tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.comments2022-11-16T10:04:15.518-08:00Wiggle Room: Because Every Writer Needs a Room of Her OwnAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766035374858346565noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-54955097081965788512011-03-15T11:58:15.009-07:002011-03-15T11:58:15.009-07:00I say, good for you! (and your daughter for return...I say, good for you! (and your daughter for returning that book!) I think it's great that you'll be rating your books. One day (in the not too distant future) I'll be a parent, and I wont want my kids reading about explicit sex when they're too young for it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-90063785624816983822011-03-15T11:11:17.736-07:002011-03-15T11:11:17.736-07:00Hope you don't mind the suggestion, but you ha...Hope you don't mind the suggestion, but you had so many blogs listed on your profile i had a hard time finding the one that was the Crusader blog, (still not sure? No Crusader logo?) Did you know that blogger lets you hide/show other blogs?Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-68793971432327366342011-03-15T11:09:39.344-07:002011-03-15T11:09:39.344-07:00New follower and Crusader here. Boy this is a toug...New follower and Crusader here. Boy this is a tough subject. You gave me a lot to think about. I really don't like any gratuitous sex in any artistic form - writing, movies, whatever. But esp. in YA!! Fortunately the YA I've read so far has handled it really well. In the few cases where the characters slept together, it was handled really well with discussions of safety and responsbility that didn't get preachy.Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-72225608889287507442011-03-14T13:45:00.525-07:002011-03-14T13:45:00.525-07:00I have no issues with sex in books, but this makes...I have no issues with sex in books, but this makes me furious, and I don't even have children. I can't imagine how I'd react if I were a parent. I hope the division of YA into YA and "new adult" will eliminate at least some of this. The divide between twelve years old and sixteen years old is vast. To be expected to bridge that gap by writing a book appropriate for both age groups is ridiculous.VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-34249538751733090302011-03-13T20:08:07.676-07:002011-03-13T20:08:07.676-07:00I think the whole topic is very difficult. Some ki...I think the whole topic is very difficult. Some kids lose their virginity at age 10. On the other hand, I know of some Juniors who feel awkward sitting in sex ed. The problem with YA is that it's so hard to define because kids grow up at different rates. Personally, I read Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown when I was 11, and it did not scar me; there is quite a bit of lesbian sex in that book. I'm no worse for the wear. But again, it's a sticky situation.McKenzie McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11707799179783394809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-35621752410338440022011-03-13T15:41:50.504-07:002011-03-13T15:41:50.504-07:00A very good post and timely. Surely the very young...A very good post and timely. Surely the very young have other things to focus on rather than sex.<br /><br />I just followed your comment from Rach Writes. Just to help you, your link brings up about 6 blogs (Not complaining, mine does too,) but it's not clear which one to click on. We move through the blogosphere at the speed of light so you have to save us time - put something next to the one you want most people to follow- this is my writing blog....Also you need to get the crusader badge up the top so people know you're a crusader. These two things will make a difference. <br /><br />So many people got so many new followers and some of the links back don't work. All you can do is make sure you make things as easy as you can and comment, comment, comment. <br /><br />Denise<3Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-5423586397692136872011-03-13T09:38:33.360-07:002011-03-13T09:38:33.360-07:00I think the main problem with YA is that it's ...I think the main problem with YA is that it's aimed at such a wide age range. What is appropriate for someone age 16 isn't for someone at age 12. <br /><br />I also abhor the sexualization of society. When I hear girls think that it is normal to dress like a hooker, something clearly is wrong with our society. <br /><br />Having said that, I don't think it's good that sex is eradicated out of books. It exists. Putting it in the closet and covering it up with a nice layer of thankyouverymuch leaves them all the more confused.<br /><br />They ARE at an age when nature tosses sex on their path and if it's treated like normal, they won't start looking for excesses of it.<br /><br />So if sex, or sexual innuendo moves the plot forward and is done in a very tasteful way, then yeah, I can live with it. Even in a YA, no matter what age range it is aimed at.Sylviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05519691494230856599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-17494204346238793992011-03-12T21:02:44.218-08:002011-03-12T21:02:44.218-08:00Maybe that is why they should develop the New Adul...Maybe that is why they should develop the New Adult genre so that these older teen related topics spanning from older teens to adults can be put into that category instead of just randomly on the shelf as a YA without any PG-13 ratings. I'm sorry for your daughter and granddaughter for having this experience.Reginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03493618594406138554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-71345337002821001882011-03-10T13:15:09.071-08:002011-03-10T13:15:09.071-08:00I like sex and I like to see it in the books I rea...I like sex and I like to see it in the books I read, and I'm not shy about admitting that. (Though I don't judge an adult book poorly if it doesn't have sex in it...it's just a preference).<br /><br />I think the topic of sex in YA has to be dealt with carefully. To pretend that teens aren't having sex and therefore don't talk, think and participate in such things would be silly. And cutting it out of their literature to protect the younger group, reading up, seems as though it might hurt the genre more than help. <br /><br />That being said, I really can't see any reason why there should be explicit sex in YA stories. Making out, yes. Mentions to sex or characters experiencing their first time, yes. But the true down and dirty stuff should be saved for adult novels.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-8584404667604762692011-03-10T10:57:08.828-08:002011-03-10T10:57:08.828-08:00Susan...
