The first subject is that I've discovered that my writing is oddly like Sara Ryan's in a lot of ways. It's also not in a lot of ways, but the characters she has in Empress of the World hold just the right amount of wit, insight, sarcasm and, of course, dorkiness to be delightfully cutting. When I first read the book, years ago, I wasn't sure I liked it. But as I've gotten older and reread it, I find that I like it more and more as time goes on. I'm not sure yet how I feel about her second novel, The Rules for Hearts, but the first one is enjoyable. It's possible that part of this is due to the fact that it's one of the first books involving gay teenagers that I've read that isn't about being gay. That is, it's not a coming out novel. It's a "coming of age novel" if I must put a name to it, that happens to have a gay main character. I don't see very many novels like that, and it's refreshing. So many gay novels are just about coming out. More on that later, as I think the subject deserves its own blog post.
Anyway, if you have time, you should read it, and let me know what you think! It's fairly short. I'm starting to think I should do more book/author plugs in this blog as well as my own, boring personal life.
Also, prepare for it, you guys. The next blog I write is going to be on...*insert ominous music here* GRAD SCHOOL.
I think it's great to find other authors that you can relate to and maybe even become inspired from. I'm glad there are at least *some* gay young adult novels out there that aren't coming out stories. It's nice to present young adults with a character who they can relate to who also may be of a different (or same) sexual orientation of themselves. It should be more about the character's personality than what gets them wet between the legs (hope that wasn't too vulgar).
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to see what you have to say about Grad schools! Don't stop writing!