I participated in a panel of YA authors to discuss the
responsibility of the author in writing for the younger generation. The
issue at hand is that YA authors fall into two different camps in reference to
what impact their writing has on teens. Issues like bulimia, cutting,
sex, and suicidal tendencies to name a few taboo items affect teen
thoughts. Therefore, it is believed that authors should write about these
topics responsibly.
NO VIOLENCE OR RESPONSIBLE VIOLENCE?
Well, some authors have written books that contain violence
that includes hunting and killing other kids, like Hatchet or Lord of the
Flies. Was it needed for the story? Well some people believe
so.
I believe that in the world we live in (at least the one I
grew up in) violence is real and active. Although, some people have never
had it invade their personal space, most kids and adults have. Kids, in
my opinion, are smart and intuitive to their environment. In most cases
have heard news stories that confirm the violent nature of man, and they have
become somewhat desensitized to it.
When I wrote my series The Vigilant, I didn’t hold back on
what my character Dexter Lewis was experiencing.
NO SEX?
Alright, in writing my upper YA novel I struggled with how
to write intimate scenes for the young main character. I personally don’t
see the point in added sex if it doesn’t progress the story. Yet, when I
was a kid, I remember reading stuff that wasn’t YA and I skimmed over the sex
parts without embarrassment.
Let’s face it. Some kids are sexually active.
Heck, their bodies are revved up on hormones that make them think about the
opposite sex all the time. These are issues they don’t mind reading
about. However, in a YA book my personal thoughts are – keep it tasteful.
NO TOUCHY SUBJECTS?
Some would ban subjects like suicide, cutting, and
drugs. These are real issues that our kids deal with on a daily
basis. It doesn’t matter if they are in the inner city or in the suburbs.
All of these things happen, and just about everyone knows someone that is
dealing with these issues.
Should a YA author romanticize these things? My
opinion – they should not. But (yes, there is a but) in cases where they
want to show the perspective of a youth caught up with these activities in
order to move the story forward, then it makes sense.
For instance, a drug addict, is in love with their drug of
choice. If you ask any of them, they will talk like that drug is better
than sex or anything for that matter. Why do they do that? Well,
because they are hooked on it. A writer would want to address this
realistically.
MY THOUGHTS
I personally believe that YA authors should write about what
kids are struggling with or dealing with. I don’t believe they should be
responsible for the censor of books. A parent should censor what they
want their kids to read. Also, let’s be honest. most parents don’t
care what their kid is reading – just that their kid is reading.
Also, when I was a teen reader – I didn’t just read
YA. I also read adult books. I would bet that most teens today do
this also.
Lastly, the YA author isn’t the only one that reviews books
for distribution. The process of writing a book, getting an agent, then a
publisher, and lastly an editor vets the novel before it ever gets to the
shelves.
Scepter
of Fire
The
Vigilant
Book
2
LM
Preston
Publisher Phenomenal One Press
Date Published: May 1st, 2020
Genre: Urban Fantasy/YA
Book Description:
Dexter didn’t like being a pawn.
It seems life was taking him there though. His father and he never saw eye to
eye, but being captured and tortured for his father’s mistakes gave Dexter too
much to think about.
First, the girl he lost, he’d
never forget what they did to her. It changed him, and made him see the small
city his father moved him to for what is was, a prison for magicals, the
damned, and now him.
Too bad, the creator of the void
didn’t realize they would be better off if they’d set him free, because now, he
was fighting for his life, and someone he’d have to hide his feelings from to
protect, not just from those that want to drag them back, but from him -a
vigilant.
Excerpt
2:
“Do you want to escape here? I
can help you.” Dex wanted out of this place.
Nash smiled, “Yes, but now is not the
time. We have to wait for her to hatch. I need her for a successful escape.
It’s why I implanted a song in the guard’s mind to put her with me.”
“You manipulated my friend Trey?” Dex
wiped a hand down his face. This guy Nash was dangerous. Dex could feel it,
only now, Dex felt it was time to stop trying to be the nice guy. He would
survive. Finding a way to say his family would start with getting out of here,
even if making a deal with this little devil would do it.
Nash lifted an eyebrow, “I
hummed him a tune.”
“Whatever. You want my help getting out
of here? I’m offering as long as we go our separate ways.”
“I will take your willing help.” Nash
cocked his head to the side, “Although, if I wanted it, I could make you give
it, you know.”
Dex crossed his arms over his chest,
“Isn’t a free give better?”
“Oh it is. What will you give me for
helping you get free?”
Dex frowned, “Give you? I got nothing.”
“Everyone has…something.”
“What are you? I like to know what kind
of creature I’m bargaining with.” Dex didn’t want to give this imp anything.
“I am many things, yet in part, not a
human like you.”
Dex caught a hint of regret in
his tone. Dex could swear Nash had a hungry gleam in his eye. Trey had warned
him that Nash was pied piper and Rumpelstiltskin. Dex knew the pied piper had
something to do with music. He had no idea what a Rumpelstiltskin was, and he
had a feeling he shouldn’t mention it to Nash.
“You need to tell me specifically what you
want before I can agree to anything.”
One side of Nash’s lip kicked up. “Her.
The pixie-human. Give me her.”
Dex frowned, then scratched his head.
Why would Nash ask him to give up the pixie-human? The girl wasn’t his to give,
he didn’t even know what it looked like.
“Not mine to give.”
Nash shrugged, “Then I won’t help
either of you.”
About
the Author:
L.M. Preston, a native of
Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as
a young girl. She is an author, an engineer, a professor, a mother and a wife.
Her passion for writing and helping others to see their potential through her
stories and encouragement has been her life's greatest adventures. She loves to
write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which
is another passion that encouraged her writing.
Website: https://lmpreston.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LM_Preston
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lmprestonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lm_preston/
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