YA Basics: Crafting A Compelling Young Adult Novel

Writing a young adult (YA) novel can be rather challenging and even a little bit tricky. But with the right approach and techniques, it can also be a lot of fun and quite fulfilling. In this blog, you will find some tips and guides to help you write a YA novel that will captivate readers, young and old.

Theme:

YA novels typically feature teenage or early adult protagonists who are facing the challenges of growing up, navigating relationships, and discovering who they are. The themes and issues explored in YA novels are often relatable to young readers, making them feel seen and understood. For example, going to a new school or chasing their crush.

YA novels have the power to impact and influence young readers, so don't shy away from tackling tough and controversial themes and topics. That being said, it's important to handle these topics sensitively and responsibly, and to always keep in mind the impact your words may have on your readers.

Plot:

When it comes to plot, try to keep it fast-paced and engaging. Most young adult readers have shorter attention spans, so it's important to hook them from the very beginning and keep the story going. One way to do this is by including drama and conflict into your plot. This can be done a variety of ways. Such as fighting against a corrupt government or surviving in a post-apocalyptic world, or through internal conflicts like managing homework load or familial problems.

Character Development:

Your protagonist should be someone that readers can root for and connect with. All of my own characters become almost like real people in my head as I write them. They have flaws, fears, and desires that make them human. It’s also important to include diverse and inclusive characters in your novel, as representation is crucial for young readers.

A perfect example of a character who shows growth over the course of a story is Harry Potter’s Neville Longbottom. Arguably more important than the leading man Harry, Neville begins his journey at Hogwarts a lesser wizard than his counterparts.

"There's no need to tell me I'm not brave enough to be in Gryffindor;  Malfoy's already done that."

— J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the  Sorcerer's Stone

But by the end of the first book he is given praise from Dumbledore for not only growing as an individual, but for sticking up for himself. 

“There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great  deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to  our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom!” 

— J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone

Dialogue:

How you write should reflect the way teenagers actually speak and interact with each other. Avoid using outdated slang or trying to sound cool or hip. Instead, focus on creating natural and believable conversations between your characters. Let the conversation flow as if you were the one having the conversation. 

Try not to use overly complicated language. The goal is to keep the writing easy to both read and understand for a younger audience. This doesn't mean sacrificing depth in your writing. Teenagers are intelligent and  perceptive individuals, and they can tell when a story is being dumbed down or a moral message is being preached to them by the author.  Instead, focus on telling a good story and let the themes and messages emerge naturally. Some of the best books teach lessons through the character’s experiences throughout the story.

Setting:

Whether your story takes place in a dystopian society or a small town, the setting should be vividly described and add depth to the story. You want 

your readers to feel like they know that town or society. Check out the way  Stephanie Meyer describes Forks, Washington in Twilight:

“In the Olympic Peninsula of northwest Washington State, a small town  named Forks exists under a near-constant cover of clouds. It rains on this  inconsequential town more than any other place in the United States of  America.”

- Stephanie Meyers, Twilight

Or how about this description from Suzanne Collins about the Capitol of  Panem from The Hunger Games: 

“The cameras haven’t lied about its grandeur. If anything, they have not  quite captured the magnificence of the glistening buildings in a rainbow of  hues that tower into the air, the shiny cars that roll down the wide paved  streets, the oddly dressed people with bizarre hair and painted faces who  have never missed a meal. All the colors seem artificial, the pinks too deep,  the greens too bright, the yellows painful to the eyes, like flat round disks  of hard candy we can never afford to buy at the tiny sweet shop in District  12.” 

- Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

Conclusion:

By using these tips and strategies, you can create a compelling and  powerful YA novel that will leave a lasting impact on readers. So go forth and write your YA masterpiece, and remember to have fun and let your creativity shine through! Write on!

This article was written by Kate White, a member of the StoryForge community. Chat with us about guest writing at info@storyforge.com.