Ten Rules to Keep in Mind When Writing for Teens

1. Spend time with teens.

• Volunteer at a high school.
• People-watch at the mall.
• Ask questions.
• Build relationships.

2. Read YA lit.

• Some of my favorite authors: Ellen Hopkins, Sarah Dessen, Laurie Stolarz, Joan Bauer, Mike Lupica, Ann Brashares, Libba Bray, Randy Powell, John Green, Carl Hiaasen, Ann Rinaldi, Sonya Sones, Markus Zusak

3. Recruit a “teen advisory board” of readers.

• Many teens will be happy to help you.
• Ask them to be honest above all else!

4. Avoid being “preachy.”

• Nothing turns off a teen reader more quickly than a condescending tone.

5. Be authentic.

• Inhabit your characters. Learn their details and quirks.
• What do your characters love? Hate? Fear? Yearn for? Dream about?

6. If you use slang, use it correctly. 

• Same goes for technology references.
• Be sure to consider: what is new and popular today is tomorrow’s “old news.” Do you want to date your material?

7. Grab ’em from the first sentence.

• Have teens read the first page of your manuscript, and then ask them if they would keep reading.

8. Don’t be afraid to be dark!

• You don’t have to hold back. Teens can take what you want to throw at them.
• Many of our adult “classics” such as Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird would be considered YA if published today.

9. Create active, vibrant characters who have something at stake.

• Teens want to read about characters who are doing things, rather than just having things done to them.

10. Read your old diaries – they’re treasure troves!

• Reconnect with your teen self.
• Some of my most well-received YA lit has been based off my own persona experiences!