Starting to write a YA novel can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—every great story begins with solid steps. If you’re unsure how to create characters teens will love, craft a voice that sounds real, or build worlds that draw readers in, you’re not alone. Keep reading, and I’ll share simple strategies to turn your ideas into a captivating YA story that resonates and keeps teens turning pages.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Create a relatable main character with flaws, clear goals, and emotional depth to help teens connect and root for them.
- Use authentic teen voice and dialogue without overloading on slang to keep the story sounding real and engaging.
- Build familiar yet unique worlds by blending real-life details with imaginative elements to draw readers in.
- Subvert common teen tropes with fresh twists to make your story stand out and surprise readers.
- Keep the plot fast-paced with strong scenes, cliffhangers, and purposeful chapters to hold teens’ short attention spans.
- Focus on characters aged 15-18 and settings that reflect teen life for better relatability and emotional impact.
- Weave themes like identity and friendship naturally through character struggles, avoiding preachiness.
- Write authentic dialogue and describe scenes vividly to bring characters and settings to life.
- Use action and visuals to keep scenes lively and help teens picture your story vividly.
- Stay aware of current trends, diversity, and reader preferences to make your YA novel appealing and competitive.
1. Create a Main Character Readers Can Relate To
Your protagonist is the heart of your YA novel. Make sure they’re someone teens can see themselves in—flawed, relatable, and real. Instead of perfect superheroes, craft a character with quirks, doubts, and dreams that resonate. It helps readers see a bit of themselves in your hero’s journey.
Show your character handling everyday challenges—struggling with school, friendships, or identity. When they face setbacks and grow from them, it feels authentic and inspiring. For example, a teen dealing with family pressure or friendship drama instantly feels more real than a flawless, meteoric hero.
Give your main character clear goals and authentic motivations. If they want to fit in, stand out, or find belonging, these are universal teenage themes. The more you focus on their emotional truth, the more readers will root for them page after page.
2. Use an Authentic and Engaging Voice
Your story needs a voice that sounds like a teen (or at least feels genuine to one). This means choosing words, tone, and rhythm that match how teenagers speak and think today. Think about the language they use and how they express themselves—without sounding like an adult trying too hard.
Be careful with slang—use it sparingly and naturally. Overdoing it can date your story fast or alienate readers. Instead, focus on capturing the tone and attitude that feels current. For example, a character might say, “No cap, this is honestly lit,” instead of cramming every slang phrase in all at once.
Read your dialogue aloud or listen to how teens talk today—this helps you develop a voice that feels real. Whether you start with a casual tone or something more poetic, consistency in voice keeps readers hooked.
3. Build a World That Feels Both Familiar and Unique
Teenagers want to see settings that remind them of their own lives but with a twist. Think about designing worlds that reflect familiar high school scenes, neighborhoods, or daily routines—places they recognize—but add an imaginative edge. That could be a dystopian version of their city or a contemporary school with a secret magic club.
Balance real-life details—like social media, fashion, music—and imaginative elements that make your world stand out. For example, incorporating popular trends or current slang can make the environment feel fresh, while unique elements like a hidden society or a futuristic tech twist add intrigue.
The key is to hit a sweet spot: relatable enough so readers see themselves there, yet different enough to spark their curiosity. This combination keeps the story engaging and believable, making it easier for readers to immerse themselves in your story from start to finish.
4. Subvert Common Teen Tropes for Fresh Stories
Teen tropes like love triangles, mean girls, or the ‘chosen one’ storyline are everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow the crowd.
Think about twisting these familiar ideas—maybe your love triangle involves three friends who realize they’re better off as allies, not romantic rivals.
Or take the ‘special chosen one’ trope and give it a new spin by making your character question their destiny or challenge the idea that they must save the world alone.
Using unexpected twists keeps your story feeling original and hooks readers who might be tired of seeing the same old storylines.
Noticing what’s been done repeatedly allows you to craft something surprising that stands out in the YA market.
5. Focus on Pacing and Strong Plot Development
Teen readers have short attention spans, so keep the story moving—no long pauses or slow chapters.
