Writing About High School in Young Adult Fiction
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Recently, one of our Good Story Learning members wrote a young adult fiction scene in such vibrant detail that everyone in the group was able to pinpoint the character’s position in the social ladder.
But here’s what made the character unique: he never bemoaned his unpopular status, or showed his style in a way that gave away his status as a potential “loser.” He simply went about his business, and through the author’s writing and interactions with other characters, we got context for where he belonged socially (and it wasn’t good). At no point were readers explicitly told.
The Ingredients of Writing Young Adult Fiction
For those who already understand “showing, not telling” examples in writing, let me be clear that this concept is especially pertinent when writing about teenage social hierarchies in the young adult fiction space. Hierarchy is ubiquitous in writing about high school, and kids can instantly identify one another’s place (or bemoan their own). This isn't about whether such labels are beneficial or detrimental to society—it is simply true. So how can we make it convincing in our young adult fiction writing?
The Tired Rundown of the Social Scene in Young Adult Fiction
Most people who are writing for young adult fiction include a rundown of the social scene. This typically happens in the first chapter if it's set in a school, or within the first 30 pages for stories that aren't rooted in the classroom setting. You know the drill: the goths with their black makeup, the emo kids in drab cardigans, the cheerleaders making eyes at the jocks grunting over and crushing soda cans on their heads …
We’ve read this scenario in countless young adult fiction manuscripts and published books alike. But most young adult fiction readers already know the lay of the land when it comes to high school social hierarchy. Most writers include this obligatory rundown just to be sure they understand the context they're writing in and to keep themselves in a place to write comfortably. But what if you freed yourself from this tired convention? What kind of stories might you tell if that’s the case?
More Natural Worldbuilding in Young Adult Fiction
So how can we convey this environment more naturally in young adult fiction? Check out Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. It does an excellent job of conveying the atmosphere without being overt, which is the last thing you need in your young adult fiction.
The protagonist, Sam Kingston, is a popular teenage girl with a sharp tongue, and Oliver describes her place within the school's hierarchy in a new and distinct writing voice. The tension between Sam and her peers is always evident in his writing, but there's still room for subtlety. If there’s one thing readers of young adult fiction hate, it’s feeling pandered to.
Readers are already pretty jaded about opening a book and getting the entire social roll call right away, so make sure to pivot your manuscript if this is your current approach. It’s very possible to explore the longing, disappointment, and hope that the high school experience often inspires without needing to set your young adult fiction in the cafeteria.
This post contains affiliate links.
Elevate Your Storytelling
Wherever you are in your writing journey—from an initial outline to a draft to pitching your project—the experienced team at Good Story Editing can take your work to the next level.