Why I Write Young Adult Fiction
By TC Booth
I’m excited to be a guest today for More Than a Review. As a Young Adult author, I am often asked why I write in that genre. Before I answer this, I need to give you an idea of who I am. I believe each of us has God given passions and gifts. For me, the need to make a difference in the lives of young people is something that has driven my life. From the career I chose as a teacher to the two children I’ve taken in to raise as my own.
Along with this passion, God has given me the gift and desire to write. Young adult fiction, specifically teen fiction has always been my favorite genre to read. That has evolved into my favorite genre to write. There are many reasons why. The main reason goes back to my first desire…to make a difference in the lives of young people. Through my writing I am able to give a voice to many different types of teens who may otherwise not have a voice.
For the teens who are overlooked because they don’t possess a spectacular talent in the arts or athletics. The teens who aren’t born into the right families. Teens that have been let down by the adults in their lives that are supposed to look out for their best interests and have failed to be the role models they need. Young people who live with situations most of can’t fathom, yet are expected to perform academically and are deemed failures if they can‘t succeed. My overall purpose is to create characters that give a voice to these issues and more faced by young people.
Now that I’ve said all that, I’m going to lighten it up a bit. Besides addressing life issues for this age group, I enjoy writing from a teen’s point of view. It’s fun to get into the mindset of a teen again. Teens live life with such passion. There is an excitement in experiencing things for the first time.
I’m published with Clean Reads. All of my stories have teen crushes and first loves in them. The heroines in my stories range in ages from fifteen to eighteen. Let me introduce you to them.
Gabby Martin from Beyond Vica gives a voice to all teens who have experienced loss at young age. The grieving process differs from person to person but can be especially confusing to a teenager who is also experiencing all the trials and tribulations a teen typically encounters at this time. Trying to make sense of the world and their place in it is trying as a teenager. Gabby takes the reader through this painful process.
Starla Emerson in To Be Honest gives a voice to the young people who are different from their peers in some way and have received unwanted and often unpleasant attention as a result. Starla also shows the reader how jealousy of other girls can grow into ugly monster that can’t be controlled.
My work in progress features eighteen year old Tegan Taylor. Tegan gives a voice to all the young people who feel rejected by a parent or caregiver in some way. Tegan believes she’s not important enough for her father to stop drinking. That he chooses it over her. She also finds it impossible to live up to her mother’s expectations. Tegan takes the reader through the emotional rollercoaster of living with someone with a substance addiction while navigating the issues of teen life.
I hope my readers are inspired by these teens and their growth into strong empowered young ladies.