Want to Write YA Fiction? Here Are Some Great Tips

Before writing young adult (YA) fiction, I was reading it, but only if I had to for school. I didn’t aspire to become an author and didn’t initially care for reading recreationally. But that eventually changed, and I was inspired. Because I felt there was a story missing from the world, with characters people like me could see themselves in.

I was a young man approaching his twenties, struggling with identity, bullying, and growing up. So, instead of waiting to find that story, if ever, I thought I should be the one to write it. But figuring out the process of writing young adult fiction and subsequently getting it published was a long learning experience.

Where to Start

As with all novels, great and mundane alike, you need to begin with an idea. For myself, it started with wanting to share my story, so others like me could see themselves reflected on the page.

But when it comes to YA novels, not any old theme will do: the story needs to be relevant to teens approaching their twenties. They don’t care about someone in their forties struggling to help their nearly grown children and sort through their career or an impending midlife crisis.

No, teens are concerned with self-discovery, relationships, and even exploring their inner demons. They want to read about coming-of-age journeys and young love, whether grounded in a realistic or fantastical setting.

And you can get a better sense of that by reading novels in the category, like my favorite, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, or a classic like The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. So when inspiration strikes, look at all its angles and see if a teenager would care about that story. If not, you may need to rethink if it’s right for a YA novel.

Prepare Your Tools

Almost as important as what you’re going to write is the “how.” Are you going to do it by hand or using a computer, or are you craving the classic feel of a typewriter? Paper notebooks are undoubtedly affordable, and I’m sure someone is willing to part with a working typewriter somewhere.

But, if you have a computer or smart device, you can find cheap or free word processors, and it’s the most accessible place to share your manuscript once you complete a draft. After settling on how you plan to write, also consider how you will proofread your work.

Again, there’s plenty of free or paid software, like Grammarly or the Hemingway App, but it’s worth considering now so you don’t stall after finishing your first draft. Having your workspace and writing tools ready helps make the whole process more approachable, so you can seamlessly jump into writing when creativity strikes.

Explore Your Idea

Once you settle on the concept for a YA story, you can either write like I generally do (by the seat of your pants) or brainstorm and create an outline (which I do very lightly.) At the very least, I determine my protagonist(s) and tertiary characters and settle on a setting. Everyone approaches writing differently, and for some, that means structure.

And I can see the appeal, as it can help you map out the arc of your character’s journey, figure out the hooks for your inciting incident, create the points of conflict, and establish the stakes — all fundamental needs for a good story.

Get Writing

How and wherever you plan on writing young adult fiction, once you have your idea, it’s time to start the process.

Hook your readers and establish the world, take your protagonist(s) on a journey with obstacles along the way, all leading to some big moment that encourages their growth and discovery at the climax, and wrap it all up, either leaving the reader wanting more (in a good way) or closing the story with a tidy finale.

Though that’s all easier to say than do, right (after all, it took me a decade to finish and publish Getting By!)? But perseverance is the key. If you strongly believe the world needs to read your story, then you’ll do what it takes to finish it.

I learned so much throughout the process of writing young adult fiction, getting me to where I am today. I have a published novel (which won an award!), created a website to share my ideas, and have several resources to help others learn.

It took time, but I’ve curated a life that steeps me in writing while working on my next novel. Helping aspiring authors like yourself is one of my greatest joys, so if you want to get more in-depth with the basic points of writing young adult fiction I’ve touched on here, check out my masterclass, Self-Publishing 101: How to Write a Fiction Novel.

You have the power to get your story out into the world, so use every tool you can to make that happen! If you have any questions about writing or my courses, please contact me at jsims@jairesims.com and follow me on social media.