Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing

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The Golden Era of Writing & Reading on Twitch Has Begun!

by Ossandra White

The life of a writer, or any creative, can be reclusive. It is often romanticized; that depiction of a lone wolf, master of craft, holed up in a room with a hoard of snacks, a notebook, and a pen. Many envision a stressed-out maniac hunched over a computer, fingers flying across the keyboard like those of a madman. These depictions, though sometimes sad, are often true.

But many writers crave community. There is solace in being alone, but there is also value in interaction with others. Some people want to be seen, share their work, bounce ideas, brainstorm, or just have another person to talk to who understands the art. Thankfully, in this modern day and age, there are so many ways to connect with people from all over the world.

Authors have found community through Facebook Groups, Instagram accounts, Discord servers, online forums, and countless other nooks hidden deep within the World Wide Web. One often overlooked avenue, however, is the streaming platform known as Twitch.

What is Twitch?

Twitch.tv, a social website founded in 2011, is home to millions of gamers. Yes, you read that right. The site is primarily populated by people who play video games, sharing their screen to online viewers all around the world as they run through titles live.

The idea of millions of people watching one rando play a video game may seem odd to some, but the platform is very popular within that niche community.

Twitch streamer WordiGirl having a spot of tea.
Me having a spot of tea with my virtual community before getting into the work.

Okay. But, what does this have to do with writers?

Twitch may be best known for video games, but streamers have the option to broadcast under a plethora of categories. Many are worth checking out, but the one I am most excited about, Writing & Reading, was just officially unveiled this month!

For years, writers have been on Twitch streaming under the closest makeshift category they could find, all while asking Twitch to install a special category of our own. It took a while, but we finally got it! Now, I only expect the writing community on Twitch to continue growing in popularity. If you weren’t already part of the community, I think it’s a better time than ever to hop on the bandwagon!

WordiGirl on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/wordigirl
You can watch me on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/wordigirl

Discovering Writing & Reading Streams

Writing & Reading is a broad umbrella that covers everything from faceless authors hosting writing sprints to people showing you their novel’s words as they are typed up on the page. While the concept may seem a bit foreign, it quickly becomes more normalized by many people who dip their toes into it.

As a Twitch user myself, I have experience on both sides of the coin. I host streams and participate in other people’s broadcast events. Like the stories we pen, every single writing stream is different. The best way to figure out which one you will like is to click around and pay some authors a visit!

Below are a few folks I recommend you check out.

CoffeeQuills

CoffeeQuills provides a chill and cozy place to chat and work-along. They host writing sprints, mini-challenges, and fun games to help get productivity flowing. Though Coffee doesn’t normally show their face on stream, you can hear their voice between work sessions. Their friendly demeanor and infectious laugh are just a couple of things that keep people coming back for more.

In addition to this, there is often a lovely electro-swing soundtrack playing low in the background accompanied by Coffee’s clicky keyboard keys that clack as they type away working on whatever project they’re devoted to at the moment. In support of other creators, Coffee likes to showcase books written by authors in their community on the screen for everyone to see.

TheTigerWrites

TheTigerWrites facilitates a laid-back atmosphere that typically involves writing sprints punctuated by a passive game to help everyone take a break from their work. It can be quiet as TheTigerWrites walks on his treadmill while typing and showing you his story in progress, but when people enter the chat, he greets them with a friendly smile and holds meaningful conversations.

Sometimes, TheTigerWrites hosts sessions where he reads through his own chapters or other pieces written by members of the community aloud for all to hear. When people have questions or ask for feedback, TheTigerWrites is happy to provide suggestions, advice, encouragement, and prompts to help chase away any brain goblins or writer’s block his fellow authors may be suffering through.

Game_of_Tomes

Game of Tomes is a special event for writers hosted primarily on Twitch. Though the various challenges take place at different times throughout the year, the Game_of_Tomes streams often run on a regular basis even when there is no writing event active. The broadcast consists of a basic sprint lobby that includes a clock to keep track of Pomodoro sprints (25-minute work time followed by 5-minute break time).

Often, a peaceful crackling fireplace can be heard as calming graphics adorn the screen. The chat is usually filled with other authors who are discussing the progress they are making on various projects, and information about the Game of Tomes writing challenges can be found all about the channel.

WordiGirl

Of course, I had to put myself on the list! I am considered a variety streamer (which means I broadcast under a plethora of categories) but, for the sake of this article, I will simply cover what my Writing & Reading streams look like through the images and texts below.

