Hi, world. A wild and crazy idea is going through my head right now and I'd love to hear your thoughts (if you have time).
I enjoy writing, but I never really knew which genre to call "home". My 2009 NaNo was fantasy YA (though one reader thought it was MG), 2010 was MG, and 2011 was futuristic YA.
Now, plotting for 2012, I'm looking at a thriller YA. I even have 30+ pages of hand written notes, outlines, setting research, and an overall plan in place.
So, it sounds like I'm more of a YA writer, no?
But there's this Middle Grade story from 2010 (I talked about it here last week) that won't let go. I look at it and feel 66% "Man, I love this story so much!" and 33% "Holy literary nightmare, this needs SO much work. Impossible!"
I think I'm experiencing a writerly personality conflict. I don't know where I belong. I enjoy the innocence of MG but still like the ability to make my MC a touch older, bringing with them slightly older experiences. I don't mean sex, drugs, and rock n' roll, but more like the believability of my MC running around a city on their own. It's more plausible in YA than in MG.
I read an agent blog the other day who was essentially BEGGING for MG books. It lit a fire to return to my MG story and give it an honest shot.
I have approximately two weeks to decide which book to write for this year's NaNo: the YA thriller I've been outlining, or dramatically shifting gears and re-writing my 2010 MG, fixing the holes/issues. On the other hand, I don't want to re-write the story just because some "dream agent" said they wanted MG.
I guess I need to do some soul-searching. I don't know how to fix all that needs fixing in my MG and that fear is holding me back.
Anyone? Bueller? How have you handled a re-write, especially if you weren't 100% sure of what needed to be fixed and/or re-written?
I rewrote CassaStar from scratch, so it can work!
ReplyDeleteI hear it's possible, just painful. But you're such an optimist--it might be contagious! :)
DeleteNothing saying you couldn't be both - Lauren Oliver has successfully written both categories. So has Holly Black. Among others. The issue would be more picking what to work on specifically now. And that, I think, probably comes down to what's calling to your heart. :)
ReplyDeleteMaking the decision to overhaul something or rewrite it from scratch is hard. Possibly harder than starting something new. But if you love the story, it's worth doing. Good luck!
Seabrooke, your comments are always so insightful. :) I should be listening to what my heart is telling me. The love for my YA thriller is there, and it will likely be there in January, too. I think it's time to bust out the MG story and take another crack at it.
DeleteHoly cow--the thought of it is a tad scary...
The rewrite's going to be harder, more frustrating, and probably the better choice because, in the end, you'll love it. It sounds like you love it now, you just know it needs work. I'm voting MG - go for it. Step outside your comfort zone and crush this novel. I know you can. You know you can. Make it so. (can't resist, Picard is awesome)
ReplyDeleteFor reals, I LURVE Picard. You guys are very wise, gently pushing me to the MG. I think this is a good time to try it. In the past few days, I've had some good new scenes pop in my head and have been able to peel away some of the unnecessary layers. I think it's possible...
DeleteEep!
Fear not the fix! There's a reason why that story is calling to you. Give it another try and if this year's NaNo is a bust, trunk it and go back to the outline for the other story. I think you can totally do this!
ReplyDeleteThis is true! I can start the re-write and if I find myself HATING it (unlikely), I can find relief in knowing I have another outline and story waiting in the wings, ready to go.
DeleteOh man, why do I do this to myself?!?
So trying to be helpful here, because this is a tough decision, one I've faced too since i also have 2 YA manuscripts and 1 MG (and one women's fiction, ha ha).
ReplyDeleteHow much MG do you read? How much YA? (in the past year or two). I tallied it up the other day and I read about twice as much YA as I do MG. That can really influence (directly and indirectly) what you are writing.
Let me know what you think! I'm curious to see if anyone else thinks this theory holds any water.
Hey Margo! You raise a good question! Lately, I've been reading travel books for my YA thriller, so those don't really count. The most recent fiction books I've read have been in the MG vein, so I think you have a good theory...
DeleteI haven't done a rewrite (yet). I always think of you as a MG writer. BUT that's only because i've only read your MG stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing it right. Just spend the next few weeks trying to decide which one you want to focus on in NaNo. Maybe make a pros and cons list (I'm a big fan of pro/con lists)
I like the pros/cons lists, too. :) Actually, I like lists in general. I made two lists yesterday for my MG. 1) What I love about the story, and 2) Elements that are still too confusing.
DeleteUnfortunately, the 2nd list was longer, so I went back and added to the first list to balance it out. I'm going to need to pull out a lot of sub plots, but I think this will be okay. It will make the overall plot that much clearer.
I think.
It's okay to be both YA and MG, you know? ;)
ReplyDeleteWhich story is tugging at you more right now? That's the one you should do for NaNo. And, if the edits on your MG story still need to simmer, don't feel bad putting it aside for a while. I've done that with my stuff, and I always come back to it with a new perspective that makes editing a little easier.
Good luck!
It sounds to me like you're excited about the MG one, and it's okay to follow your heart! Often, the key to rewrites is to plunge in... you may not have all the answers.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the only person who can answer what is best is YOU! Fat lot of help I've been, I know. :)