Believable Characters for Young Adult Readers Part I
Avoid stereotyping your main character. Author, Judith Viorst states,"A normal adolescent isn't a normal adolescent if he acts normal". Give your main character some flaws and problems. The problem should stand in the way of the protagonist achieving their goal. The protagonist should be likeable to the reader but not perfect.
The adolescent protagonist needs to struggle, grow and gain wisdom while achieving their goal. The change is not merely physical, but psychological as well and should cause the main character to look inward.
Part II next month. Happy Writing!!
"Writing for Young Adults", Garland, Sherry, 1998, Writer's Digest Books
"Writing for Children and Teenagers", Wyndham, Lee,1988, Writer's Digest Books
The copyright of the article Believable Characters for Young Adult Readers Part I in Writing for Children is owned by Sue Reichard. Permission to republish Believable Characters for Young Adult Readers Part I in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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