#YA Writing

[dduane]

A detailed analysis of the problems PoC novelists and marginalized YA authors are facing right now. This issue needs attention paid to it.

The way readers can assist: read more diversely and push these books the way that publishers will understand: wallet-wise. Here's Jessica's list of great recent books of BIPOC authors.

#YA writing #BIPOC YA authors #marginalized YA authors

[novlr]

I have so many story ideas but I can't just write them. Moreover, coming up with tye plot is what I struggle with. I know my idea, but where do I start it, or when do I end it. My ideas are mostly YA romance but I don't know how to make the story more interesting then a simple Fall in love story.

You have a notebook full of amazing YA romance story ideas, but when you sit down to write, you struggle to turn those concepts into well-structured plots. You want to write stories that are deeper than just “boy meets girl, they fall in love.” But how do you take your ideas and flesh them out into interesting, multi-dimensional narratives? Many aspiring writers get stuck at the plotting stage. The good news is there are some key strategies you can use to build your ideas into rich, engaging plots that will keep your readers turning pages!

Start with a central conflict

Every good story needs a central conflict that drives the plot forward. In a YA romance, this is usually more than just “will they or won’t they get together.” Think about what is keeping your characters apart. Some ideas:

They’re from different social circles or cliques at school

Their families disapprove of the relationship for some reason

One of them is already in a relationship

There’s an imbalance of power or popularity between them

They have opposing life goals or plans for the future

They have clashing beliefs, values, or cultural backgrounds

Develop your main characters

Compelling characters are the heart of any good story. In a YA romance, you need at least two well-developed main characters that readers will root for. Here are some ideas:

Give them unique personalities, quirks, talents, flaws, and backstories

Develop their individual goals, motivations, and fears – what do they want and why

Highlight the ways they are similar and different from each other – what attracts them, and what causes friction?

Have them make difficult choices throughout the story that reveal their true character

Give them opportunities to be brave, vulnerable, kind, and selfish – let readers see all their sides

Avoid clichés unless they serve the characters or the story

Use the supporting cast

Don’t just focus on the two main characters. Develop an interesting supporting cast of friends, enemies, family members, teachers, etc. Here are some ideas on how to utilise supporting characters:

Have them provide advice, support, or a listening ear for your main characters, helping them navigate their feelings and conflicts

Use them to introduce new complications or obstacles in the main relationship, like disapproval, jealousy, or misunderstandings

Let them be comic relief or a source of levity to balance out the heavier emotional moments in the story

Have them act as foils to your main characters, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses through contrast or comparison

Give them their own subplots and character arcs that intersect with and impact the main storyline

Use them to raise the stakes by putting them in danger or jeopardy as a result of the main characters’ actions or choices

Raise the stakes

Think about how you can raise the stakes throughout the story to keep readers engaged. What’s at risk if the characters don’t get together?

Put the relationship at risk — make them choose between love and something else important to them (family, friends, dreams, etc.)

Introduce a ticking clock element — give the characters a limited time to overcome the obstacles or make a crucial decision

Have actions or choices unintentionally hurt each other or the people they care about

Raise the external conflicts to be life-or-death, not just inconveniences – put characters in physical danger as a result of the romance

Reveal new information that changes everything the characters thought they knew, forcing them to question the relationship

Make the characters sacrifice or lose something important to be together, and make them grapple with whether it’s worth the cost

Add twists and turns

Don’t let your plot be too predictable. Throw in some unexpected twists and turns in the relatinoship to keep readers on their toes. Some examples could be:

Reveal that one someone has been keeping a major secret that changes the relationship when revealed

Have a supporting character turn out to be working against the central relationship for their own reasons

Introduce a love triangle, forcing the main characters to question their feelings

Reveal a shared history or connection they didn’t know about, casting the relationship in a new light

Have the characters break up or be separated due to a misunderstanding or outside force

Include a major plot twist that isn’t directly related to the romance, but that impacts the characters and their relationship in a significant way

Create a satisfying resolution

Ultimately, readers want to see the characters end up together (it is a romance, after all). But that doesn’t mean the ending has to be all sunshine and rainbows. Here are some ideas for a satisfying resolution:

Have the characters end up together, but make them earn their happy ending by overcoming the conflicts and growing as individuals

Show how the relationship has transformed the characters for the better, and how they’re now stronger together than apart

