Comments on: What are the responsibilities of a YA author? http://rachelbateman.com/2009/09/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-ya-author/ mommy*writer*editor*wife Wed, 09 May 2012 14:54:11 -0600 hourly 1 By: Rachel http://rachelbateman.com/2009/09/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-ya-author/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Rachel Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:28 +0000 http://rachelbateman.com/?p=374#comment-11 That is a great point, Jamie. Staying true to the characters and the story should be our focus, whether we are talking about consequences to actions or any other aspect of our book. What a great conversation all over the web today! That is a great point, Jamie. Staying true to the characters and the story should be our focus, whether we are talking about consequences to actions or any other aspect of our book.

What a great conversation all over the web today!

]]> By: Jamie Harrington http://rachelbateman.com/2009/09/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-ya-author/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Jamie Harrington Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:15:21 +0000 http://rachelbateman.com/?p=374#comment-10 I've thought a lot about this today, and I think that ultimately the biggest responsibility we have is to our characters. We have to be true to them, and we have to write them in the way we see fit. It's impossible to imagine my characters making good clean choices all the time, because they're super villains. And, if every time they did something bad, I stopped to live in their mistakes--well then it would make for a pretty preachy little story there. In the end, it's about being true to the story, and true to the plotline. The hard part is that we, as authors, are ultimately in charge of every single bit of type that goes on the page--because it's OUR name that goes on the cover next to that title. I’ve thought a lot about this today, and I think that ultimately the biggest responsibility we have is to our characters. We have to be true to them, and we have to write them in the way we see fit. It’s impossible to imagine my characters making good clean choices all the time, because they’re super villains. And, if every time they did something bad, I stopped to live in their mistakes–well then it would make for a pretty preachy little story there.

In the end, it’s about being true to the story, and true to the plotline. The hard part is that we, as authors, are ultimately in charge of every single bit of type that goes on the page–because it’s OUR name that goes on the cover next to that title.

]]> By: Rachel http://rachelbateman.com/2009/09/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-ya-author/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Rachel Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:49:12 +0000 http://rachelbateman.com/?p=374#comment-9 My favorite part of your comment: "And I think that's fine." I have come across people in the past that had the "my way or the highway" mentality, so I love when people can share their opinion without trying to force others out of theirs. I do agree in giving consequences to characters, I just don't agree with those people who tell me the consequences the characters get have to teach the readers some sort of lessons. Sometimes consequences don't seem to "fit the crime", so to speak. And you are right–this has been a great discussion. I have been enjoying reading it and participating in it all over the internet today. My favorite part of your comment: “And I think that’s fine.” I have come across people in the past that had the “my way or the highway” mentality, so I love when people can share their opinion without trying to force others out of theirs. I do agree in giving consequences to characters, I just don’t agree with those people who tell me the consequences the characters get have to teach the readers some sort of lessons. Sometimes consequences don’t seem to “fit the crime”, so to speak.

And you are right–this has been a great discussion. I have been enjoying reading it and participating in it all over the internet today.

]]> By: ElanaJ http://rachelbateman.com/2009/09/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-ya-author/comment-page-1/#comment-7 ElanaJ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:33:24 +0000 http://rachelbateman.com/?p=374#comment-7 I agree with all of your points. In my opinion, in order to write real, believable characters, you have to give them consequences. If not, it stops being real and believable. I know that teens don't get caught every time they do something wrong. I also know they get when they're being preached to. I also believe that parents bear the burden of teaching their children. As a school teacher, trust me, I believe this with all my heart. I think, for me, I do carry that burden of showing consequences. Because I've made <i>the choice</i> to be that kind of author. For you, you don't feel like you need to. And I think that's fine. It's all about what our goals are when we sit down to write. Excellent discussion! I agree with all of your points. In my opinion, in order to write real, believable characters, you have to give them consequences. If not, it stops being real and believable. I know that teens don’t get caught every time they do something wrong. I also know they get when they’re being preached to. I also believe that parents bear the burden of teaching their children. As a school teacher, trust me, I believe this with all my heart.

I think, for me, I do carry that burden of showing consequences. Because I’ve made the choice to be that kind of author. For you, you don’t feel like you need to. And I think that’s fine. It’s all about what our goals are when we sit down to write.

Excellent discussion!

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