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Brent Hartinger: Hello, everyone! Welcome to the YA Author's Cafe! Thanks for coming! I am Brent Hartinger the guest host for tonight's chat on the subject of “Still Outsiders: Outcasts and Alienation in Young Adult Literature.” Before I introduce our guests, I would like to explain our format. I will be asking our guests a few questions. Before the last question, I will invite the audience to get ready to participate. At that time, if you would like to ask a question, type "?", send, and then type out your question so it is ready to SEND when I call on you. Please do not press SEND until I call on you. Violators will be asked to clean up the room at the end of the night! ; ) Brent Hartinger: I will make every effort to call on you in the order that the "?" are posted. I will type: (Your name GA) when it is your turn. GA stands for GO AHEAD. Let's begin! Brent Hartinger: I am joined tonight by two terrific writers tonight, Catherine Atkins and David Lubar. I'm a big, big fan of their books, so this is a real thrill. Her book, When Jeff Comes Home, is so good it made me proud just to be part of the genre. And Alt Ed, her follow-up, just confirmed what everyone suspected: she's a true talent. Brent Hartinger: As for David, I see his books Hidden Talents and Flip everywhere--even in Target!--but I’m not surprised. There’s a quote on his website (from Diana Tixier Herald) that I love: "Just because a book is popular with teen readers, is fun to read, and may make one laugh DOES NOT mean that it isn't a terrific book." His books are sooo fun and readable. But then he goes on writes a book like Dunk, which I read six months ago and still can‘t get out of my head. Anyone interested in writing YA needs to read this book ASAP. Brent Hartinger: For the record, here’s the “official” word on both of Catherine and David. Brent Hartinger: Catherine Atkins is the author of When Jeff Comes Home and Alt Ed, both contemporary YA's from G.P. Putnam's Sons. She is currently at work on a prequel to Alt Ed featuring the character of Amber Hawkins. Catherine has a story forthcoming in Cicada Magazine. A California native, she is a teacher as well as a writer, working with alternative education students from elementary through high school age. Visit Catherine's website at http://www.catherineatkins.com. Brent Hartinger: David Lubar is a writer and video-game designer. His novels include Hidden Talents (an ALA Best Books), Dunk (Pennsylvania's 2004 KSRA award winner), and Flip. He's written short stories for Boy's Life, READ Magazine, Rush Hour, and for anthologies by Don Gallo and other demigods of the YA world. He lives online at www.davidlubar.com. Brent Hartinger: And for the record, I am Brent Hartinger.
My first novel, about at “secret” gay-straight alliance,
was Geography Club (the rights were just optioned for the movies,
so I’m very excited about that!). And my latest novel, about
foster kids in a group home, is The Brent Hartinger: Okay, tonight we’re talking about “Outcasts and Alienation in Young Adult Literature.” Conventional wisdom is that the YA “outcast” genre started in 1967 when S.E. Hinton published her landmark book, The Outsiders. In any event, “outcast” books are now an important part of our cannon. Which is great, because the “outsider” themes are ones I definitely relate to. Brent Hartinger: Catherine and David, I wonder if you wouldn’t mind making an opening statement on our topic tonight, using examples from your own books if possible. David Lubar: I usually begin with a plot or a concept, but the ideas that spring to mind tend to require outsiders. In Hidden Talents, the concept was kids whose powers were so unusual, everyone thought the kids were hopeless discipline problems. In Dunk, all I knew at first was the main character wanted to work in a Dunk tank. That's not the sort of goal that would lure a popular kid. Catherine Atkins: Thanks, Brent. My first and favorite YA outsider character was Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye. Through my teens I read that book again and again. My life was very different from Holden's but I could completely relate to his feeling misunderstood and off-track from almost everyone he met. I still like reading about outsiders today--I think Susan Juby is writing some of the funniest stuff in YA on that topic. In my writing, I usually have a doubting main character who has to deal with more confident characters