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Quality YA Character Development That Can Authentically Connect With Readers

For many readers, they stick to a series because of the love of a character. Whole fandoms are carried by avid readers discussing character choices and relationships and hypothesizing about what they may do beyond the books.

People find and form personal connections to your story, generally through your characters. But it takes work to create someone memorable who resonates with fans long after the story is done. We’re going to get into some of the approaches you can take to YA character development.

Who Are You Writing For?

As always, with YA fiction writing, you need to remember the target audience. Whether you’re an adult or a teen, your readers are typically in that 12-18 gap, so your core cast needs to reflect that. Teens and young adults don’t generally “get” or care what adults in their late 20s to 40s are up to, so they won’t connect.

By focusing on the appropriate age during your YA character development, you can more accurately portray struggles, thoughts, and interests through the lens of your readers. They will buy into the story and the people journeying through it when they see their age and everything they think at that age reflected in the pages.

So, as you write, keep in mind other books in YA fiction you’ve read, talk to your target audience if you can, read articles, and do whatever you can to ensure you accurately capture the age and mindset.

Mind Your Perspective

As you’re writing YA fiction, remember it’s best told from a first-person perspective. The method is because readers can connect with the story and hero better when seeing through the protagonist’s eyes and reading the inner thoughts.

Everything becomes more personal when they start reading “I” as themselves, even if they may not make all the same decisions. Readers will at least have insights into why the protagonist made the choice they did.

What Will Be Achieved?

If you’ve done your due diligence in planning your novel, you likely have a goal in mind for your hero and the main cast. Is that goal relatable to a teen audience? Sure, most teens don’t have to get out of bed every day and try to save the world, but if you have such a lofty achievement in mind, then are the methods and motivations in line with how your readers will approach the problem?

If the end goal is enormous and fantastical, pepper in smaller, relatable goalposts along the way that YA fans can identify with and think to themselves, “Yeah, I would handle this as that character would!” It’s a big step in helping your readers connect more deeply with your characters.

Exposit Wisely

The old mantra of “show, don’t tell” is crucial to making readers connect with your characters. Let your novel’s cast speak through their actions or with what they don’t say instead of telling everyone what they’re feeling or having you narrate each detail all the time.

Allowing readers to piece together traits and quirks and draw conclusions about your YA character development gives them more ownership over their relationship with the characters. Keep your explanations to only what’s necessary. As your cast feels their way through things, your readers will be right there, connecting with them, feeling through those moments, too.

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LEARN ABOUT THE COURSEWhat Changes Will Happen?

Your hero and some of the supporting cast will need to undergo a change or three throughout your novel on their character arc. If they don’t experience any growth, then what is the point of the story?

Your readers are in a period of change throughout their teen years, so they can identify with your characters struggling to adapt to a new normal. Whether it’s internal, self-discovering change by virtue of maturity, or forced upon the heroes by an external force, they need to be different by the story’s end from how they started the novel.

YA character development and their stories link intrinsically through growth, change, and discovery. Let your readers connect more deeply to their favorite characters while going along that journey, too, and potentially learn something about themselves by proxy.

Be Distinct

Another tried-and-true way to make standout characters is by giving each one a unique way of speaking and distinct personalities. That makes the various points of your story more dynamic, as there are bound to be exciting conflicts from the differing opinions, perspectives, and feelings.

It also gives something particular for your audience to latch onto with your characters so they can easily distinguish them while reading. Part of that distinction should be informed by your backstory work, considering their flaws and strengths.

They will also be more authentic and individual if you’re inclusive. Ensuring you focus on a certain amount of diversity and inclusivity, from gender to culture to sexuality to race and ability, helps readers find someone they can identify with, as your audience is broad and comes from all walks of life. In the end, giving your YA characters individuality through various means is necessary to build a memorable cast readers can connect to.

How Are Things Handled?

Once you’ve settled into who your characters are, stay true to them. Make their choices and reactions believable and aligned with who they are and how they think. Because, first of all, that’s just good writing. It helps your readers know what to expect.

Secondly, as your characters guide the story by their actions and reactions, defined by who they are, it’s easier for readers to connect and understand a given situation. Ham-fisting your heroes into unlikely circumstances on the grounds of “because” rings false.

Your readers will lose touch with your cast and the story. Their authentic reactions will be what endears them to your audience, again, because they’ll see themselves in those decisions.

You Can Relate

Say what you will about J.K. Rowlings these days, but Harry Potter has spawned a fervent love. Not just for the world but for even the most seemingly insignificant side characters beyond the titular hero, all because people saw something in them that struck a chord.

When you take the time to build real, fleshed-out characters who aren’t simply caricatures or boiled down to representing a basic thought or feeling, readers will be more likely to identify with them. Looking again at Harry, there are plenty of people who feel that heroic urge or resonate with the part of him that gets bullied at home.

On the other hand, so many readers, while they enjoy his tale, don’t want to be the star. They’re happy to sit to the side like Neville Longbottom or Luna Lovegood (until they’re forced into action, that is.) When you put in the above work to make authentic, believable characters, your audience is bound to find them more relatable and will, in turn, connect to them easier.

Ultimately, authenticity is key in YA character development. People read YA fiction as an escape and to see themselves reflected in the pages, to walk the footsteps of the hero and their entourage, envisioning themselves, to a point, in the given circumstances.

The more real, balanced, and relatable your characters are, no matter how fantastical the world, the more likely readers will resonate with them. Be genuine and thoughtful as you write. Don’t try to make your characters likable or impactful; let the writing do the heavy lifting as they genuinely react to the story you’re taking them on.

Your audience will find what they do and don’t like without you telling them who to like. If you want to run some character ideas by me or have other thoughts and questions, you can find me at jsims@jairesims.com or on my social media.

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Roundup: 8 Great Places To Look for YA Writing Courses That Can Elevate Your Craft

Any good writer knows they always have room to grow. There are simple, accessible ways to do that, like writing for practice or reading books and the works of fellow authors in writing groups. But there is a wealth of courses out there, too, both online and in person, that an aspiring author can pursue, covering a variety of angles on the craft.

However, finding the one that works for you and is worth your time and money can be tricky. I wanted to gather some places and courses you may want to check out, though keep in mind many of these rotate while others are always available.

Why Train?

Creativity can stagnate, becoming one-note and losing its thrill if not practiced. Enrolling in a course or workshop grants you insights into the current zeitgeist, lets you learn different approaches and perspectives, and receive fresh feedback on your work.