When I stream in the Writing & Reading category, I often spin a wheel that determines how long we will sprint for. Then, I put the countdown timer on the screen so that everyone can see how many working minutes are left. In this case, my “Sprint-O-Meter” (as I like to call it) made me sprint for another thirty minutes even though it was past midnight and I had to work in the morning.

Sometimes, I display the document I’m writing in on the screen for the viewers to see. In this picture, the chat asked if they could peek at the WorldAnvil article I was working on during a sprint, and I showed them! They also wanted me to wear a silly hat.

After writing for a bit, it’s good to take a break. The image above features a word-finding game I occasionally play during resting time between sprints. Most everyone in the chat likes to join in on the fun before returning to their own projects.

Collaboration is something I really love and appreciate, so I like to have other writers on as guests in my stream. We usually talk about our writing process, give tips, run sprints, play writing games or exercises, and answer questions posed by members of the audience. Fellow author Tiberian64 is seen above joining me for a discussion about re-writing the first draft in a different POV, a problem we both faced.

More to Explore

Whether you are looking to join a good writing community, seeking a cool author buddy, or trying to start up a stream of your own, I have curated a list of Twitch authors I follow that you could check out, too. You can find that directory here.

The awesome thing about it is, with so many people streaming all over the world, you’re bound to find at least one author on any time you decide to check in. If your go-to person isn’t currently up, or no one I suggested is streaming, clicking the Writing & Reading tag on Twitch will instantly show you who is broadcasting now, and populate a list of videos and clips from those who typically stream under that category.

Conclusion

The internet can be a blessing and a curse. Yes, positive spaces are present, but one often has to sift through exhausting patches of negativity, irrelevance, or just plain confusion to find what they are looking for. My hope is that this article gives you a good starting point of how to begin your search and introduces you to a few lovely Writing & Reading streamers you can check out immediately. God bless and much success on your author journey!

If this is your first time learning about Twitch Writing & Reading Streams, what do you think about the concept? Or, if you’re already part of the Twitch Writing community, what are some of your favorite streams to hang out in and why? Please let me know in the comments below!

About Ossandra

Ossandra White is a Jill of all Trades with too many ideas and not enough time. Lover of all things creative, you can often catch her making or admiring art of every kind. She also enjoys writing in every genre. When she’s not juggling seventy-one projects and working multiple jobs, she helps others as a freelancer for hire and as a teacher at the No Stress Writing Academy.

She can be found online almost everywhere under the username WordiGirl. Her current main project “Secret Agent Someone” immerses its followers in the mysteriously wonderful world of W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P., home to spies, lies, disguise, surprise, and a man with malachite eyes. Find books, short stories, audiodramas, games, and more at https://willowisphq.com or visit https://www.wordigirl.com to check out everything Ossandra is up to.

Photos in this post are all (c) Ossandra White.

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Double The Love at WITS, Fall Edition

Since the beginning here at Writers in the Storm, we've been all about spreading the love. And every so often, we throw the doors open for some shameless self-promotion opportunities for our readers. Our only requirement for those glorious days -- formerly called "Pimp & Promote" — is that they double the love and promote someone else's work alongside their own.

Today's event will give us all the opportunity to share great resources and celebrate our own successes. Plus, it is Fall, one of our favorite seasons for writing. So get ready to double the love!

How DO you "Double the Love?"

Here in the States, school is going strong, athletic games abound, and it is homecoming season. In that same spirit, let's get out our pom-poms and cheer for ourselves and other writers! Down in the comments section, we ask that you:

  • Heap love on somebody else’s work—a favorite author, blogger, post or book you’ve read, a wonderful teacher or just someone who had profound influence on you as a writer or a person. Please limit your comments to one work.
    AND
  • Promote one of your projects that you’re excited about—a hobby, a blog, a book, or a new direction your writing is taking you. You decide. Just tell us about it in the comments! (Please restrain your enthusiasm to just one of your WIPs.)

The rest of us will shake those pom-poms, and “ooooh and ahh” (with a side of rah-rah). Full disclosure: our to-be-read piles and our resource lists double in size on days like these, which is always a cause for both celebration and nail-biting.

We'll lead off the love fest with some of the WITS Team!

