12 December, 2012

#GuestPost :: Young Adult Writer & Reader by Emerald Barnes


When people ask me what type of books I write, I usually say, “young adult.”  My books are for young adults, but then again, I add, “Everyone can enjoy them though.”  Which is also true.  I even had a reviewer add in, “I’m a grandma and I loved this book!” on Read Me Dead which was my second book. 

I believe that the rise in popularity of young adult books is no secret, but young adults have always been reading.  I remember when I was in high school, if we had a young adult genre, I really didn’t read it.  Yes, there were middle grade stories that I read in elementary school, but when I reached junior high and high school, I was reading adult, mystery / suspense / thriller novels, i.e. Dean Koontz. 

I was obsessed with Dean Koontz novels (and The Hobbit).  I remember devouring the books quickly; even amidst my homework, band, and school projects, I was a bookworm.  I do believe that’s why I became a writer.  I love the written word, and I wanted to give back to teens and readers just like my favorite authors did for me, even without realizing who I was.

That is why I’m a young adult author.  I know the importance of wanting, and sometimes needing, to escape real life as a young adult (even now I need to).  I feel like it’s an important part of life, to live vicariously through that character’s eyes. 

I get that chance in writing my books, and I end up loving my characters and their stories.  I hope that it comes across for other people when they read my books.  I want them to fall in love with my stories, to use them to escape and get a fresh perspective on whatever situations they may be going through. 

Writing for me has become my escape.  And when I need to escape my writing, I turn to books.  Books make the world go around.  They show us new things, help us learn how to fall in love, experience new crushes, realize that vampires, witches, and werewolves do exist – in our make believe worlds.  It’s fun and interesting, and I hope that my books can serve that purpose for my readers. 


Piercing Through the Darkness

It's on the edge of her memory like a word on the tip of her tongue, but Kandi can't remember what it is to save her life. 

Despite being a cop, Jimmy can’t protect Kandi from the one thing that haunts her. She’s in danger and doesn’t even know it. After it happened, her brain repressed her memories of the accident, and now, she’s taking a Biology class under a man who wants to see her dead. The memories have started coming back, and it feels like she’s miles away from him. How can he protect her when she doesn’t even know she needs protecting?

Can these characters pierce their way through the darkness? 









Read Me Dead

Alexia Wheaton’s problems go beyond picking a dress and a date for homecoming. 

For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory - her parents' horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet to protect herself, but when the local newspaper reveals her secret, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents' murderer will soon find her - and silence her forever. 

Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents' murderer to justice.



About the Author
Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women.  She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it.  
She's the author of two books, mainly writing suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages!  
She's constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with.  She blogs at yaindie.com, emeraldbarnes.blogspot.com and ebarnes23.wordpress.com which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much!  She's also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe which is so amazing!
She's an auntie to two beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn't imagine spending her time in any other way!  
She's a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person.  God is number one in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.  

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4 comments:

  1. Great post, Emerald :) I, too, read more adult than YA books in high school. Danielle Steel was my favorite! Now I love reading YA fantasy, including authors J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, and of course Stephanie Meyer. Like you, my YA books (I write fantasy) have been enjoyed by both adults and kids, including YA. I love that :)

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    1. I do too! I like that the YA genre is sooo popular now! Plus, I just love the genre! It's so much fun!

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  2. I love young adult books too. And my Mum (84) adores Harry Potter.

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