I’ve been asked why I’d choose teenagers to write about, so I’m going to attempt to answer.
I’ve spent several years working with teens and I find them to be an amazing group of people. Young enough to not be completely jaded yet old enough to know the world isn’t all ice cream and cake.
Your teen years will represent more firsts than possibly any other time. First car, first pimple, first crush. Learning how to act like an adult while still being a kid, learning what you like, dislike, aren’t sure you like, and loathe. Discovering your gifts, your talents, and hiding those weird things you can do but don’t talk about anymore … like being able to put your foot behind your head or touch your nose with your tongue. (You tried it, didn’t you?)
Junior High is an ocean of choices and troubles.
High School is the same kind of animal, but you’ve grown in your commitment to who you are and it’s slightly easier to navigate because the boat you’re in isn’t as awkward as it was a few years ago.
Wisdom is becoming your friend and you’re learning what it is to have integrity. What a great time to be alive. What a great time to write about.
Fiction can help you learn about who you are. Yesterday, A Walk to Remember (based on a novel) was on TV. I watched as Landon transformed from a self-centered party boy to the young man who would put his future on hold to spend what precious time was left with the love of his life.
He learned, he grew, he changed. And his decisions, both good and bad were awesome examples to draw from.
So why do I write for teens? To put it simply, I love its possibilites.
Live life, love others, and read often!
Heather Burch
I have written a novel for teenagers and young adults and am running an art competition on my site, http://www.jakewest.co.uk
I was wondering if you had any advice for marketing and advertising? I have wonderful reviews but am struggling to spread the word. Thanks.
M J Webb
Author of Jake West – ‘The Keeper of the Stones’
Hi, MJ! I do have some advice for marketing and publicity. But it’s a hard thing to conquer. And lots of it is guesswork, never knowing if what you’re doing is helping or not. I’ve blogged about what I’ve done, and here is a link to my posts on it. http://teenageauthor.wordpress.com/category/marketing-and-publicity/
There are also lots of interesting posts on this blog: http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/marketing/ I learned a lot there.
I noticed that you are in the UK. I’ve been trying to find ways to promote my books there as well, but it’s kind of a mystery to me. So I can’t say that my ideas will work the same for you in the UK. Have you joined any writer’s professional organizations? That would be a great first step. Then you can try and network with them online and ask for advice. Maybe even attend some writing conferences over there and meet people. I learn a lot in the US that way.
Hope that helps some. 🙂
Jill