Introducing another new author here at JPC Allen Writes, Donna Jo Stone. Her latest book just released last week. You’ll find out all about Promise Me Tomorrow after you read Donna’s answer to the question, why write for the young adult market? Take it away, Donna!
When I first began writing Promise Me Tomorrow, it was a story for my daughter. I am a voracious reader, so it seemed natural that every time any of my kids were facing some difficult challenges, I would supplement our discussions with reading. Because we are a family of faith, we believe in the God of all comfort, but at the time, I could not find a book that addressed the issue of how a family dealing with autism might handle grief from a faith-based perspective. When I couldn’t find the book we needed, I wrote Promise Me Tomorrow. Fulfilling a need is a good reason to write for young adults.
Here’s another. In fiction, readers become immersed in another’s life, vicariously living through the character’s. For young people, reading about an age-mate who survived what feels unsurvivable can have more impact than all of the advice and reassurances the adults in their life can come up with. Books can remove emotional and mental barriers, take us into another world, and speak to the heart. It’s a little more tolerable to go through hard times knowing someone else has been down this path before and came out on the other side. No matter how old, or young, you are, it’s a comfort to know you’re not traveling a path alone, and that others have been down the same path before. Someone understands, maybe not perfectly, but at least a little. Reading other people’s stories, even fictional people, help us understand and process our own stories and experiences.
Fiction provides a unique vehicle to speak to today’s teens. Part of the normal growing up process of maturating into an adult is finding our own way, testing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and formulating our own unique understanding of the world around us. Hopefully, teens have a stable and firm foundation during this time of exploration, but because I’d been living with angsty teens, I understood the need for a well-placed word, just as I knew what would not resonate with my young person. (Remember your teen years?) It’s a delicate balance, communicating with teenagers. They aren’t easily mollified. It can be challenging to write for teens, but it’s oh-so worth it.
My goal in Promise Me Tomorrow was to convey that someone will always be here for you. We don’t always get the answers we want, but we will have the love we need, from family, friends, and ultimately, from the One who is the source of all comfort, God.
Pointing teens toward the answers that will always speak to their hurts and needs may be the best reason of all to write young adult fiction.
*****
Three things consume sixteen-year-old autistic artist Nina’s thoughts: earning the privilege to paint the school mural, untangling her emotions about a certain boy, and finding a miracle cure for her mom’s terminal cancer.
For Nina, communicating her emotions is ridiculously hard. She expresses herself best through art, so when she’s chosen to design the school mural, she’s ecstatic. It’s a chance to make Mom proud. Then she learns her mother’s cancer has returned and is terminal. She can’t believe God would allow this to happen. Even worse, Mom refuses further treatment.
If mom dies, how will Nina prove she can be the daughter her mother wants?
Besides, the family can’t manage without Mom. Nina’s twin brother is a meteorite-loving genius, but helpless at navigating certain situations because of his autism. Even though Nina has always been ready to jump in when Mom’s not available, she can’t fill a permanent mom-sized hole.
As she struggles with her internal battle—and trouble at school—Nina gains a support system through a rag-tag group of classmates, but in her single-minded search for a miracle for Mom, she strays outside her own rules of behavior, risks alienating her friends, and pushes away the boy who only wants to help her.
*****
Award-winning author Donna Jo Stone writes contemporary and historical fiction, with the intent to leave readers with a sense of hope. When she’s not writing, she loves to read and talk about books, poke around in old bookshops and museums, and spend time with her family. Donna Jo is a regular contributor for the young adult column at Almost an Author. Connect with Donna at her website, blog, newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon Author page.
Since you’ve written for you both teens and adults, what do you find is the biggest difference between writing for those audiences?
That’s a great question!
One of the biggest differences is voice.
To write for any audience voice is key, and I feel that goes double for YA. Voice requires an author to dig deep and really understand their character, think about what the characters might be going through, issues they face, etc. If an author can nail the voice and write authentically, I think they are well on the way to writing a good story.
You write for the YA market for the same reasons that I do! I enjoyed the book.
Thank you, Beth. I’m so glad you liked the book and glad to have connected with another author of YA!
That cover is so eye-catching! Great article, too!
Thank you! I’m so happy the article resonated with you, and I’m glad you like the cover!