Hi, I'm Amber the Librarian. I am an actual honest-to-goodness (as opposed to an alien robotic) Teen Librarian in the state of Texas. I have a teen writer's group, who will be meeting at the library for write-ins throughout the month of November (Hi guys! You know who you are!). I decided I wanted to be a writer in the fourth grade because my English teacher really inspired me. I'm almost thirty, married (both of us won NaNoWriMo last year), and have two cats, one of which is lactose intolerant and eats plastic when I'm careless enough to leave it around. The other cat looks sweet, right up until somebody pets her, then I wind up handing out the Band-aids.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy, NaNoWriMo-crazed schedule to visit the library. In here, you will find helpful information for writing your novel, and for figuring out what to do and not to do once you've written it. I hope you'll be encouraged--or at least amused.
This is a very new library, so right now it's kinda small. I hope, some day, to make it into a much more massive compendium of information. So far, the library consists of the following:
Writers Who Published When They Were Teens
Amber's Top Ten Writing Manuals
Fun Reads about Teens Who Write
Beware Publishing Scams and Sneaky People
The Pros and Cons of Publishing Fan Fiction
Writers Who Published When They Were Teens
So you're a high school student . . . or maybe even in middle school, and you want to be a writer. NaNoWriMo is a great way to find other teens/tweens who write. It's great to feel validated, to know you're not alone out there flinging words into the void.
But what do you do with all those words? Could you possibly publish them? You wouldn't be the only one trying to do that. In fact, teens have been publishing their books for over 200 years.
Writers who published as teenagers include:
Lousia May Alcott (17 years old when she published Flower Fables, 1854)
http://www.louisamayalcott.org/
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes (14 years old when she published In theForests of the Night, 1999) http://www.randomhouse.com/features/atwaterrhodes/about.htm
S. E. Hinton (16 years old when she published The Outsiders, 1967)
http://www.sehinton.com/
Gordon Korman (16 years old when he published This Can't Be Happening at McDonald Hall, 1978)
http://gordonkorman.com/
Nick McDonell (17 years old when he published Twelve, 2003)
Nick's Amazon page
Christopher Paolini (18 years old when he published Eragon, 2003)
http://www.alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm
David Pilkey (19 years old when he published World War Won, 1987)
http://www.pilkey.com/
Robyn Schneider (who just turned 20, but was a teen when she wrote Better Than Yesterday, to be released 2007)
http://www.robynschneider.com/
Mary Shelley (19 years old when she wrote Frankenstein, 1818)
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mshelley.htm
Also see AngelMonster by Veronica Bennett, a new release, fictionalized account of Shelley's life
Ned Vizzini (19 Years old when he published Teen Angst? Naaah . . ., 2000)
http://www.nedvizzini.com/
Amber's Top Ten Writing Manuals
I know that NaNoWriMo is all about taking this monster by the horns and then running with it, but your school is probably going to want there to be a little more structure to what you're learning.
Here are a few resources you can look at to learn such nit-picky things as grammar, structure, and verbal tap-dancing. They're also really fun to read when you just want to put off cranking out today's word count.
I've divided them into three categories. BEFORE books will help get you into the literary mode. They'll inspire you to be more ambitious than is really reasonable (that's a good thing, because writing a novel in a month is not reasonable). DURING books are the ones that are going to get you through, and are also the most fun, quickest reads for when you really need to procrastinate. AFTER books are the ones that you are only allowed to read after you release your inner editor from the gag devices in your mental dungeon--I mean closet. There are no exceptions to this. If you are reading one of these AFTER books, you must stop at least two weeks before NaNoWriMo begins.
10. The Oxford English Dictionary DURING
Now, stay with me here. Don't let the immense size of this set of volumes intimidate you (or if it really does, use the online version, which is fee-based, but available free through certain libraries). You can look up the history and nuance of any word in fascinating detail. In fact, you can probably use this description to inspire entire scenes. Example: Billy Jim Bob said, "I wonder where the word flatulent came from," to which Sally Mae Sue replied, "I believe it is from the Latin . . ."
