 |
| My PhD |
I know we keep hearing how difficult the young adult fiction
market is in publishing, which I understand, but we need to keep remembering
how important these books are. I love young adult books and I know many teenagers
who do the same. Back in 2011, I finished my PhD which explored the
representation of sex, drugs and alcohol in British young adult fiction. In it
I argued the importance of representing these issues realistically as books are
a safe place for teenagers to explore these themes and to ask questions of
themselves and the world around them.
Roll
forward 9 years and Holly Bourne, who writes fabulous young adult fiction, gave
a brilliant lecture saying something similar and which inspired this post.
Young adult fiction is so vital. Publishers need to continue to let us, as
writers, to push the boundaries when creating them. British writers of young
adult fiction are outstanding. They can explore such disparate and challenging
themes. It has been pointed out by some that there does seem a predominance of
US young adult books on our shelves at the moment. Great stories still, but
publishers don’t forget our amazing British writers both established and up and
coming, please.
French Writer and philosopher, Maurice Blanchot talks about
the idea that the writer leaves questions on the page for the reader to pick up
and consider. Young adult fiction is perfect for this. It is all done within
the safety of the page. The young adult reader can consider what they will do
if they were faced with situations portrayed in the young adult fiction through
empathising with the characters and living through the experience vicariously. Reading
is all about helping us making sense of our world.
Books such as those by Lisa Williamson and Simon Green, to
name just a few authors, help those in the LGBTQ+ community, for example, again
asking questions of themselves safely and those around them. Young adults are
seeking identities and part of that is asking those questions of themselves and
those around them. Reading young adult fiction allows the reader to identify
with characters and situations safely. It is all about creating empathy
and understanding. A chance to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
I’d like to encourage publishers to take risks and publish
books that deal with contentious issues rather than staying within safe boundaries.
There is nothing more likely to encourage a teenager to read a book than to
have a parental advisory sticker on it! I know they have to face the
gatekeepers but… Obviously, the contentious issue should be relevant to and part
of the story and not there for shock value. That just highlights poor writing.
The difference between a book and a film or TV programme is
that someone can see what they are watching, but they can’t see what page they
are looking at when reading. This means that a reader can go back and reread a
scene in a book over and over again. Exploring what it means to them,
considering how they’d react in many different ways. Safely and without fear of
discovery.
How many of you can remember books like that? Ones that
you’d go back to whenever you felt overwhelmed. Your ‘go-to’ book. Your safety
valve book.
 |
| Very blurred teenage me |
However, as writers don’t make the mistake of assuming the young
adult now has exactly the same issues and concerns that you had when you were a
young adult. Do you fully understand the LGBTQ+ and potential relationships? Then
there is, of course, social media and the pressures of the internet that they
face. What about gangs and knife crime? Young
adults care about the planet and people’s rights. They want to make a
difference. Drink and drugs…maybe not so much and certainly different from your
teenage years. The world moves very fast these days and it is hugely complex. As
a writer, you need to do your research.
Also, don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting people write a
didactic novel driven by a message. I am sure I’ve shown you this before, but I’m
going to remind you because it is important. Philip Pullman said in his Carnegie
Medal-winning speech ‘Thou shalt not is easily forgotten, once upon a time is remembered for a lifetime.’ Write wonderful stories with engaging, well rounded young adult characters and let it all evolve. Watch the new adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses (also reread the books) such
powerful books that deals with so many issues on many layers but also, it’s still
a love story. Read as much young adult fiction as you can if you want to write
it. Attend things like YALC.
Get out there are and write the best young adult stories
that can make a difference.
Vanessa Harbour
@VanessaHarbour
