Teen Fiction Books- Writing Tips
First, we need to recognize
that "teens" covers a large range of ages and maturity. We have the
"tweens," also called juvenile, which incorporates the early years,
ages approximately twelve through perhaps fourteen to fifteen. Young adult
covers the ages from about fourteen, those more mature, to age nineteen and
twenty.Have a look at creedgriffon for more info on this.
Different maturity
levels require different levels of subject matter, but all books for teens
should be well-written about interesting topics.
The first suggestion I
have is to write from inside the mind of a teen the age of your audience. Get
to know youngsters the age you want to read your stories and books. Listen to
them and really hear them. Teenagers want thought-provoking, attention-grabbing
literature. Teens, of all ages, require characters' behavior to be logical.
They want well-written fiction and non-fiction. Eric Burdsall, from Children's
Writer's & Illustrator's Market, wrote, "... think in terms of writing
for adults, but about experiences and situations that are relevant or
interesting to teenagers."
The second suggestion,
avoid clichés. The dumb jock and the nerdy girl becoming romantically involved
is a cliché, as is the strong athlete and the beautiful but dumb cheerleader.
Characters need to be three dimensional, not flat. They need to show multiple
layers of personality and traits.
Writing must relate to
teens on their own levels without being patronizing or condescending. Writers
should avoid trivial and superficial stories, essays, articles, or novels.
Teenagers have minds and know how to use them.
Many writers believe
that anything written for a teenager must be dark and dreary. That idea is
wrong. Yes, the stories should have depth and meaning. Those for older teens
can even be about war and violence, dating relationships, even drugs, sex, and
abuse, but handled with honesty on the maturity level of the readers. However,
teens, as any readers, need humor. A writer can lighten up and give enjoyment
with their words.
What about love stories
for teenagers of all ages? Believe it or not, the most erogenous zone is found
between the ears. Graphic details are not needed if an author knows how to set
the scene, how to focus on emotions when writing about romance.Eileen Goudge,
in the September 2007 The Writer, wrote that love scenes don't need to be
explicit in order to deliver. "What they do need is to be emotionally rich
in a way that will set the mood and resonate with the reader."
A final suggestion:
just because the world around teens is filled with vulgar speech, actions, and
ideas doesn't mean an author needs to increase the level in his stories,
essays, poetry, or novels.