9. The Little Brown Handbook by H. Ramsey Fowler and Jane E. Arron AFTER
You're going to need this one for college, so get used to it now. It's a very detailed discussion of language and usage, and can probably answer any grammar question you have. Not necessarily for cover-to-cover reading.
8. The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus BEFORE
Even if you're not writing a comedy, take a look on his chapter about the comic throughline. It breaks any story down into nine basic elements. Use this to daydream different directions your book could take, but don't hold yourself to your preliminary ideas. Often, something comes to you that is even better during the course of writing. Of course, the rest of the book is useful too.
7. On Writing Well by William Zinsser AFTER
Okay, so this one is actually about writing nonfiction, but don't let that stop you. Open yourself to the idea of nonfiction as literature, and when NaNo's over, take a break and try something new.
6. Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life by Monte Schultz DURING
This is the motherlode of procrastination--yet you still get to feel all literary. Thirty pep talks by famous authors from Ray Bradbury to Sue Grafton, interspersed with all the Snoopy-as-aspiring-writer comics.
5. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott BEFORE
Bird by Bird claims to be "Some Instructions on Writing and Life," and it is. It's hard to describe this one, but reading it just makes you want to go out and write something half as good as it is.
4. Writer's Book of Days by Judy Reeves DURING
This book has a writing prompt for every day of the year. If you get stuck during NaNo, just open to a random page and somehow work that into the next scene.
3. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss AFTER
Who knew that punctuation could be funny? But it is, at least in the hands of this stickler for proper usage. (The cover sports a panda with a gun exiting stage right.) Keep in mind, though, that the author is British, so along with distinctly British sense of humor, you get some distinctly British punctuation rules. Keep this one for after the first draft.
2. The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E. B. White AFTER
This is the book on writing, and if you never read another style manual, read this one. It's short and to the point, which is what it claims good writing should be. It's been around for just about ever, and still not become dated. However, its emphasis on crafting solid prose that makes "every word count," will actually inspire you to slash thousands of innocent (but possibly mediocre) words, wrecking havoc with your word count.
1. No Plot, No Problem! by Chris Baty DURING
This one is a no-brainer. How are you going to make it through NaNoWriMo without Chris' words of wisdom to guide you through? Who else will understand your psychological distress and need for chocolate during NaNoWriMo? I know it sounds like sucking up (and, well, frankly it is, but it's also true), but this is one of the best writing guides ever, simply because it isn't about being artificial or following a system or what color/brand pencil is the most likely lure for the muse to strike. It's about how everyone can write a novel, including you.
Fun Reads about Teens Who Write
This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few of the books I thought of. Some are more fun, some more serious. They are for a range of ages and reading tastes, and remember not every book is for everyone, but I hope you find something you like. Some of the characters write privately, in journals, and some dream of being published. I haven't come across one yet set during NaNoWriMo. Hmmmm.
If you have a favorite book you'd like to have added to the list next time we update it (which may be next year), e-mail me at amber@nanowrimo.org, and I will consider your additions.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This one is a classic, but you may still see your writerly self in Jo, one of four sisters growing up in the late 1800s. It is supposed to be semi-autobiographical.
The Dear Dumb Diary series by Jim Benton
Start with Let's Pretend this Never Happened. Jamie Kelly is a middle schooler dealing with the traumas of friendship and daydreams of romantic relationships. It's her hilarious take on life that makes this one stand out.
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Ten-year-old Leigh Botts is going through a lot in life. For instance, his parents have just gotten divorced. When his teacher assigns a letter-writing project, he writes to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, and a great book unfolds.
How My Private Personal Journal Became a Bestseller by Julia DeVillers
In her journal, Jamie pens the adventures of the superhero Isabella, who shoots "positivity rays" at her enemies. Only, she never expected to have to deal with the fame that comes when her journal is accidentally published--and becomes a bestseller.
Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Set against the backdrop of an actual 1906 murder investigation, sixteen-year-old Mattie has to decide between following her dream of going to college and becoming a writer, or staying at home to help keep the family farm together.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet is determined to be an author, and in preparation for this career, she follows everyone around, spying without shame and writing her observations down in a notebook. Only one day, her friends see the notebook and find out exactly what she thinks about them. Every aspiring writer has to read this book.