Start with a bang: kick things off with an event that hooks the reader immediately, like a daring escape or a shocking revelation.
Break your story into short, punchy scenes that push the plot forward and leave readers eager to see what happens next.
Don’t be afraid to cut unnecessary scenes or parts that slow down the rhythm—every chapter should serve a purpose.
Using cliffhangers at the end of chapters can make it hard for readers to put your book down, especially during those late-night reads.
6. Consider Age and Setting Carefully
Writing about characters aged 15-18 is vital to connect with the YA crowd—they’re facing pivotal moments like graduation, first love, or figuring out their identity.
The setting should mirror teen life: schools, neighborhoods, social hangouts, or even virtual spaces like social media platforms.
A contemporary setting makes it easier for readers to relate, but adding elements like a small-town mystery or a city full of hidden secrets can make your story interesting.
Remember, the setting influences your characters’ choices and the story’s mood, so pick places that challenge or support their growth.
Balance real-world details—like trending music or slang—with more imaginative elements to keep things fresh and believable.
7. Convey Meaningful Themes with Subtlety
Story themes matter, but they work best when they’re woven naturally into the characters’ journey rather than hammered into the reader.
Think about themes like identity, friendship, or overcoming adversity—these resonate deeply with teens.
Let your characters face struggles that force them to question themselves and grow—this makes the themes feel authentic and impactful.
For example, showing a teen navigating grief or peer pressure can subtly highlight the importance of resilience without preaching.
Using real emotions and honest reactions helps themes resonate without feeling heavy-handed or preachy.
8. Embrace the Power of Authentic Dialogue
Dialogue is one of the quickest ways to bring your characters to life and make your story believable.
Listen to how teens actually speak—note their slang, humor, and how they express their feelings—and try to reflect that in your writing.
Don’t overuse slang; it can make your story feel dated or artificial. Instead, sprinkle it naturally where it fits.
Short, punchy exchanges can show tension or humor, while longer conversations can reveal deeper relationships or conflicts.
Reading aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing and make your dialogue sound more authentic.
9. Use Action and Visual Description Effectively
Showing, not just telling, makes your story more vivid and engaging for teen readers.
Use action scenes to break up exposition and keep the pace lively—think quick movements, reactions, and sensory details.
Describe settings and characters with sharp, specific visuals that help the reader picture the scene—like the way a character’s hoodie drags or the glint in their eye during a confrontation.
Balance descriptions with dialogue and action to avoid overload and maintain a natural flow.
This approach helps teens feel immersed in your world, making them want to keep turning pages.
10. Stay On Top of Market Trends and Reader Preferences
Despite a slight decline in YA sales since 2021, the genre remains popular in 2025 due to its loyal audience and crossover appeal—many YA books get adapted into movies or TV shows.
Understanding current trends—like the demand for diverse stories or new subgenres—can give your book an edge in a competitive market.
Check out platforms like [Kirkus](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/) or [Publishers Weekly](https://www.publishersweekly.com/) to stay up-to-date on what’s trending and what agents and editors are looking for.
While sales are down slightly, the market size is projected to grow from $12.19 billion in 2024 to $12.49 billion in 2025, offering opportunities if you craft stories that resonate.
Pay attention to themes and styles that teens connect with—be authentic and current to increase your chances of standing out.
FAQs
Build a protagonist with genuine emotions, kindness, and realistic struggles. Focus on traits that resonate with teens, like navigating challenges, making mistakes, and growth to make them feel authentic and lovable.
Create a voice that reflects your characters’ personalities through word choice and tone. Be mindful with slang and phrasing to keep it believable and avoid sounding dated for your target audience.
Design settings familiar to teens, like schools or neighborhoods, while adding fresh details. Combine real-life experiences with imaginative elements to create an environment that feels both authentic and unique.
Identify overused themes like love triangles or chosen ones, then add unexpected twists. Focus on character depth and unique conflicts to give your story a fresh perspective and avoid clichés.
