tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post4140834423255449558..comments2024-03-26T17:32:38.865-04:00Comments on YA Outside the Lines: Changing the Subject: On Darkness--Sarah PorterBrian Katcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15159532800819759917noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-5952686262046391542011-02-25T00:31:48.134-05:002011-02-25T00:31:48.134-05:00P.S. I re-read my post above, and it sounds snotty...P.S. I re-read my post above, and it sounds snotty. Sorry about that. I didn't mean it to be. I was seriously just trying to understand. :)Vonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603117695506296939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-2416045545587954002011-02-24T22:24:59.390-05:002011-02-24T22:24:59.390-05:00I definitely agree that the issue is complicated. ...I definitely agree that the issue is complicated. <br /><br />I'm curious, did you believe everything you read in novels? Or just the boy/girl stuff?<br /><br />I read a lot of fantasy as a child, so it would have been a stretch to believe it was real.Vonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603117695506296939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-90494154151690842762011-02-24T12:40:11.947-05:002011-02-24T12:40:11.947-05:00Hey Vonny,
I know I took fiction as a source of s...Hey Vonny,<br /><br />I know I took fiction as a source of serious information when I was a teenager--and I wasn't stupid either, just impressionable, with limited avenues for learning about the world. For example, I was convinced (by Judy Blume's Forever) that if you told a guy you were a virgin, he would instantly and respectfully back off. Not an accurate perception, but I went out into the world with it. Not knocking Judy Blume, but I think the question is more complex than just smart vs. stupid.<br /><br />SarahSarah Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077581423887251687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-19428540231122030822011-02-24T11:16:24.620-05:002011-02-24T11:16:24.620-05:00I really, really think we worry too much about the...I really, really think we worry too much about the influence of fiction on young people. They're not stupid.Vonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603117695506296939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-84513562034534460352011-02-23T22:42:11.508-05:002011-02-23T22:42:11.508-05:00Thanks, Kathy! I really love teenagers, or I would...Thanks, Kathy! I really love teenagers, or I wouldn't write for them--but I admit I'm looking forward to going back to adult fiction, at least for a while, after this trilogy is done.Sarah Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077581423887251687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-1016650036470222542011-02-23T13:34:37.876-05:002011-02-23T13:34:37.876-05:00Loved your post!! Keep writing for the teenage de...Loved your post!! Keep writing for the teenage demographics. I, too, have experienced negative comments from adult readers about the content in my book, but I wouldn't change a thing. Teenagers like to know they aren't alone and if that comes from a story which can guide them on the right path so be it. <br /><br />Trish, as for the paranormal, vampire, etc. - I personally read the books, enjoyed them and then thought about what a read. It scared the hell out of me when I realized Edward Cullen was controlling and obsessive - someone I'd never want my daughters to hook up with. Funny thing, I've read several books written by the authors on this blog and I found myself hoping for my daughters to meet some of those male characters.Kathy Piccianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03482098244203030454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-49631343119080572852011-02-23T12:42:16.806-05:002011-02-23T12:42:16.806-05:00Hi Trish,
Yeah, what worries me about it is that ...Hi Trish,<br /><br />Yeah, what worries me about it is that I have met guys in my life who come on as over-the-top romantic as Edward Cullen types--and they were either stalkers or manipulators. In either case, to be avoided rather than idealized. But if I were fourteen, I'm pretty sure I'd buy into the myth without question.<br /><br />Thanks for the great comment!Sarah Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077581423887251687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-39929533046353365762011-02-23T06:54:06.869-05:002011-02-23T06:54:06.869-05:00Sarah, I read a blog post once by a teenage girl o...Sarah, I read a blog post once by a teenage girl on why boys should be more like Edward Cullen...and that kind of frightened me. Boys are boys, lumps and all, and it's unrealistic (and unfair) to expect them to be supernaturally wonderful while girls are allowed to be "ordinary". <br /><br />Additionally, I'd have to agree with you and Janet about protecting children. I'd far rather have my daughter read about something in a book than experience it before she's prepared...and books can help her learn and prepare.Trish Dollerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04011138446819297720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-13367890491463682612011-02-22T21:15:40.397-05:002011-02-22T21:15:40.397-05:00Hey Jennifer, you're very welcome. Thanks for ...Hey Jennifer, you're very welcome. Thanks for reading!Sarah Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077581423887251687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-47939373251387606252011-02-22T20:31:51.417-05:002011-02-22T20:31:51.417-05:00Thank you.Thank you.Jennifer R. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03408588432492354248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-44835291312947793132011-02-22T16:30:56.890-05:002011-02-22T16:30:56.890-05:00Oh, thank you, Janet! It's wonderful to get su...Oh, thank you, Janet! It's wonderful to get such a warm, insightful response.<br /><br />I'm totally with you. And, I mean do we really want to teach kids that the mature way to deal with these issues is denial? That our problems are so overwhelming that the best solution is to whitewash them?Sarah Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077581423887251687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388578325782539013.post-53791959110604879572011-02-22T15:37:55.713-05:002011-02-22T15:37:55.713-05:00I love this post so much I want to kiss it.
It b...I love this post so much I want to kiss it. <br /><br />It bothers me that books that deal with heavy, messy but very real human issues are often seen as not appropriate for teens. As you eloquently were able to demonstrate from exaamples of your students own writing, they're aware of it and filtering it and dealing with it every day.<br /><br />"Protecting" young adults from books just doesn't cut it for me because I'm a total realist about what they see and do on their own school grounds. <br /><br />Fiction is a safe place to explore these scary subjects as your students are showing you with their words.<br /><br />Bravo. I have put LOST VOICES at the top of my to read pile!!!Janet Gurtlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378521577302320423noreply@blogger.com