I have been afraid that my MG fantasy ms. was too dark. The ending's not entirely happy, and, well, let's just say there's a bit of blood at the end.
I am, apparently, not as hardcore as I thought I was.
First there was my mother, who read the completed ms. over break (she'd only read the first few early draft chapters). My mother reads super-sweet romance novels for fun and teaches fifth graders. She is not hardcore. She is something of a pansy.
"Did you like it?" I asked anxiously.
"Yeah, it was good." She's all casual.
"Not too dark?" My butt is on the edge of the seat.
"What was dark about it?"
"Mom! People get their hearts ripped out!"
"Yeah, but just a little."
Mom also assures me that her fifth graders would not mind the dark ending in the least. But still, I worried.
Then I started The Hunger Games.
I'm only about 30 pages in.
But I am not at all worried any more about my book being too dark any more!
16 comments:
I find reading other books when I'm worried if something is too much really works. Because yeah, kids can handle a lot.
Hearts ripped out? Have you read Beedle the Bard? There are hearts cut out in that one. I would say if it is no more gruesome than that, you're good. More MG readers will read that than probably any other single book this year.
Lotusgirl has a point. Beedle Bard has some pretty gruesome stories. I think we coddle kids a bit too much anymore. They can handle a lot more than we give them credit for.
Thanks everyone! This is where a lot of my mg vs. ya problems stemmed from...I was worried about putting dark in mg, and tried to cram the manuscript into ya. I think that problem isn't really there, though...you're all right--mg is certainly an ok audience to have elements of dark. Besides, if JKR can do it, so can I! :)
(Sorry - found too many typos - take II...)
I LOVE your mom's comment, "Yeah, but just a little." Spoken like a true mom.
I always rethink things too, too afraid to get my characters messy, or add too much danger or darkness, but then the story would be boring.
Everyone criticized JK Rowling for making Harry too dark in... was it book 4 after Cedric died??? But when you read them back to back, of course he was dark and brooding, he saw Cedric DIE!!!! I think dark is good, interesting. And it is a lesson learned for us writers to push OURSELVES beyond our limits just as much as our characters!
my MGs are dark. My YAs are dark. I'll admit it, I even have a dark pb or two!
I love MG thrillers! I think they are going to get darker, thrillier and more in demand.
Writer YOUR story! Go for it!
Thanks Sheri and Angela! You're both very right...the trend for darkness is growing...
Yeah, I worried about violence in my latest novel. I am way too sheltered... my violence can't even be considered violence, I think. Hearts don't even get ripped out....
I think you're safe. ;)
I'm reading Tantalize right now, thinking it would be similar to Twilight. It isn't. The writing is fantastic, but maybe there is an edge to it that would limit its market.
I think that is actually why Twilight has done so well in sales. It's got an innocence to it. Many parents would have no problem with their 12 year old reading it.
So, I think innocence isn't bad. In fact, it may be a breath of freshness in this world always trying to be bigger and badder than the book or movie or show before it.
Glam: Nah, there's all sorts of violence. The most disturbing aspects I'm seeing in The Hunger Games isn't the physical violence, but the subtle violence (i.e. starving to death, angry words, etc.)
Christina: Excellent point! And I can't wait to hear your take on Tantalize--it's on my list to read, too.
I teach 4th and 5th graders too and I assure you they can be plenty dark! :)
Can't wait to read your review. BTW, that was my same reaction to one of my manuscripts while I was reading The Hunger Games.
Egretsnest: That is so relieving to hear!
Vivian: Isn't it funny how we can't help but think as writers when we read? :)
I love Shannon Hale's comment on the subject: kids really don't notice violence. An amazing goes straight over their heads. They see it, understand it even, but it doesn't sink in. Not like other things. I've seen that they notice right from wrong, which is an amazing thing. But they do notice animals being hurt. That is something that sticks with them. Yay for hearts only being eaten a little.
Interesting. I will have to check out Shannon Hale some more on this subject--I think you're both right.
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