral to a good novel.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing, Diedre. They're greatly appreciated. As I told Tamara above, I would be too upset if one of my young protagonists died.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Thank you, Lee! I truly appreciate your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your day!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kali! Oh, you'll like reading YA adventure now that you've heard of it. What do you write?
Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your day!
Thanks for a great post about YA Adventure. I have considered this genre, but have not made the attempt.
This is so true, Ken. Stories need to unfold slowly. And yes! It must be hell for the protagonist, or you don't really have a story.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving your insight. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Oh yes, Chrys. It's true that stories for children as well as adults need to offer insight and character change for the readers.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving your insight. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing! Thank you for your note. Hatchet is my son's favorite book. He re-reads it often.
Thanks for stopping by Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Mina! Thanks for your note. Story should always start with truth to ground the reader.
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Really, Jennifer! I think learning something new is probably why many of us write.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
There is a certain way to handle death with young people. And I agree. There are many good books out there to help young people understand what happens in life.
I hope your co-hosting is going well. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. YA adventure is a lot of fun to write. What genre do you write in?
Thanks again for your note on Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your day.
Lee, I can’t find your blog and want to read and comment on it. Could you give me the link so I can visit your blog? Thanks!
I'm not sure why it didn't link in the comment – it usually does. I'm here: http://leelowery.com/
Thanks for co-hosting this month.
I haven't read a lot of YA adventure stories, but I'm willing to try some out.
Writing is definitely my favorite part, but I can easily get sucked into research, as well.
I really admire the fantasy writers.
Some build these amazing worlds from scratch, especially the high fantasy stories. I don't think I could do that. My preference is for stories grounded in reality.
Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month.
Writer In Transit
Thanks for the post, and thank you for writing children's stories that (it sounds from your description) model young people finding agency and working through tragedy to become stronger and more capable people. Those stories are so important. I understand not killing off your protagonist, but do you never let your secondary characters die, either?
Isn't it interesting that story teaches us about coping with our own lives even when we don't realise it. I enjoyed reading your article and keep writing.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
That's what I love about fiction: we find truths and ways to work out real life by living the adventures and challenges of the characters.
Thank you so much for co-hosting!
Jen
Young adult fiction would be fun to write! It's much easier to write about something when we don't have to go through it ourselves, or have our children experience it! Thank you for co-hosting this month's IWSG topic. It's much appreciated! Keep writing! http://www.dianeweidenbenner.com/iwsg-what-do-you-love-about-the-genre-you-write-in-most-often/
I like reading most genres provided the world building is good.
Thank you, Pat, for your kind words. They're greatly appreciated. I believe story teaches the writer as much as it does the reader.
I hope your co-hosting is going well. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your weekend!
Writing for YA seems very hard to me. I'm not sure I could do it even if I tried. I just can't think like a teenager, but I admire the writers who mastered this demanding genre. Great post,Victoria Marie.
I do quite a bit of research as well. People give me funny looks when I tell them I have research to do for a fantasy story, but it definitely is a requirement.
Thanks, Lee. You have an awesome blog. I left a note and connected with you online.
I lo e the research side of writing as well. Although, it can become a rabbit hole sometimes. Thanks for co-hosting!
That should say I love the research side…😉
Although I don't write YA, I seem to read a bit of YA fantasy. I like it when a story lets me experience something new while enlightening me. Many thanks for co-hosting this month.
We stopped at 5 even though I was hoping eventually for a girl. But raising boys was fun. It was great watching all those YA movies. I learned a thing or two. Thanks for visiting my blog, Victoria.
Agreed. Some call this character arc. Me, I don;t get caught on terms. But yes something internal has to happen to the main character and his or hers friends who need to rise up and overcome obstacles they never dreamed of in order to make the story work.
Yikes! Five boys, Joylene! My girlfriend has five boys, too. I have one boy, smack dab in the middle of four girls. Of course, I had my bonus at the end–twin girls.
I feel adults as well as children can learn much from YA movies. I also believe those movies provide great topics for deep discussion. Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. I wish you all the best in 2018.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Toi! It's been my pleasure to co-host IWSG this month. You'll like YA adventure. It allows the reader to get into danger without getting hurt.
