I read so many YA novels with similar themes. It’s refreshing when one of these novels gives some sort of new spin on an overused idea, but even then I wonder why we all share so many of the same convictions when we are all so different.

I just find it hard to believe we share the same opinions and outlooks.

So why don’t we challenge these convictions?

Some of these traditional themes include sacrifice, forbidden love, freedom from control, and choice. And while these are all great themes, I just think it’s time to break new ground.

Novels have multiple themes, but typically there is an overarching ideal which the author may/may not have intentionally written into the story. (More often than not, it’s intentional. To the reader, however, it is so seamlessly woven into the story it seems as though it could only be natural.) So while some of these more typical themes may emerge in your story, take a step back and think about what you’re really trying to tell your audience.

What is your overarching ideal?

Ask yourself what you believe in. Create a list of your core morals and values. Seriously, take a look at your life and make note of the choices and decisions you’ve made and the reasoning behind them. What questions do you need answered? What bothers you? What do you wish was different?

The best books give me something to think about for days, weeks, even months after I’ve read the last word.

Ex)  Divergent by Veronica Roth

I could discuss this book for hours. Nobody should be defined by one trait, one label. And yet, we stereotype and label others every single day.

I have yet to write a compelling novel such as Divergent. I hope, someday, I will. Until then, I look forward to developing my own opinions, ideas, beliefs, and observations about the world around me. We are all original, and our writing should reflect that.

If you haven’t already noticed, the blog has been given a new look!

It’s under construction, which means I haven’t quite gotten everything organized yet. Hopefully everything will be back in it’s rightful place and easy to navigate later this week.

I really like the new theme, and I hope you do as well! Out with the old, in with the new. Let me know what you think. 🙂

On Thursday, I’ll be back with a new post.

Thanks,

Brooke H.

If you could co-write a book with one author–living or not–who would it be and what would the book be about?

Definitely a difficult prompt, because I admire so many talented authors and I’m sure they’d all be fun to collaborate with. This, however, is where my insecurity as a writer kicks in, because I begin to wonder how I could ever measure up.

Though it was tough to choose, I decided I’d like to co-write a book with Agatha Christie. (And I’m not the first to have chosen the Queen of Crime! Check out Nevillegirl’s post, too.)

Christie was brilliant. Her murder mysteries are nearly impossible to figure out. And her detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, are completely original. (I’ve made it a goal to read every Poirot mystery there is. I’m almost finished.)

It would be so fascinating to get inside Christie’s head, to observe her process and to know the solution to the mystery!

We’d write a murder mystery together, maybe something like And Then There Were None or Murder on the Orient Express. The former takes place on an isolated island, and so the reader knows the murderer must be one of the characters trapped there.

Likewise, Murder on the Orient Express takes place on a train stranded in a snowdrift. Again, the murderer must be one of the passengers. At times, it seems as if everyone must be innocent. At other times, it seems as though everyone were guilty.

I believe it would be such an honor to work with the late Agatha Christie.

Have you read any of Christie’s novels?

Be sure to check out the other participating blogs!

5th – thescribblingbook.wordpress.com/

6th – http://thelittleenginethatcouldnt.wordpress.com/

7th – http://miriamjoywrites.wordpress.com/

8th – http://www.oyeahwrite.wordpress.com/

9th – http://musingsfromnevillesnavel.wordpress.com/

10th – [Andrea. No link for her yet.]

11th – http://randomofalife.blogspot.com/

12th – http://www.lilyjenness.blogspot.com/

13th – http://maralaurey.wordpress.com/

14th – http://insideliamsbrain.wordpress.com/

15th – http://unikkelyfe.wordpress.com/

16th – http://www.brookeharrison.com/

17th – nasrielsfanfics.wordpress.com

18th – http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com/ (We’ll be announcing the topic for next month’s chain.)

Occasionally I’ll go to bed with my novel on my mind.

I close my eyes and picture a scene, and am suddenly swept up into the story. (I’m tired, and I know I’m drifting, but I desperately try to hang on because I know I’ve got something good.) I can’t keep track of dialogue, or even what’s happening, because unfortunately I’m beginning to fall asleep.

And I wake up the next morning and can’t remember a thing.

I’m sure you can relate to this. You know your dream gave you the next big idea – the idea that will make you a multi-billionaire author – but it’s all fuzzy. In fact, the only thing you can remember is the excitement of having a really great idea.

It was handed to you on a silver platter, in the form of an extremely vivid dream, and you’ve forgotten it.

You’d think I’d learn, wouldn’t you?

This has happened to me so many times now, and I’ve finally decided to do something about it. So here are my tips for capturing the million dollar idea:

• BEFORE you go to sleep, list (on paper) the scenes you’d like to dream about. Your dreams should serve you (NOT the other way round).
• Keep a small notebook and pencil beside your bed. Even if you’re about to go under, jot down a quick key idea or phrase that could jog your memory in the morning.

Hope this helps!