You’ve got the perfect idea for your YA novel, but don’t forget about the setting! It plays an important role, along with your characters and plot. Most young adults go to school for six-plus hours a day, five days a week, so it’s the perfect setting for teen angst, romance, coming of age, and humor. Here are some tips for writing about high school in young adult fiction.

Ready to take your writing to the next level? Get access to a whole library of resources from the experts, including videos, workshops, handouts, tips, and exclusive content for writers like you.

Writing About High School

From contemporary to mystery to fantasy, if you’re writing about teens, a school setting will most likely be involved. Think about the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It feels like it exists in real life. (It does, right? I’m still waiting for my acceptance letter.) But seriously, we want our readers to be immersed in our story, and setting plays a big role. High school is probably the most universal experience for the majority of readers. 

MINE YOUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE 

Even if it was a few (or more!) years ago, think back to your own teen experiences during high school. Dig out your yearbooks and journals if you need some help! 

What sports, clubs, or activities did you join? Who did you sit with at lunch or hang with during free period? Who were your friends during freshman year, and then during senior year? And, of course, who did you take to prom or have a crush on? 

Think about how all these experiences made you feel. Take some time to journal about your memories. Most of our own experiences are timeless and classic.

FOCUS ON UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCES 

When plotting and developing conflicts for your young adult fiction protagonist, concentrate on areas that are universal teen experiences. High school is a time of insecurity and impulsive actions, but in the end, teens are learning their place in the world.  

Most teen conflicts can be grouped into one of the following:

• Friendships: Keeping or leaving behind old friends and making new ones 

• Romance: From falling in love, sharing a first kiss (or more) to breaking up

• Self-Identity: Learning their own worth, planning their future

HIGH SCHOOL STEREOTYPES

We all know the classic high school stereotypes: the popular kids, the jocks, the cheerleaders, the nerds, the stoners, the theater kids, the brains, and the list goes on. While these labels are common, you want your characters to act and feel real, so make sure they are three-dimensional by giving them other interests and qualities that flip something about the stereotype on its head. For example, the jock who also sings in the chorus, or the stoner who’s the valedictorian. Check out this video for tips on fleshing out your young adult fiction characters.

SCHOOL TYPES

You’ve probably heard that the setting can be a “character” in your story. The type of high school can support your story in many ways, adding to conflict, tension, or even humor. The name you give the school can be symbolic, or maybe the mascot has a ridiculous name. 

Will your character attend public or private school? Is it co-ed or single-sex? Maybe it’s a school for troubled teens? Or teens with special talents? Consider having your protagonist attend a boarding school. Boarding schools create an environment where there’s not much adult supervision. And, if you’re writing fantasy, you can combine any or all of the above while adding supernatural or magical elements. 

REMINDERS

• All students have homework, not just the nerds or studious types.

• There’s not an unlimited amount of time in between classes.

• Limit the number of locker scenes (not everyone uses their lockers, nor are they a big hang out spot).

• Bullies can be anyone, not just the “popular” kids.

• In the lunchroom, there’s not a table of all jocks or nerds; teens sit with their friends, which cross over stereotypes.

• Teens text 99.9% of the time (calling is for emergencies only).

• There are not an unlimited number of parties happening every weekend (remember, they have lots of homework)!

• Avoid using current slang or phrases in dialogue (it will become outdated fast).

FUN TIPS 

• Draw a floor plan of the high school to help you know where your character is and where they are heading next.

• To help you visualize your characters, find pictures that represent them to help you describe them consistently.

Have fun walking down memory lane. And remember that while many teen experiences are universal, it’s your job to make them original while keeping them realistic. As always, the best advice is to read lots of young adult fiction books, and watch current TV shows and movies featuring high school students.

Our founder, Mary Kole, wrote a YA handbook! Get your signed copy of Writing Irresistible Kidlit.