The other night our book club had its first meeting, and I was very happy to have chosen our first book. We all read “Lips Touch” by Laini Taylor, because I told everyone that I’d read it and it’s lovely and dreamy. YA fiction is the bulk of what I read, and also what I love to write. This came up in the club meeting, as several of the girls admitted that they found the book to be a little weird and stated that it wasn’t a book they normally would have chosen for themselves. One girl said that her favorite books are the literary classics, and another said that she’d just finished “The Great Gatsby”. I get that YA isn’t a genre for everyone, YA fantasy especially. But for me: it’s the bee’s knees.

Then, to my mortification, a few of the girls mentioned to the other girls that I’ve been writing something.

“Oh, well when you feel comfortable enough to share, you should bring it and let us read it!”

But because everyone had just said that YA fantasy isn’t their cup of tea, the idea of putting my stuff out there for “feedback” didn’t seem all that appealing. Cuz I’m not really writing The Great Gatsby II. And it was at this point that I heard myself say, “Well, I’m just writing YA fantasy stuff.”

Just YA fantasy stuff. Hearing that come out of my mouth, I kind of wanted to punch myself in the face. Suggesting that YA fantasy is somehow beneath other genres of writing is an insult to the fabulous YA fantasy writers everywhere. Because Laini Taylor? Can turn a kickass phrase like nobody’s business. Maggie Stiefvater, Scott Westerfeld, Neil Gaiman, M.T. Anderson… amazingly talented writers.

Feeling the need to justify why I love to read — and write — YA seems dumb. And yet as I sat there the other night (and here today…) I feel it… the need to tell you why.

It is not because I think that I am still 15 years old. It is because I find the age of 15 to be insanely complex, magical, horrible, scary, romantic, anxious, horny, dreamy… and in so many ways intensely more interesting than the age of 30. The teen years are interesting to me, even as I am well aware that I am no longer in them. What other decade in life is one thrust into such transformation? The change between 20 and 30?… m’eh. The change between 30 and 40?… yawn. But the change between 10 and 20 is intense and huge. Bodies become bigger, stronger, grown-up. Hormones threaten to take over one’s very existence. Teens have the same working bodies and the same range of emotions that adults have, but without the benefit of experience or perspective to balance and tame them. What teens feel is raw, not tempered or numbed. Which is why when experiencing the crushing pain of that first lost love, a teen feels like they will absolutely die. Like their heart may literally break. And why the first time a teen is betrayed by a best friend, they believe they’ll never trust anyone again…ever.

I have mad respect for teenagers. I don’t think teens are stupid or need to have things spoon fed to them like infants with rice cereal dribbling down their chins. They get it. They totally get it. They may even get it more than you do. Which is why I think teens need great writers writing things for them. Things that are honest… things they can read –nay! — devour before they grow up and become adults — tempered, balanced, numb-ish, socially adjusted, and (dare I say it?) boring adults.

This is why I love YA. I read it. I write it. I frickin love it.

So sue me.

5 Comments »

1. Suz, I love this post. I love it for so many reasons, but mostly because of this “Hearing that come out of my mouth, I kind of wanted to punch myself in the face. Suggesting that YA fantasy is somehow beneath other genres of writing is an insult to the fabulous YA fantasy writers everywhere.” I completely GET IT. You and I have always had that kindred thing- but I find myself battling this whenever I tell people I am working on a new script or working on my children’s books. I think sometimes we fall into the trap of wanting to write the next great American novel but have to fight the disappointment (or perceived disappointment) of others when we admit what we are writing as if it is sub par. What you write- YA- is so worthy. Its worthy because it is a great genre-I’m reading the Mysterious Benedict Society right now and LOVE IT- YA is bulk of what I read as well, BUT- its worthy because of all of the teens, tweens, and ADULTS who need to read what you are writing. As long as you write, you will always have an audience. I love you. I love that you admit what you do because there IS NO shame in what you write. The tweens and teens are horrific and if we make it through them without slicing our wrists, then we are successful-in my humble opinion. Write on, girl! Don’t hide and thank you for coming out of the YA closet! I think more will, now that you have. Love. Peace, and No Writer’s Block.

   Comment by ShayLo — April 3, 2010 @ 6:01 pm

2. OK – I was the freak that re-read the Great Gatsby, and I love classics, but I’ve read all of the Harry Potters, and the Twilight trilogy, and I do thoroughly enjoy Laini Taylors Blog. And, I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Uglies. So, I double dog dare you to share your YA writing with me. I can handle it. I might be just the critic you are looking for. I still think that last story of hers was down right creepy. And, as a mama, I just wanted to hold on a little extra tight to my babies during the second story. All in all, book club is a good thing right? Oh, and my copy of Hunger Games just came last week. Did you end up liking that? I’m excited to read it.

   Comment by Shahara — April 3, 2010 @ 8:17 pm

3. Very well said Suz, I can’t wait to start reading more of your voice.

   Comment by Dianalolsen@gmail.com — April 4, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

4. Your passion is inspiring, you don’t need to defend it!

   Comment by Nerak — April 7, 2010 @ 4:26 am

5. Love a lot of genres. Check out the Nominees for the Beehive Book Awards at the Orem Library. I have read all of them each year for a lot of years. Most of them are teen fiction and are well written.

   Comment by carol — April 19, 2010 @ 12:29 pm

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