who seem to know a better way. I'm interested in the struggle to remain yourself when you're not sure who's right or wrong or who to trust. In my first book, WHEN JEFF COMES HOME, I took a good-looking, popular, athletic boy who would never be an outsider and made him one as the famous victim of a kidnapping. Jeff has to face his family's outdated idea of who he is and his peers' judgment and bullying. In ALT ED, my main character Susan has always been an outsider because of her weight and her shyness. In the counseling group where she is assigned, Susan can finally make a case for herself in a place where she'll be heard. I am always interested in the idea of what someone does when they've been picked out of the herd. Do you fight feeling different? Adapt to it? Make your own rules? It's really about the struggle to survive as yourself. Brent Hartinger: Now I have a couple of questions for the panel myself. Then I’ll open the floor for other comments and questions. Brent Hartinger: When my book Geography Club was first published, one of the things that really surprised me was how many critics and readers saw my character, Russel, as a “universal” character, as an “everyboy.” I based a lot of Russel on myself, and I certainly don’t see myself as “universal”! I was absolutely stunned that it seemed like almost everyone was responding to my character, who felt so different and alone. So my question is: is everyone an outsider? Is being an “outsider” a universal experience? If so, how can this be? Brent Hartinger: David? Catherine? David Lubar: It's universal because we see ourselves from the inside, and everyone else from the outside. Catherine Atkins: I think maybe inside, everyone feels like an outsider. Catherine Atkins: No matter how successful they appear. Some hide it better. David Lubar: Okay -- we've got a unanimous vote. :-) Brent Hartinger: Catherine, I think your comment about taking a popular kid and having something happen to him to make him an outsider is brilliant, by the way Brent Hartinger: What was the response from kids? Brent Hartinger: Did they "relate" to him, or feel sorry for him, or were they creeped out by him? Catherine Atkins: It's been pretty positive--lately I've been getting emails from Swedish girls where the book was translated last year. They seem to like it a lot. Brent Hartinger: (for those who haven't read the book, he returns from being abducted and may or may not have been sexually abused) Catherine Atkins: I haven't heard of anyone creeped out--not
that they've told me. Brent Hartinger: I think writers often do that by having the main character be the friend of a POPULAR character Brent Hartinger: then he sort of straddles the edge between outcast and popular Brent Hartinger: Was that your intention? David Lubar: It wasn't intentional. Everything sort of just happens as I write. Brent Hartinger: Autobiographical? ;-) David Lubar: Actually, Martin befriends the outcasts. Brent Hartinger: Yes, exactly, which also makes him very sympathetic David Lubar: But you're right. In Dunk, Chad is friends with the coolest guy. Brent Hartinger: sympathetic Brent Hartinger: And yet, he's not really "cool" himself David Lubar: There's always a bit of the autobiographical in my outsiders. :-) GA Brent Hartinger: Okay, let's open the floor to questions! Lara Z.: Catherine, what made you want to explore Amber's story further? And are you worried about reactions to Amber's past? Catherine Atkins: Lara, Amber is the character probably I'm most intrigued by because she isn't afraid of anything. it's a struggle to keep her tough because I always ask, what's the opposite i would do? Angela F.: Where do you draw the "line in the sand" for appropriateness, or do you? Question for both of you, and thank you for being here. Catherine Atkins: She jumps out where I'd stay back. I'm not too worried about reactions---yet....