Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Paul. I agree… kids in alternative school are not likely to use the phrase diddly darn (but if they hung out in a retirement home, they might hear it) and to portray them as doing so would not be a true representation. As writers we need to strive for that balance of realistic dialogue, and something which flows on the page well. Let’s face it, most conversations we hear on the street between teens OR adults would make boring, incomprehensible, or simply bad writing.

And the topics of sex and drugs are not written with the idea of promoting the situations (I guess I should qualify that MOST for teens are not), but can be written to help prevent, to educate, but to do so in such a way that the kids reading the book identify with the character, and yet say, “I don’t want that to happen to me.” And that, my friend, takes a skillful writer.

And I agree when writing realistic fiction, the author holds a mirror up to reflect society as it is… so your question is on the mark. But I’ll up your challenge for thought…can we as writers hold up the mirror and not just reflect, in the guise of our story, the microcosm of life we chose to portray, but cast that reflection in the direction we’d like to go?

HOWEVER, at the end of the day, here are my thoughts: Don’t get angry with me for capturing the truth. If someone is offended by language or sex or drugs or whatever the case may be – then look at WHY that is being portrayed. It’s because my teen novels are designed as REALISTIC fiction. Therefore, is it the book that is the problem, or is it our culture?? Food for thought.

I’ve encountered the opposite reaction, but haven’t run into it for awhile. Although as much of a misconception, and I do correct it as well, it bothers me a little less – which is a bit of a commentary about me. It does bother me though because it denigrates a robust category of books, and puts them on par with fluff. Not that fluff is bad, and not that there is no place for sweet sixteen, holding hands, first kiss type of books in the genre – there is. As well as those which take on the rougher sides of life – including sex and foul language. I read all kinds of books at that age, from those which were strictly entertainment value to those with heavier topics, such as the holocaust, war, and death – and everything in between.

I LOVE that you said you want to read the books with your daughters and discuss them – I discussed all sorts of books with my mom (and still do) and I don’t think it’s done enough now. Moms or dads.

I love YA for the very reason that it does have a great deal of variety, and I have loved watching the genre grow and mature. I think there need to be stories on both sides of the spectrum – both edgy and wholesome, and everything in between. And most people I come in contact with (albeit they are writers) do view YA as the diverse category that it is, so it was interesting to come across such a narrow view of what the genre has to offer.

To me, every genre should have something for every person. It’s sad when any blanket expectations are made. Great blog, LK. This gave me a great deal of insight.