YA Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction discussion

If you posted in the introduce yourself thread, we know a little bit about you...where you are from and favorite book(s), but I was wondering...WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I know we have a lot of authors and students in this group...if so, tell us what you are studying or what book(s) you have written.

Can't wait to hear more about you guys!

BTW, I'm a RDH, Registered Dental Hygienist.

Hey Cheer! (Sidenote - I just finished The Woodlands. You are right. I did like it!)

For everyone else - I'm from South Dakota and my job is the kiddos for now (and helping with book-work for the husband's business :) and writing full time. I have written Tent Cityand Red River

I'm presently working on a MG Fantasy Drama, presently waiting for my copy of Mary Poppins (the book.)

I'm still trying to find YA zines to publish my short fiction.

Hey all! I'm a 58 yr. old disabled woman - about to become a first time grandmother. I live with my son (he's single, ladies LOL) and a crazy Boxer named Lucky Llewelyn. I do jewelry making and have always loved to read. I'm reading Not A Drop to Drink right now, and after that Hugh Howey's latest - Sand.
Cheer - my middle child (the pregnant one) is a dental assistant!

Jane wrote: "Hey all! I'm a 58 yr. old disabled woman - about to become a first time grandmother. I live with my son (he's single, ladies LOL) and a crazy Boxer named Lucky Llewelyn. I do jewelry making and ..."

Jane, congratulations on your upcoming grandchild. That is exciting! Dentistry is a great field. I hope your daughter enjoys it. It sounds like you love books like the rest of us and jewelry making is an addicting hobby...my sisters loves it.

I'm a full time student at the moment. I'm majoring in nursing and hopefully getting a minor in psychology.

Heather wrote: "I'm a full time student at the moment. I'm majoring in nursing and hopefully getting a minor in psychology."

Heather, my major was nursing, but I finished my pre-reqs and decided to take two more classes and apply to hygiene school as a back up. I was accepted to both nursing and hygiene. It was a tough decision to turn my back on my dream to be a nurse, but I decided the hours, shifts, not working holidays, etc. was better for my family. I still have a part of me that would love to have been a nurse, although I love what I do. I have a mom and sister who are both nurses...great career. Good luck with school!

I work as a coordinator in a charity foundation mostly focusing on rural development, education support, infrastructure development and health care.

Writing is my getaway (or should I say gateway?) from some of the things we see and experience in our work.

Hello,

I live in Folsom California. I am a writing working for Aggressive Gaming.com where I work as a game journalist. Most of my background comes from the video game industry where I've worked as a writer and designer.

Christopher wrote: "Hello,

I live in Folsom California. I am a writing working for Aggressive Gaming.com where I work as a game journalist. Most of my background comes from the video game industry where I've worked a..."

Wow! That sounds like a dream job!

Christopher wrote: "Hello,

I live in Folsom California. I am a writing working for Aggressive Gaming.com where I work as a game journalist. Most of my background comes from the video game industry where I've worked a..."

Does sound good!

Yeah it is pretty fun most of the time. I like the journalism since I can stay on top of the game industry. Development is much more interesting but it can also be heartbreaking seeing years of work being canceled. But great place for creativity and story development if you want to be a writer.

Christopher wrote: "Yeah it is pretty fun most of the time. I like the journalism since I can stay on top of the game industry. Development is much more interesting but it can also be heartbreaking seeing years of wor..."

Okay so I'm a total gaming novice here, but my son plays games and I know they have a storyline...so do you developed the story for games? Do you come up with the concept or is that provided? I'm intrigued!

Hi Cheer,

It depends on the studio and what type of game they are making. If it is small studio or if they are making something like a sports, racing or fighting game then they don't typically hire writers. Most game writing is done by the game designers and there can be several of them per-project. A lot of game designers aren't writers, however. But since their games don't require a lot of story or dialogue they will handle the writing duties. Nevertheless, there is a ton of writing if you are a game designer - documents, concept bibles, art bibles, music, etc.

If you work for a game studio that does things like Mass Effect or The Walking Dead then they will actually hire professional writers, either from the industry, novelists, film or comic books to write their scripts. They don't actually make the game, however. What they write is what the game designers want done. The game designers and art directors determine the game's story, characters, settings and missions and writers just make it more believable.

In may case I worked for a studio that was working on a MMO. I was hired as a writer to work on story and characters and worked my way up to game designer. That is the best of both worlds. I had a lot of say on the characters and the story since I was designer and then wrote the stuff out as I wanted. I still have to answer to the game's lead designer but there is more freedom to being skilled as a writer and a game designer.

In recent years and most of all in the past three or so we are seeing more and more pro-writers being hired by game studios even for games that don't have a heavy story to tell. It is kind of like when Hollywood used body doubles for actors - at the time the audience was fooled by what they saw but as films became more complex it was something that pulled the audience out of the experience. Game studios see it the same way when a good game has a bad story or terrible dialogue. So we have the like of Call of Duty: Ghost, a mostly brainless military shooter game bringing the likes of Stephen Gaghan to write the script.

