Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing for Young Adults

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On first look, I avoided this book. I hated the title: I just wanted to learn about writing for young adults. Since this is the only book on the sugject that is in print, I was stuck-I had to buy it. After I received the book, I covered "The Complete Idiot's..." part with stickers, and read.

As I read, I discovered what a find this book is. I was pleasantly surprised-what luck!

The author speaks in a friendly, instructional manner. She teaches this stuff, so she knows how to phrase her lessons so that they are understandable and fun.

The first section of the book lays the foundation for a potential young adult novel. She talks about:
-reading levels
-language
-characters
-conflict
-plot
-categories of stories
-active premise
-description
She then focuses on tricks of the trade. She teaches you how to talk, think, and write like a pro:
-point of view
-dialogue
-the writer's bible
-outlines
-revision
She, then, shows you how to infuse each moment of your story with meaning:
-contiguity
-the emotional outline
-visualize emotional impact
She sums up the book by talking about the business side of writing:
-the submission package
-agents and publishers
-copyrights
-permissions and rights

At the end of the book is a list of suggested reading of young adult books of note and books about writing instruction.

My book is Dreams in August: Life, Love, and Cerebellar Ataxia

This book gives step by step instructions for how to write your own YA book. It is easy to use, helps keep you on track, and even sparks ideas. I really like it.

I have purchased several "how-to" writing books in the past. Some were helpful and some were not. The Complete Idiot's Guide to WRiting for Young Adults breaks it down into manageable pieces. It is so good that I am using it with my after school Creative Writing Class in Middle School. The students are learning a lot. It is for anyone who wishes to write for the young adult audience. As a middle school teacher I predominantly read YA and know that it has its own format. When writing fiction for YA you need to know the differences. I definitely recommend this book.

Too simplistic, too applicable to writing in general, as opposed to young adults, to be useful. Everything in this book could have been learned from reading a magazine article or two. Don't waste your money.