YA All-Ages Cafe

[Brigid Barry]

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

The AW server is very social, but @Katiebee knows more servers that are all business of writing. You can be on multiple servers and bounce between them.

*flips hair* And I'm there.

 

[Katiebee]

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

Join us!!!!

I know lots of places to hang on discord. There’s mine (a bit of a dumpster fire atm as I’m rearranging the onboarding process, but chill folks are there and we’re a bit… “older” of a crew)

I also know a great romance one

And of course there’s AW’s.

Join us *ominous cackle*

 

[Maryn]

Ahh, clearly you have seen Freaks!

 

[Katiebee]

Ahh, clearly you have seen Freaks!

I haven’t actually.

 

[Katiebee]

https://discord.gg/yxeDt2AHzQ this is mine!
This is the Romance server I mod on: https://discord.gg/R5BdrjMMcF
I think I’m @ Katie on both.

 

[Elenitsa]

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. Depending on each group and channel.
@Katiebee , I joined the Discords too, but I do not promise to be very active.

 

[amlptj]

Anyway how is everyone today?

I'm eagerly waiting for some time to write tonight. I'm close to the end of my second draft which went WAY over the word count I was shooting for but oh well.

 

[beth_robin]

Hello, new besties! I’m excited to be here—I was told my people are in this thread. I write YA (and MG) sci-fi with a focus on inclusivity, and I’m always looking to connect with fellow writers who love exploring diverse stories.

What’s everyone working on right now? Or, if writing isn’t happening today, what’s the best book you’ve read recently?

 

[Maryn]

The people at this board are so welcoming that I'm surprised to be first to see you here. They let me hang around when I write for adults, mostly. Right now my WIP is clean (I mostly write erotica) about a college student who is tutored by a girl no one else can see. It's based on a friend of our daughter's from college.

 

[beth_robin]

The people at this board are so welcoming that I'm surprised to be first to see you here. They let me hang around when I write for adults, mostly. Right now my WIP is clean (I mostly write erotica) about a college student who is tutored by a girl no one else can see. It's based on a friend of our daughter's from college.

That story sounds interesting! Erotica sounds fun to write, too. I wouldn't be opposed to someday writing some alien erotica, LOL! Not to publish but just for... myself?

 

[amlptj]

Is she a ghost? Or just invisible?

 

[beth_robin]

Is she a ghost? Or just invisible?

I was thinking figment of her imagination, but eager to hear what it's really about.

 

[lilysheaven]

Hello, new besties!

Glad to have you here!

What’s everyone working on right now?

I'm trying my hand at fantasy right now (spoiler alert: I' very bad at it). Wanna share what you're busy working on?

 

[amlptj]

What’s everyone working on right now? Or, if writing isn’t happening today, what’s the best book you’ve read recently?

Let's see I'm working on the second draft of a Dark YA fantasy.

Last book I read was the Red Queen ... I'm on the second book now.

 

[Maryn]

I was thinking figment of her imagination, but eager to hear what it's really about.

The real incident was a schizophrenic delusion, but in my story she’s a ghost.

 

[beth_robin]

Glad to have you here!


I'm trying my hand at fantasy right now (spoiler alert: I' very bad at it). Wanna share what you're busy working on?

I'm working on publishing my debut YA sci fi trilogy, and I'm currently writing a sister series intended for middle grade (8-12) in the same world (our world but in the future.) It's been a lot of fun to write!
I would totally write a fantasy book someday. Fantasy is what sparked my love for reading all those decades ago

 

[beth_robin]

The real incident was a schizophrenic delusion, but in my story she’s a ghost.

I love ghost stories!

 

[Sage]

I'm working on publishing my debut YA sci fi trilogy

I love ghost stories!

Beth_robin and I are going to get along fantastically!

I was thinking figment of her imagination, but eager to hear what it's really about.

I mean, yeah, we may think exactly the same way

 

[darrtwish]

In another thread, someone was talking about starting at the end of a book, and how it's rarely done well. It got me thinking about considering my FMC's motives (she wants to leave her hometown), and how I can achieve that. I think it might make sense to flip the story on it's head -- not necessarily starting at the end, but changing the point where we meet her. In this draft, it's a few days before the first day of school and she's moving back to her hometown. I'm wondering if a more in media res start will raise the stakes. Right now, there aren't any stakes lol.

No writing at the moment on my part -- far too tired. Chronic illness and 'first week back after march break' is not a good combo.

 

[amlptj]

The real incident was a schizophrenic delusion, but in my story she’s a ghost.

I'd also love to hear about the Schizophrenic delusion! Oh man that has to be terrifying.

 

[Sage]

I’m sorry to say that I may have to be one of those people who comp a book she didn’t read. 2nd potential comp is half in third present, and I just couldn’t stand the chapter I just read in the sample

 

[Sage]

In another thread, someone was talking about starting at the end of a book, and how it's rarely done well. It got me thinking about considering my FMC's motives (she wants to leave her hometown), and how I can achieve that. I think it might make sense to flip the story on its head -- not necessarily starting at the end, but changing the point where we meet her. In this draft, it's a few days before the first day of school and she's moving back to her hometown. I'm wondering if a more in media res start will raise the stakes. Right now, there aren't any stakes lol.

This sounds like a good idea, based on what you’re saying.

 

[amlptj]

I’m sorry to say that I may have to be one of those people who comp a book she didn’t read. 2nd potential comp is half in third present, and I just couldn’t stand the chapter I just read in the sample

Third present.... sounds... odd. actually present book just always sound very off putting to me in general... but that is probably just me. he said/she said... not say... what is happening?!

I've been on a journey to find comps for my own. I read Like 7 books so far all with nothing to do with my books plot or anything. Ugh this process is going to kill me. One i hated so much i only finished it because i was stuck on a 3 hour drive.

 

[Sage]

Just remember comps don’t necessarily have to be related to your plot. It could be the characters or the writing or the romance.

So, my actually good comps are for SCWWGC. I have one for the romance and one for a very general idea of the plot. Sunshine/grumpy romance of SPELL BOUND combined with the tournament action of THE SUNBEARER TRIALS. Or something like that.

For SSLS, I’m using plot/character of WREN MARTIN RUINS IT ALL, a YA contemporary. But mine’s a SF. Recent YA SF is hard to come by, even harder for a story with space and/or aliens. THE SOUND OF STARS, which by title alone sounds like it belongs with my novel, is just within the acceptable age range & can just be my SF about a human and alien teen dealing with a shared love of music. But I feel bad comping something I’ve only read 2 chapters of.

 

[amlptj]

Just remember comps don’t necessarily have to be related to your plot. It could be the characters or the writing or the romance.

So, my actually good comps are for SCWWGC. I have one for the romance and one for a very general idea of the plot. Sunshine/grumpy romance of SPELL BOUND combined with the tournament action of THE SUNBEARER TRIALS. Or something like that.

For SSLS, I’m using plot/character of WREN MARTIN RUINS IT ALL, a YA contemporary. But mine’s a SF. Recent YA SF is hard to come by, even harder for a story with space and/or aliens. THE SOUND OF STARS, which by title alone sounds like it belongs with my novel, is just within the acceptable age range & can just be my SF about a human and alien teen dealing with a shared love of music. But I feel bad comping something I’ve only read 2 chapters of.

I cant find any for plot. Do you know of any YA SFF books with a very very book smart MC, who is also super sarcastic and stubborn??