Why I write for teens

A blog reader recently asked me to write about why I write for teens so... here you go!

The short answer is another author: Lois Duncan.

I read Lois Duncan's books--and re-read them--obsessively, growing up. My personal fave is DOWN A DARK HALL (my poor husband had to sit through my dramatic recounting of the plot, just last week). But there's not a bad one in the entire batch. To this day, I have her books near my writing desk, as both inspiration and plain good company. 

I can't name a single book I've read as an adult that I've loved so much. I think I've lost that ability to pour myself into the world of an author, to be completely lost in their words--and to obsessively seek out their other books. But I still remember that feeling. And I can't imagine a better audience to write for than other teens who love to read, just like I did (and do). 

Also, my imagination automatically draws me to stories about teens. Whenever a new idea pops into my head, my imagination takes it to a world that teens would inhabit. Usually a dark world. I tried writing picture books, and who knows, maybe I'll try again in the future. But my stories always end up taking a dark turn that's just fine for a YA audience, but might leave a preschooler in tears, hiding under their blankets. I will never forget getting a personal rejection on a particular picture book manuscript that said, "nobody will ever, ever buy this book for their children." (You know you've gone down the wrong path when an editor takes the time to personally explain why your book is so, so wrong for its audience!).

There's one last reason I love writing for teens: I love this industry. It's thick with talented, creative people who love to meet each other, work with each other, read each other's work, and support each other. I never feel alone in my writing journey... and I never feel like someone's got daggers aimed for my back (uh, if they do, just please don't tell me...). And I am continuously amazed by the new work that my fellow YA writers are turning out.

In short--I kind of feel sorry for the people who aren't writing YA. Y'all... you don't know what you're missing!