Resolve the external plot conflicts in a way that feels authentic and earned, not just convenient or contrived

Give the characters a moment of romantic triumph where they declare or demonstrate their love in a meaningful way

Hint at the future and the challenges they may still face, but make it clear they’ll face them together

Leave the reader feeling like the characters are going to be okay, and that their love story will continue beyond the final page

#ya romance #writing tips #writing asks #writers #creative writing #writing #writing community #writers of tumblr #creative writers #writing inspiration #writeblr #writerblr #writblr #writers corner #writers community #writers on tumblr #writer stuff #writer things #romance writers #ya writing #let's write #how to write #writers block #writing advice #writing resources #writers and poets #writer #on writing #helping writers #help for writers

[katswritespoetry]

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

when i was little, i was given a blank sheet of paper and told to draw a flower 

and i would draw a flower.

maybe with an asparagus electric lime stem, or a semi-circle sun

badly shaded in with banana mania crayola in the top left hand corner of the page

and everyone would clap and tell me i was a prodigy.

the next day i’d return, and they’d tell me to draw a vase

and i would draw a vase.

now im still holding a pack of crayons and a blank sheet of paper 

but the lights are dimmed, art teacher gone.

what do i draw? i ask, but its silent, no one answers. 

it’s up to me, i guess– i pick up the paper and i stare at it.

What do i do with you? i don’t need to do anything, really 

i could crumple it up, or i could create a masterpiece.

it really makes no difference either way

why should i continue painting flowers? why should i create a masterpiece? 

no one's going to clap anymore

after all the only person who will see it is me

but if i dont draw a flower in razzle dazzle rose and vivid tangerine, why else 

would i get out of bed in the morning?

i pick up the pencil and i draw a flower with an asparagus electric lime stem.

#poetry on tumblr #writing #writers and poets #original poem #poems on tumblr #my poem #poems and poetry #poem #poetry #writers on tumblr #female writers #writerscommunity #ya writing #poets on tumblr #writing blog #creative writing

[doriians]

FATE’S PROTÉGÉS!!

ARE YOU A SOLDIER OF THE NEVERWAR? A DISILLUSIONED, ADVENTURE-HUNGRY ACADEMIC? DO YOU HAVE A WORLD-ENDING PROPHECY WEIGHING HEAVILY ON YOUR SHOULDERS?

TAKE YOUR CHANCES IN THE FORESTS OF GWENAR AND RISK IT ALL FOR GLORY, WEALTH, AND POWER BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION!

A prequel to my main series, Masks and Madness.

SUMMARY.

FOR LLEVAN AND ZIRA, THE POWER SOURCE DISCOVERED IN THE DARKEST CORNER OF GWENAR IS THEIR ONLY HOPE. JOINING FORCES WITH THEIR BEST FRIEND RIL, ZIRA’S SISTER ERZSE, AND ONE LONG-SUFFERING BANDIT DOMINI, LLEVAN AND ZIRA HEAD FOR THE KINGDOM THAT PROMISES A POWER STRONG ENOUGH TO BREAK THE PROPHECY THAT THREATENS TO TEAR THEM — AND THE WORLD — APART.

BUT THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS, AND THE JOURNEY TO GWENAR PAVED WITH CHALLENGES. BEHIND THEM, THE NEVERWAR RAGES ON, AND A DANGEROUS FIGURE FROM THEIR NOT-SO-DISTANT PAST THREATENS TO DRAG THEM BACK TO THE FRONT LINES.

LLEVAN ISN’T SO SURE HIS BOYFRIEND KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING. THEY’RE IN OVER THEIR HEADS, AND THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ENDS ARE VICTORY OR DEATH. ONE THING HE KNOWS FOR CERTAIN IS THAT FATE HAS ALWAYS PROVEN HERSELF UNKIND TO THOSE WHO DEFY HER. FOR THE FIRST TIME, LLEVAN KNOWS ZIRA’S ARROGANT NAÏVETÉ IS GOING TO HAVE CONSEQUENCES THEY MIGHT NOT SURVIVE.

INCLUDES.

An all-queer main cast; Found family turned found tragedy; Self-fulfilling fate; An unsettlingly desperate hunger for power; Four fantasy languages, Ambition & corruption, Outrunning destiny, fantasy horse girls, and unhappy unending endings.

