Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Need your help: Krispy Kremes or No?

As I've told you before, I am speaking at a high school in front of 500 or so students this Thursday about writing. I was freaking out, as you know, about what to say. Today, I figured it all out, wrote some stuff out, and found a few passages to read. I was all excited and ready, or so I thought. And then I asked just to double check about questionable content. Can I read the f-bomb on the first page of GET WELL SOON? Can I read the (still hilarious every time I read it) uber-vulgar Krispy Kreme scene in INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER? Well, I don't know. I haven't had any clear answers from the school. It's basically: some previous visiting authors have sworn, some people haven't been asked back, some people have. Some people get parent phone calls, some don't. So, since I really do need your help on this, I am going to post the questionable scene from NERD below. Just know that it is PG-13 in content, kind of pervy, definitely gross, but very funny. Keep in mind the audience is 14-18 year-olds, which seems old enough to me, but apparently may have some conservative students and/or parents. What do you think I should do???

Passage deleted for the element of surprise!

6 comments:

Nina said...

I would say play it safe and don't read it. There are LOTS of funny scenes in the book and you don't want to risk alienating your audience.

Julie H said...

This one just stood out to me, Nina, as a short scene to read. Any thoughts on a different choice? :)

Brian James said...

Personally, I would be nervous reading it in such a large group. I think it would different if it were a creative writing course.

*but I laughed...so...

then again, I'm not a 14 year girl with nervous parents.

isaac p. said...

u have too! the best part of ur books is that it feels like a teen speaing. both those scenes sound like a teen or a kid experiance. ur books r my 1st and 3rd fav books of all time! ur a writting goddess and the world must know!

Jennifer said...

Well, from my experience I'd say at least half your audience will collapse in hysterical laughter and you'll probably lose quite a few of them....if you're not scared of possible parental hysterics (and it is a very funny scene and really showcases the characters' families) I'd put it at the end, so you can make a fast exit (-:)

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

I like that scene and I think high schoolers would find it hilarious. But I do agree that you would probably loose them after that. I think for HS it would be ok, but if you're worried about it, I might just tease it, like "and there's a scene that make you wonder abotu Krispy Kremes" (or something much more creative that!). I like the scenes where they are at the D&D live action tournament, but since that's towards the end, I don't know if you want to spoil it. Good luck!