Ellen Buikema

New Love:

Laura Rossi has written a dark, mafia romance, Skins, De La Crux Famiglia, book one of a four book series. The story weaves elements of danger, secrets, and lies, along with a deep and abiding love.

A breathtaking thriller.

Self-love:

If you are looking for a young readers chapter book series, take a look at The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon. I wrote these stories to help encourage empathy and cultivate insight into children’s lives.

These multicultural stories cover situations children typically encounter like getting lost, moving, starting a new school, making friends, family vacations, working in a team, and dealing with bullies using positive methods. Each chapter ends with one or more activities for children and parents or teachers to do together, related to the actions in the stories. These books are filled with humor to make the stories more engaging for children (and more fun for parents to read to their kids).

The first three chapter books in The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon Series are New BeginningsSchool Days, and Summertime.

Lisa Norman

Lisa Norman

New Love:

My husband and I have been enjoying the writing of Olan Thorensen. This indie author enjoys going deep into science, anthropology, cultural change, chemistry, and pretty much any other topic you can imagine. While normally these deep dives would interfere with the narrative, his are so fascinating I find myself hanging on every word in these big books. He's up to Book 9 in the Destiny's Crucible series right now, and I can not wait for book 10. He keeps the suspense building throughout each book. I'm in awe and would love to study how he does that, but I'm usually too distracted reading them.

books by Olan Thorensen

Self Love:

All of my energy has been going into building No Stress Writing Academy! We have a bunch of classes already with more coming all the time. I offer a Marketing 101 class at no cost for those who want to explore the platform and see what we're up to over there in World Anvil!

Jenny Hansen

New Love:

If you've been around WITS for a while, you've seen some of the gorgeous posts by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, the co-authors of the Emotion Thesaurus series of books. Perhaps you know about the labor of love they created called "One Stop" for writers.

They've kicked it up a notch recently with the Storyteller's Roadmap. Frankly, I love it. I love that it meets you where you are as a writer, and that there are three different paths you can take, based on your own writing challenges. For example, I have friends who get hives at the thought of plotting so they happily write away like the pantsers they are. Then they get stuck or get lost in revisions. There are roadmaps for all these scenarios!

Below is a screen capture of the main page.

And here is a snippet of the Planning Roadmap:

So, to summarize, if you haven't checked out One Stop for Writers with their thesaurus cheat-sheets, character builders, checklists, timelines, and now, their Storyteller's Roadmap...why not?

Self-love:

Writers in the Storm is looking for new blog hosts and contributors. We like to change it up every few years and hear from some new voices and viewpoints. And we like to spread out the hosting over 4-6 people so no one has to do more than a dozen hours of work throughout the year.

Let us know in the comments if that's something you'd be interested in or contact us through the contact form here!

Okay, now it's your turn!

What do you think of "Double the Love?" Do you like the new name? Spread the love all around the comment section, and we'll chime in and cheer you on!

Top Photo by Frantisek Duris on Unsplash

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YA Writer Deep Dive – Authentic Characters in YA Novels

By Kris Maze

Writing Young Adult (YA) fiction can be a tricky for writers trying to craft authentic characters. This post examines what makes characters in popular YA novels today resonate with young people. If you are writing or planning to write for teens, this deep dive and multiple post series into YA fiction trends can help you craft your own novel.

Capturing the essence of adolescence to the written page is tough. It has to pass the sniff-test of authenticity for readers of all ages, especially the readers who are teens themselves. Teens who are guaranteed to be your toughest critics and your greatest fans. Writing your novel in a way that isn’t pandering or pontificating is hard, because teens have a very sensitive filter towards adults telling their stories. But having hindsight from our own experiences growing up can make writing a YA novel easier. We’ve lived through adolescence and survived. 

So, where is a good balance between telling the story and filtering it through a teen protagonist’s eyes? How can writers, many of which are no longer teens, make our novels more authentic?

The good news is that we don’t have to be teens to write like one. Let’s see how some popular authors have accomplished effective characterization and worldbuilding in YA novels.

YA Book Study – A Visit to the Library

My research was conducted in a West Coast high school library in the United States. Books used in this YA post series came from titles that students requested to purchase for the library and ultimately checked out to read. The high school population has students from many cultural backgrounds, many with non-English spoken home languages, and a wide spectrum of economic diversity as well.

This sample of readers created a representative cross-section similar to the United States overall. Although popular books will vary in different regions and countries worldwide, this information can provide current insights about general trends in student reading.

