Yeah, as has been said: keep writing. I wrote constantly between the ages of about nine and sixteen. I kept most of it (almost all in paper copy). I think it's useful to look back after a while and see how you're developing and changing as a writer. If you can, share some work and get feedback on it. I know, not easy. I couldn't do it for years.
I'm fifteen, so I can relate. I have been writing in forum "games" with my older brother since I was ten (and the people playing were university kids). Dont go label yourself "Amateur" quite yet, until you have someone who knows who they are talking about tell you have some work to do. The people here on the forum have helped me develop, so the workshop is a great place to start. I have written two full drafts for my novel and once you get to the same stage you should find critiquing groups or even go to some writing conferences. I am probably going to one later in the summer. Eventually, you'll find yourself ready to submit some work to magazines or agency/publishing house. I have sent queries to magazines about my short story a little while ago and it's their advise that is huge. Don't be shy from making a few attempts to break into the industry. All you are losing is valuable advice and perhaps, maybe if you are good enough, a contract. It may sound far fetched, but trust me, the experience is worth it.
I interviewed Alex Grecian, author of "The Yard" and quite a number of graphic novels recently. I asked him what advice he would have for new writers: "Write. And don’t try to write what you think agents and editors want to see. Write about what interests you. You’ll bring more of yourself to the work. And ultimately that’s what agents and editors really want to see." And you know what? I agree! One simple word: write.
Write and read lots. Seek reviews to get better. Most important, stay happy. I'm serious about that last point .
I am the mother of two kids under 4. I have to write for my sanity, but usually my only chance is to write late at night when I'm falling asleep. By that time I struggle to get my ideas together, remember scenes, etc, mainly due to chronic sleep deprivation I think [which is pretty common with all writers i suppose] I often try to write while the kids are doing an activity but their interruptions make me so frustrated, I don't get much done. Of course, anything is better than nothing! There must be other people out there with young kids, do you have any ideas?
I hear you. It's hard. Especially for editing, I need a large chunk of uninterrupted time. I have an 8 year old and a 3 year old and my 3 year old goes to daycare 3 days a week. So I have to write mostly on those days. But even those are hard, because I end up having to do so many other things that I don't have time to do on the other days when he's home. (My 8 year old was easier to take on errands and such. The 3 y.o. makes everything very difficult.) When they're home, I'm constantly interrupted and it is very frustrating, as far as writing goes. Sometimes spouses are willing to take the kids out for a chunk of time while you stay home and write. (I, unfortunately, don't have this situation, but I know of others who do.) I try to use whatever time I can get. I found a writing group on meetup, where writers get together to just write, after talking some. But unfortunately, it meets on one of the days when my 3 y.o. is home, so that doesn't work for me. But maybe if there's one in your area (the one I found is on meetup, so maybe you could search that site, or ask at a local bookstore or library?) If you could either find a group like this, or get your spouse to agree to watch the kids, or maybe even get a babysitter for a couple hours, once per week? I wish I had some more solid advice for you. All I can really do, though is commiserate!
My wife and I raised two children with developmental disabilities, one of whom has autism. It was actually harder as they got older, especially when my daughter reached puberty - the combination of autism and raging hormones is not pretty. Writing was the way I stayed sane and reminded myself that there was another part of my life to take care of. I would sometimes take sick days or vacation days and use them for writing. It was never enough, but it was something. The good news for you is that it won't be that long before they are in school at least part of the day. Until then, you may want to try Cogito's suggestion of early rising. If that doesn't work, you might also try something a friend of mine did years ago when he was a law student - he would go to bed at 8:00, sleep until midnight, and then get up and study. He'd work until dawn, then have breakfast and go to class. You could at least have a few hours of solitude for writing, then go back to bed until it was time to get up with the kids. Best of luck.
I have a toddler who is close to turning 3, and honestly, if I didn't have to work full-time, or take full-time college, I would be able to get so much done! My kid knows to leave me alone and watch his cartoons or play with his toys when mommy's doing 'homework' (most of the time anyway), but I understand a small kid making things difficult to get accomplished- my son isn't nice all the time. What I do is take a notepad with me into work and when I have an idea, I jot it down and carry on about my business. Maybe you can do that too, if you aren't already? Or write on your breaks/lunch? I've also started using the voice recorder on my cell phone to get ideas out while I'm driving (I drive 1hr to work/1hr home everyday) and that has helped tremendously! If you don't have the voice record option on your phone, I suggest getting a little one to take with you for your car rides.
