By Dame Kaz
Chloe Neill
THE TROUBLE WITH TEENAGERS
Although I’m very excited about the October 6 release of FRIDAY NIGHT BITES, I’ve also got a new kind of release in January—my first young adult novel (FIRESPELL). I write in the first person, and I’ll be the first to admit—making the transition from 28 year-old grad student-turned-vampire to quirky, 16 year-old high school junior wasn’t entirely easy.
Certainly, being a blood-drinking, fang-bearing creature of the night has its creative limitations. Merit can’t go out in the sun, she has to stay away from aspen stakes, and she has to drink blood. The night bit can be tricky, especially since the Chicagoland Vampires series is, as the name might have suggested, set in a real city. Stores close, neighborhoods empty, classes aren’t in session, and restaurants are locked up tight. I also can’t have Merit hopping around a park after dark if the park closes and a giant gate goes up at midnight…or at the very least I have to make sure that I’ve accounted for the fact that a giant gate goes up at midnight.
So, the night-dwelling can be a bit limiting. But consider some of the limitations involved in writing about teenagers:
1. Back to School
I’ve heard folks criticize paranormal YA as being “just like Harry Potter.” And in a way, they’re probably right—the books, just like Harry Potter, tend to feature kids or teenagers with magical powers who are also in school. But for better or worse, school is a fact of life for the 18-and-under set, so you’ve got to deal with it one way or the other.
In the Novels of the Dark Elite, I opted for boarding school. That actually makes the problem worse, as not only are Lily and her sidekick, Scout, in school from 9 to 5, they’re in school (or at least the school buildings) twenty-four hours a day. The lesson: making a YA story interesting while keeping your hero/heroine safe from the attentions of truant officers can be a tricky, tricky thing.
2. Parents
Merit has parents, sure, but she doesn’t live with them. She’s of age, so she can make her own decisions (much to her father’s chagrin).
Although Lily’s parents are on sabbatical, they’re still her parents, and she’s still under age. That means her parents have to be accounted for, one way or another.
3. Minority Report
The heroes/heroines of YA novels have one more thing in common: they may be too young to drink, vote, join the military and/or drive. They can’t drive out to a party or a crime scene, and they aren’t going to share champagne in a celebratory scene after a successful battle. That means, among other things, that they need a way to get where they’re going (public transportation? everything within walking distance?).
4. Cussin’ and Carousin’
If the heroes/heroines are too young to get into rated “R” movies on their own, the audience for the novels is probably too young to read about serious swearing and carousing. No sailor-worthy cursing, no raucous partying, and considerably fewer adult situations.
5. What the Kids Say
Finally, and maybe most importantly, the heroes and heroines have to sound legitimately like young adults. The conversations, the words, need to be believable, just as the concerns and motivations need to be believable. And it can be tricky getting into the minds of a modern teenager, especially if The Hills or Gossip Girl are your only connections to the teen population.
Writing YA novels, of course, has its own rewards. But there are definitely some challenges to overcome.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to the Deadline Dames for having me today!
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Thanks for such an interesting post, Chloe. I can relate to a lot of this with my own YA writing; plenty of food for thought. And now… onto the contest!
![coaster[1]](http://www.deadlinedames.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/coaster1-150x112.jpg "coaster[1]")
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Chloe has generously offered a fangtastic (ahem) giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of FRIDAY NIGHT BITES and a Cadogan House gift pack (inc. pen, bar coaster, postcard, bookplate, and European-style “CH” bumper sticker).
To be in with a chance of winning, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day, anywhere, Monday 5th October 2009. It’s my turn to post here on Tuesday (Chloe’s official release date!) so I’ll announce the winner then. Get commenting!
ETA: Chloe has confirmed that the contest is open to readers from all countries.
About Karen
Friday Night Bites sounds like an awesome. Book. I would love to read.
I really need to start reading this series!
Is the contest open to Canada?
Great interview and thanks for the opportunity!
Great post Chloe, and it’s great to see you again here. I’ve recently tried my hand at YA myself and I can vouch. It’s not easy. I can’t wait to hear more about Firespell.
I heard so many great things about this series. Can’t wait to start them…
Great contest you have here. I never read much YA but I think I have to start. SO many author bringing books out in the genre. I think I can’t any longer hold back.LOL
Hope you all have a nice weekend?
P.S. Oh,am I allowed for the contest? I’m in Germany!
Terrific post, Chloe!
I loved Some Girls Bite and am looking forward to Friday Night Bites on tuesday! I am also looking forward to reading Firespell when it comes out!
Excellent post. I love YA, but had never considered the thought that has to go into making it believable.
And Friday Night Bites sounds good!
I have suggested Some Girls Bite to everyone I know and they have all loved it!! I am excited for FNB!!!!
