{Guest Post} Soul Slam author, Allie Burton [Excerpt + Giveaway]

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Just Like Every Teen Needs a Cell Phone, Every YA Story Needs…

Author: Allie Burton

In addition to great characters, intense conflict, and deep emotion, young adult books should have a few specific and additional things. These include:

- Be in the main character(s) head a lot – No matter whether your book is in first person or third person, the reader in a YA book spends a lot more time in the point of view (POV) character’s head. That’s how the reader relates to the character.

- Dialogue heavy – More dialogue equals a faster read. And a more fun read for the teen reader. Talking, texting, snap-chatting, Instagram, Vine—this is how teens communicate. The YA story needs to show this.

- It’s all about the clothes – Show your characters picking just the right outfit for a day at the beach or date. Have them try on several things and have them think why the outfit does or doesn’t work.

- Secondary characters – The hero and heroine are important, but some of the biggest drama on the page come from secondary characters. Best friends, old boyfriends, siblings, mean girls, and parents.

- Lots of angst – Drama is big. Look at the popular shows on TV. Make the conflicts big and play out the drama without getting melodramatic.

       What do you think are some of the most over the top scenes in books, movies, or television shows? Did you like the drama?

  [Thank you so much for having me on your blog today.]

My Response

Wow, those are some really nice choices. And when you think about it, they are all true. 

I love POVs from the main characters. I mention it time and time again in my reviews. 

I guess that would make the character relate better to a teen- communicating in the book how the teens actually communicate in real life.

Yes, yes, boyfriends and villains. :D

DRAMA. Yep, need drama. Can't keep reader interest without some drama. 

Heh, I cannot recall any particular scenes, because there are so many.

Drama is okay, but too much is just nauseating. 

[No, thank you for taking the time to write a little something up for the readers!]

Soul Slam

Goodreads | Amazon

A sixteen-year-old on her first heist to steal an ancient Egyptian amulet inadvertently receives the soul of King Tut…and the deadly curse that comes with it.

And Olivia is not alone at the museum.

A member of a secret Society, Xander believes it is his place to inherit King Tut’s soul and justly rule. He knows nothing about the society’s evil plan to control the world or the curse. Now, he must deal with the female imposter who stole the amulet.

Xander convinces Olivia they must form a temporary partnership. The two teens develop a connection, and together they must figure out how to end the curse before it turns deadly. On the run, unable to touch because of the curse, and dealing with a male soul inside her female body, Olivia must learn to trust Xander.

As the mystery surrounding the amulet unfolds, Olivia and Xander start to fall for each other. But is love enough to save them and the world from destruction?

About Allie Burton

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Wattpad

Allie didn’t realize having so many jobs would become great research material for the stories she writes. She has been everything from a fitting room attendant to a bike police officer to a professional mascot escort. She has lived on three continents and in four states and has studied art, fashion design, marine biology, and advertising.

When her kids asked, “when are you going to write a story we can read?” she switched from adult novels to Young Adult and Middle Grade and hasn’t looked back.

Allie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Romance Writers of America including the Young Adult, Dallas Area Romance Writers and Heart of the Rockies chapters. She is also a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Currently, she lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. 

Excerpt

(From end of Chapter Two)

“Olivia.” I liked how he said my name. With a sophisticated accent, not a trashy lilt like the boys in the family. “Shouldn’t you look outside first?”

I firmed my lips and kept my pace heading straight for the door. “I trust my people.” I tossed my braid around and shot him a look. The dig was deliberate.

“So did I.” His response cut my bravado in two.

My family wouldn’t ditch me. Like the Marines, we didn’t leave a man behind as long as I brought Fitch what he wanted.

I pushed against the metal bar to open the door. Damp air hit my face. So did the stench of recently-smoked cigarettes. A black SUV was parked in front of the doorway with its lights off. The shiny car looked expensive and new.

Fitch didn’t own a vehicle like that.

Something hard and pointy shoved into my back. Clicked. Like an animal about to become lunch, I tensed.

“Don’t move,” a gruff voice said from behind.

Not Fitch’s voice. Or the old creepy guy Jeb. My brain analyzed the situation while my instincts wanted to scream.  “Are you a security guard? Because some old guy is in there trying to steal—”

“Shut up. I got a rifle kissing your heart.” How long had the guy been rehearsing that corny line?

“Wh-what do you want?” My tongue tripped over the words.

“You.”

First, the security guard. Then, Jeb and Xander. Now, this guy.

It sucks to be so popular.

Giveaway

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