In this article we'll consider:
The teen mindset
Dialogue that feels real
Capturing voice
Testing voice
How to research for YA
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Next to children's literature, the genre you really don't want to make a character faux pas in is Young Adult (YA) fiction. Your audience, typically between the ages of 12 and 18, will never forgive you.
Whether your novel is contemporary, fantasy, dystopian or romance, your YA protagonist’s voice must feel natural and relatable to young readers. A forced, overly mature or exaggerated voice can make characters feel unrealistic and pull readers out of the story.
So the big question is, how do you craft an authentic teen voice in your YA fiction that resonates if you're... uh... no longer a teen?
Let’s dive into the key elements that will help you create dialogue and narration that feel true to life.
1. Understanding the teen mindset
Teens aren’t just smaller versions of adults. They have a unique way of thinking, speaking, and viewing the world. They experience intense emotions, crave independence while still needing guidance, and often live in the moment.
Here are a few things to consider:
Emotional intensity. Teens experience highs and lows more acutely than adults, which should be reflected in their narration and dialogue. What matters most to them also changes over time – family, friends, status, self-image, popularity, love interests, etc – as does what concerns them.
Social awareness. The rise of social media has influenced how teens communicate, often blending digital culture with face-to-face interactions. Bear in mind, too, that tech changes quickly. How one generation communicates with friends, family and peers can be very different from another's, and this has an impact on developed perceptions and behaviours.
Identity exploration. Many teens are discovering who they are, leading to internal conflicts and evolving perspectives. This links back to emotional intensity and what matters to them and concerns them.
Authenticity matters. Teens can quickly detect when something feels “off” or inauthentic, so it’s important to capture their world accurately.
2. Dialogue that feels real (but isn't 100% realistic)
Just as in all genres of fiction, you want dialogue to sound natural but without excessive "ums" and "likes" or meandering small talk slowing the pace. Here’s how to strike the right balance:
Keep it concise. Teens often talk in shorter, snappier sentences in back-and-forth conversations. They rarely give long-winded, carefully worded speeches.
Interruptions and overlaps. Real conversations are dynamic – teens interrupt, change subjects quickly, and text while talking.
Sarcasm and exaggeration. Many teens use humour and hyperbole as a way to express themselves and connect with peers.
Slang (use with caution). Using slang enhances authenticity, but be careful not to use it to the point it feels forced. Instead, focus on rhythm and pacing, and let the slang slot in where it fits naturally, and with the characters it suits best.
3. Capturing the right narrative voice
YA novels often use first-person or close third-person narration to create an intimate connection with the protagonist. Whether your character is sarcastic, introspective or headstrong, their voice should be distinct and age-appropriate.
Internal monologue should feel natural. Avoid overly sophisticated vocabulary unless it fits the character (e.g., a bookish teen might have a more literary style).
Teens think fast and feel deeply. Their narration should reflect their emotional highs and lows in a raw, engaging way.
Let them be imperfect. Just like adults, teens make mistakes, misread situations, may find it difficult to be objective, and sometimes contradict themselves.
4. Cultural and generational awareness
Teenagers are not a collective. They don't all think, feel or behave in the same way. In fact, no two teens are alike. Factors like culture, background and location shape how they speak and act.
Regional differences. A teen in Central London may talk differently than one in Glasgow and one in rural Mid Wales.
Gender identity and sexuality. If it's relevant to characterization and/or plot, ensure you understand gender identity (the gender your character identifies as) and sexuality (who they're attracted to). Depending on your storyline, your character may fall anywhere on a broad spectrum from confused, ashamed and repressing parts of themselves, to knowledgeable, outspoken and self-assured. Avoid making assumptions – safely research how gender identity and/or sexuality impacts young adults today.
Subcultures matter. Gamers, bookworms, science enthusiasts, athletes and artists, etc, all have their own lingo and ways of interacting.
Trends change fast. Be aware that current slang, memes, social media platforms and other cultural references you include may become outdated quickly, so consider using them only where it's necessary, rather than overloading your story with them.
5. Testing your teen voice
Writing an authentic teen voice isn’t just about theory – it’s about practice and revision. Here’s how to test your dialogue and narration during the editing stages:
Read your work out loud. Does the narration and dialogue sound natural? Would a real teen say it that way?
Beta readers are crucial. Find young adult readers who'd be happy to give their feedback. The more the better.
Edit with authenticity in mind. Editing with a keen eye and ear, cut out anything that feels forced, exaggerated or overly adult.
6. Do your research
While it's perfectly reasonable to say we've all been teenagers, we know what it's like, our memories alone may not be enough to create an authentic teen voice for today's audience. Remember, technology and the internet have changed our lives radically in a relatively short amount of time, and this has impacted everyone's lifestyle and behaviours, not least children and teenagers.
While parts of teenage life may remain timeless and universal (relationship with parents, puberty, navigating self-esteem, falling in love), how these life experiences are encountered and dealt with is likely to change according to the current culture. So if it's been a few years (and certainly if it's been decades) since you were a teenager, it's best to do your research.
Read YA. If you're writing YA, you're probably reading YA. But if you're not, do so. Find current books that have been well-received, and read as many as you can to: a) get a feel for the voices; and also, b) note tropes, tone, and style.
Pay attention to teenagers. It sounds like a no-brainer, but observe how teenagers interact (in a public, non-intrusive, respectful way, it goes without saying) – noting what they say and how they say it. As with all character observation, look for the nuances, such as body language, and what they don't say but probably mean.
Watch, read, listen, learn. If you have teenage children or other teenage relatives, you already have a direct research source to hand. If not, watch TV shows, movies or podcasts aimed at teenagers. Study research or news and general interest articles about what today's teenagers are contending with, their memories of their upbringing, their hopes and aspirations, their views on life and the future, etc.
Get the cultural setting right. If your YA novel is set prior to modern day, your research will need to go deeper into what the culture would have been like for your teenage characters during that specific period. If your novel is set in the future, you'll have more flexibility about what life might be like for your characters. Either way, you'll want to write a teen voice your audience can relate to, so still do your research so you can get the balance right.
Finally...
Creating an authentic teen voice takes practice, careful research and observation, and a willingness to receive feedback and revise. Don't let any of this put you off. Your story is important, and your audience is crying out for storylines and characters they can relate to.
Writing YA is both satisfying and a privilege. The key above all else is to respect your audience – teens are smart, emotionally aware, and diverse. Make your characters' voices reflect that, and you have the potential to impact your readers' lives in ways they'll never forget. And how do I know this? Because my most treasured memories are of books I read as a teenager (when YA wasn't even a thing, but that's a story for another day!).
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Tina Williams of Fiction Yogi is a copyeditor and proofreader who works with writers at all stages, giving them the tools to improve their manuscript and level up their writing so they can meet their publishing goals.
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