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In young adult (YA) fiction, characters are the lifeblood of your story. Teens dive into YA books not just for compelling plots, but to find reflections of themselves in the characters, to explore complex emotions, and to connect with authentic experiences. Relatable characters make all the difference and can turn casual readers into lifelong fans.
Creating characters that resonate with teen readers is both an art and a science. It requires understanding the adolescent experience, avoiding clichés, and bringing a sense of authenticity to your writing. Whether you’re crafting a brooding hero, a quirky best friend, or a fierce protagonist, this blog post will help you create YA characters that teens will love.
Understanding Your Audience: The YA Reader
Before you can craft relatable characters, you need to understand your audience. YA readers are typically between 12 and 18 years old, but the genre often attracts adults as well. (The more the merrier!) Teen readers are at a unique stage of life: they’re exploring their identities, navigating intense emotions, and grappling with newfound independence.
What Teens Look for in YA Characters
- Authenticity: Characters who feel genuine and multidimensional, not stereotypical or idealized.
- Growth: Teens love characters who evolve and learn throughout the story.
- Emotion: Raw, honest emotions that mirror the intensity of adolescence.
- Complexity: Flawed characters with strengths and weaknesses they can relate to.
- Diversity: Characters who reflect the wide range of identities, backgrounds, and experiences that exist in the real world.
Building Relatable YA Characters
1. Start with a Strong Backstory
Every character should feel like they’ve lived a full life before the story begins. A strong backstory shapes their motivations, fears, and decisions, making them feel more real.
- Ask Key Questions: What’s their family life like? What do they value most? What keeps them up at night?
- Focus on Adolescence: Reflect the unique pressures of teenage life—school, friendships, family expectations, first love, and identity struggles.
Example: Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) is shaped by her role as a caretaker for her family in a harsh, oppressive society. This backstory drives her choices throughout the series.
2. Create Authentic Voices
Teen readers can spot an inauthentic voice a mile away. To craft dialogue and internal monologues that ring true, immerse yourself in the way teens communicate.
Tips for Writing Authentic Voices:
- Listen to Real Teens: Observe how they talk, what slang they use, and how they express emotions.
- Avoid Overusing Slang: While a touch of contemporary slang can add realism, overdoing it can date your book quickly.
- Balance Wit and Vulnerability: Teens often use humor and sarcasm as coping mechanisms, but don’t let this overshadow their deeper emotions.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of having a character say they’re scared or excited, show it through their actions and thoughts.
Example: Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give nails the voice of Starr Carter, whose internal monologue and dialogue feel raw, real, and undeniably teenage.
3. Give Them Flaws and Strengths
Perfect characters are boring. Teens want to see characters who struggle, make mistakes, and overcome their flaws. At the same time, they need strengths that make them admirable or relatable.
How to Balance Flaws and Strengths:
- Flaws: Impulsiveness, self-doubt, stubbornness, or fear of failure.
- Strengths: Loyalty, resilience, creativity, or empathy.
- Relatable Struggles: Struggling with body image, peer pressure, or family conflicts makes characters feel grounded in genuine experiences.
Example: Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) is dyslexic and impulsive, but his bravery, humor, and loyalty make him a beloved hero.
4. Focus on Emotional Depth
Teens experience emotions with an intensity that’s often heightened by the challenges of growing up. Your characters should reflect this emotional depth, whether they’re navigating heartbreak, joy, anger, or grief.
How to Deepen Emotional Resonance:
- Write in Layers: Show surface reactions (tears, laughter) alongside deeper, internal emotions.
- Explore Relationships: Highlight their bonds with friends, family, and romantic interests—each relationship brings unique emotional dynamics.
- Show Vulnerability: Allow characters to have moments of doubt or weakness; this makes their eventual triumphs even more powerful.
Example: In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Simon’s emotional struggles with coming out are handled with nuance and depth, making him deeply relatable.