I hope that answers you question.

Christopher wrote: "Hi Cheer,

It depends on the studio and what type of game they are making. If it is small studio or if they are making something like a sports, racing or fighting game then they don't typically hir..."

Yes it does! My son plays Mass Effect and I've watched him play Skyrim and many others and it's obvious there as to be some major writing. What a cool job!

Hi all, thanks for allowing me to join this cool group. I am full-time grad student in education and self-taught writer. I have one sci-fi, dystopian novel out The Sity. Not sure if its really YA. Has YA lead characters, but it's quite an intense read. I also love video games like Mass Effect and Skyrim-- for the good writing. :-) I am also a soon to be first-time father.

Curran wrote: "Hi all, thanks for allowing me to join this cool group. I am full-time grad student in education and self-taught writer. I have one sci-fi, dystopian novel out The Sity. Not sure if..."

Thanks for sharing, I'll have to check out your book!

im a final year student. i study pharmacy :)

Nui wrote: "im a final year student. i study pharmacy :)"

Good luck on your studies

Pharmacology was one of my toughest classes. Good luck to you Nui and welcome to the group!

This year I finish the school and the next year I start to study in the university, and I also work to pay my bills.

im a full time dad and husband and professikanl diaper changer. part -time insurance sales man.

but I also do little odd side jobs like fix all the stuff breaking down in my house.

Marcus wrote: "im a full time dad and husband and professikanl diaper changer. part -time insurance sales man.

but I also do little odd side jobs like fix all the stuff breaking down in my house."

A man of all trades and one who changes diapers and reads!

I am a part-time hairdresser, full-time mommy, and every-second-I-can-squeeze-in-time author (the Sovereign series)

:)

Hey All,
I work full time in a wholesale games company. And you know what, they actually expect me to work doing accounts, stock control and website maintenance rather than playing games all day. I've also got two kids which keep me busy.
And in the midst of all that, I'm trying to edit and revise the sequel to Forager.

Hi there, I was in the construction/design of houses in the south of France. Now I live on a deserted beach in Mexico and try to write without getting distracted by the pelicans. Its HOT !!!

Randel wrote: "Hi there, I was in the construction/design of houses in the south of France. Now I live on a deserted beach in Mexico and try to write without getting distracted by the pelicans. Its HOT !!!"

Wow Randel! You've lived in some exciting places. What books have you written and what are you currently working on?

Marija wrote: "Hey there,
first I studied a graphic design at the university in Vilnius. Then I moved to Germany and had to cancel it. Now I am learning a job - dental assistance. It is a dual education program. ..."

Oh Marija, I sympathise with you completely. I'm a dental hygienist and dental school was the hardest, most gruelling thing I've ever done, but I'm so glad I did it. Good luck and welcome to the group!

E.R. wrote: "I am a part-time hairdresser, full-time mommy, and every-second-I-can-squeeze-in-time author (the Sovereign series)

:)"

I learned something new about you E.R. I had no idea you are a hair dresser too!

Cheer wrote: "Randel wrote: "Hi there, I was in the construction/design of houses in the south of France. Now I live on a deserted beach in Mexico and try to write without getting distracted by the pelicans. Its..."
Well Cheer , I have written a dystopian novel called Nightfall ( Amazon Kindle), a bit on the lines of "I am legend" and I am working on a series called Mars Western, set 2000 years in the future after Mars was terraformed and colonised but fought for independence from Earth. Its atmosphere was ripped away by a close shave from a meteorite and things declined. It is about an ex Gunslinger Marshal and his steed, a talking sand dragon and there quest upon this dying planet.. A few other books in the pipeline. Even with a lot of time on my hands, it is difficult to knuckle down and be diligent. I have to say that since I've been following this interaction on Goodreads, I don't feel so alone, it is great to see all this enthusiasm on this site. Thanks to all of you out there.

Cheer wrote: "Randel wrote: "Hi there, I was in the construction/design of houses in the south of France. Now I live on a deserted beach in Mexico and try to write without getting distracted by the pelicans. Its..."
Well Cheer , I have written a dystopian novel called Nightfall ( Amazon Kindle), a bit on the lines of "I am legend" and I am working on a series called Mars Western, set 2000 years in the future after Mars was terraformed and colonised but fought for independence from Earth. Its atmosphere was ripped away by a close shave from a meteorite and things declined. It is about an ex Gunslinger Marshal and his steed, a talking sand dragon and there quest upon this dying planet.. A few other books in the pipeline. Even with a lot of time on my hands, it is difficult to knuckle down and be diligent. I have to say that since I've been following this interaction on Goodreads, I don't feel so alone, it is great to see all this enthusiasm on this site. Thanks to all of you out there.

