Comments on: A countdown of the twenty-five most overused things in MG & YA fiction

By: Kim Antieau

Kim Antieau — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:12:06 +0000

This is great! Let’s see what I do. I often have a vegetarian in my novels, whether it’s an adult novel or young adult. So that’s funny. And in Mercy, Unbound, she calls her parents by their first names—because she doesn’t believe they’re really her parents. In Broken Moon, she is writing in a journal for the entire book. In an upcoming book, my hera is going to have red hair; I recently found out that Emily Dickinson had red hair, so I can’t wait to use that!

Thanks, Joelle. I love your site by the way.

By: TheresaAnne

TheresaAnne — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:18:47 +0000

Question about #1: what kind of lists? Like “top ten favorite” kind of lists or “things to do” organization lists?
TIA!

By: sb

sb — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:16:36 +0000

Hi, I came from Agent Kristin’s site. Glad to add another blog to my publishing blog list!

When I was younger, I would read about a redhead character and instantly flip to the back page to see the author’s photo. I was always sad to see a blond or brunette. Growing up red, I was pretty sensitive about the red hair issue. I get comments abotu my temper, people ask me if I dye it (and woe onto them who do!), I have had teachers single me out for talking when I wasn’t and my mom use to say it is my hair, it calls attention. Redheads have sort of been ruined by all the redheads in books. We are only 2% of the population! For that reason, I almost never had red haired characters, nor do I ever have my main characters be red. I feel like it is too gimmicky even though I am a real redhead! I’m glad I’m not the only one to notice!

By: Ryan Field

Ryan Field — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:48:43 +0000

This was a great post, and it will help writers reach a higher level in so many ways.

By: Caryn

Caryn — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:15:54 +0000

Great list! Many of these were ones I hadn’t noticed before, but now that you mention it I could name many books that fit ones in your list. And I loved Crutcher’s quote. Many writers say that they can’t read if they’re also writing because it messes with their voice. However, I find that when I’m immersed in my own story, I am also a voracious reader and movie-watcher. I want tons and tons of stories. It’s as if I have some well that needs to be refilled.

By: Kerry Madden

Kerry Madden — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:36:23 +0000

This is such a great list – I had to laugh…having been a judge for some contests recently, you nailed it, Joelle. I loved it…I will have to link!

All best
Kerry

By: Christine Norris

Christine Norris — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:56:57 +0000

Oh, crud. The MC of my series has a dead mother. But she’s not an orphan. And it really isn’t talked about all that much. But it will come into play in the last book, so it is important.

Okay, I feel better now.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:57:39 +0000

Argh. Bad computer. I meant to say also that my website is http://www.yafantasy.com where I linked to your article -_-

By: Cassie

Cassie — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:56:24 +0000

Wow, this was a great list! Hope you don’t mind if I link to it on my site.
Anyway, my respones –

#18 – I’d add that best friend could easily be replaced by older sister.

#16 – I’ve heard editors caution about this. Seriously, writers, always check to see what the modern names are also, what the modern nicknames are. If a kid is William, what is he most likely nicknamed today? Billy, Will, Liam, Willy, Bill, etc.

#11 – Well, how else are you supposed to make a character sympathetic? … Wait, you mean, I have to give real reason why you should care? Not just that you should wanna huggle them because their mommy died?

#5 – Isn’t it a proven fact by now that the only emotions that count are those that happen right around your glittering rainbow orbs that are a window to your soul? AKA eyes for people who don’t read fan fic.

#4 … I swear, almost every single on of Meg Cabot’s females wants to be a writer or an artist. Or discovers they are a writer/artist. Ditto in her adult books.

#1 – Actually, I wonder if the lists things is just related to all the diary style YA that’s coming out.

By: Christine Norris

Christine Norris — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:25:59 +0000

I think I used to use the eyebrow thing and the lip thing more than I do now. Maybe once a book or so now. LOL And I did have a character who bit her nails, but she had broken the habit and it came back because she was in a strange situation where it was appropriate for her to revert to the behavior.

LOL. I loved ‘the list’!