A small investment can have huge returns on your talent, helping you become an even better writer, either by reinforcing what you already know or showing you some new tricks you hadn’t thought of before.

Writers.com

The site has a pretty consistent rotating selection of courses, covering various types of writing. For YA fiction courses, though, they currently aren’t offering anything specifically targeted to writers of that nature. But something like Jessie Roy’s “The Elements of Fiction” can provide a solid look at balancing the various aspects of writing for fiction.

Checking back on the site often for new courses and workshops would be a good routine, as something new is bound to pop up. Also, while many of the prices are on the higher side, Writers.com courses tend to be pretty involved and lengthy, so the price ends up worthwhile.

Writer’s Digest University

You’ll find a great collection of new and recurring courses from various instructors here. However, they are often expensive (though thankfully go on sale from time to time.)

Thankfully, many workshops on WDU are thorough and well-reviewed. For YA authors, “Writing the Young Adult Novel” by Holly Alder is a decent enough course, but her resume doesn’t give me a lot of confidence (she has lots of experience with the field but hasn’t published anything).

What drew me more is “The Art of Storytelling 101: Story Mapping and Pacing” by established romance novelist Terri Valentine, which provides a great, in-depth understanding of what makes your scenes engaging and story structure sound. I believe it’s based on the groundwork of Gloria Kempton, a great instructor of the craft in her own right (who also teaches at Writers.com).

Jericho Writers

Plenty of great courses can be found on their site, covering subjects that apply to all writers. The site has an ongoing membership service that provides plenty of little perks and discounts on their courses. These courses are pretty pricey, but you do have lifelong access to the materials.

The one course I recommend for any new author is the “Self-Editing Course For Writers,” led by seasoned editor and published author Debi Alper. It’s not cheap, but the skills it teaches are invaluable, and you could put them to use and become a professional editor as well, which is an excellent job for any YA fiction writer.

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Write Academy

There are a few courses to choose from on this site, but “Write YA Fiction” is a straightforward, thorough, and focused course. It’s well-reviewed and provides a broad look at writing a YA fiction story from start to finish. While I can’t speak to who wrote the materials or instructed it, the price is right and comes with a money-back guarantee, making it worth a look.

Gotham Writers

The site and its courses are well-liked, and they have an extensive catalog from seasoned instructors based out of New York City (though you can take courses online!) Their “Middle Grade/Young Adult Books” course is a basic look into writing YA fiction.

Still, it comes from the well-established Erin Entrada Kelly and is very well-priced, especially considering you get to work with such a quality instructor. As of this writing, there’s a session coming up that you may want to consider.

Udemy

You can find almost anyone teaching anything on Udemy, but your mileage may vary. Steve and Dani Alcorn are a pair of fairly established instructors who haven’t published YA directly but do seem to know what they’re talking about.

They run a well-reviewed course, “Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop,” that’s very affordable. You get broad strokes of writing over the many hours of content, and while I think there are better courses out there, the price (and the frequency of sales on Udemy) make this one very accessible for any writer.

Masterclass

For the price of their monthly membership, you could get a lot of bang for your buck. It’s your chance to learn from incredibly famous, established authors like Judy Blume or R.L. Stine (among others). If you have the time to commit, I highly recommend looking into the site’s membership and jumping on their courses.

JaireSi ms.com

In case you didn’t know, I have a few course options of my own to offer! My “How To Guide: Self-Publishing Your Young Adult Novel” is an excellent source for the fundamentals of YA writing and a focused look at publishing independently, if I do say so myself.

I spent a lot of time, effort, and money to make Getting By reality and thought I could help other aspiring authors avoid those struggles by creating this course with all the info they need. People have responded well to the program, and they think it’s fairly priced and easy to work through, so please check it out!

Alternative Options

University/College Courses

Many institutions offer courses, online and in person, that you can take without enrolling in an entire program.

Local Libraries/Bookstores/Writing Retreats

There are several local opportunities to get a focused YA fiction learning experience, so check the bulletin boards or writing groups to find out what’s going on.

Writing Conferences

Lots of conferences happen worldwide, becoming an epicenter of creativity. You just need to get to them, which can sometimes be a barrier to entry. You can do a quick search and find lists like this one on The Write Life that can help you plan out which ones you want to look into and attend.

If you want to become a better writer, then find places to hone your skills. The internet makes accessing courses and workshops that speak to you at any price point so easy, so there’s really no excuse not to enroll in one. They’re also great for networking and developing your writing community. If you’re curious about my course or have any other questions, I always welcome emails at jsims@jairesims.com or on my social media.

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Important Changes You Can Write for Your YA Hero’s Growth

YA novels generally focus on a single hero who, for one reason or another, starts a journey and overcomes various obstacles along the way toward their eventual goal. Reductive though that sounds, it’s the truth of each story.

What makes different stories worth reading, though, are the individual circumstances. People want to learn about this particular world and see how the protagonist conquers the internal and external challenges they face, who they meet, and how they grow along the way. YA novels are brilliant vehicles for presenting new ways to view the world.

By the end of the story, you need to show your YA hero’s growth in some way meaningfully for the read to be believable and worthwhile. As you dive into writing your YA novel, you’ll want to consider the development and changes your hero will undergo throughout the story.

Self-Discovery

One of the most common approaches to the YA hero’s growth is a journey of self-discovery. So much so that many of the other possible changes are linked to self-discovery in some way, making it a rather broad subject for change. It’s a universal theme, as we have all likely looked within to find a part of ourselves, whether through adversity or not.

Time to Grow Up

Another incredibly common theme that’s vital to YA storytelling is getting older. Like many people reading these books, the protagonist may be transitioning from adolescence into adulthood, which can be A LOT.

No one weathers their teens without being affected by significant change, and letting go of our youthful selves as we step into maturity is a big shift. With that maturity comes a new outlook on how we handle situations mentally and emotionally.

New Relationships

Whether professional, a friendship, familial, or romantic, the protagonist will likely be exposed to various new relationship opportunities. Some will be tertiary, but others can profoundly impact your YA hero’s growth. They have to learn something about themselves and the other person in order to navigate these scenarios successfully and will grow and change as a result.

Building Awareness

Your hero will be exposed to a lot of new people, many of whom offer a different perspective from your protagonist. That provides a chance for them to expand their worldview and become open-minded and more compassionate. That awareness and empathy lead to acceptance of other cultures, races, gender identities, sexualities, and more. Suddenly, their world becomes bigger and a much more exciting place.

