The Problem with Monsters (Besides Them Eating You)

Varsha Seshan is a critic and blogger in India. She just posted a really inciteful piece called "The Problem with Monster Stereotypes in Literature" and it really sums up my feelings about monsters (especially in young adult literature).

One of my big reasons for creating the Karma Tandin: Monster Hunter series was to challenge the assumptions about good vs. evil. I wanted to create a village full of monsters that are a bit more complex than just MONSTER = BAD. My monsters are real characters with real quirks and personalities. They're different and they're dangerous, but that doesn't mean they're irredeemable. They're young and old, male and female, ugly and beautiful. And they're complicated.

In my first book, the monster is a book-loving librarian that just happens to hide a mutant shark face under her human head. In the second, a school bully becomes a decomposing zombie that learns the hard way what it feels like to be the victim of bullying. In the third book, well... stay tuned, but it will involve an "evil twin" with a bit more complexity than you'd expect.

Especially in kidlit, writers have the responsibility to expand the definition of "monster." The world isn't a simple, black-and-white place, and monster characters shouldn't easily fit into any category. That's more-or-less the mission statement of the Karma Tandin series, and Varsha's article really captures that. Give it a read.

Tacky Alert!

    

Thanks to Points in Case, I’ve written comedy articles about racism, sexism, corruption, crime, elder abuse, and a host of other serious issues. I’ve skirted the line between tasteful and offensive many times.

But I can say with confidence that my latest article is hands-down the tackiest thing I’ve ever written. I won’t give you the title. You’ll have to check it out for yourself.

But you’ve been warned.

My New Art Blog

   

For those who don't know, I also draw. A lot. So much, in fact, that I wanted to start a weekly art blog. Check it out HERE.

Monkeys Everywhere!

Do you want to hear the story of my trip to Jozani National Park in Zanzibar? Do you want to know about the time a monkey jumped on my shoulder and totally freaked me out? You do?

Well, check out Responsibly Irresponsible for the whole primate saga.

And if you still want to read more about Zanzibar, the new book comes out in five days!!!!

How to Survive a Russian Summer

        

Mushroom picking. Surprise goats. Tiny Russian children reenacting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze.

    

I had some truly awesome experiences in Russia, and I was lucky enough to do a guest post for Privet-Russia to talk about my experiences there. Spoiler alert: it was insanely stressful, and also one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever had.

    

Hop on over to Privet-Russia for a bunch of other articles about travel in Russia. It’s a fun site with tons of helpful tips.

WAKING UP… TO A BRAND NEW ROMANCE NOVEL

Well, everyone! The day is finally here! My new romance novel Waking Up to Love is FINALLY available on Amazon as well as through Crimson Romance. This is my first ever romance story, and I’m pretty proud of it. I wanted to use all the usual romance tropes (comas, twins, mistaken identities, friends-to-lovers) in one big, soapy blend.

I won’t tell you any more of the details, except to say that there are also near-drownings, heated arguments, and a lot of romantic tension. Pick up your copy today!