Please Don't Rush!

Hello,

As a teenage writer and having belonged to a YA writing community, I have noticed there is a lot of focus on becoming published for younger writers - some of these people are thirteen years old. I am not saying that thirteen year olds cannot write, merely that they should not be so concerned with publishing at their age. In fact, it seems to me that half of these people do not realise a) what publishing actually involves and b) what it would mean for them to be published.

It startles to me that someone on one of these boards only did three drafts of their novel before deciding to write a query letter and synopsis - only because they thought it was the 'right time' rather than if their book was in any state to be seen. Also, this person made it immensely clear it was because they were pressed for time that they had to get this published - before they were of a certain age (or at least that is what I reckon at any rate).

It seems that half of these people want their stuff to get published asap rather than when they are ready for it. It takes years to perfect the craft and it takes even longer to gain experience to write. You have to have lived a little.

If any new writers come across this blog listen closely: there is no rush to be published before you are twenty years old. I know there are dreams of becoming the next J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer and earning loads of money - but if you are in it for the money my friends, then perhaps a different route would be more suitable. The harsh reality of it is, is that many authors do not get fat wedges of cash for their work which means they are set for life (what happened to Rowling and Meyer was exceptionally rare). Royalties tend to come to about thirty five percent of the books price. It's not even half!

Using Rowling as a prime example of why it is good to wait - she spent seventeen years altogether, completing and finishing her series. Now look at her. Patience is a virtue - and in writing it is even more so.

But it's not all doom and gloom. I am not saying give up on your dreams if you ADORE writing, instead why not enter competitions for teenage writers? That way you can already start to rise above of your ages. Or join a local writers circle - they are always looking for young writers.

I joined one and have never looked back. It's been a wonderful experience. The people you meet there will inspire you and teach you invaluable things.

There is really no rush. You have the rest of your lives to be published. You should only feel ready to publish when you are a) ready and b) have a spotless novel that you have completed and have utter confidence in.

Here are some articles that I have collected over the years...

I was first shown this article about a year ago and have subsequently favourited it. It hurts to read it the first time round, but there is truth in it. It's not the end of the world though, do what I did, feel the need to prove this guy wrong and keep on writing and developing your writing as much as possible!

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2006/04/27/10-things-teenage-writers-should-know-about-writing/

And a video by the delightful writer Maureen Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyhv80HDSj4

Hope you guys are well and keep on writing!

Ellen x

Holidays and such...

You know, I stupidly thought with the Easter holidays here that I might actually be able to write some more. I was wrong. All I've been doing is revising (well I say that, today I've been a bit lazy but have done some work, just not as much as I should have) and coursework. Gah...I cannot wait till June is over...

Underdog I have typed up the Prologue and first chapter and it is about 7000 odd words, which is quite a bit. I am amazed by how much I have actually written...and worried about how much of it needs cutting out. Ah well, Chapter two to be typed up next!

Burgess Hill...I wish I could say that I have been writing that one, but since the start of Part Two I am finding it extremely difficult to get into this characters head. I'll persevere but I'm not sure how it will end up. I just really want to get it finished.

I am going to go and do some more revision now...sigh. Life just keeps on bringing more thrills...

Ellen x

Science Fiction in YA

I was reading one of my friends blogs (which incidentally you can find here: http://www.jonathanpinnock.com/2011/04/the-genre-that-dare-not-speak-its-name/ ) and in this, he talks about science fiction not being a genre that is ever discussed

It then lead me to think what YA novels I have read that are science fiction. The only one I could think of was the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Even then I would put it more under the fantasy genre. I racked my brains for a few more minutes and couldn't think of anything else. I even went upstairs to look at my bookcase to see if there was anything, but all the science fiction I have is written for adults, not for the YA market.

Where is the science fiction in YA? What happened to it? All I can think of in YA at the moment IS fantasy - with the whole dark romance section where Twilight and the House of Night novels are found (neither of which I particularly like), or where all the spy stuff is (Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series comes to mind) or chick lit like Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging (another series which I despise). I sincerely hope this is nothing more than a trend. Science fiction is a brilliant genre, one in which you can explore and make your own aliens or whatever to suit you.

There's a dip in the market right there. I am not sure WHY it isn't popular considering how well adult science fiction is but I guess people do not think we would be interested in that sort of stuff? But yet look how well The Hunger Games are doing so obviously it is something we do want to read.

Hmm....

Ellen x

Mary Sue...

