tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post2514094047776367993..comments2023-10-30T08:00:54.059-04:00Comments on Laurel's Leaves: Writing lessons from Sarah DessenLaurel Garverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-42140878843955529662017-01-16T11:25:24.566-05:002017-01-16T11:25:24.566-05:00This is a really interesting analysis of Dessen. H...This is a really interesting analysis of Dessen. Her books are everywhere, and now I can see why. Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-10858934000987916492017-01-14T09:02:19.972-05:002017-01-14T09:02:19.972-05:00Whoops, I meant *Saint Anything*Whoops, I meant *Saint Anything*Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-4083375287231874092017-01-14T09:01:18.528-05:002017-01-14T09:01:18.528-05:00I think she validates for kids a sense that their ...I think she validates for kids a sense that their normal, everyday teen life is story-worthy, not simply something to endure until you finally leave the nest for "real life." You do, however, hit on a point that I also find worrisome--her books normalize underage drinking, whereas statistics show there's always a very healthy portion teens who don't do it. Saint Anywhere is one of the few of her books I can think of where the characters who drink are portrayed negatively on a consistent basis. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-3778208474264599042017-01-13T11:18:28.399-05:002017-01-13T11:18:28.399-05:00Thanks so much for sharing this, Laurel! I've ...Thanks so much for sharing this, Laurel! I've always wondered what it was about Sarah Dessen that resonated with teens. When I was 14, I tried to read "This Lullaby" but couldn't seem to get past the negative morals of the characters. Curiosity got the better of me last summer, though, so I read "The Moon and More" and discovered many of the observations you listed. No, the plot wasn't strong, but it was stemmed from the characterization and backstory -- the "inner arc", as you mentioned. As a teen, I fell in love with those kind of stories as well. Character-driven novels enabled me connect on a deeper level to protagonists and helped me feel less alone. I want to provide that for teenagers in my own books as well. <br /><br />Again, I really appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. Bookmarking for future reference! <br /><br />Tessa<br />www.christiswrite.blogspot.com Tessa Emily Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625256104634830104noreply@blogger.com