Young Adult Literature: Random Musings, Inspirations and Dreams - A Reflection on the Genre

All my life I've wanted to be a young adult fantasy literature writer. I don't remember which Young Adult literature book changed my life but I do remember many that at some point in my life have offered guidance, advice or inspiration to me. The genre is especially dear to me, since it's one catered to audiences often ignored, underestimated and with just as many problems as adults. 

Whenever I write fiction I tend to go out. Parks, malls, coffee shops and the occasional restaurants often provide me inspiration but when I really need to connect with my fiction I turn to libraries. No matter where I sit, I think of the Young Adult section and things just seem to flow together in harmony, almost as if the words suddenly decided to dance unto the paper or screen. 

This is what YA Lit does to people

A bookshelf YA BOOKS YEA

The editor set today's topic for the special significance that Young Adult literature has to each of us. In my case, everything I am, professionally speaking, I owe to YA literature. In an oversimplified description, I get paid to tell people what I think about stuff I read and play. That's the popular perception anyway. The truth is that I teach students critical thinking skills, writing techniques, reading strategies, and analytic approaches that they can use in their quest for personal and professional growth.  Yes, I lecture at a university. And how did this happen?