Cathy McSporran visited the club this week and she provided
an entertaining and inspirational workshop on the background to young adult
literature.
Many of the group felt it was a topic they would have
difficulty tackling, not knowing anyone between the ages of 13-16 years.
However Cathy made it clear that it was the writing that was important. Making
the main character the same age as the reader or a little older was the key.
This encourages the reader to identify more closely with the story.
Writing for this age group should not be an exercise in
protecting the reader from disturbing aspects which can happen in society; see
stories like Harry Potter or War Horse. This age group is well aware and would
feel patronised if the story were watered down in any way.
Readers of youth literature expect a well formulated and
challenging novel, so don’t be afraid to make the story “dark, serious or
downright disturbing.”
We were left with a challenge of writing a story on
‘Bullying’ and if we were to complete this Cathy would be interested in reading
it.
Contact her online if you wish to send her your stories. Her
email address and website are on the hand-out sheet.
Hilary Stevenson
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