THE RUNAWAYS.

LLEVAN ADEJ is twenty four years old and a recent graduate from Eirfin. Barred from the front lines of the Neverwar because of his parents’ villainous background, he works instead as a healer, saving the lives of those around him through his Hand of Theory. He is determined to break the prophecy that hangs over his and Zira’s heads at (almost) any cost. Llevan is quiet, but stubborn, and has (as expected) a serious complex about villainy.

ZIRA XAROSEN. Born to two of the kingdom’s most renowned war heroes, Zira wishes his life was as easy as people believed. The subject of a nasty prophecy, destined to bring an end to the war, and his rapidly increasing fear of dying, all lead him to some desperate — and dangerous — decisions. At twenty four, he already has the most powerful Hand in Life Magic ever seen, and Zira is entirely oblivious to the broiling consequences he is about to face.

ERZSE XAROSEN, on the other hand, has a Hand of Death, and at an angry nineteen years old, she’s not afraid to use it. Desperate to join the war and desperate to join her friends, Erzse knows following Zira to Gwenar is the first step on her path to greatness. Experiencing the world for the first time out of the safety of her kingdom leaves her rattled and uncertain—but it’s what happens after that changes her forever.

RILAN BRECCH has been followed by tragedy since his fifteenth birthday. Eager to please and even more eager to help his friends, he abandons his position as the first openly transgender soldier to make the journey to Gwenar with them. Rilan is Zira’s best friend, Llevan’s confidante, and possesses a powerful Hand over the Elements. Only twenty years old, he doesn’t think much about changing the world. He has no idea that he’s about to.

DOMINI LEROY is fucking tired. They didn’t ever imagine joining forces with the enemy, but as a Neverwar deserter, they know both sides would be willing to hang them for treason. Twenty-two, gifted with Illusion, and more street-wise than the rest put together, their resourcefulness proves invaluable in the journey to Gwenar. They might, however, have changed their mind if they knew what it would lead to.

DRAFT PROGRESS.

I started writing this novel in 2020 after developing the idea in 2019 (right after writing draft one of The Hero’s Protégé!), but it’s been on hiatus for two years since! Now, however, it’s a different story. I’m back and willing to grind to get it finished (hopefully this year).

I’m currently tidying up what I’ve got of the first draft (40k~ words), and then I plan to continue writing every day! You’ll be able to find my writing and development of this novel on my blog, probably under the #wip; fate’s protégés tag.

So SO excited to share this with people: if you want to be added to the Fate’s Protégés taglist, please let me know!!!

#wip intro #writeblr #writing #my writing #writing wip #wip introduction #fantasy wip #high fantasy wip #young adult wip #ya writing #fantasy writing #wip: fate’s protégés

[writing-to-survive]

#180

Scientists have created a drug that can access special abilities within the human body. The drug only works for people with still developing bodies, also known as kids. As impressive as these abilities will be, there's a side effect that the scientists couldn't prevent. These young adolescents' body are still maturing, but so are their brains. Past experiments have proven that this drug can...alter, change the mind of these kids into a more aggressive behavior. But, who cares? The government and scientists are hoping that most of the already chosen subjects will cover come it and survive.

#fiction #writing #writing prompts #writing prompt #creative writing #fiction writing #science fiction prompt #sci fi prompt #sci fi prompts #sci fi #scifi #science fiction #science #thriller prompt #suspense #ya writing prompts #ya writing #right or wrong #good or bad #? #writeblr #writers on tumblr #writing to survive #writing-to-survive

[theaawalker]

My Writeblr Intro

Hey, I'm A.A. Walker! I'm 20 and live in southeast America. I've been into writing and fandom stuff since I was 8 years old. I have situational anxiety so it's been a battle to actually put out what I've written. I've had my work copied in the past, but thanks to my legal rep that's no longer a concern. I work at B&N and I'm in college studying psychology.

I read philosophy, fantasy, YA, biographies, and the occasional horror (the older, the better). I write philosophy, fantasy, and YA, and am revising a book series as we speak. Most of my imagines (masterlist) were pre-written by teen-me but never posted. You can request an imagine after reading the fandom list and guidelines. I'm on TikTok (the.𝚊𝚊.walker), Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and I have a profile on NaNoWriMo. This blog is for posting imagines, sharing author tips, and promoting my upcoming book.

