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Aspiring Writers Info: "Not Yet Ready For Prime Time" YA Novels
Recently a lot of editing jobs landing on my desk have been...not yet ready for prime time. That's the simplest way to put it. I especially see this in YA novels. People have an idea and a great character, they think they've fleshed out that character--and what they have is a first draft. Their protagonist is a Mary Sue, whatever the writer's definition of the perfect heroine or hero is, the love interest is an afterthought, and the supporting cast is cardboard. The plot of the novel, if the story made it from the author's head to the file, is secondary to the romance. The protagonist looks like a Mary Sue/Stan because the things that make them unique and interesting are stuck in the author's head.
And this is not good fiction, or memorable fiction.
Writer Lori Devoti talks about five things you absolutely must make sure you've addressed in your YA novel before you show it to anyone, much less your audience. If you listen to her, you will be paying me to help you fine-tune your masterpiece, not paying me to explain some writing basics.
Snippet:
"2. Too much focus on the romance — I know, it seems strange that I should say this after talking about balancing your protagonist/love interest, but for most YA novels, the romance really shouldn’t be the book’s focus. You should be able to remove the romance subplot and still have a strong, coherent plot. Your protagonist should be on some sort of journey besides finding love. Imagine how awful and meaningless HARRY POTTER would have been if the series’ primary focus was on Harry finding/falling in love with Ginny?"
And this is not good fiction, or memorable fiction.
Writer Lori Devoti talks about five things you absolutely must make sure you've addressed in your YA novel before you show it to anyone, much less your audience. If you listen to her, you will be paying me to help you fine-tune your masterpiece, not paying me to explain some writing basics.
Snippet:
"2. Too much focus on the romance — I know, it seems strange that I should say this after talking about balancing your protagonist/love interest, but for most YA novels, the romance really shouldn’t be the book’s focus. You should be able to remove the romance subplot and still have a strong, coherent plot. Your protagonist should be on some sort of journey besides finding love. Imagine how awful and meaningless HARRY POTTER would have been if the series’ primary focus was on Harry finding/falling in love with Ginny?"