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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Author: KristiCook

In Defense of “Good Guy” YA Heroes

January 15, 2014 by KristiCook 6 Comments
YA heroes writing teen book characters

There’s definitely something going ’round the Young Adult writing world these days–the notion that the “ideal” YA male character (particularly the “love interest” or hero) is a “bad boy.”  You know, the super-hot boy with a smokin’ body and a bad attitude.  If you read a lot of YA, you’ve seen these YA heroes everywhere. … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Characters, Writing Craft, Young Adult Teen Tagged: characters, YA heroes, young adult

World Building Writing Prompts for Young Adult Novels

November 1, 2013 by KristiCook 2 Comments
world building writing prompts for young adult novels

When we talk about “world building” in young adult novels, people often think it only applies to fantasy/paranormal/urban fantasy genres, but world building is just as important in realistic fiction novels. Many times contemporary fiction writers forget that or need a few writing prompts to get their world building going. What exactly is world building? … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Worldbuilding, Writing Craft, Writing Prompts, Young Adult Teen Tagged: how to build a world, worldbuilding, writing prompts, young adult novels

Too “Hot” for Young Adult Fiction?

September 11, 2013 by KristiCook Leave a Comment
sex in young adult fiction novels books YA

There’s a lot of confusion out there about how “hot” a young adult novel can (and should) be.  The short answer:  it all depends.  Here’s the thing–there is no “line in the sand” where sexual content is concerned in YA fiction.  To completely ignore the topic of sex in young adult fiction is, at best, … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Market Trends, Writing Business, Writing Craft, Young Adult Teen Tagged: sexy books, yalit, yalitchat

Young Adult Fiction and the Cliffhanger Ending…

August 16, 2013 by KristiCook 2 Comments
cliffhanger ending in young adult fiction

Lately, I’ve been hearing lots of complaints about “cliffhangers” in young adult series–you know, where a book ends seemingly in the middle of some sort of crisis, and you have to wait for the next book for the resolution.  From a marketing perspective, a cliffhanger ending can be a good thing.  It leaves readers desperate for the … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Pacing, Writing Craft, Young Adult Teen Tagged: cliffhanger, writing a series, YA, yalit, yalitchat

YA Fiction Stereotype: Dumbed Down?

July 5, 2013 by KristiCook 4 Comments

Every year when I begin teaching a commercial fiction class for adults, I have at least one student who, when we start discussing Young Adult/Teen fiction, asks something to the effect of “YA fiction is just dumbed down writing, right?” I can’t tell you how disheartening this YA fiction stereotype is.  Let me state it boldly … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Market Trends, Writing Business, Writing Craft, Young Adult Teen Tagged: yalit, yalitchat, young adult fiction, young adult novels
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Featured Book

Techniques of the Selling Writer 
by Dwight V. Swain

Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain

Classic book on how to write books that readers will want to read!

This is one of the foundation books that all novelists should have on their bookshelf.

Get at Amazon


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