Inspiration for young adult novels

Where do authors get ideas for writing young adult novels? Many writers are so prolific, it seems that they have a never ending source of stories in the back of their mind. That’s true for some authors, but for others, it takes a little digging to reveal the stories they need to tell.  

Source: trcbnews.com

Probably the best source for the premise of whatever you want to write, whether it be young adult fantasy novels or dystopian literature, is your own life. We’ve all had unique experiences as well as similar ones to others in the YA age range during particular phases of our lives—regardless of which you write about, you’ll be able to share your own unique perspective of situations that all readers can relate to on some level.

Many writers of young adult novels are way past the years of adolescence. While it could seem more difficult to write for a younger audience, it’s actually much easier. It’s easy and can be inspiring to write about past experiences, since you’ve been there and done that. Even if you’re writing young adult fantasy novels that take place in an otherworldly setting, it’s the perspective of the protagonist that you can relate to, even when they live in an imaginary world.  

As many writers and instructors say, “write what you know.” You’re only stealing from your own life, and when time has past, your insight to the situation is enhanced. Think about your own adolescence and what your biggest issues were, what types of relationships and friendships you had, and how you felt about your family. Now that you’re older and a little wiser, you can probably figure out why certain dynamics were the way they were, why particular situations occurred, why others acted a particular way and why you reacted the way you did.

Going through this thought process will truly enrich your story, the depth of the characters involved, and the insight and emotions of the protagonist. Even when you’re writing science fiction and fantasy books or dystopian literature, you’ll still be able to give a realistic, and most importantly, a unique perspective for readers to both relate to and enjoy. Plus, it can be a very cathartic experience for writers to delve into their past to create a new version of their teenage memories.