In my sample library, the librarian had input from students about which books should be added to the collection each year. This shows that teens are reading books that they wanted to read (see list of novels at the end of this post). The quotes and examples in this post came from these novels. Even though other books are also popular, the criteria and purpose for this list was to get a general range of interest from actual young adults. 

To begin...

I asked the librarian about which books are hot right now. Next, I checked the stacks to see how many copies of the book were in circulation. The other criteria for which books to include were: 

  • Books that have a publication date within the last 15 years
  • Books that represent a span of genres
  • Books that cover various topics of interest to teens today

Later, I pulled together quotes from each and examples on characterization, themes, worldbuilding, and teen voice. Let’s see what these books can show us about YA trends in characterization.

Characterization 

Characters in Young Adult novels have as many variants as there are different walks of life. There are commonalities though, as shown in these characteristics:

  1. Emotional Depth. Characters should have layers of emotional vulnerability and growth, making them relatable and engaging.
  2. Internal and External Conflict. Compelling characters face both internal struggles (identity, self-worth) and external challenges (society, family, peers).
  3. Relatability. Characters who deal with universal themes like belonging, love, fear, and ambition resonate with YA readers, providing connection with others and empathy.
  4. Growth. YA characters are most compelling when they undergo significant personal development or transformation throughout the story, reflecting the change-driven nature of adolescence.

Your main character is the pivot point for everything in your YA novel, drawing your readers' attention back to this central focus again and again. Incite your reader’s curiosity by making sure your MC is compelling enough. How do these well-known novels craft best-selling characters? Let’s see in the following examples.

Main Character examples – What makes them compelling?

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

Maeve Rojas is a standout character because she’s smart, resourceful, and unafraid to confront the dark secrets of those around her. YA writers can learn from Maeve’s layered vulnerability: she’s not just the "smart girl," but also someone who struggles with health issues and self-expectations. Her relatability comes from how her internal challenges resonate with readers, making her feel both aspirational and real. When crafting your YA characters, consider how their strengths are balanced by vulnerabilities.

All The Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven. 

Theodore Finch’s character is compelling because of his intensity and emotional depth. He’s constantly torn between his fascination with death and his desire to experience life to the fullest. This tension keeps readers engaged. For YA writers, Finch’s unpredictability highlights the power of creating characters who are complex, with internal contradictions. A character doesn’t need to be perfect—they need to feel real. Consider how your characters’ flaws and inner battles make them more relatable to readers.

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

Jude and Noah are brilliant examples of how dual narrators with distinct voices can create depth in storytelling. Their journey through jealousy, love, and personal tragedy brings rich emotional texture to their characterization. YA writers can take a cue from the twins' evolving relationship and individual growth and show character development through interactions and internal conflicts. Think about how your characters’ relationships with each other affect their growth throughout the story.

Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo. 

Alina Starkov begins as an outsider, but her transformation into a powerful Grisha mirrors the adolescent journey of self-discovery. For YA writers, Alina’s arc is a perfect example of the "chosen one" trope done right: it’s not just about her powers, but about her struggle to accept who she is. When building your characters, give them both an external journey and an internal one. As they gain strength or face challenges, let their inner confidence grow as well.

Burning Bright, by Alexa Donne. 

Stella Ainsley is a strong and relatable character because she’s independent, intelligent, and determined to make her own path, despite the challenges of living in a futuristic society. Her self-reliance and resistance to societal expectations make her a great example of a YA heroine who doesn’t conform to traditional gender roles. As YA writers, you can create dynamic characters by giving them clear motivations and the drive to defy the norms of their world.

Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, by Jennifer De Leon. 

Liliana Cruz’s journey of navigating two different worlds—a predominantly white school and her Latinx roots—creates a tension that many teens can relate to. YA writers should look to Liliana’s struggle with identity as an example of how to weave real-life social challenges into your character arcs. Her resilience and determination make her not only relatable but also inspiring. Consider how cultural and social backgrounds can influence your characters' actions and decisions.

The Last True Poets of the Sea, by Julia Drake.

Violet Larkin’s reckless behavior following her brother’s suicide attempt makes her a raw, emotionally complex character. Her path to healing and uncovering family secrets offers you a template for creating protagonists who are on a journey of self-discovery. Violet’s story demonstrates the importance of giving your characters space to grieve, struggle, and grow. Authentic emotional depth, especially when dealing with difficult themes, is key to creating compelling characters.

