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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12069-Urban-YA-Not-Always-in-First-Person.html
Fantasy: July 19, 2023 Issue [#12069]




 This week: Urban YA: Not Always in First Person
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Will looked as they approached, and his face softened when he saw Tessa, and behind her, Cordelia. In him, Cordelia could see a bit of what James would become when he was grown.

His shoes were black and shiny.


Both sentences above are from: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare.


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Letter from the editor

Urban YA: Not Always in First Person


In a recent discussion on the Newsfeed, I read that a fellow writer here was told by a publisher that the suggested YA novel was not suitable for the American market. Without giving too much detail, the list of objectionable topics appeared strangely narrow-minded for a YA fantasy publisher.

Another member said that what the publisher says goes. If the publisher doesn't like it, then the novel needs to change. I can think of better solutions to this kind of issue. Either the publisher has to change their submission guidelines or the author has to find a different publisher.

According to many reviewers here on the site, there are a host of things that are absolutely forbidden in fiction writing. Among them are:

*Bullet* Third person omniscient point of view
*Bullet* Author filtering
*Bullet* Adjectives and adverbs
*Bullet* Simple sentences

There are more, but these are the ones that show up the most often in reviews. I am not going to discuss why these blanket bits of critique are wrong, but instead show that all points of view, seeing through a character's eyes, embellishing text with plenty of descriptive adjectives, and all of it presented in simple sentences is not only "okay" but outright embraced by the adoring masses.

Will looked as they approached, and his face softened when he saw Tessa, and behind her, Cordelia. In him, Cordelia could see a bit of what James would become when he was grown.

His shoes were black and shiny.


Both sentences above are from: Cassandra Clare. Chain of Gold. 2020.

Young Adult Urban Fantasy author Cassandra Clare is a New York Times bestselling author with over 50 million books in print. Simon and Schuster, one of the few big publishing houses, has been selling her books since March 2007. Open up any of her many books on just about any page, and even a cursory glance over half a page will show that her writing would score about 2-3 stars on Writing.Com. On the other hand, those who paid good money for her books usually rank her books at about 4.7 stars across tens of thousands of reviews.

Similar to Stephen King, who called himself a "prole" compared to literary authors, Cassandra Clare writes the stories she wants to tell in the exact way that she wants to tell them. (Stephen King. On Writing. 2020. Page 11.)

Fantasy authors: The things you should be worried about are whether your magic systems hold up. Whether you're keeping the character names straight (and pronounceable). Most of all if your plot and storyline are roping the readers in.

Fantasy readers and reviewers: Review the story. Trust that an author who puts writing here on the site for review has found their voice. It's not your job to read like a literary agent (or what you think a literary agent is). If you're going to review, read the story for itself. Enjoy the journey that is presented.

In truth, the only mistake a writer can make is to not write.


Which point of view is your favorite to write and read in fantasy?


Editor's Picks

 
STATIC
The Box Open in new Window. (13+)
The rediscovery of a box leads to a new revelation.
#2197766 by Beholden Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Who Is Telling This Story?  Open in new Window. (E)
Third-Person Omniscient Point of View
#1976674 by Winnie Kay Author IconMail Icon

 Third Person Definitions Open in new Window. (E)
I can never remember the difference between Third Person Limited & Third Person Omniscient
#2071190 by Cackling QPdoll Author IconMail Icon

 Omniscient Twain Open in new Window. (13+)
A discussion of Mark Twain's use of point of view in Pudd'nhead Wilson
#822659 by Voxxylady Author IconMail Icon

GROUP
Flights of Fantasy Group Open in new Window. (18+)
A group for writers of fantasy stories and poetry
#2295322 by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Listening Open in new Window. (E)
Rose learns how others can hear, but often don't know how to listen.
#2299481 by Dragonfly Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2299368 by Not Available.

 Enemy Number One: The Writer Open in new Window. (E)
No Dialog Contest June 2023
#2298941 by dogpack saving 4premium Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2298559 by Not Available.

 
STATIC
Awakened Open in new Window. (ASR)
Someone wakes up after being asleep for 20 years (385 words)
#2298420 by Evie 🏳️‍🌈 write&blog Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Fantasy newsletter "The BarbarianOpen in new Window. that asked Who is your favorite barbarian? Have you created one?

Beholden Author Icon wrote: I guess the answer has to be the Gabbler. He has a whole book to himself but there are a couple of short stories about him that I have in my portfolio. Here's one of them: "The BoxOpen in new Window.

Neat! I listed it in my Editor's Picks. I hope you get some good reviews.

BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon wrote: Depending upon their background, a Barbarian might actually be highly Charismatic, Intelligent, and Wise. They might also be the one keeping the Bard from seducing everyone else, stopping the Wizard from throwing fireballs, and preventing the Rogue from stealing everything.

Ha! I love that list of characters who try and thwart the Barbarian.

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