Posted by Joy York
What is young adult fiction?
There is a perception among casual readers and some authors that it is easier to write young adult fiction, assuming the plots are juvenile and simplistic, which often leads writers to underestimate the task. I agree. My first book was a YA. It took me years of writing, rewriting, editing, reediting, and lots of critiquing feedback to get The Bloody Shoe Affair ready for publication. Categorized under the Children’s Category, YA is usually between ages 12-18. In recent years with the emergence of more complicated themes, the majority of YA fiction published today targets audiences between 15-18 years. Themes are often friendship, coming of age, building relationships, self-discovery, dealing with loss, bullying, drugs, sexuality, etc. They are emotionally and thematically more advanced than other children’s categories. YA fiction is told from the point of view of a teen protagonist. They are typically between 47,000 and 80,000 words. YA fiction is read by many age groups and is one of the most widely read fiction categories, with a fervent following. It should be labeled appropriately. i.e. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mystery, etc. Some of the more popular series you will recognize are Harry Potter, The Hunger Game Series, Maze Runner Series, and Thorne of Glass Series. They are fantasies, but the teen characters have many of the same real-world problems.
What elements are important to writing a successful YA novel? [1]
The point of view you use to tell your story plays a critical role in how your book is perceived and how your readers relate to it. Told from the perspective of the teen protagonist, your reader must see the story through the lens of the adolescent. A first-person perspective gives a more emotional look into your characters, mainly because teens are more impulsive, irrational, crave immediacy, and often act on instinct rather than logic. This helps to build tension and accelerate the pace of your story. Adults are more contemplative and thoughtful, weighing consequences and alternatives courses of action. As an adult writer, you must step out of that mindset and think like an adolescent. Try to recall your teen years to an emotional situation you had to deal with. How did you react? What were you feeling?
The language you use must reflect the age and maturity of the teen. Stick to basic or more simple language. It is easy to slip back into your adult vocabulary and end up coming off condescending and inauthentic. Ask yourself if your protagonist would say or act in a certain way based on their emotional or intellectual maturity. Be sure to use slang or lingo from the appropriate time. If it is set in the present, beware of using phases so edgy that future readers will fail to grasp your meaning. Grammer is not always perfect. Present tense works best. Perspective and language go hand in hand.
- Character progression and growth.
Character progression and growth is probably more important in YA than any other genre. Through a series of turning points and complications, your teens are constantly learning, growing, and trying new things. It’s a series of firsts. Make sure your story reflects that, and you provide those moments. Growth can be dramatic or subtle. Adults usually learn quickly, while teens often repeat mistakes through new experiences until it finally sinks in. Creating a series of “moments” as your plot moves forward provides your teen opportunities to grow. i.e. arguments, awkward situations, break-ups, embarrassments, etc. Show your reader that these progressions of learning experiences can have life-long or changing effects.
YA novels tend to be more plot driven than contemplative. Fast-paced works best with YA readers who often have a shorter attention span. Interesting characters and emotions drive your story. Avoid lofty literary musing or thoughtful pondering. Don’t overly detail scenes or make the plot too complex or the reader may miss what’s important. Keep the dialogue crisp and natural. The acceptance of a YA novel to a reader is often the emotional drive and relatability. Are the characters growing or learning from the scene, dialogue, action, or interactions with others or moving the plot forward? If not, they should be deleted.
Conflict in YA fiction is critical. Not just the overarching conflict, but the underlining points of the story. i.e. relationship issues, identity, adapting to change, self-image, etc. Adolescence is messy and highly emotional. Processing new things is often challenging. Tension and conflict can help develop your story and bring resolution.
The importance of a satisfying ending.
Teens want to read things they can relate to. They want to understand themselves, their friends, frenemies, and the world around them. To believe they are not alone, and that other teens often feel the same way. They want to feel empowered, not patronized. The ending doesn’t have to be a perfect happily ever after, because that is not what always happens in real life. But it is critical to give the YA reader a feeling of hope or a sense of optimism toward the future, because teens are impressionable.
Writing my first YA mystery was like taking a trip down memory lane. I relived a myriad of emotions as I mentally transported back into my teenage self and looked through the lens of my teen protagonist. Cheers, tears, and fears resurfaced like a tsunami, but I think it made my writing more authentic and relatable. I believe the fast-paced, character and plot driven, emotive style of my YA fiction has made me a much more focused adult writer.
Have you written a YA fiction or considered writing a YA fiction? Do you read YA fiction? If so, what are your favorites?
Resources: Top 5 Tips For Writing Compelling Young Adult Fiction – Writer’s Edit [1]
What Makes a Book A YA Novel? A discussion of what YA is, and what it isn’t
The Ultimate Guide To Writing YA Fiction [2022] – So You Want to Write?