I'm glad you wrote this post... Firs...Susan...<br /><br />I'm glad you wrote this post... First of all I write m/g and y/a. The age variances of y/a really need to be made! <br /><br />As you said a book geared for a twelve-year-old should NOT be the same as for sixteen and older.<br /><br />I wrote my first novel as y/a because me characters are eleven to thirteen I was told countless time that is was m/g. So I changed and an formatted it to that market.<br /><br />My next book is CLEARLY y/a BUT older teen. Seventeen and older. It deals with an alcoholic father psychologically and physically abusing his seventeen=-year-old son. AND there is a moderately steamy sex scene. <br /><br />I would NEVER allow a child under sixteen to read this. Publishers once and for all need to state age appropriate y/a.... Not at twelve. <br /><br />I'm glad you returned the book...<br /><br />MichaelMichael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-72901273601385386622011-03-10T09:26:49.486-08:002011-03-10T09:26:49.486-08:00Thanks for your post Susan. I completely agree! I ...Thanks for your post Susan. I completely agree! I think that there is a feeling that we have to fully 'authentic' in YA. But authentic to who? To what age group? I would hate to think that a gratuitous or graphic sex scene in one of my novels was in any way a contributing factor to an immature teen engaging in sexual relations before they were ready. Same goes for drugs, violence, etc. Sometimes authors need to remember that our stories can influence people for good or for bad. Hopefully we are decent enough to try to write responsibly.Sierra Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16364930724666386832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-60822997860983972352011-03-10T09:24:37.500-08:002011-03-10T09:24:37.500-08:00I had a similar discussion yesterday with another ...I had a similar discussion yesterday with another writer, about adult fiction. My point is always, "It's the story that counts." If it doesn't move the story along, then cut it. As you say here: "... I'd rather not read a lot of sex scenes ... but I still don't want page after page of sex.) I want it used appropriately, to move the story along. The story is important. Gratuitous sex is unneeded." <br /><br />The mystery I'm reading now, and the urban fantasy I was reading previously, both have the page after page of sex ... in the UF several times of that. I just skip them. Read the first paragraph or two to get the gist, then look for where the story picks up again. <br /><br />I don't write YA, but I've read some and haven't encountered explicit sex yet, but it surely doesn't belong there. I applaud your decision to provide a ratings system. It's not censorship (an over-used word).Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02897564479592928221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-75253842413561412622011-03-10T07:02:21.805-08:002011-03-10T07:02:21.805-08:00As a child read beyond my age level. It helped to ...As a child read beyond my age level. It helped to understand the mechanics of sex when my wierd uncle started making moves on me. (I told him I had a headache)But nothing I read in the fifties portrayed casual sex as normal, benign or accepted.roxiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14916948065233137971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-54803395489113004972011-03-10T00:49:08.649-08:002011-03-10T00:49:08.649-08:00Interesting post, Susan. I too deplore the sexific...Interesting post, Susan. I too deplore the sexification of children's and YA lit and wonder where it will end. My daughter, a YA novelist who employs sex responsibly in her books, is herself deeply concerned about the current disturbing "Twilight"-driven trend in YA (interestingly, mainly in the supernatural/vampire/fantasy subgenre) toward not only explicit, but extremely UNhealthy, dominance- and control-driven relationships, with rape and attempted rape scenes skewed as "romantic." A disturbing trend, especially considering even mainstream adult romance novels are thankfully moving away from that patriarchal BS. Glad to see your company is addressing this.Lauriehttp://tripleshack.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-18404962232466511152011-03-09T18:07:14.546-08:002011-03-09T18:07:14.546-08:00Thanks for all your responses. They certainly give...Thanks for all your responses. They certainly give me food for thought. That said, I'd still rather err on the side of thoughtfulness about my reader's feelings. I know that sometimes there is no other word that will do, but if there is, why not use it? Why risk causing pain to a reader by using words that hurt?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01766035374858346565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-37386777920336234962011-03-09T17:09:38.351-08:002011-03-09T17:09:38.351-08:00Not sure whether I just lost my comment or not, bu...Not sure whether I just lost my comment or not, but I'm a crusader, here to support your effort.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-26506353173664697152011-03-09T17:07:56.054-08:002011-03-09T17:07:56.054-08:00Sounds like you have a wonderfully diverse family!...Sounds like you have a wonderfully diverse family! Agree that as writers and people, we should be respectful of other people's race/s ad choices. Saw your tweet, so here to follow!J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-58989593773009292412011-03-07T23:42:12.163-08:002011-03-07T23:42:12.163-08:00Hi, crusader!
