Topic of the Week - A Day in the Life

[jer_bear711]

I decided to post the Topic of the Week today instead of yesterday, so as to give yesterday's flood of news items some breathing room. There's still a lot of week left, after all. *gazes longingly at time horizon, searching for Friday*

dawn_metcalf sent us this Topic:

Since YA books focus on the lives of teenagers, how do we tackle the issue of "school life"

Comments

[jessaslade]

School sucked this week. The only thing I got out of it was a wedgie and twenty five hours of homework.
Hey, that summed up my whole high school career!

In my story world, my demon possessed characters are forced to give up their old lives (what with being possessed and all). Part of their pain (and eventual growth) is finally realizing the value of what they've lost and rebuilding out of the ashes.

But I love the idea that the blending of two worlds is representative of the writer's life. Maybe that's why I tend to write stories where the characters are immersed right away and fully in the special world -- No more ordinary world for me!

[jer_bear711]

Part of their pain (and eventual growth) is finally realizing the value of what they've lost and rebuilding out of the ashes.

That's a fascinating concept. Do they try to restructure some sort of life similar to what they've left behind?

But I love the idea that the blending of two worlds is representative of the writer's life. Maybe that's why I tend to write stories where the characters are immersed right away and fully in the special world

Yes, the writing life is 'special,' all right. ;-p

[jessaslade]

I don't think anybody gets a second chance, really, only a NEW chance. A friend of mine likes to say, "The universe gives you the chance to make the same mistake over and over... until you don't." That's often what my characters have to find out. After they've been to hell, of course :)

[jer_bear711]

This is actually how it goes for a lot of my books. Typically, the main character's previous life is completely lost to a whole new life and so school and work and stuff doesn't affect them.

It's interesting to see the different levels of immersion in the "special world." For some it's complete and literal, and for others there's a blending where the special world is more metaphorical. Thanks for your comment!

[celestialgldfsh]

In my current work-in-progress, my entire novel focuses on this issue: my heroine Celeste was born with a powerful healing touch, and one day, at age 30, awakens and her power is gone. Her healing ability overwhelmed her senses from the time she was three days old, preventing any casual human contact and defined every shred of her existence. Now, not only does she have to deal with that how-do-I-pay-the-mortgage question and unemployment, but she has to cope with ostracism from her super-powered peers, deaths she cannot prevent, and discover the power of normal human touch.

So yes, her livelihood suffers, but it also allows her to experience what it mean to be truly human and "normal" - and NORMAL is the name of the novel. (One chapter to go!)

[jeanne_stein]

I love this idea-- instead of a character coming into her power, a character loses it instead. It's a fresh take and I look forward to reading your book.

Jeanne

[jer_bear711]

Wow, that's a great twist! I love urban fantasy that sheds light on what it means to be human.

[vivaciousvivi]

I love this too. Great twist. And I can just imagine the pain and anguish she will go through because of this turn of events. Well played!!

[kellymeding]

My heroine's former day job as a paranormal bounty hunter was what paid the bills. Not that she was home much, anyway. Her life was all about her work. Paying rent/having a place to stay doesn't really figure into the first book, because she only has three days to live (or so she's been told). Why bother, right? Plus, having died once, she doesn't technically still work for her former bosses anymore. *g*

I've been able to play with the nit and grit of daily life more in the second book in the series.

[jer_bear711]

Hmm, the three-days-to-live really does put things in perspective. I mean that in all seriousness--why worry about things like health insurance or savings accounts if you're not going to be around to enjoy them. It would change the whole way you look at the future and live in the present. Cool! :-)

[kellymeding]

It would change the whole way you look at the future and live in the present.

Very true, and a great observation. :)

[hellaweasels]

My current WIP takes place at college [and over five chapters thus far has only gone through about a week-two day of which were spent in a coma] and, sadly, classes haven't entered the equation at all, yet [they've got more important things to worry about].

Their jobs, on the other hand, play a bit part [the greenhouse for Derek-horticulture major and Dr.Chaney the vet for wolf-boy Jeremy].

I do want to show at least one class, just because I've built up a teacher for it and can't wait to use him.