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.… Read the post

By Kris Maze

World-building is often seen as something exclusive to fantasy or sci-fi, but in Young Adult (YA) fiction, it’s essential for every genre. From gritty contemporary urban settings to imaginative adventure worlds, every YA book needs to immerse its readers into a believable reality.… Read the post

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.… Read the post

by Kris Maze

Summer is the time when many writers slow down the pace of publishing and focus more on simply writing. This has been my secret sauce over the last couple months, working on a fun manuscript and making the magic happen.… Read the post

By Kris Maze

If you have ever gotten manuscript feedback that asks you to check your pacing, you know that can be a tricky task to manage. Where do you start? What parts of your writing will fix this vague problem?… Read the post