It has been an interesting week.
I saw some more artwork for Winger.
What a book!
I am most thrilled about my fourth novel, Stick, being named to the American Library Association's 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults.
I have been thinking about this quite a bit.
I stopped myself from saying a lot.
I like the name: Best Fiction for Young Adults. I like the name because it says "here is a novel that might make a special connection to a reader who happens to be Young and Mature."
It does not say: Here is a Young Adult Novel.
This is a good thing, because I do not write Young Adult Novels.
I am an American novelist.
I make that distinction, American, because there are some important characteristics which make American novels identifiable and unique. One day I may talk about that idea.
I am NOT a Young Adult Novelist.
A lot of people are [there, I said it], and there is nothing wrong with that at all. But not me.
I wish more grownups would read my books. I think a lot of grownups do not want to read my books because somebody keeps telling them I write Young Adult Novels, and that I am a Young Adult Novelist.
Believe me, I am not young, and I rarely exhibit adult behavior.
But I am a novelist.
So let's clear that up right now.
Here is what I think: There is absolutely nothing positive I can say about "suffering for one's art."
Suffering for your art is stupid.
Experiencing setbacks in order to come out on the other end with some sort of wholeness or redemption is also stupid.
That's what I think.
I worked very hard over these past four years. I am not conceited at all -- I can honestly say that -- but I can also honestly say that it is a hell of an accomplishment to write four published American novels over four consecutive years and have every one of them named to the Best Fiction for Young Adults list.
I have been told that I write too much.
And I am here, sitting on a few more novels that are not even out yet.
And I am working as I sit here.