Recently, a good friend of mine posted an article up on the website Fantasy Faction. You can find the article here:

http://fantasy-faction.com/2011/killing-mary-sue

It got me thinking as to what my Mary Sue story was. Originally I thought it was Blood Moon, but it couldn't have been - Izzy was nothing like me and neither were any of the other characters.

My Mary Sue story was the one prior to Blood Moon. One I don't often talk about, mainly because it was a starter piece and not a particularly good starter piece at that. Not really a 'serious' story or at least something I took seriously. And it showed. I was about fourteen or thirteen when I first wrote it, so I am not surprised that it wasn't brilliant.

My main character was called Michelle (which happens to be my middle name) and she had brown hair with streaks of red (I had recently dyed my hair a reddish colour and hadnt done it properly), she also had green eyes (yeah I have green eyes) and..she had a black and white cat called Draco.

Yep, you guessed it. I had a cat called Draco who was also black and white.

The boy in it was called Hunter. He was the 'nice guy' that every teenage girl dreams of having at one point. Sigh...

Mary Sue was pratically screaming itself out by that stage. I don't regret writing Night's Secrets (as it was called) because I learnt a lot about writing in that period. I prefer writing in first, than in third (well I mainly found that out with Blood Moon) and I cannot plan a story. I have to let it take me where it needs to go. I hate knowing what happens. It sorta ruins it for me. Nowadays I tend to have a bare outline as to what will happen, but nothing is set in stone.

Underdog is going well. Read the first bit out to the writers circle last night and they seemed to like it, so I was quite pleased. Just hope the rest is good enough....*gulps*

Burgess Hill is moving slowly. I will write some more of it tonight. I have found a way to make it work (thanks to the suggestions given on bbc bitesize, you guys are wonderful :) )

Hope you're all well m'dears.

Ellen x

Oops

Seem to have not done a new post for quite some time - my apologies. Things are piling up at the moment and its hard trying to juggle everything. But I will get through it...somehow. Anyway, shall hopefully be able to do some more work today and then...even more work later on. *sigh*

Last night was good - went to a friends party. The weird thing is, is that I have a party to go to every weekend of this month. March is obviously the time to be born.

Told my friend H something that needed saying. You really are an inspiration honey, and it sometimes it just takes someone else to see that and tell you that to know how strong you really are. So proud of you. Keep on fighting me love, we are with you every step of the way :)

Burgess Hill is on part two. Still havent written anything for it yet - not too sure why I am hesitating so much about it. Probably because there is a lot resting on this part of the story and its going to be a difficult section to write. Underdog on the other hand is going fairly well and people seem to like it which is good. Gotta keep writing though. Must always keep writing :)

Ellen x

:)

It was nice seeing pretty much everyone today - sans two people. Am not sure how I would have coped with ICT by myself. Probably not very well. But I did get some corrections done which was productive. And everyone doing a communal panic attack was also in a way reassuring and worrying.

Turns out I can't go the to the VWC tonight even though I was looking forward to it (turns out mum is too tired and has had a rough day at work - which is fair enough a reason for her not to want to take me) but shall deffo go next week (half term then! :-D)

Had a good morning too - except for the stupid buses. Saw a good friend of mine this morning and thoroughly enjoyed his leather sofa :-) (it's one of those sofas that allow you to put your feet up) and had a good time there...

Writing is going well....Burgess Hill is now being reserved for weekends and Underdog is written during the week. Had some really good comments from my fellow Blast members which was really encouraging for Underdog. Ever since joining the VWC I've noticed that my writing  - although slowly- has improved. I think its useful because you get to watch and listen to people who are more experienced and knowledgeable then you are and therefore you learn a lot more than if you were to do it by yourself. Also the sheer range of styles and stories that are read out is fantastic - you really get a tase of all genres. Its inspiring and brilliant.

Hope everyone's well

Ellen x

I hope....

Hey guys,

Just wanted to take a post to say how grateful I am to all of my friends and family. Seriously, you are all inspiring - and after last night at the VWC, just being able to have the privilege of hearing your work is something I really appreciate. You're all inspiring and I can only hope that one day, I will be as good as you are <3 (The Anthology is looking fantastic btw. Shiny)

I am proud of all of you - whether you've just finished your exams, have had all your university offers, started a new story, or even continuing the same story (cos God knows thats a feat in itself) and for just being you.

I know life's hard at times and we all get bad days and you are the people who are able to put a smile on my face and keep me going. Yes, I do understand I overused the word 'and' in that sentence :-P But it doesn't make any of it untrue.

So basically thank you. And lots of love your way. I give a cyber hug to you all *hugs*

Ellen xx