YA All-Ages Cafe

[Sage]

I just have to note that I love-love-love it when novels circle around to their beginning at the end. Like that first scene means something different than it seemed to before you read the whole book, or you're so glad that the characters ended up as they did because it wasn't a sure thing, or your understanding of the characters and their relationship is completely changed.

I've never mastered it myself, just admired it.

I think that's why I've stuck with this opening for so long. Especially once I got to the end, and Hale is all, "Max is my family" in literally the last line. And I'm like, "This works so well, if Hale's opening starts talking about how he's never had siblings, and his crewmates are more like family than those kids in the orphanage he was with," which also leads into why he insists on helping the sisters of one of his would-be brothers from the ship. It can work, even if he's just friends with the guy (and he was), but it just adds a layer.

But I'm not sure it's as YA an opening as the one I've just come up with. And...although he was already awake and basically watching TV (in his brain) while in bed, the scene is technically a wake-up scene, sigh (though I'm pretty sure not a single BP crit has called out the "wake up" aspect of the opening scene)

 

[lilysheaven]

I've been meaning to post an update here but I keep getting distracted lol.

Writing's been going good this month, actually. I'm at around 13k of my new project/draft and although it's been a mission to just let the words flow and let them be in their horrendous glory, I'm finally at that point. Though, so far I am enjoying my characters but I don't think I know them all that well yet (panster problems am I right?)

I will say though, this is the first time I've dedicated so much time and words to set up (about 10k) but I'm not even mad about it. I think it makes for a slow start and that's future me's problem, but for right now it's absolutely necessary as I don't know my characters all that well yet. And it was super important for establishing my MC's motivations and goals before I could get to the inciting incident.

I definitely suck at writing fantasy, but it's a fun change. If anything, can only help with the creative juices, right?

How's everyone else's projects coming along?

 

[DianaLouise]

I'm working on revising the first five chapters of my YA thriller for a workshop with a literary agent, but I keep getting hit with migraines.

I've also been noodling on some other ideas for my next project. At first, I was planning on jumping right into another YA thriller, but an MG portal fantasy might be drawing me in instead--as they are wont to do, I guess. Right now, it feels like somewhat of a light palate cleanser compared to the grittier YA projects I'm brainstorming, but I know it's going to turn into a big complicated mess eventually as well.

just let the words flow and let them be in their horrendous glory

I love that so much that I want to put it on a post-it on top of my laptop as a reminder. lol

That's definitely something I struggle with although I've gotten slightly better at it over the past year or so.

 

[Maryn]

Howdy-do, my YA friends. Can I hang out a bit with people who don't bite?

I've been working on two things, one of them non-erotica. They're different enough that I'm able to bounce back and forth between them. The not-sexy one is based on an acquaintance of our daughter's from college.

He got pretty sick and missed two weeks of classes, and was lost when he returned. The professor wasn't very helpful and suggested he get a tutor--which he couldn't afford. So he found an empty classroom and tried to work out the problems on the board, someone passing by noticed, and they came in to tutor for free. They met for the rest of the semester several times a week and the guy passed the class.

Nice story, yes? Except there was no tutor. The student was observed repeatedly, alone in there, talking to himself.

Happy ending is that he dropped out for one semester, got appropriate meds, and returned to school. That's not what's happening in my story, though.

 

[lilysheaven]

Happy ending is that he dropped out for one semester, got appropriate meds, and returned to school. That's not what's happening in my story, though.

I love this!!! Both the happy IRL ending and the oooh-what's-gonna-happen-next in your book! Maybe this is too early to ask but is this going to be YA? Either way, I'd definitely want to read this.

I love that so much that I want to put it on a post-it on top of my laptop as a reminder. lol

Lol you humble me <3

Right now, it feels like somewhat of a light palate cleanser compared to the grittier YA projects I'm brainstorming

I think this is how I'm feeling about the fantasy I'm busy writing. Though, it has darker themes which I haven't gotten into yet so maybe I'll feel differently once I do. But my brain is also doing that thing where it's thinking up ideas for other projects instead of the one I am supposed to be working on!

 

[Maryn]

Alas, not YA, but it would be suitable for younger readers. The main character starts out as a college freshman and is in his mid-thirties at the end.

When it's finished, I'll want betas!

 

[Sage]

So, I decided to check out this Revise and Resubmit contest lots of folks have been talking about. I have to check out my beta's notes, still, but I think I have a query I'm willing to use, can put together a logline, and worked on a synopsis...which wasn't as fun to write as I remember (I have really fond memories of finishing the Jack Frost synopsis, which I reread last night, and it's damn good for a synopsis; it even has some voice!).

The real exciting news is that I started a book that I think is likely a comp! 2 years old and YA, which makes it far superior to other comps I have considered. One of the things I've found unbelievable is that I haven't found a recent YA contemporary that has two teens with their podcast or TikTok feed or influencer business, whatever. This isn't that, but so far the MC is a hardworking teen who really cares about his project and there's a social media aspect and an attempt to get funding, and he's on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. So that's one down. Now I just need a good SF comp, which is harder than you'd think it is.

Nice story, yes? Except there was no tutor. The student was observed repeatedly, alone in there, talking to himself.

My kind of plot twist!

 

[lilysheaven]

When it's finished, I'll want betas!

