Quinn Baldwin is the author of Crossover, a new YA fantasy novel with an intriguing premise (available now through lulu.com). In this interview, he discusses his creative process, the pros and cons of the self-publishing industry, and how paying attention to what teens want to read informs and inspires his writing.
Quinn Baldwin’s Crossover: Inspiration and Process
Crossover tells the story of two teens on the run from a strange—and potentially deadly—time traveller from the future. Things get even more exciting when Cassie and her younger brother Troy meet up with another time traveller, a mysterious teenaged boy named Solo who has been banished from his own era. Working together, the three attempt to escape their pursuer, and in doing so are thrown backwards and forwards through time. An intriguing storyline, to be sure—but what inspired Baldwin to choose time travel as a frame for his narrative?
“Any writer using time travel will always be in Jack Finney and Audrey Niffenegger’s shadows,” says Baldwin. He also gives credit to Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief and Suzanne Collins's Hunger Game trilogy for inspiring him to write Crossover. Crossover features a strong female protagonist (Cassie), and Baldwin counts Collins’s tough, engaging female lead, Katniss, among his influences.
What Teenagers Want to Read
Baldwin also gives credit to his students for inspiring him to write Crossover. As a school librarian, he often receives feedback from teenagers about the books they want to read—and those that they don’t. As a writer, Baldwin’s priority is to craft stories that will keep young adults interested in reading.
“I want to write books that kids will be excited about,” he says. As someone who interacts frequently with teens, he often observes that “their biggest complaint is that [a] book was too boring. They couldn’t get past the first chapter [...]. I decided to start my book right in the middle of the action.”
Undoubtedly, Baldwin’s responsiveness to teens’ opinions will help make Crossover a hit with his target audience. But it also speaks to a method of writing that more YA authors may want to consider to help ensure that the genre remains relevant in our fast-paced modern world. The literary preferences of teenagers, Baldwin points out, are ever-changing. “I never want to hole myself away and just ignore the reader,” he adds.
Self-Publishing a Book for Young Adults
Given the difficulty involved in getting a book considered—let alone accepted—by a mainstream publisher, it’s unsurprising that some talented writers are opting for the less traditional route of self-publishing. For Baldwin, however, self-publishing his young adult novel was an attractive option for other reasons.
“I loved having complete control over every chapter and every character,” he says. “I preserved everything I really wanted on the page.” Also, Baldwin was able to give priority to the opinions and wishes of his students rather than those of a publisher. So, does this mean that Baldwin plans to stick to the self-publishing route for future projects? Is this an option he would recommend to all aspiring young adult writers?
“I don’t necessarily think self-publishing is better than traditional publishing,” he states. “I think there are so many options out there for writers now, and it’s much easier and cheaper to make books a reality than before.” With Crossover successfully completed and released online, Baldwin plans to pursue traditional publishers for future projects. But regardless of the method he chooses, talking to teens will remain a fundamental component of his writing process.
The YA genre is “hotter now than ever before,” says Baldwin. This can only be a good thing for the publishing industry, considering that today’s teens represent tomorrow’s book buying adults. As both a writer and a mentor for young adults, the most exciting thing for Baldwin is meeting teens who are “absolutely ravenous” about reading. That’s something that all authors—and parents—can agree with.
Visit Quinn Baldwin online at www.quinnbaldwinbooks.com.
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Heather Fawcett - Heather Fawcett is a Vancouver-based writer and editor. She holds an M.A. in English Literature and specializes in teen fiction, having ...
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