Wishing Song of the Day: "Gimme More" by Britney Spears We're joining my lovely group blog, Paper Hangover, again this week for the Friday Fives. This week we want to know:
What are five things you wish to see more of in fiction?
1. More diversity. In most of the books Quita and I like to read, we don't nearly see as many ethnic characters...or GLBTQ characters...or characters with disabilities. Of course, none of these need to be an "issue" of the book--but it would be nice to read books that were reflective of the world. Speaking of which...
2. More realistic YA. Don't get me wrong, I'm a total fan girl of Cassandra Clare and Quita is ga ga over Maggie Stiefvater, but we'd like to see realistic fiction receive the same attention. Nothing excites me more than seeing a contemporary YA deal on Publishers Marketplace. Well, except for pizza and/or chocolate chip cookies, but still...
3. More love stories that actually make sense. Sure, it's great to think that the hottest guy in school will suddenly open his eyes and fall head over heels for you--risking his popularity and even his own life just for your well-being. But that ain't happening, cap'n. We like love stories with a more authentic feel, just like the one in Anna and the French Kiss. The chemistry was there between Anna and Etienne from the beginning, but their actual relationship took time--which is the way it usually happens.
4. More stories from the male POV. Sure, girls usually read more than boys, but this could possibly change if there were male narrators. Thank you John Green, Hannah Moskowitz, and Blake Nelson for breaking the mode. And on the POV front...
5. More multiple POVs please. Sometimes a story works even better when you get to see everything from different angles. Steve Brezenoff did a wonderful job with this in The Absolute Value of -1 and Jackson Pearce rocked it out with Sisters Red. I like to dabble with this method, so I'd LOVE to see more examples.
What about you all? Anything you'd love to see more of in fiction?
11 comments:
My book is a Male POV... WOOT boys! Boys rock! Love your list. WOOT
Ooh, yes, I love books told from multiple POVs. There aren't many of those!
Great list! MAGGIE has multiple POVs, a boy's POV, and my intention was certainly to capture a more realistic romance (though I guess that's up to the reader to decide).
My UF is multiple POV and this years nano novel is a male POV. I love the point about diversity. You're so right on that!
AGREED. Especially about love stories that make sense!
Great list. I like the whole multiple POV's too. Also great to see more books with the male POV too. And realistic fiction too. I love reading books with real characters.
Excellent choices ladies! I haven't read too many books with multiple POV so I'm gonna have to check out some of your recommendations!
YES for #1 and #2, and all of them really. I agree!
I'm currently writing a contemporary YA novel about a minority girl, where her race has nothing to do with the plot. It's all about writing what you'd want to read, right? ;)
Yes to these. Just, yes.
- Sophia.
Great list!
Number 1 is at the top of my list and I already use #5.
I can't agree more! I'd love to see more multiple POV YA books.
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