Friday, July 2, 2010

Fess Up Friday!

This book review got me thinking about something that's been criticized lately. I promise to delve deeper next week, but for now, I'll only give you a taste.

This week's trend question: How do you feel about authors who write for adults choosing to write for teens?

Me? The only author I've read who writes for both audiences is Kim Harrison. I haven't read her adult books, but I enjoy her Madison Avery novels. Guess it just goes to show you: talent is talent. If you can capture the audience's voice, go for it. But nobody should write a YA book just because it's hot right now. Young readers can spot a fake from miles away, and they won't be too keen on buying your next book if the first one didn't do it for them.

What say you, peeps?

10 comments:

  1. If it is done well then it rocks! If it isn't then it will drop out of sight pretty quick anyway. I think as a writer it is nice to think you can write whatever you fancy rather than just doing one genre.

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  2. I think that as long as you write for a teen audience with all the intent of writing a quality story, and not just to get a "quick and easy" sell, with "quick and easy" quality writing, then it's okay. You know?

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  3. I'm a little biased because I LOVE James Patterson's Maximum Ride series. My mom loves his adult series, and it's interesting to see just how different both series are from each other. I agree with Jayne, if it's done right and for the right reasons then I'm all for it!

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  4. So long as it works for teens, I have no problems. Rick Riordan wrote for adults before teens, and I love his stuff.

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  5. OH totally agree! I think it's great if writers are able to write whatever genre only if they believe in the genre and not because it's "hot"!

    Now being an oldie, I'll site Salman Rushdie. His childrens' books are as enchanting as his adult lit fic are mesmerising! Oh and Vikram Seth - he writes adult, children and poetry beautifully!

    Take care
    x

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  6. Unless I have read their adult novels, I tend to judge them (and their YA novels) the way I would any other YA writers and novels. If it's good, I'll love it. It's not... I probably won't pick up their adult novels, either.

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  7. Agreed. If you can write good YA fiction, go for it. If you're doing it just because it's the trendy thing to do right now, don't even bother.

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  8. I don't mind, as long as they've done their homework like the rest of us. Writing YA is not the same as writing for adults, and they're crazy if they think it is (or that it's easier).

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  9. I don't know. Only if they are good at it.

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  10. I don't think authors should write for teenagers just because they see it as a trend. I don't want to read anything that sounds forced. Readers do catch on quickly, so I don't know why these writers would bother. Some people are successful at writing for both adults and teenagers, and others are not.

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