Feeling Empowered

A virtue of overcoming adversity is that it builds resilience and strengthens us. Whether we’re struggling against an internal or external obstacle, it’s incredibly satisfying when we finally surmount it.

Helping your protagonist learn to weather some of the lousy circumstances life can throw at us and take some semblance of control is a vital skill. They can feel ready to take on greater challenges and even have the confidence to advocate for themselves as a result.

Self-Expression

Finding a way to use one’s voice is not entirely dissimilar from empowerment. What I mean here is the medium through which they advocate for themselves and others. Your hero finally has the confidence to connect with whatever it is that lets them use their voice to speak their truth. Be that through visual art, music, dance, or outright using their voice to stand for and express their beliefs.

Acceptance

Life throws many situations at people that seem unjust and unfair. While your protagonist can work to right those wrongs, there will likely come a point where they just can’t do anything. And they’re going to have to learn to deal with that. Learning to accept what cannot be changed and overcoming that grief or anger can be a monumental struggle, but it teaches a lot about coping mechanisms and healing.

Alternatively, it can be directed internally, as many young adults struggle to accept themselves. Flaws and all, people are who they are. To fully grow as a person, your protagonist can learn to love who they are.

That doesn’t stop them from finding healthy ways to adjust what they feel can be better, but it does mean they’ll handle the whole process with more compassion for themselves. Our everyday lives are rife with conflict, be it internal or external, whether we know it or not. YA novels offer readers a chance to see someone tackle those struggles, identifying opportunities for YA hero growth along the way.

It’s a subtle way to educate us on our own areas to develop, which is the perfect approach for the YA audience. If you’re too overt with these changes or there isn’t enough of a shift from the story’s start to the inevitable end, readers won’t buy it. You’ll have wasted their time with an unbelievable story.

So make sure you consider your character’s journey and what version of themselves you see them becoming by the final chapter if you want to make a page-turning YA novel. My course offers more depth into the process of character development, and you’re also welcome to email me at jsims@jairesims.com if you have any questions about growing your protagonist.

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Looking at Tips to Improve Your World-Building for YA Fiction

Plenty of YA fiction is rooted in fantasy, science fiction, and other genres. The ones that delve into worlds beyond our own offer pleasant escapes from reality as we lose ourselves in the pages.

Successful world-building for YA fiction can fully capture a reader’s attention, inviting them to explore the lore, societies, and other aspects that make the setting for your story unique. That doesn’t mean you can just make up any old wild concept and slap it in the pages, though.

Quality world-building requires thought and development to help it stay believable and cohesive throughout the entire read. Just like plot holes, gaps in your world-building will pull your audience out of the story.

So, to help you get a jump on crafting your unique world, let’s explore some exercises that can sharpen your skills.

A Tome to Reference

Before you do anything else, you’ll want to build a foundational document called a world bible. Your world bible can be anything: a digital document, notebook, filing cabinet full of pages — whatever works for you. What matters is that it houses all the information on your world, from the history and cultures to the geography, technology, and other concepts (which we’ll explore below!).

Depending on how involved your YA novel or series becomes, this will likely be a living reference guide that evolves as you write. Its job is to get your ideas out of your head and provide a single reference to maintain consistency in your story.

Filling the World Bible

No doubt some aspects of your world have been percolating in your brain as you’ve dwelled on your YA novel idea. Some things will jump to the fore, like locations, the science or magic people interact with, or perhaps the diverse societies and cultures throughout the land. To ensure you don’t overlook anything, though, here are some essentials you’ll want to pack into your world bible.

Map Your World(s)

Whether you intend your YA novel to have a map printed on the initial pages, sketching a map (or multiple if your story jumps between various worlds) can help you visualize your protagonist’s journey.

You can get a clearer idea of the physical layout of the multiple locations and populate the adventure with important cities, landmarks, set pieces, and more to make your story more interesting. It also serves to help you visualize how geography affects other aspects of the world.

Many of our Earth’s historical and present struggles stem from cultural differences, resource demand, or territory, all influenced by geographical positioning. Taking that into consideration can help ground even the most fantastical of concepts in your story.

You’re the Premier Biologist

If your world exists outside our own, it will likely have unique flora and fauna, and you’ll know it the best of anyone. Geography also plays a part in what life is endemic to certain areas and how wildlife and plants interact with the environment.

Thinking about this will also influence how you develop your world’s inhabitants, as they may have specific relationships with the creatures or make use of certain plants while avoiding others.

While you don’t need to craft detailed reports on every living thing, having a thorough list of botanical and zoological specimens helps maintain the believability of a world that’s living beyond your protagonist.

Making People Real

Unless it’s central to your story to be otherwise, your world is likely populated by a variety of different people. You’ll want to explore what makes those people who they are and build their cultural and societal norms.

Consider what goes into their daily lives: what customs and religions they pursue, the languages and ways they speak, the economy and how people make a living, and how that influences their appearances, architecture, wealth distribution, and other societal factors.

While you don’t need to create an entire alphabet, craft a banking system, or draw out every single being and building, having a few key phrases and visuals to draw from solidifies the authenticity of your world.

If you find this a struggle, an excellent way to practice fleshing out your global populations’ cultural and social identities is to write quick scenes or stories that imagine how ordinary people interact. It won’t be long before you can describe what they often do for work, the food they eat, if they worship, and many other things people like you and me do daily.

Looking to History

Creating a historical timeline can influence your main plot, along with the people that populate your story. Outlining significant events from your world’s past provides depth and helps you weave the backstory for your characters.

You can start forming current conflicts, political tensions, technological advancements, and more. To help get you started, look at Earth’s history and see how wars, political decisions, and other significant events were caused and their effects.

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Putting the work into developing the social hierarchies, political systems, and power structures will provide invaluable insight. You want to figure out what drives the leadership of your world and identify the potential for cultural, political, or religious clashes.

Those systems profoundly affect the people and conflicts of your world, which can drive your storytelling. Again, look at our world; you’ll readily see how our power structures shape everyday life.

The Ways of the World

Science and technology, magic and mysticism, or some combination of both, often are part and parcel of world-building for YA fiction. It’s up to you to determine the rules of how these concepts function so you can create a consistent basis for their use and sometimes drive conflict by breaking them.

These will also factor into many of the above ideas explored so far, applying to political struggles, people’s cultural identities, the economy, and maybe even their faith. You can find evidence in real-world examples of how technology influenced society and vice-versa. Or looking back to history and how belief in magic drove some wild reactions by people.

