New-Please Advice - Writers Forum

tennicchick · 12-02-2007, 01:23 PM

I am writing a book aimed at 16-24 years olds about success in college and life after. Do you guys have any tips on how to keep my writing light and interesting to this age group?

JohnN · 12-03-2007, 05:26 AM

Well the standard formula for such books involvel

1. Poor kid who made it to college
2. Love triangle
3. Rich kid threatens future with drug addiction

But thats so boring, do something a little interesting. Keep your language racy/interesting avoid cliches. Maybe include modern technologies (social networking?) etc

Erik Buchanan · 12-03-2007, 09:32 AM

Is your book fiction or non-fiction?

quarterscot · 12-03-2007, 04:40 PM

As I recall, when I was a 16-24 I was much more interested in reading about failure in "college and life after." Hormones, probably.

mathmission · 12-03-2007, 05:06 PM

I’m actually doing my masters studies in counseling psychology for college aged students. It seems to me the best way to catch the attention is appeal to the fact that they’re learning, as young adults, that things can and will go bad every now and then. I think the best thing to do is make your audience feel as if they are part of a community, make them feel as if they’re not excluded. Those are my initial reactions.

AliceLiddell · 12-03-2007, 06:19 PM

Do you have any friends, family members or neighbors with kids in those age groups? I'd ask to hang out with them for a day and listen to the way they talk to each other. Interact with them in a similar tone you'd like your book to be in and see how they respond.

Do they laugh because you sound cheesy? Do they seem to react to you like you're cool and really understand them?

Then sit down and write a few chapters. Ask those same kids to read what you've written and let you know if it sounds too cheesy or too over their heads. Maybe even go to myspace or something and read some kids blogs around that age group to get a good feel for how they choose to communicate.

I'd also suggest you try and avoid slang at all costs if you want this book to be able to be relevant in 5 or 10 years.