TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS
How to write a compelling Young Adult novel
Three tips that can help a writer come up with a compelling YA novel are just below:
- Develop a relatable main character
- Spice up the story with an intriguing supporting cast
- Create a realistic and/or fascinating setting
FIRST: Take time to sketch out your character's main qualities
The way I prefer to do this is by creating a flow chart that's based on my main character.
If you want to give it a shot, draw or design a flow chart with your character’s name in the center and then offshoots that describe the following aspects of their life/personality:
At the bottom of the chart answer the following questions about the main character:
After this, jot down your plan for the main character's development trajectory. This means answering the following questions about the main character:
The way I prefer to do this is by creating a flow chart that's based on my main character.
If you want to give it a shot, draw or design a flow chart with your character’s name in the center and then offshoots that describe the following aspects of their life/personality:
- their cultural background
- ethnic background and how this shapes their perspective on life
- their personal style of dress and why they dress this way
- the condition of their health and how this affects their outlook
- their economic level and how this impacts their outlook on life
At the bottom of the chart answer the following questions about the main character:
- What do they want more than anything?
- Throughout this story, which one of their personal flaws prevents them from getting what they want?
After this, jot down your plan for the main character's development trajectory. This means answering the following questions about the main character:
- What huge personal flaw of theirs is a big problem at the start of the novel, midway, has anything about the way they cope with this personality flaw changed?
- Do they realize they have it?
- Are they better or worse off due to the way this flaw has changed?
- By the end of the story, what’s going on with this personality flaw?
- Is their major flaw better or worse?
- How has their flaw impacted their ability to reach their goals?
- How has their flaw impacted their relationships?
SECOND: Create an Intriguing Supporting Cast
YA books must have not only compelling main characters but a supporting cast that’s vivid, realistic, and lively enough to keep readers invested in the story’s plot.
So, start with fleshing out the MC’s best friend. Ask yourself, why is this person friends with my MC? What keeps them sticking by this MC’s side, despite the MC’s flaws?
Take a personality test as the MC’s BFF, to get more info on what makes them tick.
This will help you find the right voice for the BFF. Not every BFF needs to be sassy and serve as a comic relief. Sometimes, a quiet and reserved bestie can do wonders for a story with a brash, and talkative heroine.
Move on the the MC’s parents and siblings. What are they like? They can’t just be basic secondary characters who rarely say more than two words, they have to be real people with real problems who move in and out of the MC’s world constantly throughout the day. Their issues contribute to her issues, so take some time to think about what this MC’s parents would worry about in connection with their daughter (or son) and then incorporate this into the book in subtle ways that can be picked up on as they speak to their daughter.
So, start with fleshing out the MC’s best friend. Ask yourself, why is this person friends with my MC? What keeps them sticking by this MC’s side, despite the MC’s flaws?
Take a personality test as the MC’s BFF, to get more info on what makes them tick.
This will help you find the right voice for the BFF. Not every BFF needs to be sassy and serve as a comic relief. Sometimes, a quiet and reserved bestie can do wonders for a story with a brash, and talkative heroine.
Move on the the MC’s parents and siblings. What are they like? They can’t just be basic secondary characters who rarely say more than two words, they have to be real people with real problems who move in and out of the MC’s world constantly throughout the day. Their issues contribute to her issues, so take some time to think about what this MC’s parents would worry about in connection with their daughter (or son) and then incorporate this into the book in subtle ways that can be picked up on as they speak to their daughter.
THIRD: Design a fascinating and realistic setting
Let's say you're at your favorite restaurant and the waiter approaches with your favorite food!
But, when he sets the dish in front of you, it horribly obvious that the plate the food is on is dirty and has not been washed at all.
Would you still want the food?
It probably depends on how hungry you are ; ) But, the point is, just like we want to our favorite food delivered to us in a nice, clean setting, readers will love their favorite genre of stories when the tales take place in realistic and fascinating settings.
So, how does a writer come up with a realistic setting that adds continuity to their story?
Well, one thing that's helped me in the past is to literally draw a map of the fictional town in which my story takes place.
The map I created is in the link below if you want to give it a gander.
http://southlouisianahighschool.weebly.com/the-town-of-swamp-rose.html
Sure, it’s a lot of work, but it really helped me to understand the people of the town, what they did throughout their day, and it gave me a clear picture of where characters were throughout the story.
So, that’s my suggestion -especially if you’re writing about a fictional town- draw a little map that shows where the gas station is where the neighborhoods are, the good side of town and the bad side of town. Draw it all! And use those drawings to refer to as you’re writing your story.
This is especially important if you’re writing Science Fiction. For example, if you’re writing about an alien planet, draw a map.
And keep in mind things like language, food, religious traditions.
You can feel free to use your imagination to make those things up if you need to.
Another thing to do is to think about the history of the people who live in this region. If it’s a fictional region, make up the history and use it to shape the customs and mindset of the people in this part of the novel’s world.
For example, does this area have a history of civil unrest? If so, does this mean its inhabitants are closed off, and don’t trust much of anyone outside of their own immediate families? Or, is this part of the world peaceful, giving people a laid back and open mindset?
Figure all of that out.
So, delve into the history, language, culture, religious beliefs, language, and general design of the world you’ve created.
But, when he sets the dish in front of you, it horribly obvious that the plate the food is on is dirty and has not been washed at all.
Would you still want the food?
It probably depends on how hungry you are ; ) But, the point is, just like we want to our favorite food delivered to us in a nice, clean setting, readers will love their favorite genre of stories when the tales take place in realistic and fascinating settings.
So, how does a writer come up with a realistic setting that adds continuity to their story?
Well, one thing that's helped me in the past is to literally draw a map of the fictional town in which my story takes place.
The map I created is in the link below if you want to give it a gander.
http://southlouisianahighschool.weebly.com/the-town-of-swamp-rose.html
Sure, it’s a lot of work, but it really helped me to understand the people of the town, what they did throughout their day, and it gave me a clear picture of where characters were throughout the story.
So, that’s my suggestion -especially if you’re writing about a fictional town- draw a little map that shows where the gas station is where the neighborhoods are, the good side of town and the bad side of town. Draw it all! And use those drawings to refer to as you’re writing your story.
This is especially important if you’re writing Science Fiction. For example, if you’re writing about an alien planet, draw a map.
And keep in mind things like language, food, religious traditions.
You can feel free to use your imagination to make those things up if you need to.
Another thing to do is to think about the history of the people who live in this region. If it’s a fictional region, make up the history and use it to shape the customs and mindset of the people in this part of the novel’s world.
For example, does this area have a history of civil unrest? If so, does this mean its inhabitants are closed off, and don’t trust much of anyone outside of their own immediate families? Or, is this part of the world peaceful, giving people a laid back and open mindset?
Figure all of that out.
So, delve into the history, language, culture, religious beliefs, language, and general design of the world you’ve created.
I hope those three suggestions come in handy as you write your YA novel! And if you do write a novel, please reach out and let me know, I'd love to support a fellow author and read it!