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Young Adult (YA) fiction is one of the most dynamic and emotionally resonant genres in literature. It captures the raw, formative experiences of adolescence, from first love and self-discovery to rebellion and finding one’s place in the world. However, one of the biggest challenges in writing YA fiction is making teenage voices sound authentic rather than forced or condescending.

Many YA novels fall into the trap of making teen dialogue sound overly trendy (which quickly becomes outdated) or portraying teenage emotions in a shallow, one-dimensional way. To truly engage YA readers, you need to create characters who think, speak, and act like real teenagers, and not like adults pretending to be young.

So, how do you craft a believable teen voice? In this post, we’ll explore techniques to help you develop genuine, compelling, and relatable YA characters, using examples from literature to show how the best authors capture the complexity of teenage life.

1. Understand What Makes a YA Voice Unique

The voice in YA fiction isn’t just about dialogue. It’s about perspective, emotion, and the way a character experiences the world. Teenagers don’t just talk differently from adults; they also see life through a distinct lens, shaped by their limited life experience, intense emotions, and desire to figure out who they are.

Key Characteristics of a YA Voice:

• Emotionally Intense: Everything feels heightened in adolescence, such as friendships, crushes, betrayals, victories. A breakup might feel like the end of the world, while a kind word from a crush can make someone feel invincible.
• Present-Focused: Teens often live in the now. They don’t spend a lot of time worrying about retirement or taxes, but they do stress about their crush not texting back or their future after graduation.
• Self-Reflective: Many teens spend a lot of time analyzing themselves, questioning their choices, and worrying about how others perceive them. This self-awareness often leads to internal monologues filled with doubt, excitement, or overanalysis.
• Honest but Sometimes Unreliable: Teen narrators often misinterpret situations, make impulsive judgments, or struggle with self-awareness. This doesn’t mean they lack intelligence. It just means they’re still learning.

Example of a Strong YA Voice:

In The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, the protagonist Charlie’s voice is introspective and filled with raw emotion:

“I feel infinite.”

This simple line captures the overwhelming intensity of teen emotions. A fleeting moment of joy that feels bigger than life itself.

How to Apply This to Your Writing:

• Think like a teen while writing, not like an adult looking back.
• Avoid making your protagonist sound too polished; they should make mistakes, say awkward things, and get caught up in their own thoughts.
• Capture the heightened emotions without being melodramatic.

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2. Avoid Overloading Your Dialogue with Slang

One of the biggest pitfalls in YA fiction is trying too hard to sound “cool” or trendy by overstuffing dialogue with slang.

Why Slang Can Be a Problem:

• It dates your book – Language changes quickly. A phrase that sounds fresh today might feel cringeworthy in five years.
• Not all teens use the same slang – Slang varies by region, subculture, and personality. A book that assumes all teens talk like TikTok influencers will feel inauthentic.
• It can feel forced – If you don’t use slang naturally in real life, forcing it into dialogue will feel awkward.

What to Do Instead:

• Use slang sparingly and naturally – A well-placed “That’s savage” or “He’s such a simp” can work if it fits the character, but don’t overdo it.
• Focus on rhythm and sentence structure – Instead of relying on trendy words, capture how teens speak:
  • They use fragments in conversation.
  • They interrupt each other.
  • They ramble or trail off when unsure.

Example of Realistic YA Dialogue (Without Overdone Slang):

From Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia:

“You make me want to live, Wallace. Not survive; not exist. Live.”

This line is powerful because it captures teenage intensity without forcing slang or gimmicks.

How to Apply This to Your Writing:

• Read YA books written within the past five years to see how contemporary authors handle dialogue.
• Listen to real teenagers talk (without being creepy about it). Pay attention to speech patterns rather than specific words.
• Focus on authenticity over trendiness. Dialogue should reflect your character’s personality, not just current pop culture.

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3. Nail the Internal Monologue

In YA fiction, internal monologues are just as important as dialogue. Teens spend a lot of time overthinking, daydreaming, and worrying about how they’re perceived. Their thoughts often feel scattered, raw, and contradictory.

How to Write an Authentic Teen Inner Voice:

• Make them hyperaware of their emotions – A teen character might know they’re overreacting but still struggle to stop.
• Show how they misinterpret things – Maybe they assume a friend is mad when they’re just distracted.
• Use humor, sarcasm, or self-deprecation – Many teens cope with stress by making fun of themselves or others.

Example of a Strong Internal Monologue:

From Turtles All the Way Down by John Green:

“I was beginning to learn that your life is a story told about you, not one that you tell.”

This line captures a teen’s existential worry about identity, a common theme in YA fiction.

How to Apply This to Your Writing:

• Let your character’s inner thoughts feel messy and unfiltered, rather than perfectly composed.
• Use short, choppy sentences when emotions run high and longer, rambling thoughts for overthinking moments.
• Don’t be afraid to let your character contradict themselves; teens are still figuring things out!

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4. Let Teen Characters Make Mistakes

A common mistake in YA fiction is writing teens who are too self-aware, too mature, or too perfect.

Reality Check:

• Teens make bad decisions—not because they’re stupid, but because they’re learning.
• They say things they don’t mean, act impulsively, and make social blunders.
• They change their minds often—one week, they want to be an artist, the next, a marine biologist.

Example of a Relatable, Flawed Teen Character:

From Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli:

“Sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me.”

Simon struggles with his identity and makes plenty of mistakes along the way, but that’s what makes him feel real.

How to Apply This to Your Writing:

• Let your characters mess up and learn rather than always making the right choice.
• Show their insecurities and contradictions. Maybe they pretend they don’t care about something when they secretly do.
• Avoid making them too wise beyond their years. Teens aren’t mini-adults, and that’s okay!

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5. Capture the Importance of Friendships and Firsts

For many teenagers, friendships, first loves, and first experiences are at the core of their world. YA fiction should reflect that.

Why This Matters:

• Friends shape identity – Teens often define themselves based on their social circles.
• Romance feels intense and all-consuming – A first kiss isn’t just a kiss; it’s a life event.
• “Firsts” have lasting impact – First betrayal, first heartbreak, first time standing up for themselves. These moments matter deeply in YA fiction.

Example of Friendship Done Well:

From They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera:

“I wasted all those yesterdays and am completely out of tomorrows.”

This book emphasizes the urgency of connection; a theme that resonates deeply with YA readers.

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Wrap Up

Writing authentic teen voices in YA fiction isn’t about copying slang or trying to sound “cool.” It’s about capturing the emotion, intensity, confusion, and rawness of being a teenager.

By focusing on realistic dialogue, flawed but relatable characters, and the unique perspective of adolescence, you can create stories that feel genuine, impactful, and deeply resonant.

Now it’s your turn: What’s your favorite YA book with a strong, authentic voice? Drop your recommendations in the comments below! As always, Happy Writing!