5. Reflect the Modern Teen Experience
Teens live in a rapidly changing world, and YA characters should reflect the realities of their environment.
Key Aspects to Consider:
- Technology: Social media, smartphones, and online culture are integral to modern teen life. Incorporate them naturally without letting them overshadow the story.
- Current Issues: Topics like mental health, climate change, racial inequality, or LGBTQ+ rights resonate with today’s readers. Address them thoughtfully and authentically.
- Diverse Identities: Represent teens from various cultural, racial, sexual, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Avoid tokenism by fully developing these characters.
Example: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera explores love, loss, and identity through a diverse cast of characters in a tech-driven dystopian world.
6. Let Them Make Mistakes
Adolescence is a time of trial and error. Your characters should make mistakes—sometimes big ones—and learn from them. This not only makes them relatable but also adds depth to their growth arcs.
How to Write Realistic Mistakes:
- Avoid Perfection: Allow characters to make decisions that backfire or hurt others.
- Show Consequences: Don’t let them off the hook easily; show how their mistakes affect them and others.
- Highlight Growth: Use mistakes as a stepping stone for character development.
Example: In To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, Lara Jean’s accidentally sent love letters lead to plenty of awkward moments and growth in her relationships.
7. Craft Unique Supporting Characters
The protagonist isn’t the only character readers will connect with. Supporting characters—best friends, siblings, love interests, mentors—add richness to your story and give your protagonist someone to bounce off.
Tips for Memorable Supporting Characters:
- Give Them Agency: They should have their own goals, fears, and arcs, not just exist to support the protagonist.
- Create Contrast: Make them different from the protagonist to create dynamic interactions.
- Avoid Stereotypes: Develop supporting characters as fully as your main character.
Example: Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in Harry Potter bring intelligence and loyalty to the trio, complementing Harry’s bravery while having their own distinct personalities and arcs.
8. Develop Believable Relationships
Whether it’s friendship, family, or romance, relationships are a cornerstone of YA fiction. Teens crave stories that explore the complexities of human connection.
How to Write Relatable Relationships:
- Friendships: Show the ups and downs of teen friendships, from loyalty and shared humor to misunderstandings and falling-outs.
- Family Dynamics: Highlight the push and pull of growing independence versus familial expectations.
- Romance: Write love interests who are more than just attractive—they should have chemistry, shared interests, and believable conflicts.
Example: The evolving friendship between Aza and Daisy in Turtles All the Way Down by John Green captures the complexities of loyalty and mental health in teenage relationships.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in YA Character Creation
- Stereotypes: Avoid clichés like the “popular mean girl” or “brooding bad boy.” Instead, dig deeper to create nuanced characters.
- Overly Mature Teens: Teens can be wise beyond their years, but they’re still learning and growing. Avoid giving them overly adult traits or dialogue.
- Lack of Growth: Ensure your characters change and develop throughout the story; stagnation can make them feel flat.
- Ignoring Diversity: A homogenous cast can alienate readers. Strive for authentic representation of different identities and experiences.
Putting It All Together: Crafting a Beloved YA Cast
To create YA characters that teens will love:
- Develop rich backstories that inform their choices and motivations.
- Write authentic voices that resonate with modern teens.
- Balance flaws and strengths to create realistic, multidimensional characters.
- Explore emotional depth and growth through their relationships and struggles.
- Reflect the complexities of today’s teen experience.
Case Study: In Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, each member of the diverse crew is deeply flawed yet compelling, with unique backstories, motivations, and arcs that make them unforgettable.
Conclusion
Relatable YA characters are at the heart of a successful story. They don’t just drive the plot—they become friends, role models, and reflections for your readers. By crafting authentic, flawed, and emotionally resonant characters, you’ll create stories that teens cherish and revisit.
Now it’s your turn: Which YA characters have resonated with you most, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments! And if you’re working on your own YA novel, apply these tips and let your characters shine.
As always, Happy Writing!
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