Through Another’s Eyes

Once you’ve got your world bible populated by the above, inputting your hero and other characters is much easier. How they see the world and its myriad concepts is crucial to your storytelling.

Their experiences matter and influence how they interact with your world, which will ultimately drive the conflicts essential to your YA novel. If you’ve done your character building, it should be a relatively straightforward process to jot down the thoughts and views of your characters with regard to your world.

Adapt the What Already Exists

I’ve said it throughout, but to be clear, consider real-world examples. To help build your world, look at real-world cultures, histories, science, economies, and more to inspire your own ideas. Also, look to other authors who are masters of the craft, like J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula K. Leguin, Neil Gaiman, Frank Herbert, or Susanna Clarke, to name a few.

Their works cover a variety of genres and styles, so you should be able to find inspiration for your world no matter how grounded in or far from reality it exists. By reimagining or combining different aspects of the real world or the ideas of other authors, you’ll find your way to interpretations uniquely yours.

Feedback and Collaboration

I know sharing your thoughts and ideas with others can be intimidating, but if you have peers you can trust, there’s a lot of value in getting feedback. Connect with your writing groups or reach out to beta readers for their insights on your world-building for YA fiction.

Find out what’s making sense, where you need to develop more, and the parts you can do away with for the sake of our story. Refining your world-building ideas can only improve the authenticity and help draw in readers better.

As you start developing your world-building and the bible for referencing, remember that it’s an ongoing process. Once you have your foundation, new ideas will organically build from the basics, and you can always add further details and layers of complexity.

That said, it can be a slippery slope, so make sure you stay focused on the elements vital to telling your story rather than the finer points of some culture in another location that never influences the world for the protagonist’s journey.

World-building for YA fiction is one of the most fun things for authors, as your creativity can run wild. If you want a sounding board for your ideas or have questions about world-building, find me on social media or send an email to jsims@jairesims.com.

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Deeper Dive into Subplots and Side Characters

In the world of young adult fiction, subplots, and side characters are like vibrant threads that enhance a captivating story. They aren’t just decorations; they are the foundation of engaging tales.

Here are some valuable tips for making your stories more vivid and meaningful.

Understanding Subplots: Enriching the Main Plot

In storytelling, subplots are the narrative threads that crisscross and interweave with the main storyline, serving as essential components that enhance the reader’s experience.

They are side stories, often involving secondary characters or alternate story arcs, and they play a pivotal role in young adult fiction.

Here’s why they are indispensable:

Adding Depth and Complexity

Subplots introduce layers of complexity to a story. They allow readers to explore different facets of the characters’ lives, backgrounds, and motivations.

When you leverage this element, you can reveal hidden depths, secrets, and conflicts within your characters.

Providing Emotional Resonance

When used right, you can evoke emotions that complement the primary plot. They allow for exploring themes like love, friendship, family dynamics, and personal growth in more detail.

Offering Variety and Balance

Subplots introduce variety and balance to a story. While the main plot may be focused on a specific conflict or goal, subplots can provide relief, humor, or contrasting elements.

This variety prevents the story from becoming one-dimensional and keeps readers engaged by offering different emotional experiences.

Enhancing Theme and Message

Subplots can reinforce and expand upon the central themes and messages of the story. They provide opportunities to explore these themes from various angles, making the overall message more profound and thought-provoking.

Building Suspense and Momentum

They can introduce unexpected twists, conflicts, or obstacles that keep readers turning pages. This dynamic storytelling technique keeps the plot moving forward and maintains a high level of reader interest.

Types of Subplots

Romantic Subplots

They revolve around the romantic relationships of the main characters. They can add depth and emotion to a story while exploring love, attraction, and identity themes.

Friendship Subplots

Which focuses on the bonds between characters. They delve into the dynamics of friendships, loyalty, and the challenges that come with them.

In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, the enduring friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione is a prominent subplot that contributes to the sense of camaraderie and support.

Family Subplots

They explore relationships within families, including conflicts, secrets, and reconciliations. They can be crucial in shaping a character’s background and motivations.

Personal Growth Subplots

They involve characters’ journeys of self-discovery and development. They often lead to transformative experiences and character evolution.

In Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games,” Katniss Everdeen’s personal growth and inner struggle to maintain her identity in a harsh dystopian world serve as a powerful subplot that aligns with the overarching themes of survival and rebellion.

Tips and Techniques for Weaving Subplots Seamlessly

Character-Centric Approach

Ensure that subplots align with the main characters’ goals, desires, and conflicts. This makes subplots feel organic and integral to the story.

Foreshadowing

Plant seeds for subplots early in the narrative. Foreshadowing allows readers to anticipate and become emotionally invested in the subplot’s development.

Parallel Progression

Intertwine the progression of subplots with the main plot. This can be done by having characters’ actions in one subplot affect the other, creating a sense of unity in the storytelling.

Symbolism and Theme Integration

Use subplots to reinforce the story’s themes and symbolism. Subplots can serve as microcosms of the main plot’s themes, enriching the narrative.

Character Growth and Change

Subplots should contribute to the growth and development of characters. Characters should learn, change, or face new challenges through their involvement in subplots.

NB: Your subplots should not be distractions but integral parts of the narrative. They provide opportunities for characters to evolve, confront their flaws, and ultimately contribute to the story’s themes.

Creating Backstories, Motivations, and Unique Traits

Backstories: Develop comprehensive backstories for side characters. Understand their past experiences, traumas, and pivotal moments that have shaped them. This backstory informs their behavior and choices in the present.

Motivations: Determine what drives your side characters. What are their goals, desires, fears, and ambitions? Motivations make characters relatable and give them purpose within the story.

Unique Traits: Give each side character distinctive traits, quirks, and qualities that set them apart. This could be a unique hobby, a memorable catchphrase, or a particular way of speaking. These traits make characters special and easily identifiable.

Complex Relationships: Consider how side characters interact with each other and the protagonist. Their relationships should be multifaceted, with layers of history, tension, or camaraderie.

Character Arcs: Side characters can undergo character arcs like the protagonist. They should experience growth, change, or resolution as the story progresses, contributing to the overall narrative development.

Conclusion

In the intricate tapestry of young adult fiction, subplots, and side characters are the threads that bring depth, complexity, and dimension to the narrative. Aspiring writers, take heed of these key takeaways:

As you embark on your writing journey, remember that storytelling is an art, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Experiment, discover your unique style, and let subplots and side characters be your allies in crafting captivating young adult fiction.

If you have any questions about developing subplots and side characters for your story, you’re welcome to send over an email to me at jsims@jairesims.com.

