Ah, teenagerdom. It's a time of confusion, firsts, and some seriously awkward dancing. Am I an awkward dancer? No way! Ego translation: yes oh God yes a million times yes. But just 'cause I'm a maniac on the floor doesn't mean I'm not a normal teen. Right? What does it mean to be a normal teen, anyway?
The actual act of being a teenager is hard to put in a box, and I think that's because everyone has a different experience. Some of us graduate high school without having once done something dangerous. Some of us go through a lifetime of pain and heartbreak before leaving the -teen suffix. Everyone experiences these years in a personalized way.
But could it be that there is some common ground in the teen experience? Like, a permanent and deep common ground, one that goes past crushes and dances and into a sort of powerful core of experience? A core that can be recognized and used in stories to a YA writer's benefit? Yeah, you know I wouldn't be asking those sweet rhetorical questions if there wasn't.
If you're feeling groovy, check out the post I wrote today about these very questions over at YA Highway: That 70s Show, Timelessness, & the Groovy Old Themes. I seriously love That 70s Show, so I'm mega excited to have the opportunity to write about it. I feel like it really relates to that core of being a teenager - plus, it's freakin' hilarious.
In the meantime, I want to know: what TV show do you think depicts the teen experience perfectly? And will you come to the disco with me? I swear, I won't start trying to do the worm while everyone watches. I swear. I can't swear that. Have an psychedelic Tuesday, guys, and an amazing rest of the week!
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8 comments:
Hmm, I have to think of that one. Well, I think the classic choice would be My So Called Life, but I'm a HUGE fan of Friday Night Lights. :)
They key to dancing is not giving a damn what anyone else thinks. As long as you're having a blast you're doing it right (says the fat guy in a too tight track suit doing the sprinkler to bad house music).
Hmm, that could apply to writing too. Or could it?
Um, you doing the worm would quite possibly make my LIFE.
And while this isn't a television show, the movie Thirteen starring Evan Rachel Wood rang true for me in so many different aspects when I first saw it as a teenager.
Pam - So many of my friends love FNL! Gotta check it out. I've heard it's really about more than football despite being "about" football - and I dig that, it's the whole common ground thing again. <3 you!
Matt - I am utterly in accordance with this theory. :D Busta move hells yeah!! LOL
Amy - So. Many. Hugs. I would probably injure you in some way XD Ooh I've heard of that movie! Must see. <33
I love That 70s Show!
Hmmm...My So-Called Life came on when I was in high school and I thought it was completely genius. I'd have to re-watch it as an adult, though, to see if I still felt the same way.
The short-lived Freaks and Geeks really struck a chord with me when I was about 20 (it's about high schoolers...set in the early 80s)
I'm not going to lie, I'd totally love to see you break out into the worm on the dancefloor. :)
My favorite teen show - definitely Veronica Mars.
Jennifer - Me too!! hehe. I love the idea of going back to a show you loved when you were younger with a new perspective! Freaks and Greeks + My So-Called Life = shows I soso need to check out. Fosho.
Suzie - You know it :D Ahh Veronica Mars! EXCELLENT.
I loved Gilmore Girls. I wish that was my teen experience :)
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