*** Vampires and Witches

Vampires and Witches ... and Monstrous ET/Reptilian Derivatives are the subject matter of many of the fiction pieces I receive from teenagers who aspire to become professional six-digit earning Stephanie Meyer derivatives.

After receiving yet another episode from a teenager whose works are loaded with Purple People Eaters and over-the-top hormonal fantasies, I wrote an email to her.

As a professional ghostwriter, editor, book doctor and publisher with over 40 years of experience--and as a fiction writer and poet myself--I love to encourage young writers.

Since 21st century American adolescent life often revolves around text messaging, video games, TV, poring over teen vampire novels, doing drugs and/or sleeping around, it is my hope that constructive comments can help them break out of their fishbowl existences.

Here is my letter:

Dear Young Writer,

It is always a pleasure to learn about someone who likes to write... fiction, non-fiction, etc. And of course, I believe, as I point out in my book about writing, that the mark of a polished, professional writer is their ability to write anything. (Most poets and some fiction writers may not agree with me.)

You seem to be focused on one particular fiction genre:

There's nothing wrong with writing in a focused genre; however, I believe you could expand your writing skills and exercise or stretch your imagination if you would go beyond the banal.

I define "banal" as writing that continues to repeat itself. Same characters, same scenes, same plots delivered with different names, different physical characteristics and different locations.

For example, it would be good to write a vignette that is based on a true experience, i.e., based on "real" people who exist in this third dimension, now.

Ask yourself these questions first, before writing your story: Why do I want to write this story? Or, what is inspiring me to write it? What do I want to convey to my reader? What do I want my reader to take away with them (the take-away message)?

This type of exercise will move you beyond masturbation and self-effacement or self-aggrandizement (both are different versions of solipsism, integrally related to narcissicism) to an actual readership.

It is extremely important to reach out to people who may be interested in reading what you feel inspired or compelled to write specifically FOR them.

Vampires and witches ... and their derivatives abound everywhere. Go for the unusual, viz., the little boy who was born with polio and who has just learned how to ride a bicycle. Or, your school friend who became ill, went into a coma and wasn't supposed to live... but miraculously pulled through. What was that miracle?

Also, try for simple, direct words instead of the "million dollar" ones. The goal is to connect with the reader. They are not impressed by erudite individuals with large vocabularies, believe me. I learned that the hard way a long time ago!

Do continue to read great works of fiction. You'll discover some amazing works that are focused on topics that have human value and merit beyond death and destruction.

Recently, while ghostwriting an autobiography, I've had a chance to re-read and re-view gang novels and adolescent hate films. This is a culture or a cult that has sprung up among bored affluent adolescents as well as ghetto kids. Both groups are starved for love, attention and human touch that is not sexually intended but genuinely linked to loving and caring.

Our society has bred this culture and is now paying the price in literature that is starved for imagination and genuine human experiences. Feed them some something more than fast food and TV dinners.

All the best,

Carol