tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post1380010725365145951..comments2023-11-03T01:35:47.312-07:00Comments on Pat Esden--Mythmaker: Inspired Thoughts: Parents In YATrish Esdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-36911144775056738602013-04-08T04:09:46.957-07:002013-04-08T04:09:46.957-07:00Writing laziness in general is probably one of the...Writing laziness in general is probably one of the top reasons I stop reading a story, if it's because of the parents or a lack of reasearch or another detail. This is a good reminder that extra writing effort is rewarded in a way better/deeper story.Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-50312093272645794152013-04-07T19:52:01.859-07:002013-04-07T19:52:01.859-07:00If there is a reason that makes sense for the stor...If there is a reason that makes sense for the story, then I don't have a problem with it. But if it feels like a laziness on the author's part, that's a different story.<br />Unfortunately, in today's world many parents are absent from their children's lives. Michaele Stoughtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06369315790760871519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-42077829875853455072013-04-06T08:55:18.132-07:002013-04-06T08:55:18.132-07:00Belonging is a theme which works its way into my s...Belonging is a theme which works its way into my stories as well. Probably because it was one the most important things to me as a teen. Not so much the need to belong to a specific group as to move beyond belonging to a just a biological family, and onto something more personally defined by me.Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-71354325486144505712013-04-06T07:44:34.496-07:002013-04-06T07:44:34.496-07:00I think that, although they may not be there physi...I think that, although they may not be there physically, parents and family have a huge influence on YA characters. To ignore them completely wouldn't be realistic.<br /><br />Both of my WIPs focus on the theme of "belonging" and "family", and so the MC's parents and family play a major role in terms of motivation. They don't play a major physical part in the story, and are often just a present felt or longed for, but there's no doubt that they're influencing the MC's actions.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this!John Krissilashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02683306221234743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-27939474878541433262013-04-06T05:30:45.024-07:002013-04-06T05:30:45.024-07:00That's probably exactly why agents and editors...That's probably exactly why agents and editors see overused plot devices as red flags :)Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-88166241000660322212013-04-05T19:44:53.160-07:002013-04-05T19:44:53.160-07:00This is interesting! I don't know much about Y...This is interesting! I don't know much about YA, so I can't claim to have an informed opinion on that situation, specifically. However, I think every genre has its so-called "Overused Plot Devices". In my opinion, it's usually only a problem when the overall characterization is weak. If you have a unique, full-blooded character, they will respond to OPDs in their own unique way. <br /><br />If it makes your story turn, I say go for it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17517488783849807001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-9325380504974894822013-04-05T07:33:10.929-07:002013-04-05T07:33:10.929-07:00It takes more work to include parents in some way,...It takes more work to include parents in some way, but I think it's worth the extra effort. It also give a nice contrast to how teens act and think about their peers. Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-66795063010272425332013-04-05T06:19:17.037-07:002013-04-05T06:19:17.037-07:00I do get annoyed when I read a YA book where the p...I do get annoyed when I read a YA book where the parents are conveniently absent/dead/useless. So in my own stories, I do try to have parents present in a realistic way, without losing sight of the fact this is the teenage MC's story and not the parents'...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-16281609282410722512013-04-05T05:42:50.289-07:002013-04-05T05:42:50.289-07:00It's wonderful, except for the heating bills :...It's wonderful, except for the heating bills :)<br /><br />Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-87663866546921032382013-04-05T05:41:47.804-07:002013-04-05T05:41:47.804-07:00I think that's exactly my point. There are loa...I think that's exactly my point. There are loads of different kinds of families, but we all have one--even if members aren't around physically or emotionally. Even if a person is created in a test tube, they would probably compare their lack to what others have. Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-14537939353508147012013-04-05T01:11:36.548-07:002013-04-05T01:11:36.548-07:00Parents have so much influence whether they're...Parents have so much influence whether they're physically present or not, so I think they'll always play a part. <br /><br />Sounds like you have an idyllic job in your Vermont country store. :-) Kate Frosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02279577058884785963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-36494433472172601132013-04-04T19:21:10.551-07:002013-04-04T19:21:10.551-07:00Can I just say that I would love your day job? I&#...Can I just say that I would love your day job? I'll trade you. :D<br /><br />In my last story, my MC was part of a blended family, but the parents are very much present. My current story involves a more dysfunctional family relationship. <br /><br />Chris Allen-Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937725992799451053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-48935775092414092542013-04-04T17:06:28.966-07:002013-04-04T17:06:28.966-07:00And absent can mean a whole lot of different thing...And absent can mean a whole lot of different things, too. I guess thinking about the parents is alway a large part of what I do when I'm plotting, even if they aren't directly part of the plot.<br /><br />What a wonderful and challenging day job, and it really puts you right there at the heart of the teen experience.Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-24353322196668813502013-04-04T16:55:17.331-07:002013-04-04T16:55:17.331-07:00Of course, HP isn't YA really :)Of course, HP isn't YA really :)Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-36952229061709522512013-04-04T16:24:51.321-07:002013-04-04T16:24:51.321-07:00I think the reason for the absence definitely matt...I think the reason for the absence definitely matters, but I also think that the presence of parents in YA literature matters more to adult writers/readers than it does to teen readers. A teenager's world revolves around their friends and with teens today having increasing autonomy and freedom, parents are increasingly serving as "extras" in their teens lives rather than key players. At least with the kids I work with as a therapist for my day job. I think absent parents lead kids to get involved in the stuff of YA stories. Dannie Morinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615179669635228979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-3381768730655495602013-04-04T13:08:46.007-07:002013-04-04T13:08:46.007-07:00I think it's a great comparison. I think you ...I think it's a great comparison. I think you really hit the core problem too. When parents aren't part of the story or the mc's emotional make up, then a certain amount of believability is lost. Think about Harry Potter--the parents are absent but at the same time are two of the most important characters in the story. Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-14301580906752072382013-04-04T12:45:28.978-07:002013-04-04T12:45:28.978-07:00Interesting question! Well, I think about somethin...Interesting question! Well, I think about something similar when I watch those "Real Housewives" reality shows. Most of the women on the show have children, but for the bulk of the show, the audience rarely see's their children. To me, this is a HUGE reminder that I'm watching a fake reality show that I can't take seriously bec in the back of my mind, I notice the children's absence and realize that this isn't normal. So, maybe that was a silly comparison but I feel similarly when parents are rarely mentioned in a YA book. If the parents are absent for a specific reason, I get it- but when they're rarely mentioned- that reminds me that I'm reading fiction because in real life, teens think about their parents and typically (not always, but typically) interact with at least one parent on a daily basis. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05407175441454059973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-54173168940498352592013-04-04T08:15:37.585-07:002013-04-04T08:15:37.585-07:00Very cool. It's amazing to think people would ...Very cool. It's amazing to think people would come to a new country with just one box full of stuff. I'd need a train car for all my junk. Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-44365613869549512532013-04-04T08:11:56.788-07:002013-04-04T08:11:56.788-07:00Great pictures. They bring back memories for me. W...Great pictures. They bring back memories for me. When I was growing up, we had one of these chests. Apparently, my great great grandparents had used it to hold everything they owned when they came to America. <br /><br />http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=274Mia Celestehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08961508590395855772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-9079154336655440172013-04-04T07:36:26.348-07:002013-04-04T07:36:26.348-07:00Thank you. Sometimes I feel like my personality is...Thank you. Sometimes I feel like my personality is a bit fractured--wedding and funeral consultant one minute, then antique seller and cellar scrounger the next--and YA writer in between. <br /><br />I wouldn't have it any other way. Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-69764944330986482012013-04-04T07:24:54.602-07:002013-04-04T07:24:54.602-07:00Well said. And, by the way, you have an awesome da...Well said. And, by the way, you have an awesome day job!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12445539873467772283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-48224089963726531472013-04-04T07:17:19.328-07:002013-04-04T07:17:19.328-07:00One of the few stories I refused to CP was had an ...One of the few stories I refused to CP was had an abusive alcoholic parent. My refusal was because it didn't go beyond a very narrow stereotype. On the other hand, I loved Melissa Marr's Ink Exchange which had a pretty freaking awful alcoholic parent. <br /><br />Now I'm going to be on the look out for the 9-5 job thing :)Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-66395214274169986102013-04-04T07:04:42.012-07:002013-04-04T07:04:42.012-07:00I agree that absent parents are a plot device for ...I agree that absent parents are a plot device for character freedom. The same thing happens in adult books when the MC doesn't have a 9-5 job. I think it's OK--after all it's an escape from "real life" right? But that said, it's true that parents have a lot of influence and if we can write about it effectively (including the struggles and questioning) then that would be interesting to teens. Sometimes things are used so often (the abusive alcoholic parent) that they seem cliche.Liz Penneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13616005136130181910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-40658447482550428982013-04-04T06:54:19.553-07:002013-04-04T06:54:19.553-07:00I totally agree about the teen's peers being m...I totally agree about the teen's peers being more important. Actually, a lot of my stories hinge on the period when kids pull away from parents and toward forming their own lives. But the stories which drive me nuts are the ones where the parents aren't part of the teen's emotional core--even if they are dead. Parents as baggage. LOL that sounds awful.<br /><br />Thank you. My life is like the Roadshow. This box came from a locker buyer, pretty much like Storage Wars. Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134941707367928575.post-28424134866972145302013-04-04T06:49:53.692-07:002013-04-04T06:49:53.692-07:00I'm glad my comment helped. I've had to do...I'm glad my comment helped. I've had to do quite a bit of thinking about the parents in my non-present parent WIP. My mc's character was too inconsistent because her feelings about her parents and the situation wasn't put right up front in the first pages. Now that I've done that the pages have gained an amazing amount of strength.Trish Esdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049667128434033805noreply@blogger.com