Friday, February 25, 2011

4 Tips 4 Writing Awesome YA

Want to learn how to write AWESOME YA? Here are four simple tips for writing a great young adult manuscript:

#1: Hang Out With Young Adults


#2: Listen to Young Adults


#3: Observe Young Adults


#4: Play with Young Adults


Okay... Okay... Maybe there are a few other necessary skills required for writing AWESOME books for young adults. But this is certainly a fun way to start! :-)

And, frankly, it is necessary for the research!

What research methods do you utilize for your writing?

13 comments:

  1. Ha,

    great pictures.

    I totally agree about the research for YA. Certainly if you are writing contemporary like me.

    I was a high school teacher, i have younger siblings and i have plenty of friends just coming out of the YA world. So i have had plenty of exposure to the world they live in.

    certainly helps.

    oh i also ask them to anonymously send in replies to questions (about life and things)

    stupid stuff, "explain the last party you went to"

    "which of your friends got a car first and how did that affect your group of friends"

    blah blah. I have a few people that are happy to send them back to me.

    quite useful interviews.

    anyway that is what i do, and again, i love the pictures.

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  2. Great tips and pictures! Thanks for making me laugh this morning. =)

    I was told by my agent that my characters thought and acted like teens, but spoke like adults. This led me to Google how to talk like a teenager. The results were entertaining, but not so helpful. (I blogged about it here.)

    Great post!

    Erin

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  3. Too funny! Even when they think they're super grown up, teenagers are pretty good at getting silly. Great photos :)

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  4. I think you're right! Sometimes YA books seem too adultish because the writer doesn't remember what kids are like or what they like.

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  5. I would imagine that the above would also keep you young at heart through the remainder of your life :) Good practice imo.

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  6. Awesome. Probs why I hang out with YAs all day long. They're hilarious!

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  7. Great advice and pics. Way to bring extra fun to writing. :-)

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  8. Ha! Very funny. I have a teen niece and nephew and we talk a lot about books (including mine).

    I gave you an award, you can pick it up here: http://vbtremper.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/award-thursday/

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  9. Great bunch of kids in the pics. Such fun. I am fortunate enough to have four teenagers in the house of my own and their friends and all the drama that comes with it helps me find some inner YA.

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  10. I love young adults--they are SO bursting with fun, yet wrapped in layers of consciousness for fear of being judged.

    First, I listen and obey my muse. I'm quite the pantser! ;) Second, I research where it takes me. Third, I have fun! It's the editing that is droll. But I do my best to enjoy every stage. ;)

    Great post, it was cute!

    ♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥

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  11. Sounds like good advice to me, and fun to boot.

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  12. These are some remarkably happy young adults you are hanging out with!

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  13. It's not only a fun way to start, but a smart way to start. Seeing them in action is invaluable.

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