Just Listen, by Sarah Dessen. 

Annabel Greene's story is a great example of a character whose outward perfection hides deep internal conflict. YA writers can learn from Annabel’s quiet strength and her gradual journey to reclaim her voice. Characters don’t always need to be loud or overly rebellious to be compelling; sometimes their inner battles and quiet resilience make the most impact. When developing your characters, consider how silence, trauma, and the quest for self-worth can shape their growth.

The Mary Shelley Club, by Goldy Moldavsky. 

Rachel Chavez’s love of horror and her complicated relationship with fear provide a unique twist to her characterization. You can take inspiration from how Rachel’s fascination with dark, frightening things reflects her own inner turmoil. Her journey through trauma shows how characters can use unconventional means to cope with their struggles. Consider how your characters' passions and obsessions can serve as metaphors for their emotional states, making them feel more layered.

Gravity, by Sarah Deming. 

Gravity Delgado is compelling because she’s physically strong, yet emotionally vulnerable, balancing the pressures of boxing with family struggles. For YA writers, Gravity’s character showcases the importance of building resilience and grit into your protagonists while also allowing them moments of doubt. Let your characters face real challenges and setbacks, but also give them the inner strength to keep fighting—whether in the ring or in their personal lives.

A Girl Named Disaster, by Nancy Farmer. 

Nhamo’s journey of survival is more than just a physical struggle, it’s about her connection to her ancestors and finding her own inner strength. You can take cues from Nhamo’s resourcefulness and spiritual journey to create characters who are not just shaped by their circumstances, but by their heritage and internal growth. Consider how your characters’ backgrounds and environments influence their personal development.

Book Examples that enhance characterization

In young adult literature, characters often navigate intense emotions, internal conflicts, and the struggle to define their identity. Each quote below highlights the distinctive voice of teen protagonists, offering relatable and complex portrayals of adolescence. Here’s an analysis of why each quote exemplifies a teen’s internal world, helping you understand how to craft authentic teen characters:

One of Us is Next, by Karen M. McManus

 “It’s like everyone at Bayview High has their own private drama, and we’re all just waiting for our turn in the spotlight.”

Insight: High school often feels like a stage where teens perceive everyone as watching and judging them. This heightened awareness taps into the self-consciousness and social pressure that is central to teenage experiences.

“You know how when something bad happens, and it feels like the whole world is staring at you? That’s how I felt when the rumors started.”

Insight: The fear of gossip and judgment reflects a common teenage anxiety. Rumors and peer scrutiny can amplify feelings of vulnerability, making even small issues seem overwhelming.

“High school is a game of survival, and sometimes you have to play dirty to stay in the game.”

Insight: The competitive social dynamics of adolescence are like an unspoken game where teens must navigate friendships, rivalries, and social hierarchies. This captures the cutthroat nature of these interactions, interactions which in this book series are quite deadly indeed.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

“It’s like I’m living in a fog, where everything is blurry and nothing feels real.”

Insight: This illustrates the emotional confusion teens may face, particularly when grappling with mental health. The feeling of disconnection from reality mirrors the struggle to understand one's emotions and surroundings.

“Sometimes I just want to scream and let all the noise out, but I don’t even know where to start.”

Insight: Teens often experience overwhelming emotions without knowing how to express them. This raw frustration speaks to the difficulty of articulating feelings during adolescence.

“You can’t just put on a brave face and pretend everything is okay when it’s not.”

Insight: Teens often feel the pressure to appear strong, but this quote reflects the growing recognition that vulnerability is part of being human. It resonates with the internal conflict of wanting to appear invincible while needing to be real.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

“We were like two halves of a whole, and when we were together, it felt like we could take on the world.”

Insight: Teenage relationships, particularly with close friends or siblings, can feel all-encompassing. This reflects the emotional intensity and deep connections that many teens experience.

“It’s weird how a single moment can change everything, like a snapshot in time that makes you see things differently.”

Insight: Adolescents often experience sudden shifts in perspective or understanding, making small moments feel transformative. This captures the immediacy and importance of self-discovery.

“I’ve spent so much time trying to fit in, I forgot what it feels like to be myself.”

Insight: The desire to conform is a central theme in adolescence. This quote reflects the struggle between wanting acceptance and staying true to one’s identity.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

“Being different is like walking around with a target on your back, and you never know who’s aiming for you.”

