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More writery stuff.
May. 2nd, 2009 11:35 amIs it wrong of me to dream of publishing a book via traditional publishing before I turn 40?
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More of my thoughts on Young Adult fiction in Singapore (or lack of it).
I feel that there is an inherent bias, probably due to Asian family and moral values, when it comes to treating young adults as young adults. They are in between childhood and adulthood, grappling with growing pains, sexuality and identity/self-hood. Keeping them within the category of "Children" is not going to keep them forever as children - they are growing up and need books that reflect their changing and growing selves. They are searching for identity and books on ghost and horror stories are not going to help them in the long run. Where are the books that are inspiring, truthful, thought-provoking and rich in textures? Where are the local writers who are writing for young adults? I see a rise in children's books but none on young adult fiction. Listen, publishers, our young adults are reading. My students are devouring books like crazy. They want to read. but where is the market in Singapore?
When I was a young adult, I already started on books like The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey. Likewise, I read Enid Blyton's Malory series. As I grew older, as a late teen, I read books by Catherine Lim. But as I started work on The Basics of Flight, I found out that there was no market (ie, no need for it) for young adult fiction in Singapore. This is sad, because there is a market for it.
***
More of my thoughts on Young Adult fiction in Singapore (or lack of it).
I feel that there is an inherent bias, probably due to Asian family and moral values, when it comes to treating young adults as young adults. They are in between childhood and adulthood, grappling with growing pains, sexuality and identity/self-hood. Keeping them within the category of "Children" is not going to keep them forever as children - they are growing up and need books that reflect their changing and growing selves. They are searching for identity and books on ghost and horror stories are not going to help them in the long run. Where are the books that are inspiring, truthful, thought-provoking and rich in textures? Where are the local writers who are writing for young adults? I see a rise in children's books but none on young adult fiction. Listen, publishers, our young adults are reading. My students are devouring books like crazy. They want to read. but where is the market in Singapore?
When I was a young adult, I already started on books like The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey. Likewise, I read Enid Blyton's Malory series. As I grew older, as a late teen, I read books by Catherine Lim. But as I started work on The Basics of Flight, I found out that there was no market (ie, no need for it) for young adult fiction in Singapore. This is sad, because there is a market for it.
