Remember middle school dances? Basically a bunch of nervous, awkward tweens bouncing up and down. I remember. **shudders**

Usually – not always – as those middle schoolers become teens and young adults they learn how to dance a little better. They break away from the standard pogo stick move.

Writing is kind of like that. At some point, you have to break away from writing what you think agents and publishers want and be bold – with your ideas, your narrative structure, your words, your dialogue. Of course, it’s easy to say that but much harder to do.

I read a book earlier this week that gripped me by the heart and wouldn’t let go until the last page. I would put down the book and my hands would be shaking.

It was frightening, disturbing, moving, heart-wrenching – and I had no idea from page to page what would happen next. I had no idea what would happen in the end until I got to the last page. And I love finding that kind of book.

The premise was out of the box original; and yet, I was sucked in and never questioned the believability. It wasn’t just the plot. The writing was superb and carried me page to page.

It’s not usually the kind of book I read because even though it’s YA, I wouldn’t give it to anyone under 17. Extremely mature content. I saw past all that to the story. I cared about the main character. It had an ambiguous ending but with enough closure to satisfy the reader. It’s not the kind of story you’d expect to end with butterflies and rainbows. (And I hear there might be a sequel.)

What was the book? Laura got it right on Monday in the comments.

The Marbury Lens. by Andrew Smith

Be bold and dare to dance in your writing.

What was the last book you read that you had no idea what was going to happen?