Happy Writing!

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Roundup: Check Out These Great Jobs for Writers Working on Their YA Novel

As an author, finding the balance between your craft and making money is often a struggle until you’re fortunate enough to get your “big break” (if you ever do, for that matter). That’s why it often takes writers so long to finish their manuscripts as they juggle that alongside their jobs, social lives, and hobbies.

While that can sometimes seem frustrating, taking some breaks is good for authors. They provide a chance to live life, which they can inject into their YA novels, giving them more authenticity.

When it comes to money-making, finding work as a writer that will build on your existing skills while you exercise your passion for the craft is possible. So, let’s look at some of what I feel are the best writing job options for YA authors.

Freelancing

It’s the job some of us love to hate and hate to love because it offers flexibility and potential fulfillment. It also has a strange stigma surrounding it and the hustle culture that is often glamorized, which can be a bit misleading.

But if you can find assignments for magazines, blogs, websites, or newspapers that align with your passions and figure out how to accurately price your work, they can be a great fit. These jobs hold you accountable to deadlines and manage your own work and clients, and can often give you different perspectives and bring diversity to your writing style.

Content Creation

Part and parcel with freelancing these days is becoming a marketing content creator for businesses, though you can be hired on to a company full time. Writing for social media, websites, videos, and other business collateral can offer its challenges.

You need to be mindful of the brand, its voice and keep content engaging and concise. It can help you become an incredibly versatile writer while exposing you to a lot of new takes on the world through the eyes of the business.

Editing and Proofreading

I will always extol the virtues of hiring editors and proofreaders to review your manuscript. However, if you boast strong writing skills and a critical eye, you can offer those same objective services to other writers and businesses. It’s an excellent way to make money while improving your understanding of quality writing.

Ghostwriting

Another gig that easily falls under the freelancer blanket but is also offered at places as full-time jobs. You’re writing on someone else’s behalf, whether it’s books, blogs, articles, or speeches.

That means exercising your ability to be adaptive based on clients’ needs and differing voices. It’s also great at teaching you to check your ego since you can’t really take credit for anything you write for your clients.

The 5 Key Elements of a Great Young Adult Novel

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GET THE FREE GUIDECopywriting

Whether freelance or as part of an agency, copywriting for ads or marketing is a specific kind of writing. You’ll explore the art of persuasion and some of the farthest reaches of your creativity in an effort to get eyes on whatever it is you’re selling. These jobs can help you be more fluid and flexible with thinking and letting go of ideas, which is handy during brainstorming sessions.

Transcription

By getting into transcribing, a writer can pick up and develop some genuinely unique skills. Consuming the content of countless interviews, podcasts, and videos to get all the details straight will improve your listening and typing ability.

There’s also a chance for you to explore the world through different eyes as, no doubt, you likely wouldn’t have found much of this content of your own accord. Writers can always benefit from broadening their worldview, so why not get paid to do it?

Research Assistant

If you excel at researching, conducting literature reviews, and summarizing findings for academics and researchers, you could be a great fit. It’s another way to learn a lot about different aspects of the world and expose yourself to new writing styles. All the while, you’ll reinforce your research abilities.

Book Reviewing

I always encourage aspiring YA authors to read, but what if you could make a job of it? So long as there are books, there’s a market for physical and digital publications to review them. You can only improve as a writer when you focus on critically analyzing other authors’ works. While getting a deeper appreciation for different writing styles and exploring other genres, you’ll also become better at objectively assessing your work.

Teaching or Creating Workshops

If you’ve spent enough time exploring and learning about writing, you may be well-equipped to share what you’ve learned. Alternatively, you may be an expert in some other field. Either way, it’s easier than ever to turn that expertise into courses, classes, webinars, and workshops, whether online or in-person.

Speaking from experience, one of the best parts of teaching others about writing is it also reinforces and reminds you of what you already know and allows you to develop a deeper understanding as you update your knowledge base for future lessons.

There are undoubtedly many jobs out there for you, and likely more beyond this list, where you can harness your writing. These appeal to me the most, though. They all offer excellent opportunities to develop as a writer while stepping comfortably out of my comfort zone. It’s important you remember that balance is key.

These jobs should enhance and complement your YA novel-writing skills, not distract from finishing your manuscript. If you have any questions about my experience developing courses or writing blogs or want to share other job opportunities, please connect with me on social media. You’re also welcome to send over an email to jsims@jairesims.com.

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Diverse Representation in YA Fiction: Writing Inclusive Stories That Matter

For decades, writing and publishing have been dominated by Caucasians in positions of power and as authors. According to an analysis by the New York Times in 2020, they estimate roughly 95% of the fiction books published in America from 1950 to 2018 were by white authors.

Since the unfortunate death of George Floyd sparked a hard look at diversity and inclusivity nationwide, very little has been done to effect real change in the industry. In an in-depth report from PEN America last year, change is happening but moving too slowly. The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) supports this, noting a trend of increasing BIPOC and other diverse stories.

As I’ve pointed out before, in YA literature (well, ALL literature), people like to see themselves in the story. That’s probably why there are so many white-centric novels out there – there are just more of them writing and being published. That means it’s all the more important for diverse communities to have their voices heard and for Caucasian authors to do their due diligence and be mindful of building inclusive worlds.

So how do authors of color or writers on the spectrum of autism or part of the LGBTQIA+ community or who live with disabilities make their voices heard? How do the cis, non-disabled, non-diverse write with sensitivity and authenticity? It’s not easy, but the first step is to look around and realize our world is diverse.

Why Diversity and Inclusivity Matter in Young Adult Novels

As someone from a marginalized community, I want to see myself represented in the stories being told.

Speaking as someone from the US, when an author focuses on diversity and inclusivity, they’re writing about characters with disabilities, or who are sexually diverse, maybe BIPOC, follow different religions, or stem from cultures foreign to what’s expected in North America or Europe.

Essentially, it means writing less about the overrepresented cis-gender, straight, non-disabled, attractive, neurotypical white man. That doesn’t mean those voices are invalid, just that they’re still incredibly prevalent that those audiences won’t struggle to find themselves in those stories.

The World is Diverse

So, circling back, whether it’s medieval fantasy, modern love, or an 1800s mystery, there’s no reason the world can’t be diverse and inclusive. As an author, you have the power to create a version of the world that speaks to the audience you feel needs to be seen and heard.

Modern media is doing a much better job, looking at TV shows, for example, like Bridgerton or The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power or Atypical. They’re trying to reflect the demographic shift and demand for more visibility of underrepresented communities.

