Thread: HighSchool YA Novel

I started writing a novel based on my senior year of highschool and the things that happen,I have change name of characters, town and people involve so I dont get in trouble if I ever get publish. I might kind of lost how to write it without sounding cliche or too stereotypical. Yes,I have immersed myself in the highschool football movies, I watch Friday Night Lights TV show and I seen the movie and read the book. How do you write it without sounding too cliche?Do I write everything that happen in my senior year or just try to change things around?Im trying to be true to what happen but I do not know if thats right or wrong.Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
-Ashy

Someone told me that the things that actually happen to you are the best justifications for writing that doesn't sound 'realistic' or 'cliche'. Since you said you're writing something from your own experience, if you write it the right way it most likely won't sound unrealistic. But that's just my experience. Just start writing, and if you think you still need help, post something up to get feedback.

How do you write it without sounding too cliche?

I write it and then I go back over it, if it sounds too cliché I edit it, by that I don't mean edit it out , but change it to something more original. Before there is anything written it simply goes round and round in my head, and is a bit formless, as soon as something is on paper (or screen) I have something to play with and improve, I'll add description, swap whole paragraphs round, all sorts. But in the first place I simply turn the idea into words without worrying, because anything can be changed.

Do I write everything that happen in my senior year or just try to change things around?Im trying to be true to what happen but I do not know if thats right or wrong.

Most of us write "faction", fiction based on facts, what you should try to remember is that there is likely to be a butterfly effect, if you alter one thing it will impact on others, both in terms of plot and characters. It makes life easier if the deviations from the "truth" are deletions and simplifications, though additions and complications are so much more attractive I would say avoid them at first, if you think they would work you can always work them in later.

I can't add much to what Olly said but be careful. Even if you change names and places the people who lived through that experience are going to recognize it. I am not saying that you shouldn't write it, do write it. But be aware of the consequences. Someone is probably going to get their feelings hurt.

I think in a lot of ways it is harder to tackle "faction", as Olly put it, than pure fiction. Because you have real people and real events and real consequences. But the truth can be more fulfilling, and those stories often have deeper meaning and emotion. Because you did live it you are better able to write a vivid picture. The best way to start it though is just write. Edit when you feel the need. Don't edit before you've got anything on the page.

Don't make the mistake to think that we will know the characters as well as you do. If people seem real with flaws and redeeming qualities and all, they won't seem that stereotypical or chiche.

Kat is right. Don't forget what happened to V-S. Naipaul after the publication of 'Miguel Street'. It was years before he could go home to Trinidad again.

Originally Posted by girlyprincess

I started writing a novel based on my senior year of highschool and the things that happen,I have change name of characters, town and people involve so I dont get in trouble if I ever get publish. I might kind of lost how to write it without sounding cliche or too stereotypical. Yes,I have immersed myself in the highschool football movies, I watch Friday Night Lights TV show and I seen the movie and read the book. How do you write it without sounding too cliche?Do I write everything that happen in my senior year or just try to change things around?Im trying to be true to what happen but I do not know if thats right or wrong.Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
-Ashy

i think certain genres will always have the cliche taint to them. You can try, that's all i can say.