Definitely seeing more people like the story--and pick up the book. And seeing the sets and people come to life, even with differences. You didn't ask, but I'll tell you the worst part: pretty sure I'll never write anything "that good" by which I mean "that popular" or "that people like that much" again. BTW Jennie and I recorded a whole episode on the adaptation--it comes out 10/11.
We once had David Sedaris as a guest, and he said: Don't ask people for things, wait for them to ask you. That's absolutely the WORST ADVICE EVER. Just flat out the worst. You have to ask--ask for help, submit to editors, query, write, write some more. People who don't ask don't get. He's the exception that proves the rule, I guess.
None. Sorry. Literally, my agent found a film agent, she found a buyer, he called me, I laughed bc I figured this would never happen but it was free money, I said yes then went out for a nice dinner. I wish I had more helpful advice. You know how we always say, don't call it luck when you did the work? THIS WAS LUCK. Happened before the Reese's Book Club pick, too. I wrote a good book--but there are lots of good books. This was luck.
I completed the Blueprint for a newly conceived novel. I realize it could be written as YA or general book club fiction. What factors should I consider when deciding on the genre? While doing the Blueprint, I wrote from the unthought-through assumption of an adult POV. Now I’m wondering about how one decides. What factors should one keep in mind?
1. Which self do you read this with? If you read it with your teenage self, that's a YA novel. If you read it (no matter what the protagonist's age) with your adult self, that's upmarket fiction.
2. Is the main plot about agency in the protagonist's life? YA books often have strong themes of agency. IE the tools a teen has at her disposal to react to inciting events are usually different than the tools an adult has.
3. Is the YA market for contemporaries a hot mess? The answer here, I fear, could be yes. If you look at what's selling in YA right now, it's not a lot of contemporary, except for Jennifer Lynn Barnes and her bouncy (super fun!) billionaire plots. Can you tell this is something I've been angsting over? :)
Thank you, Sarina. 1. The idea comes from my long-ago teenage self. I could see my teenage self having agency, given a certain set of circumstances. 2. An interesting point you raise about a teenager’s agency tools. This I need to think about. 3. Browsing the YA section of a book store this past week, I see your point that contemporary YA fiction is largely absent. Thanks again for your comments.
What’s been the best part of having your novel adapted?
Definitely seeing more people like the story--and pick up the book. And seeing the sets and people come to life, even with differences. You didn't ask, but I'll tell you the worst part: pretty sure I'll never write anything "that good" by which I mean "that popular" or "that people like that much" again. BTW Jennie and I recorded a whole episode on the adaptation--it comes out 10/11.
What’s the worst writing advice?
We once had David Sedaris as a guest, and he said: Don't ask people for things, wait for them to ask you. That's absolutely the WORST ADVICE EVER. Just flat out the worst. You have to ask--ask for help, submit to editors, query, write, write some more. People who don't ask don't get. He's the exception that proves the rule, I guess.
I love that. Thanks, KJ!
I would love to hear more about the TV adaptation - what behind-the-scenes work did you do to make this possible?
None. Sorry. Literally, my agent found a film agent, she found a buyer, he called me, I laughed bc I figured this would never happen but it was free money, I said yes then went out for a nice dinner. I wish I had more helpful advice. You know how we always say, don't call it luck when you did the work? THIS WAS LUCK. Happened before the Reese's Book Club pick, too. I wrote a good book--but there are lots of good books. This was luck.
It was luck because you did the work! Love this kind of story - so so so excited to watch!
I completed the Blueprint for a newly conceived novel. I realize it could be written as YA or general book club fiction. What factors should I consider when deciding on the genre? While doing the Blueprint, I wrote from the unthought-through assumption of an adult POV. Now I’m wondering about how one decides. What factors should one keep in mind?
**butts in, raises hand** Can I ask a clarifying question? Is this a contemporary novel? Historical? Fantasy?
Contemporary
Okay then ask yourself a couple of questions.
1. Which self do you read this with? If you read it with your teenage self, that's a YA novel. If you read it (no matter what the protagonist's age) with your adult self, that's upmarket fiction.
2. Is the main plot about agency in the protagonist's life? YA books often have strong themes of agency. IE the tools a teen has at her disposal to react to inciting events are usually different than the tools an adult has.
3. Is the YA market for contemporaries a hot mess? The answer here, I fear, could be yes. If you look at what's selling in YA right now, it's not a lot of contemporary, except for Jennifer Lynn Barnes and her bouncy (super fun!) billionaire plots. Can you tell this is something I've been angsting over? :)
Thank you, Sarina. 1. The idea comes from my long-ago teenage self. I could see my teenage self having agency, given a certain set of circumstances. 2. An interesting point you raise about a teenager’s agency tools. This I need to think about. 3. Browsing the YA section of a book store this past week, I see your point that contemporary YA fiction is largely absent. Thanks again for your comments.
Tell The Wolves I'm Home is an example of a (fantastic) novel with a teen protagonist that is not a YA novel.