Often, it’s still shifting into tokenism and ticking boxes, but they’re still steps in a better direction that hits the mark and tells meaningful stories from time to time. And that can be so important to someone of those communities since it tells them they matter and that, someday, they can achieve what they read on the page or see on the screen.

The “Normal” Point of View

For white audiences, it means something different. Again, this isn’t some call to erase Caucasians from modern literature because they’ll always be part of the world and have unique stories to tell.

But it does offer an opportunity for that majority of white authors and readers alike to explore something new. When people experience diversity and inclusivity, their worldview expands. They start to see the value in different cultures or beliefs and understand there’s more to the world than simply how their white family raised them and, likely, the community.

Through diverse and inclusive YA fiction, they can empathize and celebrate with people unlike themselves, which is so crucial in the ever-growing melting pot of our world!

So, when you start looking into diversity and inclusivity, consider these topics:

Race, Ethnicity, Culture, and ImmigrationLGBTQIA+ and SexualitySocial JusticeNeurodivergence/NeurodiversityPhysical DisabilitiesMental HealthPolitical and Societal Structures

Essentially, where do you want to see a change from the status quo for the benefit of everyone? Write that. The world needs to read it.

Tips for Writing with Diversity and Inclusivity in Mind

As you dive into writing a more inclusive and diverse story, there are things to be mindful of. It doesn’t matter if you’re of the represented community or not. These broad guidelines should hold true for any author wading into what is often sensitive territory.

If you’re speaking from your own lived experiences or as an outsider looking to include more diversity and inclusivity, you want to do good. Misrepresenting any marginalized voice, no matter how well-intended, will do more harm in the end.

1. Research and Education

If you haven’t been writing about people, cultures, places, and such different from your own lived experiences out of fear, let me tell you about a little thing called “research.” The internet, your local library, and people from marginalized communities are excellent resources to help you learn more about the world you can portray in your YA novel.

If you want to get it right, go to the source. Find books written by authors representative of those communities, read articles from diverse perspectives, and maybe even take a class or two. You have the power to affect change, and limited knowledge should not be the barrier to entry.

2. Creating Authentic Characters

Don’t write in a diverse or inclusive character just for the sake of it. That’s the wrong reason, leading to misuse and misrepresentation through stereotyping, tokenism, and even objectification.

Plus, that’s just bad writing, often rife with clichés. Instead, explore their backgrounds and motivations, how they speak, and how having a marginalized voice does or doesn’t affect their worldview. If they’re not your protagonist, they shouldn’t be a plot device for a hero of privilege.

Consider this: you have the pleasure of seeing things from another point of view and making some readers out there feel truly seen. So, see beyond the color of their skin, their choice of partners, or divergent neural pathways, and remember that they’re still real people you want to empathize with in some way. Writing believably real people makes for much better reading anyway.

3. Inclusive World-Building

Inclusivity and diversity aren’t simply about the people. Society plays a big part in how intermingled our world can be. And it’s your world, so take the opportunity to build a better, more inclusive society.

Or use this as a chance to explore why society or its politics stand in the way of diversity and inclusivity. Even if it’s a fantasy or sci-fi world, you can still apply real-world desires for social justice and change that can provoke thought.

Your YA novel has the power to open readers to completely different cultures and concepts than they may be capable of physically exploring. Use that opportunity.

4. Sensitivity Readers

The above items are due diligence and the makings of a better story that will make your YA novel more inclusive and diverse. But that doesn’t mean you can just send it out to the masses. Whether you’re writing through a caucasian, gay, BIPOC, disabled, or whatever-you-may-be lens, it’s crucial to involve sensitivity readers. Thankfully, they’re simple enough to find online, so make time to track someone down.

Now, firstly, yes, this is very important for the “typical” cis-gendered straight white author. When exploring beyond their often privileged lives, there’s a responsibility to check in with the voices they seek to amplify. Are they doing them justice? Are they using proper terminology and concepts?

Is anything you’re writing offensive, objectifying, or tokenism? I won’t lie: it’s a bit of a minefield for white authors. If your heart is in the right place and you’re not just chasing trends, know that the efforts are appreciated, and taking this extra step to get feedback on the diverse and inclusive aspects of your story will make it all the better.

As for people of a particular underrepresented community, some of the above still hold true if you’re writing outside your comfort zone. For myself, I can certainly speak to my lived experiences as a young black man.

But if I want to include a character who’s, say, raised culturally Chinese in Chicago or lives life in a wheelchair, I would hardly know where to start. Another angle is as we delve into lived experiences as a marginalized voice, our voices can find some heat as we express them.

That’s another way sensitivity readers can help us communicate to amplify our cause in the best ways possible instead of alienating the very readers who could benefit from understanding diverse and inclusive stories.

Inclusivity and diversity in YA novels are sensitive to handle. If done wrong, you not only harm the community you seek to represent but your credibility as an author, whether you’re a member of said community or not.

That doesn’t mean you should be scared to do it, though. It takes real bravery to step out of one’s comfort zone and try to see things from a different perspective or for others to share their marginalized voice.

You may learn some great and some hard truths about different people, but most importantly, you’ll learn. That’s what makes writing an inclusive and diverse story so wonderful: helping people see their lives in your words while others can learn something new.

If you want to talk to me about writing more inclusively and with diversity in mind, I’m all for it. I may also be able to offer a sensitivity read, too. You can email me at jsims@jairesims.com or reach out through social media.

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How Can a YA Author Get Quality Reviews for Their Novel?

Before the internet and its mass-marketing access, how did authors spread the word on their books? Through tried and true methods that remain to this day: print advertising, published book reviews, signing events, and word of mouth.

So, nothing has changed much except that the internet has only offered a broader reach as that word of mouth now extends to social media, those ads are now all over Google and other websites, and you can reach out for book reviews with greater ease.

But do you just cold-call/email folks for reviews? Sure, that’s one way, but I want to share a few more options to help you get your young adult novel in front of more readers!

What’s the Worth of a Review?

It may seem like a no-brainer, but to be clear, getting insightful feedback from reviewers goes a long way toward building trust with prospective readers. To quote Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast,” and it’s only getting faster as modernization demands more for less.

We have an overwhelming amount of sources for distraction in the media and online, and that means people value their time. A review of your novel helps them determine if it’s worth the precious hours it’ll take them to read it. Sourcing positive book reviews is far more valuable than any advertisement for attracting readers.

