Wow, only a few hours left of our release party fun. I often get asked how I got into writing, specifically how I started in with this New Adult category before it was even recognized by anyone.
You might know this about me, but I kind of stumbled into this writing career. Hadn’t planned on it, but it found me. Fate kind of has a way of doing that, doesn’t it?
Anyway, without any formal training, I just sat down and started writing. When I had an 87,000-word novel and no clue what to do next, I took the next step. Researched writing groups. Joined some critique groups and kept on writing. During that time, I was told my characters were too old for YA and too young for Adult and that I needed to change their ages if I wanted to get published some day.
I respectfully declined that offer to change my character ages. And kept writing. By novel thirteen (Wasteland) New Adult had started showing up here and there. But it was Crescent Moon Press who took the chance and opened the New Adult Line at their house. I think they were one of the first…if not the first…to officially have New Adult on one of their novels.
And then they signed SIX of mine!
So, as writing “found” me, so did writing New Adult. But I love it. Wouldn’t have it any other way. As NA Alley says so nicely, New Adult bridges the gap between Young Adult and Adult fiction.
Have any questions for me? Leave them in the comments and you’ll earn TEN entries toward the Kindle Paperwhite.
For extra entries toward the Paperwhite, you can also do the following:
1. For TEN more entries Tweet this: Three Goddesses release party. Come earn entries toward a Kindle paperwhite! http://bit.ly/NTO3r3 #NewAdult #Tainted @LynnRush
2. For TEN more entries post the Tainted Book Trailer to your Pinterest Boards and come put your link to the board here in the comments section of this blog post
Remember, these posts are open to entries to January 29th, 2013! Next up is SASHA at 5pm EST!
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Thanks, Carrie, my NA sister!!
Interesting!
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Alyssa <3
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Thanks for the PIN!
I’ve noticed a lot of authors still don’t know what New Adult is and often will just leave out the ‘New’ and put adult paranormal romance as the genre. It frustrating because it’s a great genre!
New Adult is still fairly young, but it’s making noise. So hopefully the word will spread. Agents and publishers are now starting to accept NA readily. Starting NA lines and everything! It’s so awesome to see. I’d like to see more paranormal NA. So far most is contemporary, which is awesome still, but I love my paranormal!!
http://pinterest.com/thewritepursuit/need-to-read/
My question: What inspired those first 87,000 words?
Hi, Anthony. Great question. Have you heard of Frank Peretti? His book, This Present Darkness, triggered a story in me. Just loved the paranormal, dark, demonic stuff in this book, and I must have had some stories dwelling deep down, because I started writing. And writing…
Haven’t stopped since.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences about writing New Adult.
Can you share something interesting that you discovered while doing research/writing your books?
Thanks!
Thanks, Tin. Yeah, while I was writing Awaited, my heroine was mute, so I had to check out some sign language. It was fun researching that and learning how to do a few signs.
Is NA adult your favorite genre to read as well?
Hi, Sarah. yep. It’s among my favorites. I’ll read pretty much anything paranormal, so I’m looking for more NA paranormal for sure!
So sorry I missed most of today. My Internet company didn’t seem to understand it was important for me to be here today!
I am so happy a publisher “found” the New Adult genre and started publishing it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this genre and cannot get enough. It seems to have really taken off here the last six months or so!
I tweeted here-https://twitter.com/spoildbrat31/status/293581714045931520
I have Pinterest but am unsure how to pin anything unless there is a button that says PIN IT. I need to step up my game over there.
Thanks,
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com
No worries, Marlena. These posts are open until the 29th, so you have time to catch up on all of them today!
Thanks for participating!!! 
How did you know that Young Adult was your genre? Did you just start writing the characters and then you realized, or did you know you wanted to write something for that ‘age bracket,’ for lack of a better term?
Well, I actually found out that Young Adult wasn’t my genre. My romance scenes were a bit steamy for them, yet not steamy enough for adult. Again, I was caught in the middle not only with the age of my characters, but how steamy my writing was. I jus stuck with my guns….Sure breaking into a new category is difficult. But I think over time, it’ll be all the rage.
how did your race go Sunday?
What would you say are the differences between YA and NA, just the ages of the characters? I like some YA as long as the content isn’t all about sex. I skip those pages.:) I pre-read some stuff for my teen daughter.
thanks!
I wish I could have run, Bobbi. I was all signed up and had trained until about October…then I had a few health issues that side-lined me. But I still went with my BFF. And she KICKED IT!!! Thanks!!
The ages of the characters is part of it. But it’s also the steam level, too. It’s just a little more steamy than YA but not quite as hot as the adult romances. I love that about NA. And yes, there are a few books out there that demand some skimming on my part, too. Pre-reading is a great idea!
Oops! Forgot to paste this in with my question:
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Got it. THANKS!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/KellyATX
Pinned: http://pinterest.com/pin/30821578671745580/
How many years have you been writing books?
Thanks, Kelly. I started writing for publication May 2008. So, that’s nearly 6 years or so. It’s been a WILD ride, and I love it!!
Thanks for celebrating our releases with us today!
http://pinterest.com/pin/177821885259042847/
Here’s my pin!
Tweeted also!
HI, Sarah. Thank you so much. Have a super day!
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Having recently discovered that what I write isn’t YA but is NA – this was a helpful post. Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by, Victoria.
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My question is: how do you see the New Adult category growing in the next year or two? I’m seeing more and more books in this category, and hope it sticks around.
I think this category is going to take off. We’re already seeing momentum build, so I’m super excited!!!
How do you like to celebrate each book release?
Lots of chocolate.
No, mostly I just celebrate my releases on line with you guys! I have a nice dinner with my sweetie, and if it works out, I might do an in person event at a favorite coffee place. 
This is so fun and awesome! Thank you!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/LuvToRead09/status/296397605469036544
Pinned: http://pinterest.com/pin/388998486534086874/
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for participating, Shadow!!!!
Okay, I think I did it right on Pinterest. I’m kind of new to that so I think I got it:
http://pinterest.com/bereza7/books/
I also tweeted: https://twitter.com/ShannonBereza/status/296421505804427265
sbereza22(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Shannon. It’s been super fun!
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