Insight: Teens often feel vulnerable to judgment when they stand out, whether because of appearance, personality, or abilities. This fear of being singled out is common in high school environments.

“Sometimes, the hardest part of being a hero is figuring out who you’re supposed to be.”

Insight: Adolescents often face pressure to live up to expectations, whether external or self-imposed. This reflects the teen struggle to define their identity amidst various influences.

“In a world full of shadows, it’s easy to get lost. But sometimes, you have to be the light to find your way.”

Insight: This metaphor resonates with teens, who often feel overwhelmed by external pressures but must find inner strength to navigate challenges. The journey of self-discovery and resilience is a key part of the teenage experience.

Burning Bright by Alexa Donne

“Living in a floating city feels like being on a permanent vacation, but it’s also kind of lonely up here.”

Insight: Adolescence is often marked by feelings of isolation, even in seemingly ideal environments. This highlights the teen experience of loneliness despite being surrounded by people or opportunities.

“It’s hard to figure out who you are when you’re always surrounded by people who seem to have it all together.”

Insight: Comparing oneself to others is a common teenage struggle. The perception that others are more confident or successful amplifies insecurities and the search for personal identity.

“The future is like a big, scary question mark, and I have no idea how to answer it.”

Insight: Teens frequently face uncertainty about the future, and this anxiety is both exciting and terrifying. The overwhelming possibilities and fear of the unknown are key themes in young adult development.

These quotes and accompanying insights, provide examples of how to create rich, authentic teenage characters. By incorporating their emotional depth, insecurities, and internal conflicts, writers can effectively capture the essence of adolescence in YA storytelling. Each quote reflects the depth, vulnerability, and complexity of the teenage voice, touching on universal adolescent experiences like identity, belonging, emotional confusion, and resilience.

Through the eyes of your MC 

When crafting your own characters ask yourself a few questions. How does your main character fare compared to what teens are reading?

  • Who is your main character and why do they appeal to teen readers?
  • Why are they compelling? 
  • What is their internal and external struggle?
  • Is this character the best choice for your story? Could you make changes to bring in more readers?
  • What universal adolescent experiences have you addressed in your novel?

Resource List - YA Novels List

These books were chosen based on popularity with students (determined by how often they were checked out and how many copies were in circulation). These titles are all within the YA bounds primarily because of the main character's age, but also for the themes, topics, and other important aspects of compelling Young Adult writing. See the details below for each novel.

Titleauthoryear pubgenre (ya)
One of Us is NextKaren M. McManus2020MTS
All The Bright PlacesJennifer Niven2015contemporary YA
I'll Give You the SunJandy Nelson2014contemporary YA
Shadow and BoneLeigh Bardugo2012Fantasy
Burning Bright Alexa Donne2018Sci-fi, gothic mystery, romance
Don't Ask Me Where I'm FromJennifer De Leon2020Contemporary YA
The Last True Poets of the SeaJulia Drake2019Romance
Just ListenSarah Dessen2006Contemporary YA
The Mary Shelley ClubGoldy Moldavsky2021horror, mystery, romance
GravitySarah Deming2019sports novel, contemporary
A Girl Named DisasterNancy Farmer1996coming-of-age, survival fiction
The Knife of Never Letting GoPatrick Ness2008Sci-fi

Final Thoughts on Characters in YA Novels

At the end of the day, writing for teens is like walking a tightrope as part of a circus—wobbly, slightly terrifying, but wildly exhilarating when you nail it. They want authenticity in their novels, but not too much. Drama, but not overdone (well, maybe a little). 

Let’s face it, the inexperienced teen years in real life are basically a series of plot twists no one saw coming. So, embrace the chaos in your writing, throw in some deep feelings, sprinkle in a little humor, and let your characters find their way. Just remember, teens are experts at sniffing out inauthenticity. Keep it real, keep it relatable, and don’t forget to add a dash of humor to lighten the angst. After all, if teens can survive high school, they can definitely survive whatever drama you build into your novel. Have fun with it!

What current trend do you notice in books you like to read? What tips do you have for our readers?

About Kris

Kris Maze

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 Stormwhere 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 story collection HERE on sale!

scaretastic and sci-fi stories book cover

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors.

And occasionally, she enjoys getting a chai tea while writing in a local coffee shop.

laptop next to a coffee cup
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