when writing a novel for children, how should I handle alcohol and drugs?

Question

I'm currently writing a children's novel. The readers' age group will probably be 10-14. The main character is a teenage girl who lives with an alcoholic mother. So there will definitely be alcohol, and maybe pot, in her enviroment. Also, an important part of the story is a chapter where she drowns her sorrows in a bottle of wine. That part won't be glamourized...it will be portrayed like she's doing something stupid. Do you think I'm overstepping the bounds?

Answer 1

no I'm 13 and we read stuff like that in school all the time just don't make it sound like a good thing and then teachers might use it in class rooms because I'm in 8th grade and we read A LOT of novels with drugs in the environment so just write the book how you want to...good luck

Answer 2

No you are not overstepping boundries due to the fact that you're not glamourizing alcohol and drugs. However you really need to show the consequences and repercussions that using and abusing drugs can have on the family as a whole. Not just the immediate family. Include the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents as well. It touches and affects everyone in the family. Not just the mom, dad and kids.

Hope your book sells!

Answer 3

It is highly likely that parents will be uncomfortable with the theme, treatment, and blunt acceptance of the notion that a minor would "drown her sorrows" in anything other than tears.

That drugs and alcohol do exist, and that they are dealt with by persons in this age group is factual, but not universal. Your attempt to publish a book where this is a 'norm' for the protagonist is going to have a rough go, particularly from parents who don't appreciate you usurping their parental imperative to manage these questions on a personal basis with their child.

They will doubly resent an anonymous author attempting to insert this situation in their childrens literature, unless there is an overwhelmingly good reason for the tawdriness and misery to be a part of their learning.

I would be willing to put money on it.

Best wishes!

Answer 4

No, you won't overstep your bounds with the proposed novel. To get a feel for your question, why don't you interview children in that age group and learn their opinions about drugs and alcohol?

The answers may surprise you.

Answer 5

portray it as accurately as you can. 10-14 years old's aren't stupid and a lot try to at older than they are. Remember this is the age where drug and alchohol decisions happen. You don't want to sugar coat anything, but dont scare them away from reading the book. The best advice I can give you is to talk to a number of 10 to 14 year olds from different backgrounds and see how they are copping with this issue. Then go from there.

Answer 6

handle it realistically hopefully there will be help for the girl and her mother, that is a real part of peoples lives, unfortunately, but if it isnt made to look appealing then i wouldnt think you're overstepping the bounds. *man some of the stuff people print and put on tv and radio is tho'*

Answer 7

Would it be appropriate to have kids ages 10-12 reading about drugs?

Answer 8

I think it's possible to handle this subject matter with sensitivity for that age group. Be very careful though, your publishers may not like it and may request an edit.

Answer 9

Reality is something you should never make excuses for. Write the book truthfully, and let your message of hope shine through!

Answer 10

No, these are the things that today's youth must face. If you want to write realistic stories, I think that you have to write realistically -- not necessarily aggrandizing but I think that you already get that.