How to Write a Young Adult Novel

Books written with young adults in mind confront issues that are of great importance to teens and their families. Coming of age, dating, fitting in, friendships, sex, drugs, self-esteem, school, and relationships with parents and siblings are frequently addressed in young adult fiction. More than entertainment, these books can be a powerful learning and coping tool when a young reader connects with characters and what they are going through. Young Adult novels are targeted for ages 12 and up. Although younger YA novels can deal with intense and serious subjects, they are often mysteries and thrillers, stories engrossing enough to appeal to younger kids as well as older ones. More often these books are written for the middle grade or tween reader.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Connect with your YA reader. You need a strong protagonist, male or female, who is about the age of your audience, about 16 to 18. And your opening must be strong so that it hooks your reader.
2. Show, don’t tell. Your readers attend a lot of movies and most think visually. Think of your book as a mini-movie. This is what will attract the YA reader.
3. Write multi-dimensional characters with a definite point of view. They should have strengths and weakness that make them someone the reader can relate to and even empathize with.
4. You need a high-stakes story problem story that contains significant conflicts for your main character to overcome. Don’t make it easy, or your audience will stop reading.
5. Plot your novel through scenes. It’s like writing the movie in your head in words. End every scene with a transition into the next.
6. The ending must satisfy the reader, whether happy or sad, it has to feel right to your reader. Do this and they’ll be waiting for your next book.

Tips & Warnings

• What distinguishes a Young Adult Novel from an adult novel is often nothing more than subject matter. These books are complicated, sophisticated and challenging. They are not limited in what issues can be discussed, nor are they in any way a “kid’s book.” By this age level, there is a high tolerance for ambivalence in character and plot, as well as a general acceptance of complex and painful subjects.
• Young Adult novels are normally 16,000 words and up, 120-250 pages in length. There are exceptions but this a good rule of thumb.