Oh, good luck! Congrats on the upcoming release!
Julie
Hi Chloe, great post…can’t wait to read the book
Would love to win a signed copy of FNB.
YA is tricky, but done right it can be so great. Who can’t connect with a good coming of age story?
I’m really looking forward to Friday Night Bites, as I loved the first novel in the series! and I wish you great success with your YA novel, too.
Hi Chloe,what a fun post to wake up to this morning. I’ll look for your new YA, can’t wait. And great T-shirt!
Hi Chloe
Thanks for the great post.
I like your points on YA, and I’m looking forward to reading FIRESPELL.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
Great post, i’d never thought about all the limitations involved in writing YA novels. It’s sneakier to be original.
I loved Some girls bites and i can’t wait to read Friday Night bites (and well, Firespell too!)
I’m in love with Chloe’s online store, so many amazing shirts. Go Team Eal!
(Is that alright that i live in France to enter the contest?)
Sounds like a great book. Congrats!
Awesome post Chloe!
Thanks again for contacting me to review your books. I can’t wait to receive them!
I hope your release day is lovely!
A prize package like that is definitely worth commenting for.
I absolutely loved your first book and am looking forward to your second one, but now enjoyed the blurb about your YA book. Good luck with your two new books coming out and I’ll be watching for Friday Night Bites at the stores real soon.
So interesting. Looks good. Best of luck!
The difference between adults going about their day, and “teenagers” doing the same is different. I had not thought about this aspect in YA -vs- “Adult” books. Your series sounds like something I would enjoy sampling.
Hi Chloe!
can’t believe how time flies! release day is almost here *yeah*
wish you all the best!
Ina
great post Chloe. I read the first chapter of Firespell,I’m looking forward to reading the rest.
would love to win that prize pack
Hi, Chloe! Looking forward to reading your YA and ‘adult’ books too!
Hi, all! Thanks for dropping by to say hello. I’ll be very interested to see what readers of Merit’s adventures think about Lily’s adventures.
Great interview!
” No sailor-worthy cursing, no raucous partying, and considerably fewer adult situations.”
This is one thing that annoys me (a teenager) in YA books. I understand why they have to be like that, and I’m really not objecting to that, but it irritates me how unrealistic it is. Am I really supposed to believe that that they wouldn’t swear properly, or go a little further in certain situations?
It must be hard to keep within those rules for YA, sometimes.
Great interview. It will be really interesting to see the differences in Merit’s world and in Lily’s world. Can’t wait to read the new books.
Great interview!
Cant wait to read FNB as well as your new series. Congrats Chloe.
I LOVED Some Girls Bite and have been waiting impatiently for FNB!
The new YA series sounds good as well, can’t wait to read it.
Great post. I loved the first book in this series and would like to be included in the chance to read Friday Night Bites and see how it continues.
I have the first book in this series…but haven’t had a chance to read it. My sister has it captive in her dungeon (her room!), lol.
I would love to win!
I also can NOT WAIT for Firespell, omg…I even hosted it as my Waiting On Wednesday, AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT..lol. Looks fabulous, and I think the cover is gorgeous!
Great post! I loved Some Girls Bite, its definately one of my favorite books! Can’t wait to read Friday Night Bites when it comes out.
Great post. Thanks for visiting with us as Dame for a Day.
Hi Chloe- Big fan, I participated in the Knight Agency chat back in April. SGB was awesome and I am really looking forward to FNB!
Great insight in this post, really helpful for people exploring writing in different genres
fnb was one of my favorites and I cant wait to read the next one, I also read a lot of ya novels too so I will also be reading firespell. I wish you goodluck!
Ah! I’m so excited for Friday Night Bites to come out!
I read “Some Girls Bite” on a whim and am already a rabid fan. I have spread the word to all my friends who read paranormal (even some who don’t). I am very excited to read FNB in a few days. I download everything via my Sony eReader, so I am hoping it will be available there on the 6th. While I certainly am drawn to Ethan, I find myself rooting for Morgan. Thanks for writing a great vampire book that is not that same old boring tale!
SOME GIRLS BITE is burning a hole in my TBR pile as we speak. It’s got an honored spot at the top of my night stand and as soon as I finish my (promised) reviews, it will be the first Halloween-y book I’m diving into to get me ready for the season. I can’t wait!!! And now I’m dying to read FIRESPELL too!
Loved “Some Girls Bite” and have counting down until Tuesday!
Looking forward to FireSpell – looked very promising! Really like your characterizations.
lovely prize package. I will definitely check out your new YA book. I have boys that are 13 and 19 and I love to share books with them.
Ooh can’t wait. I keep trying to win a signed copy from multiple sights. No luck.
Signed copies are copies to treasure! I’m a reader, bibliophile, and aspiring writer. Signed copies excite me so much!!
