Showing them the way

IS THERE any special code for writing for young adults? Has there been any body of writing with the young adult in mind in the country? Has creative writing consciously explored the spaces in the adolescent world, where the transition of not being a child anymore and being an adult either is a trying phase in the life of teenagers like coming to terms with one's gender, sexuality, growing up pangs, one's ideals, parents, society and other facets of life itself? There is a construction of youth image as involved in violence, music, gangs, mafia and drugs, terrorist groups and the like. Shouldn't the creative writers consciously rope in the 'rich strains of concerns' in their writing and help the youth to cope with the realities?

These and other culture-specific, region specific, mother tongue- specific issues were discussed in the workshop which had been jointly organised by Tara Publishing and Max Mueller Bhavan in Chennai recently. Gita Wolf, Director, Tara Publishing, voiced the need for fostering this genre and of the role of publishing houses in promoting youth literature. With this in view, two contemporary German authors, Andreas Steinhoefel and Anja Tuckermann who have written for this genre were invited as resources persons. Eight authors from different regions came together here for this purpose.

The German writers shared their concerns of writing for the young adult. Speaking of this genre, these writers claim that in Germany, there is a move to promote literature for the youth. The problem of lonely living and the realisation that life has both problems and happiness is the base on which this genre is built. Young adult fiction cannot thrive on the euphoric world of make- believe, science fiction, adventure of romance and ignore the practicalities.

The two German writers had co-authored and published a novel for young adults, called "David Days, Mona Nights". They discussed the specific circumstances and efforts in this novel venture. The novel was conceived in the form of letters. David, a 15-year-old boy and Mona a 17-year-old girl fall in love and start exchanging letters. Andreas wrote David's letters and Anja wrote Mona's. The actual writing took three months. Both of them acknowledged that a writer is necessarily drawn into the character he creates, getting more and more involved and feeling and reacting like the character. Both of them confessed how they had identified themselves with the characters and it is this perhaps which gives their novel an authentic ring. The exchange of letters gave the characters the chance to express their innermost reactions and perceptions.

Commenting on the trend of German publishing, Andreas said the sometimes writers are led to write on tailor-made themes like unwanted pregnancies, rape and so on. He felt that children themselves would be the best critics of this genre. On the whole, young adult fiction should tell youngsters that they are not alone in the world and that a great many youngsters face similar problems. Life is also not all happiness, and the fiction should help youngsters come to grips with problems and realities in a realistic manner. The language should be their language and themes, realistic. At the workshop, the participants exchanged views on various issues relating to themes and techniques. Many critical and appreciative perspectives emerged, and these valuable inputs would be assimilated and translated into their works. Once completed, the publishers plan to bring them out as books for the young adults and hope that this genre can be a shaping influence on the confused psyche of youth.

PADMINIDEVARAJAN

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