Thanks again for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a comment. All best to you!
It is so easy, Shannon! But I agree with you. Writing or creating the story is my favorite part, too.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your weekend!
My preference is for stories "grounded in reality" too, Michelle. I admire all writers who can create "real" worlds for their characters, and thereby their readers, to live in.
It's been fun co-hosting IWSG's February question. Thanks so much for your note on Adventures in Writing. Have a great weekend!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kathy! Thank you so much for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated. Yes, I work very hard on having my protagonists grow throughout the story. As for killing off my young characters, I haven't. If I ever did, I think it would be more illness that tragedy from adventure for a young person.
Thanks again for your comment here on Adventures in Writing. I do so appreciate it. All best to you!
Kathy, could you please give me your blog link so I can read your blog and leave a note? I've connected with you on G+. Thanks again for your note on Adventures in Writing!
Yes we do, Jen. Many times writers can figure out real life by writing about a fictitious situation for their characters.
This co-hosting thing takes time, but I like. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. All best to you!
I love writing Young Adult fiction, but writers need to remember to show the experience through action AND thought. The reader needs to be inside the protagonist's skin during the experience.
It's been fun co-hosting IWSG's February question, Diane. Thanks so much for your note on Adventures in Writing. Have a great weekend!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing! World-building is what grounds the story for the reader.
Thanks so much for your comment here on Adventures in Writing. I do so appreciate it. All best to you!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing! Thank you so much for your kind words, Olga.
First, I think all writing is difficult. I know what you're saying. Getting a teenage voice can be daunting. But finding individual voices for any character in story can be difficult.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your weekend!
Research is one of my favorite parts of writing. I could do it all day… Thanks for co-hosting!
Thank you so much for hosting this month! Great minds think alike, I wrote about research too. It is important in all genres!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Renee! Yes, I believe that research makes for a better grounded story. I bet their "funny looks" will cease once they read your fantasy fiction. All the best in 2018.
Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. It's greatly appreciated.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kim! Thank you so much for following my blog. It's greatly appreciated.
I think research is imperative for creating stories. It's been fun co-hosting, Kim. Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Roland! I think a story should always share something new with its reader; facts, ideas, beliefs.
It's been fun co-hosting with IWSG. Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again!
Absolutely, Stephen! The internal struggle in story is key to deepening both character and story plot.
I hope you've enjoyed co-hosting IWSG as much as I have. Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Doreen! Thank you so much for following my blog. It's greatly appreciated.
How about that? Yes, great minds do think alike. We both believe research is key to creating a deeper story. Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. All best to you in 2018.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Lisa! Yep! I could research for weeks. Sometimes I need to remember to create the story I'm researching for.
It's been a pleasure co-hosting for IWSG. Thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. All best to you in 2018.
Hi Victoria – it seems so sensible to adapt your stories round your family and where you've travelled. Yet I find my way of doing things easier … just I haven't been writing long – so have never experimented. Congratulations on IWSGing for this month – cheers Hilary
I agree that research can be a great springboard for story.
Thanks, Hilary, for your kind words. It's great that you have an easier method of chronicling your own travels or creating stories from real experiences. Just keep writing and experimenting. I love reading your blog and learning from what you are seeing or doing.
It's been fun co-hosting for IWSG in February here at Adventures in Writing. Wow! Have my comments soared as a result. I'm so excited. Thanks for your note. All best to you!
Yes it can, Kim! It can also help ground a story. Thanks so much for your note at Adventures in Writing. I wish you evert success in 2018!
Writing for kids, from little ones to YA, is harder than most people think. It takes know how and talent, as you know. You are a most gracious co-host, congrats!
Thank you so much for your kind words here on Adventures in Writing, Karen. They are greatly appreciated. It has been a true pleasure co-hosting IWSG's February question.
Writing for children is truly difficult. It is not simply using simpler words and plots. It’s quite intricate. Thanks again for stopping by Adventures in Writing. I wish you all the best in 2018!