I just finished reading Some Girls Bite and it was wonderful. I was actually on Charlaine Harris’s website and this book was recomended to me. I am going to post back for everyone to read this series. I couldn’t wait for the next installment and much to my pleasant surprise it will be released in just a few day. Thank you so much for the great read. I hope there will be many more books to come.
She is so adorable. That is the first pic I have ever seen of her. I am excited for both releases. Congrats Chloe!
Count me in! I’ve been meaning to pick up Chloe’s books. And now I know she’s got a YA coming out as well soon! Awesome. Great post.
Sounds fabulous! My daughter is the avid reader and is really looking forward to this release. A signed copy would be a great gift for her!
Congrats on the new release!!! I would love a chance to win a copy of Friday Night Bites, so please count me in!
I am looking forward to reading Friday Night Bites and Firespell sounds really great, too. I bet that it can be a bit tricky to jump between the genres. I think that it would be hard to capture the young adult talk.
Congrats on the new release and I am looking forward to the release of Firespell.
Really a terrific and insightful blog post. Thank you so much for sharing your challenges with us. I, too, write in first person. Going from narrator’s voice to new narrator’s voice with each book is a fun process, but it’s not an easy process. You nailed it in your article and added so much more.
Looking forward to reading!
I loved Chloe’s debut book and I can’t wait for more!
Great post. I think teens are probably harder to write than vamps, certainly getting them wrong can kill my enjoyment of a book pretty sharpish.
I’m glad that this author spends time thinking about how to time things when teens have school and other activities to do and can’t be skipping them. Sometimes I read books where it just doesn’t make sense that their parents aren’t wondering what they’re up to either!
YA books are definitely a difficult task, especially when you aren’t used to them
I enjoyed reading Some Girls Bite and I’m looking forward to Friday Night Bites and Firespell! It’s nice to hear that with your YA you change the character and world so it’s geared more for younger readers.
I enjoyed the first book and have been waiting for the latest release!
Never heard of his series and would love to read it!
Wow vampires and Chicago! My sister read the first book, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. Will have too. Especially if I win her this signed copy of the second one!!
I’ve already read Some Girls Bite so would like to read Friday Night Bites as well.
Hi Chloe,
Congrats on your first YA novel and Friday Night Bites! I’ve never really thought about how difficult writing YA novels could be, so your post was really interesting.
Happy early book birthday! I’ll have to keep an eye out for Firespell come January!
I like the insight on things to consider for YA. Your books sound intriguing! The cover to firespell is pretty awesome
OH thnaks so very much for your blog and this amazing giveaway!!!
I hope it goes well it has to if the winner get this book I have heard Wonderfull things about it so count me in also!!!
Smiles ;o.) Shawna
welovrourdogs@juno.com
I admit, I have not yet read your series. But after checking out the books, I can’t wait to get started on them.
Best of Luck!
Fallon H.
I’m gonna have to get these books, of course winning one would be agreat incentive! lol
I just picked up the first Chicagoland Vamps book, and can’t wait to get started. I’d love to have a copy of book 2, so no need to wait once I finish the first 1.
I LOVED Some Girls Bite and can’t wait to read the next one!!
Congratulations on the release of FNB! I loved SGB and can’t wait to read this one! I’m really impressed with the YA books coming out lately – I like that the authors are giving young people a good story that doesn’t talk down to them. Thanks!
I can’t believe it is finally here. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
Never heard of it before but sounds interesting so please count me in!!
Jess S.
Please enter me. I read the first book and loved it can’t wait to read the next.
Friday Night Bites sounds great. I love the cover. Count me in the drawing please.
I’m reading Some Girls Bite nwo and love that I won’t have to wait for the seoncd book!! SGB is great so far
Interesting points about writing YA (and its difficulties), too.
Love Some Girls Bite, so excited for Friday Night Bites! And Firespell sounds like a great read too; happy there will be something to keep me going until the next Chicagoland book!!
woo! sounds good,may have to try and get my habds on firespell too
Please entre me in the comp
Both sound great. I would like to get the YA book for my oldest!
I loved the first in the series, and I really can’t wait for Friday Night Bites- it’s my “you survived midterms” self-congrats treat. =)
Friday Night Bites sounds awesome. Even if I don’t win, it’s going on my “To read” list!
I loved the first book and I can’t for the second book. Yay!!! I comes out tomorrow!!!! I will be the first in line at Barnes and Noble to get the book!!!!! If you have not read this book then what are you waiting for? You really don’t know you are missing. It takes a lot for me to get into a book. It really has to capture me and the first book did. So much so as I don’t know if I will be able to sleep tonight. I can’t wait to read the new book. OMG!!!! CADOGAN HOUSE RULZ!!!!
would love to read
Great post. I loved the first book and am very excited to read Friday Night Bites.