I'll keep my eyes open

I've found unbelievable is that I haven't found a recent YA contemporary that has two teens with their podcast or TikTok feed or influencer business, whatever.

You're right, this is unbelievable! But I'm glad you found at least one comp. Those are hard.

 

[Sage]

Maybe just found a second YA comp? This one is SF, but on the edge of too old. That’s okay with me, though, because it’s actually really hard to find recent YA set in space & the other comp is in age range.

Now I just have to read them both, lol.

 

[lilysheaven]

Now I just have to read them both, lol.

I don't think you have to read them to use them as comps though it's probably better to read them.

 

[Sage]

Im a quarter of the way through the one, and wouldn’t have realized how great it was as a comp if I hadn’t at least read the preview.

The other was on my periphery as a possibility, but a read a review last night that made me think it could work. (The title alone could be my title, lol)

 

[lilysheaven]

Oooh that's great! I always hate looking for comp titles but this sounds golden

 

[Sage]

It’s been a problem. YA SF is particularly sparse right now.

Now my Jack Frost novel, that one I have perfect comps for. I haven’t looked for the older books, or else I would pitch more today (but the queries are old and don’t have comps)

 

[Clovitide]

Now I just need a good SF comp, which is harder than you'd think it is.

I've also struggled finding recent YA sci-fis. All I've found are 5 - 6 years old. And since my sci-fi isn't ready to be queried... i understand your pain

I don't think you have to read them to use them as comps though it's probably better to read them.

You know, I've thought about doing this but then I feel I'm cheating some how if I don't read them. How can I say my story has similar power struggles as xyz if I havent read it

 

[Sage]

TBF, I did start using one of my JF comps before I read it. I was counting on the relationship to be exactly what it said on the back cover copy. I'm in the middle of it now.

 

[lilysheaven]

You know, I've thought about doing this but then I feel I'm cheating some how if I don't read them. How can I say my story has similar power struggles as xyz if I havent read it

I totally feel the same way! But I think it's good to know that it's okay to do in case someone doesn't have time to read a specific title but need to shoot off a query. Hopefully, I won't find myself in this boat, ever.

I haven’t looked for the older books, or else I would pitch more today (but the queries are old and don’t have comps)

I do hope you get around to that one day!

I wish I had more than one manuscript that need comps. Guess I best get to writing then!

 

[Sage]

I have sooooo many novels, but only a handful I'd be willing to pitch. I wish aPB was in good shape, but the first book needs fixing (forever). I'm kinda dying to pitch Taylor-Made, which has gotten so many likes in pitch contests before, but, like I said, no comps. H/V's always fun to pitch, but nobody wants superheroes (and no comps). Comps aren't needed for pitches, necessarily, but you have to have a query ready to go if an agent wants the novel.

I probably will pitch SCWWGC (Jack Frost) later today. I'll even throw my comps into the pitch, since it was a Twitter pitch before and I have more space to play with on BlueSky.

I subbed SSLS to RevPit, but I was tempted to do SCWWGC instead. After I had submitted, I looked at some of the editors who I rejected because of their MSWL not wanting something about SSLS. One of the editors basically describes SCWWGC as what she would love to see and lists the comps on her favorite author list. Siiiiiigh. But SSLS probably needs an editor more, and it's (sort of) a way to test out my submission materials without losing any querying chances.

 

[amlptj]

Hello everyone.

Been ages since I posted on here. I love that it's the all ages cafe. I started in Teens writing for teens and then upgraded and now I'm here!

 

[lilysheaven]

Hello everyone.

Been ages since I posted on here. I love that it's the all ages cafe. I started in Teens writing for teens and then upgraded and now I'm here!

Hello! Happy to have you! Love your title, but I've always liked people who break the rules.

 

[amlptj]

Hello! Happy to have you! Love your title, but I've always liked people who break the rules.

I don't mean to do it on purpose. Oh all the rules i break, i wished i could not break those. Also Lily this is Ally from Discord chat group.

 

[lilysheaven]

Also Lily this is Ally from Discord chat group.

you know i had a FEELING. Anyhoo, welcome still. Glad to have you here

 

[Maryn]

Sometimes I think I should try Discord. Do people actually talk writing there, or is it more social, like every chat I've tried?

 

[Sage]

Hello everyone.

Been ages since I posted on here. I love that it's the all ages cafe. I started in Teens writing for teens and then upgraded and now I'm here!

back

The jokey titled Old People Writing for Teens lasted a long time as the Twifties grew older or left, but I decided it was time for a thread with a name that wouldn’t scare off younger or older authors

 

[lilysheaven]

Sometimes I think I should try Discord. Do people actually talk writing there, or is it more social, like every chat I've tried?

Both! We're always keen to talk writing but I do find the forums is a lot more resourceful than the discord. The discord is more instant and whoever is available answers so that limits the amount of responses you get. For instance, if you're asking a mystery-genre question and only a fantasy writer is available, then it might not be as insightful as you'd have hoped. But the social aspect is so much fun.

 

[Maryn]

Someone helped me make a Discord account a few months ago. Maybe I should, you know, actually use it!

My not-erotica story is coming along. When it was a play, the big gap was easy. End Act II, leap to Act III fifteen years later. So far, that's not working in a story, though. Filling it up with something meaningful is not easy.