In 2019, I survived something that left me traumatized for life. Then, in 2020, it happened again. I've only recently decided to get back into what I love: reading/writing worlds that bend imagination. And I'd love for you to come along for the journey! 🌎 ❤️ 📚 >> My 2024 Bucketlist <<

#writerblr #writerblr intro #writing community #Writer #writerslife #wattpad #wattpad writer #fiction writer #fantasy writer #ya writer #ya writing #writers of color #queer writers #female writers

[craycraybluejay]

Hey pals!

Do you like historical fiction? YA? Gay romances? WARTIME AGONIES? (Huehuehuehue)

WELL THEN

LET ME SHOW YOU

MY FRIEND'S COOLASS BOOK

Men of Honor

Go check the book out! Seriously! They worked very hard on it (as did I with helping polish it up a bit), and they deserve awesome readers. LIKE YOU!!

#advertising #advert for a friend #he didn't put me up to this i was like PLEASE CAN I ADVERTISE FOR YOU #book promotion #ya novels #historical fiction #gay romance #war stories #sometimes i do post semi professional looking posts #writerblr #writers on tumblr #writer friends #book advertising #ya writing #kindle

[abalonetea]

pst! Friendly reminder that Howl can be found on Amazon HERE so you should totally check it out if you’re looking for some cool family oriented werewolf fun! And don’t forget, the sequel is already in pre-production, so keep your eyes peeled, your ears perked, and maybe even leave a review if you read it and like it!

#howl #my writing #ya writing #indie writer #werewolf fiction

[petals4soho]

⭐︎ welcome to petals4soho!

// a writeblr blog reintroduction.

about me —

i’m kota (or elliot), an eighteen-year-old college student that uses they/them pronouns.

my username is a combination of references to the album petals for armor by hayley williams and professional wrestler ruby soho.

i’ve been writing fiction since i could write. my goals here are to become more consistent with writing so i can finally finish some of my passion projects all without falling off the face of the earth again.

most (if not all) of my wips are realistic young/new adult contemporary fiction with coming-of-age & found family themes, but i’m honestly open to writing anything that piques my interest!

ask/tag game friendly! message me about your writing, tag me in your updates and please talk to me about professional wrestling! i love it!

wips —

teenage vows

my main project that explores themes of growing up, loss, grief, forgiveness, and friendship. it follows Alex Ramírez, a seventeen-year-old senior in high school trying to navigate life after the death of his ex-boyfriend and best friend, Wally Fletcher. in the midst of it all, he reconnects with a former fling, Bea Mumford — a now pregnant sixteen-year-old whose boyfriend wants nothing to do with her and the baby — and attempts to earn forgiveness from Wally's little sister, Julia. if you like coming-of-age stories where the teenagers don't pretend to have everything figured out, this wip may be for you!

status: drafting

intro post | wip tag | pinterest board

more to be added…

#writeblr introduction #new writeblr #writeblr intro #writeblr #writeblr reintro #writers of color #writers on tumblr #wip intro #creative writing #writing community #ya writing #poc writer #wip nook #more wips to be announced #pls be my friend #little red writing hoods

[quixoticclown]

"Do you ever wish you could have done things differently?"

*C.S Lewis tearing up as he thinks of dinosaurs in Narnia*

"What's done is done, laddo"

#narnia #cs lewis #aslan #chronicles of narnia #prince Caspian #white witch #dinosaur #ya writing

[slightlyspicyhunterbutwithwords]

Yo writeblr! Question:

In terms of teen/YA fiction, do we prefer public school or private school? What do you think are the pros and cons? Currently world building for my WIP and I'm trying to weigh which is the better choice. Personally I am leaning towards private school but I'm also worried it is an overused trope. Help me tip the scale!

Also, keep in mind that this isn't just a teen realistic fiction novel, there's supernatural/thriller elements as well. Feel free to comment and/or reblog.

#writeblr #tropes #wip #worldbuilding #teen fiction #YA writing #YA writer

[apparentlysmart]

More Fun Tips for YA Romance

When switching perspectives, Arc Words (or any specific phrases exclusive to one character) are the best to help show the growing connection between the love interests by having each of them echo it to the other. This also applies to running jokes.

Sometimes it is not about Will They Or Won't They but about Can They Or Should They, especially if your couple are best friends-to-lovers.

