Guide to Crafting a Youthful Novel that Strikes a Chord with Adolescents
The Surge of Young Adult Literature
Young adult novels have shown a significant surge in popularity, becoming the fastest-growing category in the literary world today. The success of acclaimed franchises such as "The Hunger Games" and "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" merely scratches the surface; young adults are voracious readers, devouring books across genres.
But what does it take to write a successful young adult novel? Maybe you have an idea for a captivating young adult novel, but aren't sure where to start. If so, continue reading to understand the components of young adult fiction, also known as YA fiction, and receive valuable guidance on crafting novels for teenagers.
Characteristics of Young Adult (YA) Fiction
YA Fiction is for Teens
Although many adults may enjoy YA literature, it is primarily written for an audience aged between 12 and 18.More mature content is geared towards older readers within this age range.
YA fiction deals with themes and subject matter more mature than those found in middle-grade fiction. While middle-grade fiction may imply romance or a first crush, YA novels may include more complex physical or emotional relationships. YA content may include explicit language, violence, and mature content not typically found in middle-grade literature.
In contrast to middle school protagonists, who are often preoccupied with friends, family, and immediate surroundings, YA characters are regularly striving to find their place in the larger world beyond their immediate family and friends. YA novels may contain a word count ranging from 50,000 to 75,000 words.
Differences between YA and Adult Novels
A distinguishing feature of YA novels is a teenage protagonist experiencing life as a teenager. The novel's events and challenges are used to illustrate the teenager's growth and development. Unlike adult novels, YA literature does not offer the hindsight that only adult protagonists can provide, as the YA protagonist has not yet navigated adult life.
Common Themes in YA Fiction
YA fiction belongs to no single genre, encompassing romance, fantasy, historical fiction, and more. However, most YA novels share common themes, including:
- Coming of age
- First love
- Self-discovery
- Life and death
- Individuality
- Relationships
When writing YA, ensure your theme resonates with the young adult audience's experiences. For example, John Green's smash hit novel, "The Fault in Our Stars," is a contemporary story about two teenagers dealing with cancer, while Leigh Bardugo's young adult fantasy "Six of Crows" follows a group of young outcasts planning a heist and Lois Lowry's classic dystopian novel, "The Giver." Each story carries themes of self-discovery, love, and loss.
The Diversity of YA Fiction
No topic is off-limits in YA fiction as today's adolescents face challenges never seen before in the digital age. Write about sensitive subjects in YA fiction, such as Angie Thomas's bestseller, "The Hate U Give," which explores the shooting of a young black man by a police officer, or Tiffany D. Jackson's "Monday's Not Coming," which tackles pressing issues like poverty, violence, domestic abuse, and racism. In Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why," a character commits suicide and leaves behind a series of cassette tapes outlining the reasons for her decision.
While these subjects may be difficult, readers can empathize with others going through similar experiences and encounter situations their peers may face.
Tips for Writing YA Fiction
Now that you understand the fundamental elements of young adult literature, here are some tips to help you compose a compelling YA novel.
Read Recent Bestselling YA Books
Literary agent Jennifer Laughran advises writers to read widely within the genre they wish to write. Reading young adult novels published within the last five years provides greater insight into the types of stories selling and the audience's response.
To take it a step further, create a spreadsheet to track the titles, authors, publishers, editors, and dates of release of the books you've read. This information can often be found in the author's acknowledgements section at the end of the book, which can prove helpful when it's your turn to submit your work to agents and editors.
Avoid Being Trendy
Avoid chasing quickly shifting trends. Publishing is a long-term endeavor, and topics, music, or events that are trending now will likely be outdated by the time your novel is published in one to three years. Aim to craft a timeless narrative that doesn't feel outdated soon after its release.
Be Mindful of Your Audience
To write a book that resonates with young adults, understand them. Teenagers are intelligent and can sense when an author is out of touch with their world. Observe teenagers, read their favorite books, and talk to friends and family about their experiences to stay informed.
Utilize Social Media
To research teenagers more effectively, consider using social media platforms like TikTok, where you can gain valuable insights into teenage language, culture, and behavior by spending just a few hours. Focus on TikTokers who closely resemble your ideal reader to get the most useful results.
Ready to Start Your YA Novel?
With these tips in mind, you're now prepared to create a young adult novel that could captivate young readers and potentially become the next YA classic!
When planning a captivating young adult novel, take the time to understand your audience's lifestyle and interests by reading recent bestselling YA books, being mindful of your audience's experiences, and utilizing social media platforms to research teenage language, culture, and behavior. In the process of writing and outlining your novel, consider incorporating common themes such as coming of age, first love, self-discovery, and individuality to resonate with teen readers. To ensure your work is timeless, avoid chasing trends and strive to create a story that speaks to the heart of the young adult audience.
