I wrote recently about discovering that my novel could easily fit into the New Adult category, and since then I’ve realised that I write about younger characters quite a bit. Aside from Reckless Rescue, I have another novel with a nineteen year old protagonist who begins the novel by faking her own death and running away from home. (Well, there’s a little more to the story than that, and it’s not quite what it seems. Really.)
So this made me wonder, what is it I enjoy about writing younger characters? I mean, I’m in my thirties myself, so why not write about characters who are also in their thirties? That would make sense right?
Am I writing about younger characters because I wish I was still nineteen myself? I don’t think so. I’m pretty happy with being in my thirties. I like my life, I like who I am, and I like the experience I’ve gained in those years. I wouldn’t really want to be nineteen again.
Some of it, I think, is that to me, the thirties are the years for having kids. (Not saying it has to be so for everyone, but it has been for me personally.) And while my characters always seem to end up pregnant somewhere in the novels, I rarely write about characters with kids. When I do, I make sure it’s realistic. You won’t find my characters having kids then leaving them with friends while they’re off having exciting adventures. They tend to stay home with their kids. Which isn’t so exciting to write about. (Not in fantasy and sci-fi anyway.)
Mostly though, it’s that at nineteen, the world seems so new and full of possibilities. I love exploring that time and those feelings, even though I don’t want to live them again myself.
And, of course, to balance it out, I do have some older characters. One fantasy novel has a 27 year old protagonist, and in my favourite series, the female character is 73!
How about you? Do you prefer to read or write about characters you age? Or is there another age you prefer? Any ideas why?
All this month I’m participating in the A-Z blogging challenge, writing a blog post for each letter of the alphabet, on every day of the month except Sundays. Check back regularly to see what else I have in store for you.
You’re a day early Rinelle, but I don’t mind. It’s a great post. I had always wondered what made older adults write YA and NA novels. Now I get a small inclining. The characters of a YA book can do stupid things and we blame it on youth, the same thing in an adult book and we just think the person is a complete idiot.
Oops. I forgot today was Sunday! Thanks for telling me, or I would have been a day early tomorrow too!
Hmm… I read not too long ago that many people write about characters in those younger years because it’s one of the most turbulent times in our lives (in our development). As you said, it’s a time where we figure out who we are and where our lives should head. Of course, this can happen at anytime, but those younger years hit everyone.
I write children’s books basically because I feel most at home with children (What does that say about me, I wonder?). But I love reading books with characters of all ages – it just has to be a good story 😉
I sometimes toy with the idea of writing children’s books (especially when I’ve just told my daughter a bedtime story that I think was especially good) but it’s not really where my passion lies. I’m glad it is for some people though! I guess that’s one stage where most books are written by people of a different age group. I wonder what kids books would be like if kids were writing them?
Yay for being a day early! As for the age thing: I think it’s great, and shows talent when people can write about characters who are younger or older than themselves. It means you have imagination and the ability to empathize with what it must be like to be those ages. As for me, age is a big trip up – as far as writing characters. I never think about how old they are until I go back to edit and realize I haven’t mentioned it at all. Their age doesn’t really figure in to their character as much as their other qualities do like powers, strength, adaptability, determination and things of that nature.
Interesting that you don’t think of a characters age until later. I often don’t either, but I’ve found that readers get upset if I don’t tell them early on!
Generally speaking, I prefer characters I have something in common with (and age is one such thing), but not always. I’ve read some YA fiction that kept me up till well past midnight, so it all depends. Age and genre know no boundries if the story is good and the narrative voice speaks to me.
This is the first Y post I read, and I love it. (Thought I had subscribed, but guess not, so I made sure I did this time around).
Silvia @ Silvia Writes
Thanks Silvia. Y was my hardest letter, I had no idea what I was going to do for Y, so I’m glad you liked it.
Good post as usual, Rinelle. I think it may well just be that you are young at heart and can easily identify with that feeling of adventure and of endless possibilities – perfect for writing protagonists in your genre.
Kelly’s Eye – Writing, Music, Life
Young at heart. I like that idea MrKelly! And I think you’re probably onto something. I really don’t feel like I’m in my thirties, and I’m sure I was nineteen myself just the other day!
