Customer Reviews

Wild Ink: How to Write Fiction for Young Adults

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked up this book when I started my NaNoWriMo project for 2008, which as it happens, was a YA novel. After spending 11 years as a librarian, and the back 6 of that as a teen librarian, I really thought I *knew* YA lit inside out. WRONG! I knew YA lit as a reader. This book made me look at all that back-end thought process that makes YA lit so appealing. Just what characteristics do teen characters have that make them so memorable? What are the big elements that draw in teen readers? How does adult involvement in the story affect the plot? I found myself being inspired time and again to new character developments and plot details because of a passage from this book. It's very easy to read, as well, and doesn't feel the least bit preachy. I feel like the author is sitting in the room with me and giving a one-on-one tutelage in crafting a story that will appeal to teens. If I had to pick a one-word descriptor for this book, I would say: INVALUABLE!!! Thanks so much for helping me out!

As a graduate of two correspondence courses offered by the Institute of Children's Literature I can honestly say that I wish I'd seen Victoria Hanley's book, Wild Ink, before I signed up for my first course. It would have saved me from learning a lot of irrelevant material and it definitely would have saved me some bucks.

Victoria's book covers what any inspiring writer of young adult fiction needs to know, from finding your writing self to getting your manuscript published.

If you have the discipline and dedication to pursue a writing career on your own then this book's for you. Commitment to being a successful writer is definitely needed, whether you take the expensive route, as I did, or take advantage of the priceless information contained within this book.

Ms. Hanley has provided an invaluable resource for the serious wannabe writer of young adult fiction. I highly recommend it.

Quick disclaimer-- I'm one of the authors interviewed for this book, but I would heartily recommend it even it I weren't! I've been looking for a book like this to recommend when I do writers' workshops, and finally, at long last... here it is! Wild Ink definitely fills the gap, and fills it beautifully. This book contains all the hard-earned wisdom and practical advice that I wished I knew before my first book was published. What I love most about Wild Ink is the compassionate, funny voice and the abundance of personal examples. Hanley covers a range of topics on writing for teens-- from overcoming self-doubt (which was a HUGE obstacle for me) to finding an authentic teen voice to submitting your manuscript. She gives a great overview of the sub-genres of young adult literature, and addresses all the common questions, such as the pluses and minuses of self-publishing, whether to include profanity or sex, and how to find your writing self. Hanley also includes interviews with agents, editors, and authors, which bring in a variety of fascinating perspectives. One thing that really sets Wild Ink apart from others of its kind is that it's obviously written from the heart, acknowledging the mysterious role of the spirit/unconscious self in writing... and as a writer who delves into this realm every day, I appreciate the way Hanley weaves it into her book.

I just got out of the journalism business and am transitioning into fiction. There are so many writing books from which to choose, but I'm glad I bought this one! Hanley is witty and funny with good advice about the YA genre, about the industry and about being a writer. I devoured this book and I loved her unique writing exercises. I would recommend this book to any beginning writer!

Most readers will find that reading "Wild Ink" is like attending a workshop dedicated specifically to writers who write for young adults. For me, reading "Wild Ink" was almost like being at an author schmooze. Among the pages, I re-connected with several good writer friends and I even bumped into my agent. I ate my lunch with all of them.

Amid the plethora of writing books in the world, this one stands out because of Victoria Hanley's talent as both teacher and author. Do the exercises in Chapter 1: Finding Your Writing Self, and you will know whether you really want to write for teens. Only then will you be able to face Chapter 3's Obstacles and Demons. While Hanley presents a realistic picture of today's publishing industry she is generous with advice, compassion, and humor.

This book is not just for beginning writers because of all the interviews with writers, agents, and editors. While Hanley features such well-known authors as Chris Crutcher and Lauren Myracle, she also includes some "not yet published" in the YA genre authors, like Coleen DeGroff and Olgy Maria Aleu, plus interviews with self-published authors, like Becky Clark Cornwell. These writers' stories give this book a feeling of "we're all in this together".

As a professional for 30-plus years in the field of children's literature, I am impressed with Hanley's thoroughness, accuracy, and honesty. All writers whether beginners or experienced professionals, published or unpublished, will find themselves in good company. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Finally, a book geared specifically toward writing YA. Hanley is an accomplished teacher, and the tone she strikes with this book is informative, engaging, and invigorating. Her insights into writing Young Adult books, the revision process, and the publishing process are excellent. This is a great book to help you get started on the road to publishing, as well as a friendly book to use as a companion while you're writing. In addition to Victoria's advice, there are also several interviews and excerpts from published YA authors (look for me --I'm in there!). When I get stuck writing, I often flip through this book and let the encouraging words of Victoria, or the author authors she's collected, guide me on.

"Wild Ink" is THE BOOK for Young Adult writers looking for insights and crafty short-cuts in this tricky genre. Maybe that's the real key why this book bests the others: it slices and dices through all the headaches of the process and gets you back to where writing is fun! It helps you pinpoint just what makes you uniquely suited to tell stories to young readers as well as how to do it. Quite a magic trick, Ms. Hanley! "Wild Ink" delivers new mastery of the craft, but more important, it helps you develop your own fabulous YA storytelling voice.

In her newest book, Wild Ink: How to Write Fiction for Young Adults, best-selling author Victoria Hanley provides writers with invaluable information about the craft. Although the title says it is for those who write for Young Adults, I believe the techniques, insight and resources Victoria provides in the book, could apply to any fiction writer.

The first part of the book deals with different aspects of the craft of writing like Finding your Writing Self, Resources for Writers and Submitting your Manuscript. My favorite section in this part of the book was the Overcoming your Obstacles section. Victoria not only identifies those obstacles, but then provides tips on how to get past them.

The second half of the book has interviews with different folks in the publishing industry. What I found unique about the interviews was they included a sampling from all facets of the industry. There were traditionally published authors, self-published authors and authors who hadn't been published yet, but were seeking representation. We also hear from agents and editors and get their insights.

Wild Ink is a great addition to the Cottonwood Press catalog and is a must have for any fiction writer.

Victoria Hanley has taken her wealth of experience and turned it into an accessible, fun and informative guide to writing young adult fiction. She even brought her colleagues along for the ride--sharing tips, stories, and musings from those who've been through the trenches of writing and publishing to help new authors get from the blank page to the bookstore rack with wisdom and savvy. What I have learned from Victoria has already pushed my writing to level where my work is receiving more professional recognition. So, I definitely recommend Wild Ink to anyone who is ready to go further with their writing.

I was less interested in learning how to write for a YA market and more interested in learning how to approach the business side of writing. This book is informative in many ways. It is also inspirational. I was beginning to doubt whether or not writing was the vocation for me, and the author assured me that it was. I am now working consistently on a YA novel, and I feel, for once, that I will have no problems completing the task that lay ahead of me.