The Love Letters Series by Jahnna N. Malcolm
From email to a message in a bottle, written communication figures heavily in this light, sweet romance series.
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
Three Australian girls participate in a school pen-pal program where they correspond with three boys from rival Brookfield high. Told entirely through their letters, diary entries, and Lydia's Notebook (which is "guaranteed" to turn her into a famous writer), this book explores first impressions, first love, and how things aren't always what they seem.
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Learning-disabled Max thinks of himself as stupid. Reading is hard for him, and the idea of writing is unthinkable. But then he meets Freak, and Freak lets him "borrow his brain for a while," and after that, maybe anything's possible.
The Georgia Nicholson Series by Louise Rennison
Georgia is a British teenager dealing with love and misadventures (such as shaving off her eyebrows), and she's written them all down in her diary, which you can read starting with Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging.
The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian
Josh Swenson starts writing about the evils of materialism on a website where he signs himself as Larry, but he never expects it to become popular. When his best friend (who he's been in love with forever) starts a Larry fan club and asks Josh to join, he really ought to tell her that he's Larry. Right?
Beware Publishing Scams and Sneaky People
NaNoWriMo is all about encouraging people do things they would have thought were impossible. People have sold their NaNo-novels (after letting their inner editor out to check spelling and clean up consistency errors). Teens have sold novels. Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable that teens would want to sell their NaNo-novels.
But be careful. The world of publishing is, for the most part, made up of honest editors who want to give writers money for being brilliant (because then the editor gets to make money off the brilliant books), and agents, who want to earn their fifteen percent by convincing the editors that their clients' books are indeed brilliant.
However (and it's a big 'however'), some people want to cut out the whole selling books part and make money off the writer. They can do this in various unethical ways, and like most forms of fraud, these literary hucksters are getting more sophisticated all the time. Always have a legal adult, preferably someone well versed in contract law, look over any contract you're thinking of signing. But protect yourself, too, by learning all you can.
Be especially leery of:
- Anyone who wants to charge you money up front, especially a reading fee.
- Anyone who wants to send you to a paid editing service or charge for editing your manuscript.
- Anyone who wants you to buy something before they will publish your book.
- Anyone who offers you a "co-publishing" contract.
- Anyone who contacts you first, offering to publish your work.
Resources:
The most important site to look at is Writer Beware, a free service provided by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).
Preditors and Editors is a fairly extensive list of reputable people to send your work to, and of scams.
Most (though not necessarily all) reputable agents will be listed with the
Association of Author's Representatives.
Just in case you're also a poet, check here for info on some common poetry publishing scams.
The Pros and Cons of Fan Fiction
I just wanted to add a note here about fan fiction. I know a lot of beginning writers start with it, and no one's going to say that you can't win NaNo if your novel is a work of fan fiction. The only problem is that you can't legally sell fan fiction in any length (novel or short story) for any sort of profit. Also, sometimes, authors get upset about what you've done with their characters, and if you're posting the fan fiction in public, they have been known to sue.
However, not all authors are like that, and some even encourage people to share their worlds.
Here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pros: A lot of young writers use fan fiction to practice writing. They get to use characters they know and love, in a pre-made setting. So all they really have to focus on is plot, and the mechanics of writing itself. There is also an element of instant gratification, because the majority of fan fiction sites allow for critiques. And, while you can't make money, you don't have to go through the hoops of traditional publishing.
Cons: Unless the author has specifically thrown open his world to fans, all fan fiction is a violation of copyright. Also, the time you spend writing fan fiction is time you can't spend inventing your own worlds and writing something you might actually get paid for.
Wikipedia has a pretty in-depth article on the topic that has links off of it to both sides of the debate.
Chilling Effects discusses the legal ramifications of fan fiction.
Author Lawrence-Watt Evans discusses this topic in his article, So you want to be a Writer Part One: Why You Shouldn't Write for Fanzines or the Web.
But then there's sites like Baen's Bar, which is kind of the best of both worlds. You post your original stuff, you still get the critiques, and if they like it, they eventually put it in Baen's Universe, a paying web-based magazine. Or you can share the 1632 universe, where author Eric Flint actually endorses the fan community.