Beyond the marketing and sales aspect, a review can help you improve your craft. Once you finish your manuscript, it has your perspective. Then it goes to your editor, and they lend their point-of-view.

Finally, it’s published and subject to the objective opinions of the general public, who are not nearly as close to the source material as you. The (hopefully) constructive critiquing that comes from reviews, whether professional or general opinions on something like Goodreads, can be an opportunity for growth in your next piece of work.

What Review is Right For You?

Editorial reviews are more formal, impersonal, and objectively unbiased. They provide a professional view of your work and thoroughly break it down from start to finish, withholding opinions regarding personal tastes. If you want a great, quotable review telling people why they should read your book, seek an editorial reviewer.

The more casual book reviews can be more accessible but also hit or miss. Their personal opinions can really resonate with prospective readers. But they can also get hung up on issues related to their tastes.

For example, if they didn’t like one scene, the entire review could fixate on that point. But these people are often authorities on a genre and offer a more approachable review to other fans, which holds a lot of value.

Knowing what reviews are good for you is excellent, but getting them is the real challenge. Thanks to the internet, many options are more readily available to modern, independent authors. Some cost money, others don’t, so it’s up to you to decide what’s most worth your while.

Book Bloggers

These are definitely in the “casual review” category, as you’re reaching out to bloggers passionate about reading books like yours, focused on particular genres or styles. Obviously, you want to find bloggers with large followings, as the marketing is already mostly done for you. Lists like this are a great place to start researching reviewers, and they all are easy enough to reach out to and get the ball rolling on your book review.

Social Media

Another obvious spot for the casual review is social media. Find influences through TikTok’s #BookTok, look at influencers on Instagram, or even get in touch with your fanbase for quotable feedback on your novel. If you’re engaging with your readers and the community regularly, you could have no problem getting solid reviews by directly messaging others on social media.

Online Communities

Writing groups and communities are excellent sources for free casual reviews. Connecting with others interested in your chosen genre is easy, whether through a forum post or direct messaging and emails. You can offer novel review trades, give feedback as currency, and add another author’s opinion to your list of accolades. It’s also a great way to expand your reach, as you’ll benefit from your peer’s following.

Friends and Family

If you have book lovers in your social circle, see if they’d be up for a review. While they may not be the most professional source, they’re still a source of feedback, which looks good on paper. Plus, they’re free and more likely to offer positive book reviews (again, look good on paper), so be aware of that if you’re looking for a more critical take.

Email Newsletters

If you have your own website and have been building a following and mailing list, you can use a newsletter to request reader reviews. Going directly to your fanbase gives you a quick, free source of casual feedback that hits dozens to hundreds of inboxes, depending on your current clout. Be clear about what feedback you’re after and how you want to receive it, then let the book reviews start rolling in.

Goodreads Giveaways

Authors can create their giveaways on Goodreads, allowing them to get free copies, physical or digital, into the hands of lucky readers in exchange for thoughtful reviews. It’s a great way to get an unbiased review. You’ll also spread awareness to readers who may have yet to find you or your novel.

Attend Events

Book signings and other events, like conferences or festivals, allow you to access a bevy of readers and collect reviews. You meet people face-to-face, which sometimes works better for immediately soliciting feedback by building that rapport.

While in-person doesn’t work well for me and my social anxiety, I see how it can benefit those who thrive in social settings. So if this works for you, find an event near you, bring a few copies of your novel, and build a relationship or three that’ll garner casual or editorial book reviews.

Review Copies

While this isn’t a method on its own, so to speak, it can facilitate any of the above outreach. By giving away free copies of your novel, you only lose out on the prospective sale and any possible money spent on shipping, but it can help you get that invaluable review.

People love free stuff. You have a much better chance of collecting a casual or editorial review by offering your prospects free copies of your novel, so be prepared to eat the cost for the greater good of your writing career.

While this list isn’t exhaustive, it should give YA authors like you a place to start looking for feedback. With some research and outreach, you can build a library of quotes and book reviews that will attract more readers.

After publishing Getting By, I was fortunate to have former educators and other trusted readers in my life give me some excellent feedback. It not only boosted my confidence as an author and helped me market the novel, but I saw where I could improve while I worked on my follow-up title.

If you haven’t read my debut novel yet, please check it out and let me know what you think. I’d love to return the favor, too, so don’t hesitate to reach me at jsims@jairesims.com, and maybe we can do a review trade.

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What Would You Want in an Online Writing Club?

We’ve talked about the online writing sphere before and the plethora of great communities you can find within it. Some of those sites also host writing clubs, whether created by the organization or the user base itself. But not all groups are created equal! When it comes to joining a writing club, you need to do a little research to make sure the club’s values align with your own as a young adult fiction writer.

What Good is a Club?

Similar to writing communities, I find one of the greatest boons a club provides is accountability. When authors write in their workspaces and on their own time, especially independent or first-time, unrepresented authors, there’s no real deadline hanging overhead to drive them.

By joining a writing club, you have other people looking forward to updates, challenging your thoughts, encouraging your creativity, and providing motivation in a variety of different ways. So for aspiring authors who struggle with self-starting, surrounding yourself with a group of peers is a brilliant tactic to ensure your writing process continues.

What Are You Writing?

Before joining a writing club, the most obvious criteria to look for is what genre or category does the group support? Walking into an adult western-focused club will only offer limited help for your next great YA romance.

So, finding a romance novel or YA-specific writing club would better suit you in that scenario. People who read and write the subject matter you’re focusing on will be the best to provide feedback and support on your own manuscript.

Similar to finding appropriate beta readers and editors, people who know the genre have certain expectations and can tell you if you’re not meeting them in your story, structure, character-building, or otherwise.

What’s Your Comfort Level?

As you’re looking into the various writing clubs available, consider who is a part of the membership. Do you want to work with and receive feedback from established authors who have published a book or two?

Or would you feel better surrounding yourself with other newer writers at your experience level? You don’t want to feel so intimidated by the members that you never connect with them or want to share your writing for fear of being judged (since that’s kind of the entire point of being there!)

There’s value in any sort of group dynamic, but take a moment to consider what will work best for you and where you’re at in your writing process.

How Do You Want to Meet?

Something else you should think about is where you want to get together with your group. I started this by talking about online groups, but you can likely find a local meetup in some places (especially in major cities).

Again, what will hold you accountable, and what do you respond best to? And what are you looking for from this group? Sometimes it’s simply for writing feedback and nurturing your manuscript, but it’s also nice to socialize.

