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LIVE Q&A: Taking Risks with Your Writing

LIVE Q&A: Taking Risks with Your Writing

February 10, 2018 Conference 2018, Live 2018 33 Comments

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Jennifer Bushroe
Jennifer Bushroe
3 years ago

I recently started writing a book that stewed in the back of my mind for 3.5 years; i.e., this is a project that is immensely important to me. But I fear disappointing/hurting/infuriating people like my mom, my church friends, etc. How do you shut out those voices and just focus on the inner one that tells you a project needs to be written?

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Hannah Heath
Hannah Heath
3 years ago

Hello! Thanks for taking the time to do this! Two questions: What are some of the biggest risks you’ve taken with your writing? And how can you differentiate between what counts as a good, beneficial risk versus something that is actually a terrible idea? Thanks!

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Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
3 years ago

Hello,
What would you define as a risk? Is it just something different than normal, or is it more than that?

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Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
3 years ago

Hello,
Is there a type of risk that you would consider stupid? Is there a right or a wrong type of risk?

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Emma
Emma
3 years ago

Hello Laurie, what are some good ways of keeping with what it is I like to write without caving to peer pressure on making my stories less how I envision or hope for them to be?

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Rebekah
Rebekah
3 years ago

In a middle grade that includes flashbacks of domestic abuse, how far would you say is too far in respect to details?

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Kathy Halsey
Kathy Halsey
3 years ago

What constitutes a “big” risk? When is it advisable to take one in your writing?

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Elza
Elza
3 years ago

I don’t want to be stubborn when taking feedback from other professionals, but what if something I feel strongly about keeps getting the same kinds of notes for revision? At what point do I give in?

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Sarah Suk
Sarah Suk
3 years ago

Hi Laurie! How do you keep challenging yourself as a writer when you feel like you are starting to plateau?

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Alyssa
Alyssa
Author
3 years ago

Have you ever taken risks in your writing that you later corrected or regretted?

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Isha
Isha
3 years ago

My WIP is kind of different and has the feel of a prequel but isn’t. Think about The Maze Runner where the kids find out about a greater plot at the end. That’s kind of what I am trying to do. I’m scared that the way I set up my story is too different and the ending may be too much of a shock? What do you recommend for people like me that are scared that their work is too different?

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Seabrooke Leckie
Seabrooke Leckie
3 years ago

I think we often define risk as things that could backfire once the book hits the market, but what about risks that could backfire creatively? Trying to do too much, or trying to do more than your current skill level can manage. For instance, juggling too many points of view, or trying a novel in verse. How do you recognize what’s just outside your comfort zone versus what you’d be in over your head with? How do you decide when it’s appropriate to take the leap?

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Elza
Elza
3 years ago

I’ve heard some writers suggest getting a sensitivity reader. Is this something you find beneficial?

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Hannah Heath
Hannah Heath
3 years ago

You mentioned that sometimes you notice that a story isn’t turning out well, so you put it away for a bit. How can you tell when a story actually isn’t working versus the inner writer critic attacking you and feeding you lies?

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Janine
Janine
3 years ago

I feel like I’m taking a bit of a risk with doing a YA story where the main characters have their powers and training already going into it, instead of being a normal kid that stumbles into powers like many other stories in my genre. Do you think this is too much of a risk?

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Kathy Halsey
Kathy Halsey
3 years ago

a group of little risks add up. Great way to think it! TY.

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Elza
Elza
3 years ago

How do you handle any negative feedback or criticism that comes with taking risks?

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Janine
Janine
3 years ago

Do you think short stories provides a place to take more risks in your writing than a novel because of the shorter length? I’ve been writing just about every genre in shorter works, while my novels stick to YA SFF, and hope to publish at least a few of these short stories.

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Seabrooke Leckie
Seabrooke Leckie
3 years ago

Is it better to just dive in to creatively risky things, or should we try to work up to them? For instance, starting with one POV, then two, before we try six, or should we just dive in to six POVs? What should we do if we dive in and discover we’re sinking?

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Travis
Travis
3 years ago

Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us.

I was curious, as a hopeful YA writer, how do you know where the limit is when it comes to writing sexual content in YA? I, of course, wholeheartedly agree that fading to black isn’t appropriate, but how far should these scenes go in terms of detail and of content?

I hope that made sense. Thank you so much!

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Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago

Do you think it would be a good idea to use a different pen name when writing something especially risky? It can be hard to imagine mixing something risque with something that’s fine for anyone to read.

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Cassy
Cassy
3 years ago

Not sure if this can be considered a risk, but what is your opinion on harsh language in YA? I’ve heard various opinions on the topic regardless of genre. Do you think using words such as the f-bomb should be done realistically, carefully/very minimally, or not at all?

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Heather A Harwood
Heather A Harwood
3 years ago

Thank you for this great conversation…thank you for reaffirming that I’m doing okay when I trust my instincts and trust what *I* want my story to be!

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Hannah Heath
Hannah Heath
3 years ago

How do you decide when you take a risk and when you conform to industry standards? For instance, common knowledge says: Don’t use prologues. Don’t introduce new POVs late into a story. Don’t do dream sequences. How do you take risks like these without scaring away agents/publishers? Especially as an unknown/new author?

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Carey Blankenship
Carey Blankenship
3 years ago

Do you have any examples on what would be too risky for books?

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Christina
Christina
3 years ago

Should you avoid taking risks when it involves the market for readers? Would you say someone should start writing a YA Dystopian even though editors aren’t looking for them anymore? Or is that a risk they SHOULDN’T take and maybe choose something more marketable?

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Becca
Becca
3 years ago

Have you ever found that agents and editors can be risk averse? Are there lines they won’t cross, e.g. sex scenes in YA? What advice would you give to someone worried about harming their chances of initial publication by writing risky subjects?

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Carey Blankenship
Carey Blankenship
3 years ago

Do you have any examples of great YA books that take risks and are SUCCESSFUL? What about ones that aren’t?

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Christina
Christina
3 years ago

What do you think are some risks authors should take OUTSIDE of their book? (Like networking, putting themselves out there, taking the promotional bull by the horns, etc)

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Alyssa
Alyssa
Author
3 years ago

Sometimes risky fiction can be triggering for readers. How do you handle that? Is there the equivalent of… I don’t know… a trigger warning you can use to signal? Do writers have a responsibility to think about this, or should it be on the reader’s plate to determine how much they can handle?

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Elza
Elza
3 years ago

How would you suggest adding lightness to heavier topics, such as grief or death?

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Seabrooke Leckie
Seabrooke Leckie
3 years ago

Social media can be a real minefield sometimes, especially in the current politically-charged climate. Would you recommend authors stick to fluffy kitten pics and writing updates, or is it okay to be more fully yourself on social media? How much can you share without risking your writing and career?

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Seabrooke Leckie
Seabrooke Leckie
3 years ago

If someone wants to try something very risky either creatively or with story content, particularly if it’s outside of their current author brand, would it be advisable to do so under a pen name? Just in case it doesn’t do well (best case) or goes sour (worst case) and might affect their career?

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