<g> David Lubar: That's no problem for me. My YA tends to be on the young side. Brent Hartinger: For me, I happen to be published by a supposedly "edgy" imprint, so if anything I am encouraged to tone things UP ;-) Catherine Atkins: I think more about appropriateness now that I did with JEFF--you know how sensitive some things can be. You don't really know that on a first book. David Lubar: But some day I may cut loose and let one of my characters be really bad. Angela F.: So David, you strive to be appropriate? Brent...you bad boy! Brent Hartinger: But there are so few taboos in YA any more, it's really more a question of tone Lara Z.: There are still a ton of taboos! David Lubar: It's not so much striving, as where I happen to be at the moment. Kristin-wi: I agree with Lara, but its all in how you handle it Brent Hartinger: Do tell, Lara! Catherine Atkins: It seems to vary so much by publisher, Lara. David Lubar: I do have a story in Rush Hour #2 about a boy who is planning to kill his father. DebbyGarfinkle: Catherine? Did you base your book on the boy who was kidnapped in No. CA? And then was it horrible for you when he turned out to be a murderer? Brent Hartinger: I do think Catherine's book, When Jeff Came Home, pushed the envelope in terms of subject matter Brent Hartinger: and yet it was never graphic or lewd or inappropriate Catherine Atkins: Hi, Debby--yes, JEFF was based on Steven
Stayner--but Steven's brother was the murderer, not him. I was
so, so horrified when all that happened. Near where I live, mary p: I am intrigued with this idea of universal alienation inside all of us. . . DebbyGarfinkle: oh that's right... another tragedy is that Steven died. Brent Hartinger: Oh, David, I can't wait to read that! (the mothers in my books tend to be very nasty...hmmm, can't figure that one out!) Brent Hartinger: Yes, Mary, I am too Catherine Atkins: Mary, do you think some hide it better but we're all alienated? I'm always wondering... Brent Hartinger: And I think it's particular relevant in the teen years mary p: do you think YA authors are drawn to this genre from that need to fit in that they experienced at a teen? Brent Hartinger: And I'm not sure why because I feel just as alienated now as I did then, if not more so! Catherine Atkins: I'm not sure--with amber I'm writing about teens the opposite of me--tough cowgirls and cow guys. It's um, challenging. Brent Hartinger: Interesting question, Mary. David, do you feel particularly called to the YA genre, or could you write any genre and feel just as comfortable? David Lubar: Maybe, Mary. But more strongly, I think whatever it is in us that makes us write might also be what made us not fit in. mary p: oohh--I never thought of that David. Interesting. Catherine Atkins: I'd like to do a mid-grade eventually. Just starting to do short stories. I tend to stick mostly with YA because so far, that's where my passion is. David Lubar: To tell the truth, I never intended to write YA. I started Hidden Talents as middle grade, but my editor asked me to make it older. Lara Z.: David, you're a very funny guy. Brent Hartinger: In terms of theme (not mechanics), what's the difference between middle grade and YA, David? Lara Z.: How do you think your use of humor plays into this idea of alienation? Is it a defense mechanism? (In the writing, I mean). GA Brent Hartinger: Are there themes you think will be more impactful (is that a word?). Or is just a question of sophistication? Catherine Atkins: I think edgy themes are very in but need to be done so carefully--the right kind of edge. Brent Hartinger: Good question, Lara. As for me, I don't think anyone likes a whiner. When your "outcast" main character also has a sense of humor, I think it makes him or her infinitely more appealing David Lubar: Definitely a defense, Lara. And an offense (in both senses of the word) Catherine Atkins: Russell is very funny in Geo Club. Brent Hartinger: Thanks, Catherine. And I think his sense of humor enabled me to deal with some heavy stuff--rigid school codes, outcasts, bullying Brent Hartinger: You can get away with more with a little humor David Lubar: To paraphrase Hedwig, humor is all I have to work with. Brent Hartinger: And it didn't sound preachy (hopefully!) Catherine Atkins: Hee on Hedwig. Brent Hartinger: (And if your readers are laughing, they'll forgive lots of writing flaws!) David Lubar: Good point about getting away with stuff, Brent. I think that's why I haven't been burned in effigy, yet. Brent Hartinger: I'd love to hear suggestions about great YA books that involve outcasts Brent Hartinger: Anyone? Catherine Atkins: Oh, I love Susan Juby's stuff--she's hilarious. Brent Hartinger: The Outsiders is sort of the benchmark to me but there are so many great ones since then Kristin-wi: The gospel according to Larry is one of my favorites David Lubar: I don't know her, Catherine. Tell more... Catherine Atkins: Kathe Koja and Joyce Carol Oates are doing great outsider YA's. lauramc: The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword. it's a popular