Help!! Post your questions here.

[Eneyi]

Hey guys!Cld someone pls piont me to a goodreads list that has male YA books.Ive read all the popular ones so Im looking for ones that are just starting-maybe this year.

Eneyi

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Looks like there are some books here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

and here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hope that gives you some ideas!!

[Chantale]

Hey all! Anyone know if there will be a Quarterly Challenge #13 ??

[T.J.]

Have you guys considered doing a writing contest? Like, a chapter to write and post or something? Or a short story?

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Chantale wrote: "Hey all! Anyone know if there will be a Quarterly Challenge #13 ??"

It was a little late going up sorry about that!

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

T.J. wrote: "Have you guys considered doing a writing contest? Like, a chapter to write and post or something? Or a short story?"

There are so many writing groups on goodreads that we just never added that to this group. I don't know if there would be enough internet???

[Razan]

Hey! This Is my first group to join and I really don't understand the group thing.. And it's written somewhere last activity like 1 hour ago..what does that mean and how can I be part of an activity... And the group is now reading cinder and I don't know what to do... I'm going to start cinder today but...then what??

[Razan]

Thanks Constance

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Thanks Constance!!

[David]

Okay. This is a bit out on a limb. Have written a book with the protagonist who is a sixteen year old ballerina. Book has been doing okay here in Birmingham. But, I'm an old fogey, 70. My knowledge of words used by her age group is only that which I glean from the Internet. Need your help for the sequel from those of you who know the lingo --make her language up to date.

How does a young girl say in slang:
1. Get lost, go away (to an older person)
2. I don't like what you're wearing (but I'm not going to rub it in your face) to a girlfriend
3. No, to drugs offered by a friend she really likes
4. That person (a man) is dangerous
5. Her dress is ugly (about a woman seen in a fashion store)
6. He's a waste of time (to a young girl (13) about the protagonist's brother (13) --though she knows that her brother is really good)(She wants to keep the girl away from her brother.)
7. That's a good car?

Thanks for y'all's help. Any other linguistic tidbits, I'd appreciate.

Dave

[Ashlee]

Hi David

I would be very careful about trying to use 'typical' teenage slang/lingo if you don't know much about teenagers. While I get that you want your characters to sound young, you could end up plying up stereotypes and alienating your audience.

What I would suggest is read a whole heap of successful YA (which, as a YA author you should be doing anyway) and take note of the kind of language used, particularly by younger audiences.

Also getting and and talking to some teenagers would be helpful too.

Hope that helps

[David]

Thanks Ash,

Read some YA, for example, Looking for Alaska, Fault in our Stars, and Beautiful Creatures. (Ha. My daughter went to Springs with John Green. Maybe, I should ask her how kids speak. but, then, talent is not transitive. Chuckle.) Some of the language is mixed with the authors' styles and I have a little difficulty figuring out how to use the words in proper context. I certainly don't want to goof and alienate readers.

Best bet, as you mentioned, is to talk to some teenagers. Will have to figure out how to do so without coming across as a CIA operative, so to speak.

Thanks again for your help,

Dave

[David]

Michelle wrote: "Hi I have an author page I would like to promote. I don't have any books out yet, although I plan to have it available on this page and would like to get some followers before I update everyone abo..."

Michelle,
Don't know the answer to your question. Moderators probably do. When you find out, let me know. Also, is your page already set up? I'll give it a look.

Dave

[Ashlee]

David, perhaps you could set something up with your local library? I think, as you say, everything depends on context, so maybe write your draft first and get a couple of teenagers to read it? You may find there's nothing wrong with the language you're already using

[David]

Ash wrote: "David, perhaps you could set something up with your local library? I think, as you say, everything depends on context, so maybe write your draft first and get a couple of teenagers to read it? You ..."

Good idea. Will also try to set up a quick seminar at local high schools. Not on the book, but on philosophical issues. I taught philosophy for 28 years at a university here. Many of the issues in first book are those covered in my ethics lectures. Check out introductiontophilosophy.com if you are interested.

Again, thanks for your help.

Dave

[Nick]

Dave - here's an idea. Given that teen slang is evolving all the time, and could be out of date by the time your book is being beta-read, never mind published - and given that (this is a point worth underlining) not all teenagers are totally cool, hip and 'with it' themselves, especially not the bookworms - and in fact may be even more bewildered than many adults - and so, in fact, may not be totally clued up on all the slang that is out there... Might it not be possible to invent the occasional word or phrase, and pass it off as the teen slang of this school / locale - a vocabulary so new that the reader hasn't yet heard it?! I mean, what's cooler than that?

I mention this because it actually happened at my school. People started using slang from a popular book that was doing the rounds, unaware that all the words were invented by the author.

And it happened with Harry Potter too, didn't it? 'Muggle' and so forth.

Lead, don't follow!

[David]

Have visited local library to see if there are any teen groups. So far, no reply. Haven't found anything on GR either. Believe it or not, I am a studio art major at the university at which I taught for 28 years. I've been picking up some slang from my classmates. It's interesting and good that they consider me just another grunt trying to make his way through the morass of courses. They don't realize that going from being a professor to the other side of the lectern is the same fun. Of course, teaching is being a professional student.

Will let you know should I find a group. Meanwhile, carry on.

[David]

Nick wrote: "Dave - here's an idea. Given that teen slang is evolving all the time, and could be out of date by the time your book is being beta-read, never mind published - and given that (this is a point wort..."

Nick,

Excellent suggestion. Thanks for opening a hidden door for me. This will be a fun experiment.

[Beverly]

"Marvel Entertainment has just announced that they are teaming up with STOMP Out Bullying for an anti-bullying awareness program to take place this October." For the month of October how about a special reading challenge for books dealing with bullying?

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Beverly wrote: ""Marvel Entertainment has just announced that they are teaming up with STOMP Out Bullying for an anti-bullying awareness program to take place this October." For the month of October how about a sp..."

That is a good idea.. I will set up a thread about bullying and have people discuss books there.

[danbii]

Tatiana wrote: "Do you have any ideas about how to improve our group, make it more fun? Would you be interested in reading challenges or other group activities? Please post your suggestions here."

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
In the above link, I started a game about quotes, and it's under the general folder. I was wondering if it was okay?

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Yes that's fine

[Grace]

I received a notification that the group would be reading The Night Circus this month. We're half way through the month and the discussion hasn't opened yet. What does this mean?

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Grace wrote: "I received a notification that the group would be reading The Night Circus this month. We're half way through the month and the discussion hasn't opened yet. What does this mean?"

I took a little hiatus... I am just now getting the group sorted. One of my mods stepped down so the polls/threads got behind. I am just now getting things up and going tonight. So SORRY!! I will be back in action soon!

[Karin]

For the alphabet challenge, does it have to be all y/a, or can there be other books in it as well? I read a mix of books.

[Hannah]

What book is the group read for may

[Carolyn]

I would also like that. Could make sure the book for May and further on that everyone has a way to get the book?

[Carolyn]

Wait! What is the book for April?

[Samantha]

Will there be an A to Z challenge for 2022?

[Samantha]

Will there be a Quarterly Challenge #45?

[Trisha]

Samantha wrote: "Will there be a Quarterly Challenge #45?"
Thanks for asking. I would love a Quarterly Challenge #45!