Great discussion. I write about characters younger than me, but then most people are younger than me. Since I teach high school, though I love my students, I have trouble reading or writing about teenagers being heroic or saving the world.
I very rarely write about anyone saving the world. Although occasionally they do help save it, it rarely starts out that way for them. Interestingly I’ve read quite a few articles lately in brilliant discoveries teenagers are making in science and Eco friendly technology, which could be called saving the world in a way.
Great post thanks Rinelle and the comments are also interesting. I have never thought about it. I’m thinking of Paolo Coelho’s novel: Victoria Decides to Die’ She was a young woman. The Diaries of Anne Frank: she started writing at the age of 13. Can an older person put themselves in the shoes of a younger protagonist? Why not … as you say 19 is such a time full of possibilities!
True. This post really has me wondering if we’re going to see a lot of books by younger writers now with the advent of self publishing. And I can’t help wondering if a 10yo wouldn’t really love a book written by another 10yo more than one by an adult. We do bring such an adult perspective to storytelling. For example, when my daughter asks for a bedtime story, she’ll often specifically request for the characters NOT to have to deal with any problems! A boring story but adult standards, with no conflict, but she loves it.
I’ve found I can’t read books about my life stage or the one just before any more. I just can’t. I used to love reading chick lit novels about twenty-somethings (and I’ve written a few) but I can’t read them now, I find the characters too hard to relate to. All that singledom angst that I used to lap up when I was one just seems indulgence now I’d give anything to have a day by myself! And all the books written about my age group (as you say, the thirties – a time of breeding!) are just too depressing. They’re either about struggling with kids, or finding marriage hard or having affairs. I’m living those difficults (not specifically, but you know what I mean) and I read only to escape. So, recently, I’ve found myself drawn back to reading YA and MG fiction, and writing it too. I thought my YA book was a fluke but now I want to write a Middle Grade novel. I guess now I have children of my own I’m evaluating those experiences I went through as a child that shaped my future self. I’ve just read The Wee Free Men and Hatful of Sky by Terry Pratchett and realised that teenage or MG books allow you to discuss the meaning of life without getting bogged down in religion or politics, because ‘life’ is so person-centric at that age.
There’s so much I agree with here! Yes, I have no interest in reading about other people with kids not the least because it’s often unrealistic. Somehow, there’s always someone available to babysit the kids whenever the main character needs it! When does that happen in real life? Oh, and the kids always go off and amuse themselves quietly when mum asks. Where do they find these kids? Nothing like mine at all!
Oops, sorry, ranting a bit there. I like the idea of disuccing life without getting bogged down in politics. That’s definitely my preference.
I don’t have much impulse to read about people my own age. If the author has interesting things to say about them, then I’m in, but having something worth exploring about characters of any stripe is what draws me. I have some avoidance of fiction about young characters because they tend to be stereotypes or shallow fiction blobs, but when done well, like in The Body, Among Others, and Let the Right One In, they’re splendid. Any time period in human life can be worth exploring in fiction.
John at The Bathroom Monologues
So true John. Each age group has it’s own stereotypes, and if that’s all a character is, it’s rather dull. A real character with real issues and flaws is far more interesting to read about at any age.
Hi, I am a new follower from the challenge. I can’t believe it is almost over. I’m glad I found your blog before it ended. I will definitely be back after the challenge ends. I enjoyed your post and I am eager to read your books. I am intrigued by a character who fakes her own death at the beginning of the book.
I don’t think YA authors wish they were that age again. I don’t write YA, but I do read it and if I were to write it, I think it would be because I have so many memories and experiences (good, bad & terrible) that I could use as an idea bank. I also believe that my personality has evolved so much since that age that I could use many versions of myself as a way to go deep inside my character’s mind.
Hi Melissa. I’m also rushing around finding new blogs in these last few days. I know I’m not going to get to them all, but there are so many out there that I’ve missed!
I think I like reading about characters my own age because I can relate better. Learning stories about younger people is fun too because it usually brings back memories. Sometimes it makes me wish I had done things differently other times it confirms that I might have made the right decisions.
True. I tend to see so many things I would have done differently if I knew what I know now, but if I went back and changed things, I wouldn’t be who I am now! Always tricky. (And probably would make a good book! So many ideas, so little time!)