theme in fantasy. Brent Hartinger: I loved the Gospel According to Larry Brent Hartinger: It was far-fetched, but somehow I bought it Kim Ablon Whitney: Perks of Being A Wallflower... Angela F.: I liked Sheri Gilbert's "The Legacy of Gloria Russel" for challenging small town politics and religion. Catherine Atkins: SJuby did Alice, I think and Miss Smithers--about a Canadian homeschooled outcast girl. Very, very funny. David Lubar: Thanks. I'll put them on my reading list. Funny is rare. Brent Hartinger: I think FEED is interesting, outcast-wise, because all the characters perceive themselves as hip, edgy outcast Catherine Atkins: She has a great deadpan humor--Larry Davidish on a teen girl. Brent Hartinger: even though they're really just doing the bigging of the corporations Catherine Atkins: Feed was riveting and very disturbing. Brent Hartinger: And the character that IS the "true" outcast, well, she cannot be allowed to survive Lara Z.: Andrea Siegel's LIKE THE RED PANDA was difficult to get into - so dark - but once I did, it was so so so rewarding. The book follows her protagonist, Stella, through the last two weeks of high school - and she plans to kill herself on graduation day. Catherine Atkins: I liked Kim's book See You Down the Road, too--great characters. DebbyGarfinkle: Haha, Lara! I'm reading that riight now. Yes, it's been difficult to get into. Kristin-wi: I think there are a number of ways to make a character an outcast, do you think there are any ways that haven't been touched on, which ones and why not? Kim Ablon Whitney: wow, thanks so much, Catherine!! David Lubar: Let's not forget those two great outcasts -- Freak the Mighty Lara Z.: Debby, stick with it! It's the kind of story that stays with you long after you finish the book. Lara Z.: VERY disturbing. Kristin-wi: (ohhh I loved that book too, Freak the Mighty) Brent Hartinger: excellent question Kristin DebbyGarfinkle: It does seem to be getting better. Brent Hartinger: Are there "outcasts" that haven't been tried yet? Catherine Atkins: Well, some outcasts are scary and dangerous
and not sympathetic--it might be hard to do a YA about someone
like that. We seem to like to read about lovable Brent Hartinger: Someday I want to write about a devoutly Christian gay boy or girl Lara Z.: Like in SAVED? Brent Hartinger: Because, ironically, YA doesn't get into religion much (I could be wrong--maybe it's just the books I read) Lara Z.: Religion is one of those taboos, Brent. :) Brent Hartinger: Oops, they sort of stole my thunder, didn't they? David Lubar: I'm not touching that straight line, Father Brent. Catherine Atkins: That would be great--has anyone seen Saved? I loved it. Lots of cool outsiders there. Macauley Culkin surprised me he was so good. Lara Z.: Mandy Moore surprised me! But yes - loved that movie. Tori: I just finished Reinventing Elliot a few weeks ago. Brent Hartinger: ha, nice reference Lara! Tori: It was interesting that Elliot become the bully in a way Tori: i wonder if there are other books like that Tori: I learned late in life, that once bullied, a person often bullies someone else Catherine Atkins: That's a good topic--how the bullied can so easily become bulliers themselves. David Lubar: I had a stry in soul searching, "Words of Faith" that had an agnostic character who liked to write finally understand faith when he realized he always had faith in something -- his muse. Brent Hartinger: Chilling, and so true (but it's also hard to avoid cliche on matters like these) DebbyGarfinkle: Though it could be argued that it's harder to make the protagonist NOT an outcast. Because an outcast has immediate conflict and sympathy, no? Brent Hartinger: Excellent point, Debby Brent Hartinger: I often think that we writers write so many outcasts because we were often outcasts of some sort Angela F.: Do you think Teens are getting tired of the hard edge? Brent Hartinger: Sometimes I think the well-adjusted, popular character is treated pretty harshly in YA lit Tori: Just read Alt Ed too. I could really relate to those kids even tho I went to H.S. like 30 years ago. Thanks for Al;t Ed Catherine Catherine Atkins: I think so, Debby--it would be hard for me to do a book about Tracee in Alt Ed because most everything comes so easily to her. DebbyGarfinkle: David, that sounds very profound. I love that. You do have to have faith to be a writer. Kristin-wi: the outcast becoming the bully... I just finished Shattering Glass after all the