I think that there shouldn't b...Hi, crusader! <br /><br />I think that there shouldn't be place for political correctness in the world. <br /><br />No, not because I'm a bigoted fool, but because I believe that there is a falseness to it that I cannot tolerate. <br /><br />I mean. Call me what you want. But do it to my face. <br /><br />Don't ma'am me upfront when everything in your attitude screams that you have zero respect for who I am. <br /><br />Lip-work isn't worth the paper it's written on. <br /><br />So I don't want pc. I want respect. <br /><br />And yes, I come from the country that has become the crown jewel of pc. <br /><br />As for writing, I believe that no one. I repeat NO ONE has a right to censor what someone has written. If you have a problem with what you read, put down the book. Or advise everyone you know not to read it. Whatever. But don't tell people what they can and cannot write. Because the day that we do, we might as well start with the book burnings and author excecutions. <br /><br />Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I feel very strongly about it - coming from a country where everyone pays lipservice while pussyfooting around the real issues.Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-14338597911273815122011-03-07T19:01:17.032-08:002011-03-07T19:01:17.032-08:00Same with Theresa about reading To Kill a Mockingb...Same with Theresa about reading To Kill a Mockingbird.<br /><br />I'm now following you! Great blog! :) Welcome to blogger :)Len Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13394563639136301725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-68877305166488017092011-03-07T18:49:15.389-08:002011-03-07T18:49:15.389-08:00It's a slippery slope. I understand your reaso...It's a slippery slope. I understand your reasoning, but I have to agree with Hart, respecting historical accuracy and explaining word choice would have been my decision.<br /><br />Culture is communicated through language. Yes, language can be used against others. But to homogenize it, strips it not only of our diversity but of our history. A few months ago, I read the first Nancy Drew, the original 30s edition. The blatant racism made me cringe. It clearly reflected a different time. Sure, the contemporary sanitized version would have been more comfortable reading, but it wouldn't have given me the same glimpse into the past.<br /><br />It's crucial we don't forget where we came from. If we do, we could find ourselves back there.VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-91995738302191995512011-03-07T17:36:37.806-08:002011-03-07T17:36:37.806-08:00Hi Susan, it's good to meet you via internet. ...Hi Susan, it's good to meet you via internet. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate every comment I can get. Hopefully our paths will cross somewhere. I look forward to following you.<br /><br />Also, I've had a discussion similar to this with one of my friends. We were trying to figure out if one should use Elizabethan dialogue if a book was set in that period, even though it would hurt its readability. We concluded it was a poor idea.McKenzie McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11707799179783394809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-1761882391424567102011-03-05T23:17:31.579-08:002011-03-05T23:17:31.579-08:00I find it offensive to hear and read the F-bomb pe...I find it offensive to hear and read the F-bomb peppered all over the place, but the argument is that is reflects reality. (And my kids say, "Oh Mom, it's just a word.")<br /><br />Yet if a teen boy character, whom we are supposed to dislike intensely, calls a developmentally challenged girl a "stupid retard" in 1959, we get all PC and decide it must not happen. I would not personally, in 2011, call someone that, but a teen in 1959 would and certainly many did. It certainly reflects the reality of teen boys in 1959. <br /><br />Like the men in Macon, Georgia calling a black person a nigger in 1935.<br /><br /> BethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-50301609589897908422011-03-05T21:27:18.577-08:002011-03-05T21:27:18.577-08:00Thanks, Witless!Thanks, Witless!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01766035374858346565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-66254495229374274822011-03-05T18:38:15.297-08:002011-03-05T18:38:15.297-08:00If you go to Linked Within then it will walk you t...If you go to <a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/learn" rel="nofollow">Linked Within</a> then it will walk you through the steps of getting the widget. It's pretty straight forward. Don't freak if it doesn't show up right away, you might have to refresh a couple of times.Witless Expositionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418235183516828691.post-91806003021400995882011-03-04T17:37:00.369-08:002011-03-04T17:37:00.369-08:00Very interesting discussion about language and lab...Very interesting discussion about language and labels. I hate being called a liberal, even though I lean left on many, many issues. "Liberal" is a nasty word these days, though it shouldn't be. Thanks for the awesome food for thought!<br /><br />I'm a fellow crusader! Great to meet you :))Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.com