Asked by: Alexis Smith

Is sex allowed in YA novels?

Asking teen readers themselves, there appears to be a consensus that YA books don’t have to contain actual sex to be engaging and realistic. But some level of sexual content — even if it’s just kissing — helps retain their interest.

How much profanity can be in a YA novel?

If you’re writing for young children, then bad language is just not okay. When it comes to writing for Young Adults, swearing is allowed, so long as the themes of your novel demand it and you’re writing for the more mature YA audience (that is, one likely to be making its own book selections).

Can you write about sex in a book?

If you’re writing a romance novel, sex scenes are almost always mandatory. But if you’re writing in another genre, like mystery or speculative fiction, you may not need to add sex at all.

What are the characteristics of a YA novel?

As such, young adult books share certain characteristics:

• Profanity and graphic violence are permissible, reflecting the maturity of the reading group.
• Romance is allowed, but not eroticism.
• Protagonists are typically between 15 and 18 years old, reflecting the age of the reading group.

Can I cuss in a book?

It’s no longer taboo to have swearing in most types of writing, though the frequency and the type (e.g. “hell” vs. an f-bomb) can vary greatly depending on the audience and the subject matter. When writers ask, “Can I include a swear word in my novel?” the answer, usually, is yes.

What book has the most swear words?

The worst offender on the list was “Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines” by Nic Sheff (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009). That book, the memoir of a young man addicted to meth, had more than 500 instances of profanity and 139 instances of the f-word.

Can you say the F word on Instagram?

The new feature censors naughty words such as the F word, the A word, the B word, the C word, and various variations thereof. In fact, in addition to completely obscuring these bad words with innocent symbols, Instagram will further bleep out the sound of you saying them.

Is Harry Potter YA or middle grade?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone is not a YA novel. It’s middle-grade, meaning it’s for children between the ages of 8 and 12.

What is chick lit?

Chick lit is a genre of literature that focuses on female protagonists. These stories are usually targeted at younger women and are described as “popular fiction.”

What makes a good YA story?

The same principles that elevate all great novels—a strong point of view, emotional truth, a relatable main character, entertaining secondary characters, fluid use of language, and a story worth investing in—are what elevate YA books.

How many pages is 50000 words?

Book Length by the Numbers

A 50,000-word manuscript is 200 pages.

What books should a 14 year old read?

The best books for 13- and 14-year-olds should be engaging and make children think. Unfortunately, some children of these ages usually spend time playing video games or watching Netflix.
Fiction Books

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. …
• Holes. …
• The Martian: Classroom Edition. …
• Jasper Jones. …
• Eragon. …
• Coraline. …
• Life of Pi.