Many people meet online and forge lasting friendships, but meeting someone local is ideal, too. Saying that, whether online or in person, please be safe out there! Don’t share personal information, and make any local meetups in public spaces to ensure everyone feels safe and secure.

What Feedback Do You Want?

I’ve peppered in some thoughts about what you expect from your group throughout, but to be more specific, what sort of feedback are you looking for? Be clear when joining a writing group and sharing your work about what you want to hear.

If you’re not ready for a scathing, honest review, set those boundaries. Maybe you want to focus on your character development. That’s fine, but let people know so you only get notes on areas you’re ready to review.

Conversely, if you’re there to read the work of others, support them, and get inspiration from their manuscripts, that’s fine, too. You can learn a lot by seeing how others approach the craft. Boundaries are important in all facets of life, so apply some here when you join a writing group and start giving or receiving feedback — you’ll be much happier for it!

Writing doesn’t need to be the solitary activity it seems to be. Getting together to share ideas, discuss topics and techniques, and review the work of others is an incredible way to improve as a young adult fiction writer.

Taking time to consider what you want when you join a writing group will help you feel ready to share and know what to expect. If you enjoy my work and what I share, consider looking into my course about self-publishing, as you’ll get access to an exclusive group of peers through it.

Otherwise, you can check out various websites and find a writing group that works for you, or even start your own! Please reach out on social media or via jsims@jairesims.com with any thoughts on writing groups or to share yours and recruit new members.

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YA Fiction 101: An Introduction to the Genre and Its Key Elements

Did you know that Young Adult (YA) stories are not only popular among teens? Many adults read YA literature, too, which I mentioned in my previous post about the popularity of novels within the category. But what is YA fiction, and what makes it stand out from other literature?

What is YA Fiction?

YA fiction is a category intended to be the next level of reading between children’s books and adult literature. It’s a category because YA fiction stories can include a variety of genres, from fantasy to historical fiction to mystery and everything in between. The term “young adult” describes the target demographic of readers between the ages of 12 to 18.

YA typically focuses on teenage characters navigating through their experience of adolescence. As a result, many themes can be illustrated in these types of stories, such as romantic and sexual interests, friendships, self-identity, and coming-of-age, to name a few.

These novels have a protagonist with a voice clear enough that a reader can instantly get to know the character in a story, mostly told in the first person, to allow readers to see the hero’s world through their eyes and know their private thoughts and emotions.

However, some YA stories are told in the third person, often when the focus is on multiple characters rather than a single protagonist, allowing a broader interpretation of the world and events.

Finally, the target age of the writing considers the topics and themes illustrated in a story. It’s okay for YA stories to tackle mature content when teenagers are involved. Nothing is off-limits. However, the language and imagery in YA stories are often less graphic and censored to maintain a certain level of sensitivity for the readers.

The Appeal of YA Fiction

One of the key reasons these books appeal to so many readers is that they evoke powerful, real emotions. A lot of YA stories tackle issues that teenagers experience in real life, enabling teen readers to empathize and connect with the characters and story.

For adults, most of these issues are familiar to them, with many having gone through similar experiences themselves when they were teens. Because YA fiction addresses real-life problems, it makes it easy for readers of all ages to relate to the story.

YA fiction is often told through the lens of people who may look or think differently than the reader. As a result, that exposes young adult readers to perspectives, cultures, and identities that differ from their own. It can help readers to develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world.

YA literature is also a tool for escapism for many readers. Those who desire to temporarily escape from the real world will read a good book as their choice of entertainment. Novels with a page-turning story can hook readers from beginning to end with compelling characters, relatable themes, high tension and stakes, and exciting plots. Regardless of the target demographic, a good read is fun to dive into.

Vital Elements of YA FictionA Hero

A stalwart, compelling protagonist is critical to YA fiction. Someone that is likable, relatable, and makes readers root for them. It’s also essential for the character to transform or grow by the book’s end.

You’ll also need supporting characters that contribute to the protagonist’s journey in the book. A strong YA story has characters that each serve a particular purpose in the story; otherwise, they are seen as useless or irrelevant to readers.

A Revelation

YA fiction tackles various themes, including but not exclusive to identity and self-discovery. With YA fiction, it’s common to see the protagonist trying to find their place in the world as they deal with issues of identity.

Typically, they feel they don’t quite fit in with their peers or society but often emerge with a clear realization of who they are by the book’s end after going through key events that shape their life. From this point forward, the protagonist navigates the world with their new sense of identity.

A Relationship (or Two)

Relationships are also a common theme in YA fiction, whether they be friendships like the protagonist losing friends or making new ones. Also, it’s not uncommon for a friendship to turn romantic (but this theme isn’t exclusive to friends!)

Beyond romance, families can play just as important a role in YA stories, particularly between the relationship of the protagonist and their immediate or extended family.

A Way to Speak

The plot and pacing are critical to an engaging storyline, and many young adult stories are often written with a faster pace in mind since teenagers often live busier lives than children. Typically, the inciting incident occurs soon after the beginning of the story, with conflict, tension, and suspense building up soon after until the story’s climax.

A fast-paced book also ensures readers will read stories quickly and not want to put the book down. Furthermore, when writing the narrative and scenes, it’s as if it comes from the voice of a teenager.

That creates an authentic experience regarding young adult communication, and the dialogue feels realistic and casual, flowing naturally rather than stiff and proper, allowing the author to connect authentically with the target readership.

Notable YA Fiction Examples

There are some YA stories I want to highlight that showcase the key elements discussed. One of my favorites is Speak (Laurie Halse Anderson), which focuses on a teenage girl, Melinda, dealing with the trauma of a recent sexual assault as she begins her first year of high school. Relationships are a key aspect of the story, as the protagonist deals with losing former friends, making new ones, and family dynamics as she struggles to talk due to her trauma.

The story The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton) tackles identity, as the main character, Ponyboy, tries to figure out who he is, believing he is more than just a gang member.

My own story, Getting By, is a coming-of-age story focusing mainly on the theme of self-discovery, as my main character, Carter, copes with understanding his sexuality as he devolves into a romantic relationship with a close friend.

One of the best ways to write great YA fiction stories is to read other YA novels. If you’re an avid reader of YA literature or an aspiring YA author, go read other YA novels that may interest you to get a sense of how stories in this category are written!

If you want even more help, I provide more resources on my website to support you in writing a compelling YA novel, like my freebie, Elements Every Great YA Novel Needs, which you can download now. If you have any other thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out to me at jsims@jairesims.com.

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