Ask the Author: L.S. O'Dea
Answered Questions (11)
L.S. O'Dea
Sorry it too so long for me to get back on this. I've been thinking and thinking and I'm still not sure. Most fiction books have a lot of stress, tension and really bad things happening in them and I'm not a big fan of that in real life (love it in fiction). So, I'm not sure where I'd go. I used to think going back in time would be cool but and maybe to the 1950s or something it would be, but I'd thought the 1800s or something like that. Then, I think, soap wasn't commonly used back then and there wasn't indoor plumbing (yuck!). I've tried really hard to think of a fictional world that would be lovely and safe and I just can't do it. I sometimes fantasize about living in a post apocalypic world - like filled with zombies or some other nasty creature -- and although I survive (of course, we all do in our own fantasies), I know I wouldn't and I wouldn't want to live with all the death of my family and such. So, sorry, but I don't know. Where would you go? It might be one of those things where you answer and I say "Oh yeah! I hadn't thought about that.
L.S. O'Dea
Oh, I wish I had a summer reading list :)
I've been so busy working on Lake of Sins Book 4 - Betrayed and Book 5 (tentative title is Whispers), that I haven't had any time to read. ):
If I do find time, I'll probably just browse Amazon or Walmart and grab something that appeals to me at the moment.
I've been so busy working on Lake of Sins Book 4 - Betrayed and Book 5 (tentative title is Whispers), that I haven't had any time to read. ):
If I do find time, I'll probably just browse Amazon or Walmart and grab something that appeals to me at the moment.
L.S. O'Dea
Hi James,
That's an interesting question and one I hadn't really ever considered. I didn't set out to write a YA novel -- it just happened. Since it became YA, I did have to go back and edit / remove some scenes that were too sexual for YA readers (in my opinion).
So, I think that's one area that an author has to consider when writing YA. Another area is that many young adults are still finding their way in the world and in their own skin. I tried to reflect some of the issues that mid-to late teens experience (feelings of not fitting in with others, feelings of being inferior especially when it comes to love).
My characters are fantastical (mix of animal and human) but they all want what we all want (animals and humans) - to be loved and accepted, to belong and to live our lives in peace.
What sets this apart from children's books is the content. Just as I had to remove the sex scenes for YA, if this were aimed toward children, I'd remove the sensual scenes too. Love and sex is information that children should get from their parents - not a book. I'd also have to tone down the violence if this were aimed at children. Some could argue that the world is a violent place and reading about it won't hurt kids, but just like sex, I think that decision is up to the child's parents, not me.
I've actually lost quite a few sales at conventions because I'm honest with the parents about the books and tell them that I wouldn't recommend them to their 12 year old unless they want to read the books first. It isn't the language or words but the content.
Hope this answers your questions and thanks for asking.
Linda
That's an interesting question and one I hadn't really ever considered. I didn't set out to write a YA novel -- it just happened. Since it became YA, I did have to go back and edit / remove some scenes that were too sexual for YA readers (in my opinion).
So, I think that's one area that an author has to consider when writing YA. Another area is that many young adults are still finding their way in the world and in their own skin. I tried to reflect some of the issues that mid-to late teens experience (feelings of not fitting in with others, feelings of being inferior especially when it comes to love).
My characters are fantastical (mix of animal and human) but they all want what we all want (animals and humans) - to be loved and accepted, to belong and to live our lives in peace.
What sets this apart from children's books is the content. Just as I had to remove the sex scenes for YA, if this were aimed toward children, I'd remove the sensual scenes too. Love and sex is information that children should get from their parents - not a book. I'd also have to tone down the violence if this were aimed at children. Some could argue that the world is a violent place and reading about it won't hurt kids, but just like sex, I think that decision is up to the child's parents, not me.
I've actually lost quite a few sales at conventions because I'm honest with the parents about the books and tell them that I wouldn't recommend them to their 12 year old unless they want to read the books first. It isn't the language or words but the content.
Hope this answers your questions and thanks for asking.
Linda
L.S. O'Dea
When I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine (26 years old male) died. To my knowledge they never found a reason (perhaps heart failure). He was sleeping with another guy's girlfriend and that guy had connections with some criminals. I've always wondered if foul play was involved but nothing was ever investigated or proven. It was probably just a freak-death but I think it could make good mystery.
L.S. O'Dea
Hmmm, that's a tough one. I'll be honest - I had to Google fictional couples. I kept going through my favorite books and movies/tv shows and couldn't think of any couples at all. My mind went blank.
I do like Booth and Brennon from Bones. I like that they were and are friends and that they disagree on a lot of things but still make their relationship work.
However, I think that my favorite fictional couple is Marshall and Lily form How I Met You Mother. Again, they are best friends and they sacrifice for each other. Plus the show actually went over some big topics like when Lilly left to pursue her career and then came back to Marshall and how they healed their relationship. They covered his father's death and how Lilly helped him leave his mother's house not to mention the problems that came up when they had their kid. It was always funny but there was a lot of truth to the situations. Plus, I liked them as a couple and individually.
Who is your favorite fictional couple?
I do like Booth and Brennon from Bones. I like that they were and are friends and that they disagree on a lot of things but still make their relationship work.
However, I think that my favorite fictional couple is Marshall and Lily form How I Met You Mother. Again, they are best friends and they sacrifice for each other. Plus the show actually went over some big topics like when Lilly left to pursue her career and then came back to Marshall and how they healed their relationship. They covered his father's death and how Lilly helped him leave his mother's house not to mention the problems that came up when they had their kid. It was always funny but there was a lot of truth to the situations. Plus, I liked them as a couple and individually.
Who is your favorite fictional couple?
L.S. O'Dea
I write. I don't stress about what I'm writing when I am working on the rough draft. I write pages and pages of scenes that will never make it to the book, but they are important for me. They help me know who my characters are and what their motivation is.
L.S. O'Dea
Having an idea and being open enough to let the characters and story take you where they need to go.
L.S. O'Dea
I know everyone has heard this before, but the best advice that I can give is to write. It doesn't matter if it's good or if you use the same word sixteen times in four sentences. You can review and tighten up later, just get the story on the page and see where it takes you.
L.S. O'Dea
I am currently working on books three and four of the Lake Of Sins series and proofing book two.
L.S. O'Dea
I don't really get inspired to write. I sit down every day and write. Sometimes the work is good and sometimes it ends up deleted or summarized into a line or two. For me, the important part is sitting down and writing. The rest falls into place (eventually).
L.S. O'Dea
Believe it or not, the book started as non-science fiction story about a little boy and his sister who are forced to flee their home. Somehow, it merged into a story about "not quite" humans.
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