Candy Crush vs a Good Book

Someone gave me a sound piece of advice the other day.

Nail down your target audience. Know exactly to whom you are writing and why. It'll make editing the language a lot easier.

So I went home and contemplated this. I mean really contemplated it! It's the difference between writing a blog about music and writing a blog about 1980's Rock classics. In other words. Immense!

The main concern seemed to be that the language of my novel was too complex for new readers, a fair point! But the concern seemed to be mirrored throughout the group for young adult readers. That they might struggle with words like robust (about a somewhat larger person) or uncomprehendingly (simply because it is a long word.

And it got me thinking. Should I simplify my writing? Make it easier and more outwardly accessible for young adult readers?

And it struck me, that I don't want to simplify it too much. I want my young adult readers to connect with the language. I want to spark their curiosity and show them what GOOD writing is, rather than simply accessible writing.

We live in a society based on instant (or at the very least) quick gratification. Hence the success of streaming services like Netflix! People don't want to wait for the next instalment of their show. And now they don't have to.

And this affects the literary industry as well. Because why would a teenager sit down with a book when, chances are, the two-hour long movie will be out in a couple of months? Why would they choose to read outside of their already vast school curriculum?

I get it. I really do!

My generation's literary interest, however, was saved by the emergence of J.K.Rowling and her unbelievable series. Logically, it shouldn't have worked. Agents said it. Publishers said it. But Rowling persisted.

Her language is not as simple as it could have been. I would argue that many children and teenagers' vocabulary was vastly improved from reading the Harry Potter series, and still today it is staple for children of all ages.

But with the prevalence of social media, streaming services and other new distractions, it is harder than ever to get young adults reading for pleasure.

THIS is going to be my starting point. Improving linguistic curiosity through literature. I want young adult readers to want to read again. To put down Candy Crush and exercise their vocabulary.

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be fashioning a short questionnaire that I'll send out through the world, imploring schools to hand them out to their 13yo students. Once I get the results back I'll have a clearer view of where I'm going and how I'm going to start establishing myself.

I want kids to reconnect with the written word, to learn as they read but mostly I want to catch them, remind people everywhere why literature is so amazing.