By Kris Maze

Writing teen dialogue and internal thought in Young Adult (YA) fiction can be a challenge. I mean, really, who wants to be in a teen-aged brain? Amirite? *grin* 

Impulsive and awkward, teens speak their own language, balancing between quick, sarcastic responses and deeply reflective inner worlds. Getting into that mindset can infuse an authentic feel in your writing. Done well, it can make your characters leap off the page and resonate with your audience.

This is part three of my series on YA writing elements to help writers create fiction that is more relatable to teens today.  Part one of this series looks at examples of teen characterization and can be found here. Part two explored world building elements and can be found here. Read more in this series to optimize your YA writing.

Below, we’ll look at how different YA authors master dialogue and teen voice, using quotes from popular novels like One of Us is Next, All The Bright Places, and Shadow and Bone. Then, I’ll provide 5 actionable takeaways you can use to make your dialogue sharper and your characters’ inner thoughts more genuine.

Examples of Teen Dialogue and Voice in YA

1. One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus

What to look for: Quick, punchy dialogue with emotional undercurrents.

Phoebe: “Seriously, Maeve? You think this is some kind of joke?”  

Maeve: “No, I think it’s a game. And we just got pulled into the next round.”  

Knox: “So what? We’re supposed to just play along?”  

Maeve: “Do we have a choice?”

This exchange captures the high-stakes tension teens feel while maintaining a natural, conversational flow. Maeve's response is sharp, while Knox’s reaction shows reluctance—a perfect blend of uncertainty and urgency.

2. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

What to look for: Reflective, introspective dialogue that digs into emotions.

Violet: “Why do you want me to see all this?”  

Finch: “Because I want you to see what’s out there. What you’re missing while you’re busy being scared of it.”  

Violet: “I’m not scared. I just… don’t feel anything anymore.”  

Finch: “Maybe that’s the problem.”

This exchange shows how teens often communicate deeper thoughts through indirect dialogue, giving space for emotional depth without being overly dramatic. Finch’s line is a gentle challenge, reflecting his complex internal world.

3. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

What to look for: Intensely emotional and creative dialogue reflective of the characters’ artistic minds.

Noah: “I’m disappearing, Jude. I feel it. Like I’m fading out of the picture.”  

Jude: “No, you’re not. You just have to paint yourself back in. Use something bold, like fire-red.”  

Noah: “What if I don’t want to? What if I don’t want to be seen anymore?”

Here, the dialogue is almost metaphorical, reflecting the characters' creative nature while expressing very real teen emotions of self-doubt and the desire to hide.

4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

What to look for: Awkward and unsure dialogue reflecting the struggles of a teen in an unfamiliar world.

Alina: “I don’t belong here. I’m not… one of you.”  

Mal: “That doesn’t mean you’re nothing. You’re still you, Alina.”  

Alina: “But what if I don’t know who that is anymore?”

In this scene, Alina’s vulnerability and confusion come through in her words. Her dialogue is hesitant and unsure, a true sign of teen uncertainty, especially when they feel out of place.

5. The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

What to look for: Sarcastic and humorous dialogue that hides vulnerability.

Rachel: “You know what’s great about being the new girl? No one knows you well enough to realize how weird you are.”  

Freddie: “I dunno, I’m pretty sure they’re catching on.”  

Rachel: “Yeah, well, joke’s on them. I’m an acquired taste.”

Rachel’s sarcasm is a defensive mechanism, showing how teens often use humor to protect themselves in social situations. It’s quick, funny, and layered with meaning.

5 Takeaways for Nailing Teen Dialogue and Internal Thought in YA Fiction

1. Keep It Short and Real  

Teens don’t monologue—they react, text, snap, and keep it brief, just like in One of Us is Next. 

Actionable Tip: Cut out the fluff. Short sentences with strong emotional undercurrents work best for teen characters. Find my posts on fixing fluff words in your writing in parts one and two.

2. Let Their Inner World Shine  

Teens live inside their heads, like Finch in All The Bright Places. Their internal monologues are often deep and reflective.  

Actionable Tip: Give your characters introspective moments where they can reflect on their fears, hopes, and conflicts, making them more relatable. These moments can be placed in between tense or highly emotional moments in your story to even out pacing.

3. Lean Into the Drama  

YA thrives on emotional intensity. Take cues from I’ll Give You the Sun, where characters express feelings in bold, colorful ways.  

Actionable Tip: Don’t be afraid to ramp up the emotional intensity in your dialogue. Teens often feel things strongly, and it should show in their words. 

4. Be Vulnerable and Awkward  

Like Alina in Shadow and Bone, teens are often unsure of themselves and stumble through conversations.  

Actionable Tip: Write dialogue that’s imperfect. Let your characters say the wrong thing, hesitate, or second-guess themselves. It adds authenticity.

5. Show Defiance Through Sarcasm  

Sarcasm is a teen’s second language, like Rachel in The Mary Shelley Club. It’s often how they deal with stress or mask vulnerability.  

Actionable Tip: Use sarcasm and humor to layer your dialogue with meaning, especially in moments of tension or conflict.

Final Thoughts

Writing teen dialogue isn’t just about sounding like a teenager—it’s about capturing the intensity, vulnerability, and complexity of teen emotions. Whether through punchy lines, sarcastic humor, or reflective thoughts, each of these books shows how to use dialogue to build stronger, more authentic teen characters.

By taking inspiration from the examples above and following the takeaways, your YA characters will feel real, relatable, and unforgettable to readers. So, lean into the awkwardness, the drama, and the inner monologues that make teens so compelling to write—and to read about.

About Kris

Kris Maze is an author, writing coach, and teacher. She has worked in education for many years and writes for various publications, including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and the award-winning blog Writers in the Storm where she is also a host. You can find her horror stories and young adult writing on her website. Keep up with future projects and events by subscribing to her newsletter.

Find her newest collection of spooky stories HERE .

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors. And sometimes she bakes an apple crisp.