discussion on YALSA and couldn't get over the character of Simon Glass. I didn't know whether or not to like him David Lubar: Good point, Debby. Though you can also raise the stakes by having a popular character risk losing something. Catherine Atkins: Thanks so much, Tori! Brent Hartinger: Was the Yalsa reaction of Shattering Glass pro or con? Lara Z.: I can't think of a single book that doesn't have at least one "outcast" character (on some level or another). I mean, even in THE PRINCESS DIARIES, Mia is an outcast because of her royal status. Lara Z.: Ditto for Alex in Melissa Wyatt's RAISING THE GRIFFIN. Kristin-wi: not to mention her friends in PD... outcasts definitely Brent Hartinger: Personally, I do think teens are wary of all the gritty realism in YA Catherine Atkins: Simon was hard to like in SG--I think Young, the narrator, was an inside outsider--perfect on the outside but so many doubts underneath. Brent Hartinger: There's just been so much of it, and I think it explains the not-so-sudden popularity of fantasy (go David!) Catherine Atkins: Gail Giles got the high school life down so perfectly in SG. Kristin-wi: the Yalsa reaction is definitely pro, I think the controversy was more on whether it should be required and of course you can see where the conversation would go from there Brent Hartinger: Yes, she did. But she also did that "observer" narrator thing, where the narrator is not the popular kid, and not the complete loser Brent Hartinger: He's the one who has to make the hard ethical choice Kristin-wi: I loved the scenes in the cafeteria. So very HS Brent Hartinger: Much like Alex Flinn's Breaking Point, which I also really liked Brent Hartinger: More questions for our panel? Catherine Atkins: And she's funny. That's such an art to be dark and funny and serious all at once. Lara Z.: You both mentioned writing short stories. How do you like the form compared to the novel? Is it frustrating or liberating? Brent Hartinger: That book, Shattering Glass, MOVED! Once you started, you could not put it down Catherine Atkins: Paul in Breaking Point is a very realistic outsider. Terrific book. Tori: I was just going to bring up Breaking Point when you mentioned Shattering Glass. At first I thought SG would be too much for my middle school, but when students loved BP.....I decided to go for it Brent Hartinger: I admired that Alex didn't have Paul be the "hero" at the end. He did the WRONG thing, pretty much, which made the book all the more interesting David Lubar: I love writing stories, Lara. I can do all sorts of off the wall stuff, and also some very dark stuff. I did one a while back where kids murder their gym teacher. :-) Catherine Atkins: Lara, I love writing short stories--it's such a tight concentration of effort. You can write obsessively and then it's *over*. Until editing, of course. Novels take sooo long. Tori: My 8th graders can definately handle SG Tori: well, maybe not ALL of them, but many Angela F.: How do you get in touch with, research, the outsider...your teen subject? Brent Hartinger: Excellent question, Angela...David, do you have teenagers? Catherine? Catherine Atkins: I'm a teacher and most of the kids I teach
are on the outside--alternative ed high school students. I have
to do research on regular hs life because mostly that's not David Lubar: I have a 19 year old daughter. my house has at times been filled with legions of lost puppies, bearing all sorts of tattoos, piercings, other invisible scars. Angela F.: You live your subject. Kim Ablon Whitney: Can you both share a little about your next projects? Brent Hartinger: (Catherine, you work full time? When do you WRITE?) David Lubar: My next YA was going to be called FLUX SUX, but we got nervous, so it's SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE. It's a comedy that's a homage to freshman English. Dutton, July, 2005 Catherine Atkins: Kim, I am working on an Alt Ed prequel about the character of Amber Hawkins. Third draft. One short story coming in Cicada and another I'm waiting word on. Kim Ablon Whitney: To follow up on Brent's ? of when you find time to write, can you tell us a little about your writing process? Brent Hartinger: Which, if any, of your characters is the most autobiographical? (Yes, that's a boring question, but there's also a second part...) How has the reaction to that character been different than what you imagined it would be? Kim Ablon Whitney: Both David and Catherine... David Lubar: I have a story