I sympathise, it's tough. I have a little baby getting close to nine months now and I know it will only get more difficult from here. I do what I want to do (which should be writing but mostly ends up being some other activity) when my husband can look after him or when he's sleeping. Do you have family close that can babysit every once in a while? Best of luck.
you can write for the rest of your life, but your little ones are little and with you for only a comparatively short time... so write during nap time, while they're at school/day care, before you go to sleep, or before they wake up, in the tub and on the john, and don't let writing eat into the time needed to love, nurture, and raise your children who, as far as they know, were born to a mother, not a writer... save having a 'writing schedule' for later... i speak from much experience, as a mother of 7 who waited to write 'seriously' till all but 2 were grown and gone... and then, while still putting the last two first, arranged my life so i had time enough to write 'full time' and still be a full time mom... love and hugs, maia
Any work-at-home parent has a lot on their plate. Raising kids and writing doesn't go hand in hand. As a family of seven- between homework, cleaning, chores, playing, and bathing... I have pretty much no time left to write. But here are a few tricks of the trade that I've learned. Set toddlers aside with a box of new toys: Give your kids a box of fun 'special toys' that they only get to play with when you're writing. The change of play items will keep them entertained for an hour or two- which can be a lot of time when you're writing! I usually switch out toys every week or so to keep them excited about 'Mommy's alone writing time'. Write in the bathtub: Sounds ridiculous, but I bring a notebook in when I bathe. It's the ONLY minute I get to myself. And I do some of my best thinking there. Keep a notepad for brainstorm ideas: In case you're in the middle of something important and can't immidiately sit down and write out a great idea- keep a notebook to write a quick overview of your idea so you don't forget it. This has saved a bunch of my ideas- especially during 'pregnancy brain' when I'm constantly forgetting everything! Make homework time- writing time: Remember this as your kids get older. Between sports, extra curriculars, and school- time is precious. So when all of your kids are sitting quietly after school doing homework, sit quietly with them writing. Honestly, it's hard to find time. As a parent of a fairly big family my husband is my savior. When I can pass some time onto him I will. We share everything- including kiddie care. We both work at home, which helps. But having someone else there (a mom, friend, babysitter!) can make a huge difference.
Thank you everyone, some good ideas. I definitely need to do the notebook idea; as my husband says I no longer have a memory- I have a forgetory. I like the early idea, maybe even the real early one, obviously staying up late doesn't work as my tired brain slows down and I'm glad to get 100 words down! I've just put my 3 year old back into daycare 2 days a week- she was being bullied and I took her out for a while- but the 2 year old is so demanding! Also I'm finishing our house extension, helping my parents on their farm, starting mums horse business, trying to keep our little gallery open some of the time, some day I might even get some painting done. Mammamaia, You are so right and I don't want to cheat my kids or myself out of that time. I need to go back to pen and paper and write when I can, the toilet might work but I don't have a bath and though I read in the shower I don't think I can write there! Balancing time with partners/spouses, kids and all the other demands is tricky, I don't want to get selfish about it but I have such a strong drive to write. Sometimes it feels more important than eating and other such mundane things..
I think people put too much stock in age, sometimes. It'd be terrible to put down a book and say: "Ah, that was definitely written by a fifteen year old." Writing's definitely a talent that needs nurturing and attention, but I don't think age factors into it too much. Of course, experience helps, but that's not all there is to writing. I'm sure most writers haven't felt the terror of being chased by a mass murderer or falling in love with a super evil dude or lady. It's a talent to be able to create and feel and put down everything you an onto paper- whether or not you're fifty or fifteen.
Yes, I agreed young writers means less life experience, but I think it doesn't mean they are only writing useless. They have unique and new thoughts about everything. I think young writers are good enough to give a new point of view to everything.
Hi, I guess the title's almost self explanatory but I was just wondering where the line was between adult and young adult fiction? And when a piece of young adult writing would become adult?
I think it's more a matter of how the writer approaches and treats a subject than anything. I've seen lots of books featuring child protags but they weren't really children's books. And even grown up characters that weren't really adult books.
To me the difference is the mentallity. YA tends to be finding and carving a place for one's self. It is often high emotion and often has some sort of rebellion (just and unjust). Adult for me is more confirmation of self and acceptance. However it is different for everyone!
It's a marketing category, mostly. If you anticipate that your book will appeal primarily to teen readers, it's YA. If you anticipate that it will appeal more to adults, it's adult. Kinda vague, I know, but I think it's pretty hard to get much more specific.
What are you going for? A literary edge can push you out of YA sort of - Take Catcher in the Rye. Ditto the Lord of the Flies. Animal Farm features talking animals but it's not a children's book. But then the Newberry books have a literary edge so it's not always easy to tell the difference. Or do you mean more - YA versus New Adult?
Just like any other genre. It's just so that people will know where to go - which aisle in the B&M bookstore, or which category to click on Amazon - to find what they want to read.
The marketing aspect is important. The only real determining factor I've found is age of the protagonist. Treatment of subject matter varies widely, and some YA fiction treats "adult" subject matter more frankly and openly than a lot of adult fiction. The common thread I see across YA is the age of the protagonist. Everything else seems to be variable.
I agree, but it only works in one direction - if it's YA, it needs a teen protagonist, but just because it has a teen protagonist it's not automatically YA... aargh.
