We Were All Teens Once

Do I prefer writing for primary children or teens? Definitely teens. I can write content for both age groups, but if you’re writing for primary children you’re more restricted on the length, the language and the plot. With teens you can afford to be a little braver! When my editor first read Hexed, she urged me to be gorier and encouraged me to weave my sense of humour throughout the story. Apparently she thought I was witty 🤷🏻‍♀️

The question is, how does a forty-something adult (not naming any names!) write teenage characters? It’s not just about watching teenage dramas or reading other teen fiction. To find an authentic voice for your teen characters, it’s about loosening up, relaxing and adopting a laid-back attitude. Channel your inner teen. After all, you were a teenager once, as long ago as that may seem! When learning a foreign language, the best advice is to immerse and surround yourself with the language. The same goes for teens. I don’t mean surround yourself with teenagers - that would be weird. I mean surround yourself with your own memories. Immerse yourself in the music, emotions, smells and hobbies that you grew up with. As uncomfortable as some of the memories might be, all those feelings and emotions will help add depth to your characters; giving them that extra layer.

Being involved in theatre allows me to mix with teens. I’m reminded of the troubles we had at that age - dating, peer pressure, self esteem. It seems that as we hit adulthood, everything tenses up. It can bring with it new anxiety, stress, bills and all that jazz. Writing for teens has helped teach me how to engage with my inner teenager, and I’ve embraced that carefree attitude! 16-year-old me hung around to finish Hexed. Young mind, young heart! I decided to ask the lovely and funny Amelie, a 16-year-old fellow actress who I’ve performed in panto with for the last two years, how she perceives me, a 43-year-old woman. She is the same age as my four main characters. Her response was beautiful and totally unexpected, but also proves that teenagers are people too. So to write for teens and to write about teens, it’s not ‘getting down to their level.’ It’s about respecting them and respecting your characters. They will thank you for it and help you create the story you want. We are not that different. No more, no less. Just equal. If you always remember these values, then you can connect with anyone, whether in writing or in life.

Amelie and me in rehearsal!