in Don Gallo's next collection, and a vampire romance in READ Magazine for October. Catherine Atkins: Brent I work part-time and try to make up for *lost time* in the summers when I don't teach. Are you writing full-time now? Love teaching but that's my dream. Brent Hartinger: Yes, I "write" full time, but mostly it feels like I "answer email" full-time. Or do "book promotion" full time Brent Hartinger: I am currently re-writing three projects, writing the screenplay for GEOGRAPHY CLUB, and do a complete redesign of my website Brent Hartinger: Oh, the travails of success! ;-0 David Lubar: my process -- procrastinate until there's no option other than getting down to work. Kristin-wi: what advice would you give young writers? Catherine Atkins: Susan in Alt Ed is me at 15, pretty much. I'm not sure how to answer on the reaction because I really didn't know what to expect. it was a hard book to write--but aren't they all? Brent Hartinger: I'm wtih you there, David! With the Internet, there's soooo much to do to avoid doing work! mary p: Brent, I've heard some authors strictly set aside certain months of the year for promotion so that it doesn't take over their writing time. In theory that sounds like a good idea but I don't think I could answer mail just twice a year! David Lubar: Read broadly and widely), write, believe in yourself. Learn a trade. Catherine Atkins: Writing process--don't give up, write a sentence if you can't write more that particular day. Keep moving and believing. Hopefully get good critique and support from a fellow writer who understands the struggle and can celebrate the successes. Brent Hartinger: I know, I know... it's like a gambling addiction. "If I send one more email, I KNOW I'll reach that person that will sell another 1000 copies!" David Lubar: disclaimer -- I've done none of that, but it sounds good. Catherine Atkins: Advice for young writers--first, write! Even though it's so hard at times. Keep going. You can hit the wall but if you keep going, often you can get past the block. If you stop, you'll never know. MarPerez: Catherine, that's good advice for the er, less than young writers too. Brent Hartinger: My advice would be: Learn the business! Don't write for the market, but be aware of it. I wasted many years writing projects that didnt' fit in any category (and not in a good way) and basically would NEVER be published by any publisher, even if they hadn't sucked. I didn't take the time to really learn the business. And second, learn the craft. Every young writer thinks he or she is a genius. I thought so, but I sure wasn't. It took me years to learn how to write well. Kristin-wi: its all good advice for all writers Brent Hartinger: My advice would be: Learn the business! Don't write for the market, but be aware of it. I wasted many years writing projects that didn't fit in any category (and not in a good way) and basically would NEVER be published by any publisher, even if they hadn't sucked. I didn't take the time to really learn the business. And second, learn the craft. Every young writer thinks he or she is a genius. I thought so, but I sure wasn't. It took me years to learn how to write well. Catherine Atkins: Ah, book promotion--still leaning that, still learning. It's hard to self-promote! mary p: A question for you all--since every book is so different--do you each find that you have to find new ways to write with each book? Or do you feel comfortable with your process as is? Brent Hartinger: Nice question, Mary. Catherine Atkins: Thanks, Mar! Looking forward to your book... David Lubar: Brent -- speaking of outsiders, another aspect would be the adult outsiders who often interact with the YA outsider (e.g. The Pigman) Lara Z.: Oh! Love that book, David! Brent Hartinger: Every book is hard, all books are hard. You have a vision, and that gets you through an afternoon or two. Then the difficulties set in. I find outlining ahead of time lets me deal with "story" in such a way that I don't have to write the whole story to discover it. Catherine Atkins: Absolutely yes, Mary--with each new book I've had to find a different way. Maybe because these main characters have such different voices. I'm finding amber is tense, tight-lipped, doesn't say much. her vocab is different than susan's and I struggle to keep that voice real. Brent Hartinger: Oh, yes, what would the archetype for that character be? (in Joseph Campbell-speak) The sage? The mentor? The wizard? kimmar: Another