How to Write a School Novel for Teens

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

You go to school for six to eight hours, five days a week, for fourteen years. It has drama, romance, suspense and shocks - the perfect setting for a novel! These tips will get you started.

Steps

1
Research names or think up a name that is not used a lot in books for your characters. At the same time, you don't want your name to be completely ridiculous, so look for a good balance.
2
Determine your characters. Look at the cliques at your school to help you at. Try not to follow stereotypes, though: it's okay to have a jock who loves to read or a depressed cheerleader. Sometimes, it helps if you draw them (or get a picture online) and write a short summary of their personality so you get a feel for them.

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3
Choose a setting. Maybe it's an all-girls private school, or a school for 'troubled children.' You also will need a name for the school: you can name it after a famous person (Abraham Lincoln High), the town (Hollywood Academy for the Preforming Arts), or a made-up person (Jessica Sydney High School).
4
Come up with a general idea in your head. Don't go in without an escape route - some vague idea of how or where you want the book to end up. At least know the sub-genre: drama, romance, action? Fantasy?
5
Commence writing. Your first sentences should hook the reader. By the first or second chapter, you should have revealed a little bit about the main character and a little bit of the school. A chapter can be anywhere from a page to thirty pages - whatever you do best.
6
Add a major drama or conflict. Maybe the main character lost her popularity due to a rumor; maybe she was framed for some rule-breaking. Keep it original, but also believable. Ask yourself: could I see this happening in my school?
7
Resolve the conflict, preferably in some unexpected way. If you plan on writing a second book, you can leave loose ends or cliffhangers, which is a suspenseful ending, in the last pages.
8
Get someone who you know very well to read your work. A good friend, English teacher, older sibling or someone else you're close to would be a good choice.
9
Reread and edit! You can do this yourself, or ask someone you know (see above) to help you, or both.
10
If you want to, try to get it published. The book Eragon was written by a fifteen year old boy. At the same time, remember that publication is a tricky business and it takes an undefinable amount of effort just to get someone to look at your manuscript.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I think of a good idea for a novel?

Community Answer

Maybe make it about your life, or school, or maybe just make it totally random. Just let the ideas come to you.
Question

Is it a good idea to base events in the novel off my real life experiences?

Community Answer

It can't hurt! The events are more likely to feel real if you base them off things that have happened to you, because you'll be able to provide more details.
Question

How would I know if the book makes sense or if it's just dragging on?

Community Answer

You can show it to friends and family members in your preferred audience, and ask them if they feel like the story is carrying itself. Also, you could join a writing workshop in your community or online, and get critiques within that setting.