ALAN Workshop-Joyce McDonald
ALAN Workshop-
Teens like Mandy (61%...sorry...I can't remember what this is about. Maybe a character in a book? Maybe a story that she told us? SORRY!) are a challenge to teachers and writers. How do we help them? How do we reach them?
We reach them with the stories that haunt. McDonald likes to do that through stories that explore the role of fate in our lives. What are the ramifications of our actions? How do we work with the consequences of the things we do?
For McDonald, the hard part is letting the story tell itself and not putting the adult into the young adult's voice. That requires getting into the heads of young people...going to the places where they are, listening to their language and hearing their concerns.
Her inspiration comes from true stories where characters are struggling with the whys. In fiction you get to reimagine situations. What does it feel like to take risks or give in to pressure? What is the "rush" that comes from doing something forbidden and getting away with it?
Again, as the author, she has to silence the adult self. She has to allow the adrenaline to take over and drive the story forward, as adrenaline drives teens forward.
McDonald taps into the past. There are universal and timeless ideas, and those resonate with readers. Those often include fear, frustration, and confusion. When authors are true to their emotions, teens respond.
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Last Updated April 11, 2011
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