The more one character talks about how attractive their potential mate is, the less it feels like YA. Your shy girl can get with a hot guy or vice versa, but it must never feel like the coupling was based solely on looks. This does not apply to stories based on LGBTQ sexual awakenings, but still try to keep it PG-13.

Give your potential couple one very odd and very specific thing that they can connect over. A deep cut song or unknown band, a forgotten tv show or movie, or even a past incident both remember much more vividly than others.

When in doubt, lay a character in bed, have them stare at the ceiling, and ramble. You'd be amazed at what they want to talk about, especially if it concerns a crush.

You are not making up a story. You are cataloguing their story. They will tell you how everything happened. Sometimes they may even argue about specifics. Let them fight. They'll figure it out eventually, and then you can write it down.

If you're not crying when you write about your couple's first kiss, you are probably doing it wrong. Try again.

#writing #young adult romance #YA writing #fiction #writing tips #writing advice #fiction writing

[katswritespoetry]

original poem: philia

stolen glances

souls communion, silent conversation 

the crevices between your brow are my native language

can’t hold back my laugh and neither can you

so much space in this universe, but your fingers are hooked around mine so

there must be some kind of god.

sanctify my soul, call me a believer

incinerate bible pages in the 7/11 parking lot

there had to be something before you, it’s only logical, but now i 

cant remember

can’t help

but wonder if the point of it all was just to lead me to you

screw it all, i’ll burn down the world for you and mold it anew, honey get the gasoline

#creative writing #original poem #my poem #philosophy #poetry on tumblr #poem #poets on tumblr #poet #poems and poetry #queer poetry #queer poets on tumblr #writing #writer #writer stuff #originalpoetry #originalpoem #ya writing #writing blog #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writers and poets

[geektasticjustine]

Behold the cover for the Keys of the Dawn, the final novel in the Keys & Guardians trilogy! I’m in absolute love with it and I’m so excited for you all to read it. Thank you to my wonderful cover designer @celingraphics, my publisher @swordandsilkbooks, and the wonderful @yabookscentral for featuring the reveal on the blog today! Preorders are officially up for most book stores, and the release date is on February 13th! Enter the giveaway over at YA Books Central here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/its-live-cover-reveal-keys-of-the-dawn-justine-manzano-plus-giveaway-international/

https://www.yabookscentral.com/its-live-cover-reveal-keys-of-the-dawn-justine-manzano-plus-giveaway-international/

#writeblr #ya writing #ya reads

[writing-to-survive]

#67

"Are you afraid of me, child?" The monster asked.

"No," The child answered.

"Why?" The monster croaked.

The child was silent for a moment. Then, they looked up at the monster's eyes. With genuine honesty, they answered.

"Because you don't yell at me. You don't have a belt in your hand."

#fiction #writing #writing prompts #writing prompt #sci fi prompt #creative writing #science fiction prompt #dialogue prompt #fantasy #character dialogue #monster #monster prompts #fantasy prompts #fiction writing #ya writing prompts #ya writing #writing-to-survive #writing to survive

[koala2all]

Writblr Intro

Hi, everyone! I’m Koala 🐨

I’m a YA fantasy writer, and all my stories are set in my own world full of magic, monsters, and lots of interesting characters!

My first novel, the first of a trilogy, is finished and currently being queried! Wish me luck in this trying time 😆 🍀 Book two is almost complete, and Book 3 is off to a lovely beginning. This trilogy is all about the balancing act of trying to make the people important to you proud while also staying true to yourself and finding your own path.

I can’t only have one project, though, so I’ve got several other stories running through my mind. The one that’s trying to catch my attention the most is a story of a lesbian pirate who is on an epic adventure to save her Bonny Lass…

About Me:

I’m a big player of tabletop RPGs… World of Darkness and D&D being my top picks, thought it’s been a loooooong time since I slipped into the WoD… making up characters is one of my favorite passtimes

I love pirates, the ocean, fantasy, and being part of the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈

My fandoms are Supernatural, LoTR, The Sandman, The Owl House, Firefly, and my guilty pleasure of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Favorite Authors include Neil Gaiman, Dan Abnet, Tolkien, Suzanne Collins…

I would love to meet other writers here, so don’t be shy to stop by and say hi! 😁

#writeblr #writblr intro #about me #introductions #ya writing #lgbtq #YA writers