The Problem With “Trauma Porn” in YA Fantasy
Trauma isn’t something to use as shock factor or to force character development just because you couldn’t find any other way to. Suffering builds character, sure, but using it as a way to be edgy can ruin your story for readers. Here’s some pointers on how to present trauma in your YA fantasy story.
When Your YA Hero Has Anxiety But The Plot Still Has Dragons
Young adult fantasy is known for high stakes. There are magical systems, political tensions, ancient threats, and impossible choices. Everything is bigger and louder than real life. And yet, the characters readers remember most often feel very human. They worry. They hesitate. They second-guess themselves. They imagine what could go wrong before it does. In […]
Who’s Reading This? Types of Readers and What They Want
Books, like people, come in all shapes, sizes, and experiences. Because there is so much variance, books are typically organized into categories based on the age and interests of their audience. These categories are designed to grow up with each reader, from bright picture books for little ones to introspective novels for adults. As a […]