question - I wrote mostly pbs, but am now hard at work on my first ya, but it's a dark subject and I wonder if it's possible to have too much angst David Lubar: Mary -- it's a new adventure every time, but parts of the process are enduring. Catherine Atkins: I loved the Paul Zindel outsider teen books, too--that mix of comedy and tragedy and extreme outsider-itis. Brent Hartinger: Too much angst? Never!!! Brent Hartinger: Actually, yes, you can over do it mary p: I bet it is especially difficult, Cathy, since Amber is a prequel to Alt Ed. Brent Hartinger: David? Catherine? Questions of angst? Catherine Atkins: Too much angst only if the voice doesn't work, I think, Kimmar. It's hard to say. Brent Hartinger: Personally, I think light-hearted angst is now it. Irony is big. Jaded, seen-it-all cynicism. Catherine Atkins: Yes, mary, a million different details to keep straight--and authentic. Brent Hartinger: A last question or two for our panel? MarPerez: oh, yes, Cathy, I'm dying to know about writing a prequel and if your process changed because you had already written part of Amber's story in Alt Ed David Lubar: The biggest danger of too much angst is that you might win a major award and then have to spend a lot of time at banquets. Kristin-wi: yeah that would suck mary p: (LOL) kimmar: do you folks stay away from reading yas with similar topics while you're writing? lol, david Angela F.: Will you all come over for dinner? Brent Hartinger: lol Brent Hartinger: I read all YA that I hear good things about. We're all idiosyncratic that we never really seem to duplicate. David Lubar: Yeah, though I don't usually find too many I have to avoid since my topics tend to be off the wall. Kristin-wi: do you ever tire of emails/letters? kids or adults
writing to tell you about the Angela F.: David, you're great! Catherine Atkins: It's really did, Mar. In the first draft I was trying to set up how Amber's reputation happened. the book has morphed from that to a fuller look at Amber and her family and fre-nemies, hopefully. she has the most awful friends. Brent Hartinger: But I have a book coming out in 2006 with what I think is a great "twist" ending, and I'm terrified someone else will release a book with the same ending first David Lubar: Only if I can bring the beer, Angela. Brent Hartinger: Last question? Emails? Too many? Irritating? mary p: fre-nemies! I love it. Angela F.: You got it David! I'll be making pizza. Brent Hartinger: Not for me. I live for fan email. It never gets old. But I will say, the "generic" email--"I loved your book"--doesn't excite me. But I love it when someone tells me the whole story of how one of my books touched their life. David Lubar: The emails are mostly a thrill. Catherine Atkins: I definitely try to avoid similar YA's but I read YA' s in general. I love 'em. Meant to mention, I really enjoyed Lara's Contents Under Pressure, too. Brent Hartinger: Our "official" time for tonight is up--some of us need to go--but the rest of you are welcome to stay and chat as long as you like. Don't forget next week! mary p: Brent, isn't that every writer's fear--sort of like being one unit short of graduating? kimmar: david, you're going to be at Rutgers in October right? Brent Hartinger: Catherine and David, thank you soooooo much Brent Hartinger: Mary, it's true, but this is the kind of book where the ending is IT, you know? Catherine Atkins: I love the emails. They're very cool and
unexpected and come from all over. From kids with school projects
to just heartfelt communications. They're great. Angela F.: Thank you everyone! Kristin-wi: I can't tell you guys how much I enjoyed chatting with you. It's like being in the presence of greatness. I've read your books and have been impacted, I can't wait to read what's coming out next!!!!! Thanks Brent Hartinger: Thanks all! Lara Z.: Thanks, you guys - great discussion! mary p: Thank you, ALL! Catherine Atkins: Angela, sounds good! Brent Hartinger: Good questions too! :-) Catherine Atkins: Brent, thank you! It's been fun. Tori: Thanks so much everyone. Lara Z.: Have a great evening - and don't spend it all on e-mail! :) (Nip/Tuck is on in 30 - I'm ADDICTED. Bye now!) Brent Hartinger: Yeah, I'm off to watch the convention (I'm such a political junkie!) Angela F.: Homemade with pizza sauce from Chicago....not the movie. kimmar: Lara, this is the Kim from Emerson who emailed you a few weeks back. nice to "see" you Catherine Atkins: Thanks, everyone, for coming! |