Skip to main content

Rules for YA Fiction

Get Ready.

Our guest writer, Fifer, is 12 years old. All thoughts contained below do not necessarily represent the views of Book Architecture, but are her own, and probably her friends with whom she is so constantly connected via social media and get-togethers that she can barely break away for dinner…whoops! Without further ado.

  1. Don’t over think it. Nobody wants a book with like 12 characters and 6 problems. That’s waaaaay to much to handle. Its like: “Yea and this character.. blah blah blah, and this character.. Blah blah blah, and THIS character.. blah blah blah.”
  2. Be realistic. I mean c’mon.
  3. Don’t get too stressed out. Let it come to you. Go out and do something to distract you. Then out of nowhere, it will come to you. For example, I do my best thinking in the shower.
  4. Don’t make your villains too villainy. Everyone’s got a soft side to ‘em. Except for like, Plankton from SpongeBob.
  5. Sometimes you have to start from the end to get to the beginning; you have to work backwards. For example, it might be easier to figure out the solution and then the problem. (Confusing? I know!)
  6. Don’t write YA if ya don’t like kids. Or if you don’t know any. Here’s a hint: Kids don’t say words with more than 10 letters, we say the word “like” a lot, and we DON’T have proper English.
  7. What’s the only way you can say it that it makes sense? Don’t get all fancy up on it. Just say it straight out.
  8. Don’t be writing at midnight. If you even have anything it’ll come out all sloppy and gross.
  9. Don’t cram all your writing into one night. Take a break. Relax. Go on a “work vacation” (except Dad and I hate that term because it can’t be a vacation if you’re working. It’s one or the other.)
  10. I know this is a cheesy way to end this but the last rule is to HAVE FUN. Add some humor to it. Don’t be too serious.

 

Posted by Stuart Horwitz under Wheel

3 comments

margot horwitz said on Nov 3, 2011 at 11:55 AM:

As a published writer of Young Adult books (though non-fiction), I was quite impressed by Mona Lucy's suggestions--and will try to use them when I try a YA work of fiction.

I am admittedly prejudiced by M.L. and her abilities...there is a relationship between us...but even if we were complete strangers I would still give her a definite thumbs up!

Mariah Ashley said on Nov 3, 2011 at 11:58 AM:

I found your tips very useful. I especially like tip #3- I do my best thinking on a walk... I've never tried thinking on the toilet but I'll give that a whirl (ha-ha)

I also like tip #9, my kids roll their eyes all the time when I am on the computer. i think i need to pay more attention to them because afterall, they are my best source of material.

You rock.

Lorette dussault said on Nov 3, 2011 at 11:58 AM:

Really, like that -- that's really smart and well said. Makes me want to take up the challenge and write a YA book.