Song Stuck in My Head: “I
Believe in a Thing Called Love” by the Darkness. The highest of high notes are
hit in this tune.
So, I’ve been thinking about
characterization a lot more lately. After all, my WIP and I have made up (for
now, grrr) and the more I write the more I realize how gaping my teenage
characters’ flaws are. Which seems pretty ridiculous, since I am a teenager and
all blah blah blah, but it happens. After all, a lot of us make the same
mistakes.
For instance, unless it’s
about the smoking hot supernatural being they’re dating, our YA characters just
have no passion anymore. Which makes no sense - I mean, I can think of kids at
my own school who get fiery about politics or world issues. Let alone issues
right around them.
Or what about their passion
for fun and hobbies, not counting sulking, reading/writing, shooting arrows,
and pining after outcasts. Do you ever see any YA characters who collect stamps
or model airplanes whilst during their YA shenanigans? Didn’t think so. Surely
our YA characters could use more pastimes. Like OD’ing on Tumblr or Call of
Duty marathons. You know. Normal teen stuff.
What about college? School
and education is barely mentioned in my WIP, for good reasons. But it seems
like a lot more YA leaves out academics for no good reason other than there
weren’t enough pages. We all know the debate on how unrealistic the college
process is depicted in teen novels - but why is that? Even having characters
talk about which state college they’re applying to or break down in front of
their school counselor might add a layer of reality to their stories.
Even the characters who do go
to college, like in teen TV shows, rarely ever have a real career choice or
major. Think of all the shows you’ve seen about freshman year…Dawson’s Creek,
Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill, Buffy the Vampire Slayer,
That 70’s Show, etc. Can you name THREE of their character’s majors in college?
I’ll give you a minute…back yet? Exactly. The I-don’t-know-what-I-want-to-do-with-my-life
storyline is great, but at least give them some interests.
And lastly…family! I’m mad at
how little of a role my main character’s family plays in my story. But that
happens more and more too. Yet in real life, all my teen-aged friends seem to
have family issues and drama every day. Clearly parents and loved ones should
play an important role in a YA character’s life, even if they are out with
their angel-werewolf boyfriends or fulfilling ancient prophecies. Maybe they
give advice. Maybe they are overprotective. Maybe they just care. You never
know.
Okay. That’s all. I’m writing
this at night so…I’m going to go to sleep now. Another important part of being
a teenager, of course.
(Though I really wish it wasn’t,
there’s so much on TV right now…)
Later.
