NEW ADULT

THE NEW ADULT JOURNEY

There is a narrow space in time in which we all set sail and cross treacherous waters. We leave the grassy bank of our teen years and head toward the rocky mountains of adulthood. But between here and there is a vast unknown river we must navigate—the New Adult years.

It is an unavoidable journey plagued with doubt, insecurity, fear, spontaneous joy, unexplainable bliss, failure, a solidifying of goals, and accomplishment, etc.  Sometimes the best we can do is keep both oars in the water, follow the current toward our dreams (even if it means paddling up-stream), watch for low branches that will knock us for a loop, and hang on for dear life.

UNCHARTED WATERS OF NEW ADULT

Nothing exemplifies this ride better than New Adult literature. Roughly between the ages of 18 and 25, this category highlights those challenges we all have faced or are preparing to face when setting off in uncharted waters. The moment we climb aboard, whether we christen our journey Cross Over, Mature Young Adult, or Upper YA, we are all in the same boat—the New Adult category.

Common squalls (themes) we may encounter but are not limited to: the loss of innocence, our first ‘real’ job, sudden independence or a close facsimile thereof, sexuality, military deployment, first serious relationships, internships, marriage etc.

OLD DOG, NEW CATEGORY

Of course, this is not a new journey. If we turn and look back, we’ll see that the undercurrent is ripe with the classics; we will realize that teens have been reading mature books all along. It is not a new idea, just recently labeled as a new category and promoted as such.

Half of the novels listed in Modern Library’s 100 Best Books of the 20^th Century fall under the definition of New Adult. So much of what adults have read in their teen years were listed as “Adult Books For Teens” and teens are still reading them in high schools and colleges today. Remember Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, Call of the Wild, To Kill A Mocking Bird, Clockwork Orange. And recently: Love in the Time of Cholera, Trainspotting, The Time Traveler’s Wife, My Sister’s Keeper . . .

There is no shame in snapping on a life vest, especially with popular trends and subgenres that could have us taking college courses on a futuristic space station, being chased across campus by zombies, dodging vampires in our first apartment, or wielding spiritually enhanced weapons against demonic bosses with wandering hands.     

There is no bridge long enough to lift us up and over the white water of those crucial years, so why should literature skip like a rock from teen into adulthood? Like other phases in life, the journey through those treacherous waters of New Adult is worth experiencing and worth reading about . . .

So this is what comes to mind when I think of the New Adult Journey but I am interested to know what you guys think when you remember those years, or what expectations you might have if you are just embarking on the journey.

Please feel free to share your wackiest adventures (mine was almost dying, sort of, on a ridiculous canoeing trip with mass amounts of fellow students) or your most poignant moment, tipping point, hilarious encounter, or maybe any analogy that seems fitting.

New cover for FORBIDDEN: The Soukeepers

Also, new publication dates for the Soulkeepers series.

APRIL 15, 2014 for FORBIDDEN

JUNE, 2014 for AWAKEN

TBA 2014 for UNFORGIVEN

Tales From RWA

My first experience at the Romance Writers Association conference in Atlanta was amazing!

Me and Barb

I was overwhelmed by the positive energy and excitement throughout the entire event. The first day kicked off the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing event. 450 romance authors and thousands of fans spent the evening chatting and signing for charity. In one night we raised $52,309 for literacy organizations! The 2013 beneficiaries are: ProLiteracy Worldwide, Literary Action Inc. and Literary Volunteers of Atlanta.

Conference highlights for me: meeting my fabulous editor Sue Grimshaw and part of the Random House team; Gina Wachtel, VP Associate Publisher Mass Market and Editorial Director, Digital; and Kim Cowser, Marketing Manager. I am so blessed to be in their very capable hands!!

Throughout the week, I met some wonderful writers and enjoyed two very special speakers. The Keynote Luncheon featured author Cathy Maxwell who gave an inspirational talk about overcoming fears and doubts as a writer. All writers have been there, and it’s so encouraging to hear personal stories from successful writers, their struggles and determination to keep reaching for their dreams. I’ve been writing for a long time myself and certainly recognize the innate and unrelenting drive it takes to break into the business. There is a lot to overcome; fear and doubt are just a few. Later in the conference, Cathy was kind enough to write a personal note to my friend Barbara, an aspiring writer who was so touched by Cathy’s speech. Thanks again Cathy.

The Awards Luncheon offered up a unique and riveting speaker, author Kristan Higgins. Kristan entertained us with tales of her married life with her husband firefighter, McIrish. Kristan was incredibly inspirational, but also hysterical. As diverse as her books, she had us laughing at times and crying at others. Kristan read a letter from a fan who was so inspired by her novels that she gathered the courage to escape an abusive relationship. There was not a dry eye in the house. Kristan confirmed what we’ve all suspected; the connection between authors and readers can be very powerful.

I have my own ‘connection’ with an author I was thrilled to meet at the conference. Jude Deveraux! I grew up reading her books because my mother was a huge romance fan back in the eighties. Living in a quiet country town in Oklahoma, I spent countless hours lost in Jude’s exciting historical romances and still have a passion for those mysterious and sometimes exotic places.

All the workshops were awesome but I particularly loved Norah Roberts. She didn’t lecture but had a question-answer set up. Norah was riveting, hard boiled, no nonsense, often appropriately vulgar, and very funny. Most amazing thing she shared . . . she does not write outlines for her novels!! That’s impressive! Second most amazing thing . . . every time she mentioned Stephen King, the lights in the room flickered or dimmed. Freakin’ spooky!

Okay, now for my favorite workshop—the New Adult workshop—of course. And the room was packed! Certainly a good sign for NA authors and fans! Looks like things are heating up, and I’m so excited to be a part of it with the Soulkeepers Series at Random House!!

For more details about the NA workshop at RWA, check out my guest blog at www.romanceatrandom.com.