Hello, happy to be amongst friends!
I'm 62, married (forever) We have 5 kids, 7 grandkids ……& 1 great grand baby. From NYC, but escaped to Miami Beach Florida in 1967. You asked what we DO, so I'll leave the bio for you to view on Facebook if you care to look! Today, I'm retired, but still perform (musician) when asked. Mostly I enjoy the beautiful weather, spending as much time with family & friends, doing all the things I had little time for.. in school, the military & working since I was 11 years old! Oh.. I almost forgot.. read ALL those books I never had time for, making special time to R&R The books by NEW Authors. That is my way of paying back the musicians that allowed me up on stage when I started out. We all need feedback and encouragement, even us geniuses!

Marija wrote: "hey Cheer,
I am thinking about learning DH one day too.
The thing is, first ypu have to learn prophylactic. You have to have one year work experience AFTER you got gradueted. than, after you got yo..."

You should go for it! Dentistry has some amazing opportunities. I love what I do!

Peter wrote: "Hello, happy to be amongst friends!
I'm 62, married (forever) We have 5 kids, 7 grandkids ……& 1 great grand baby. From NYC, but escaped to Miami Beach Florida in 1967. You asked what we DO, so I'll..."

Thank you so much for sharing! You have quite a legacy! Welcome to the group. We should have some more R&R's coming up soon.

Randel wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Randel wrote: "Hi there, I was in the construction/design of houses in the south of France. Now I live on a deserted beach in Mexico and try to write without getting distracted by the..."

Feel free to post info on your books under the Goodreads Authors thread. Your books sound great and I'm sure you will have plenty of interest.

Hello folks, I'm Bryce Touchstone. American living in Australia. Three cats that snore and a lovely Aussie wife, I am a geographer and meteorologist (and aspiring author), with degrees in geography, meteorology, and GIS (geographic information systems). I am a professional GIS Spatial Analyst and researcher.

Perfect Bryce Can't beat an Aussie . I'm one myself... You sound well placed to write your own book based on actual fact. It would be great if institutions like Amazon could give more incentive to people to leave reviews for budding authors like us.
Any comments from the Wall ???

Well I am a Trial Court Administrative Assistant for a Judge, but on the side I am an author of two books and . I love BOTH jobs tremendously, and they keep me busy. To be honest, I rush through all my work at my real job so I can write (the Judge doesn't mind :)

Hi Randel, thanks for the message! I'm hoping my experience and travel will make my books a bit higher quality. We'll see! I've done GIS analysis for the world's mainland areas. You can see some of my maps if you like: http://thirstygeographyseries.blogspo...

Bryce wrote: "Hello folks, I'm Bryce Touchstone. American living in Australia. Three cats that snore and a lovely Aussie wife, I am a geographer and meteorologist (and aspiring author), with degrees in geograp..."

Sounds like you are busy! We love that you are an aspiring author! Welcome!

I write occasional short fiction and poetry. It used to be of a dystopian nature, though I'm slowly getting burned out on that and switching to Science fantasy for a brief period.

Also reading YA and MG.

SarahW wrote: "I write occasional short fiction and poetry. It used to be of a dystopian nature, though I'm slowly getting burned out on that and switching to Science fantasy for a brief period.

Also reading YA ..."

You are in good company here Sarah as we have lots of writers in this group! Welcome!

What a diverse group!

I am a writer and editor, in the travel and lifestyle branch mostly. Also manage social media for a number of clients.

Recently started my own book blog www.bookpunks.com, which I wish was my whole job! :)

Click Clack Gorilla wrote: "What a diverse group!

I am a writer and editor, in the travel and lifestyle branch mostly. Also manage social media for a number of clients.

Recently started my own book blog www.bookpunks.com, ..."

Awesome! I'll check out your blog.

I'm a 17 almost 18 year old British college students who can proudly say they have never eaten a cucumber sandwich LOL. I currently do not have a job but enjoy listening to music, writing for fun and reading. I am studying History, Ancient History, English Literature and Sociology though I am thinking of dropping Sociology this year.

Charlotte wrote: "I'm a 17 almost 18 year old British college students who can proudly say they have never eaten a cucumber sandwich LOL. I currently do not have a job but enjoy listening to music, writing for fun ..."

Welcome to the group Charlotte!

I'm a high-school English teacher. It's so hard to juggle teaching and writing, especially when my editor gives a deadline for edits. I have to get as much writing done as I can before I go back to work at the end of August. My dystopian YA, MIRROR X, released on June 30. Book 2 is written, but I still need to edit it and get to my editor. I've written the synopsis for book 3, but I haven't started it yet.

Karri wrote: "I'm a high-school English teacher. It's so hard to juggle teaching and writing, especially when my editor gives a deadline for edits. I have to get as much writing done as I can before I go back to..."

Welcome Karri! Can't wait to read Mirror X!

I have recently left my job and am currently writing my first novel. Really enjoying it so far, although it is taking longer than I thought.