Developing Believable Voice in the YA Novel
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As adults writing for teens, we want our stories and dialogue to sound authentic. It seems only natural that using appropriate “teen speak” will add authenticity and believability to the story. If this element is missing, we figure, readers might decide an old timer who is completely out of touch with the contemporary teenager wrote the book.
While this reasoning seems logical, there are some flaws to this approach. Yes, you want readers to relate to and believe your characters and their situations. However, relying on jargon rather than solid characterization to create belief is a mistake. Using language trends as a means of creating authenticity can quickly detract from the story. This can turn off readers, and when used too much, it is obvious that the writer is trying to use the easy way out. When done wrong, using “teen speak” can inform a reader that the writer is out of touch. Even if done well, jargon can date your story. Unless you are writing historical fiction, use other, more reliable writing techniques to create believable teen characters. (And when writing historical fiction, keeping trendy dialogue to a minimum is still a good idea.) As the cliché states, a little of a good thing goes a long way. Choose your “teen speak” and jargon carefully and with caution.
How do you make your characters believable? By using time honored techniques. Get to know your characters. Ensure that everything they say and do is true to the character and not what you think they “should” say or do. Give them an opportunity to learn and grow by facing challenges and finding solutions. Develop a world that is appropriate to their situation, and allow them to operate within that world in ways that are natural to the character, not through words or actions imposed from the outside. Is this easy to do? Absolutely not! But it’s the stuff that sets the really good books apart from the rest.
Tips for Thought:
Swearing: Don’t have your characters swear just for the sake of swearing. Have your characters swear for a good reason.
Teen Speak: Don’t try to be a teenager. You’re not! If all teenagers wrote great stories, adult authors wouldn’t be needed.
Unknown Terms: When using specific terms, explain them to your reader, and use them in the known context from that point forward.
The Bottom Line: The overall quality of story and characters make your YA novel believable, not a bunch of jargon.
Be Yourself: Trying to hard to “fit in” doesn’t work; being true to yourself as a writer will.
Maurene J. Hinds is a children’s author with five published books and two forthcoming. Additionally, she writes educational materials for students, teachers, and parents. Her educational work includes books, lesson plans, learning activities, and leveled readers for students of all ages. She is an experienced teacher who has taught creative and technical writing and literature at the high school and college levels, and teaches online writing workshops and offers manuscript critiques through her website. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Teenagers from Vermont College. She is completing a young adult novel, “Bruised,” under the name Maurene Janiece. Visit her website.
Want to learn more about writing for teens? Join me in January for my workshop, Writing the Young Adult Novel. During this 5-week class, we will take an in-depth look at character, conflict, voice, and dialogue. Class size will be limited, so reserve your spot today!
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