Writing Excuses Season Four Episode 10: Writing for Young Adults

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2010/03/14/writing-excuses-4-10-writing-for-young-adults/

Key points: YA, middle grade, and adult are mostly bookstore marketing labels -- where do we shelve it and who do we sell it to? Focus on writing for teens. Think about how to appeal to them, mostly by providing something they can relate to. The YA genre definition says school and romance are key interests. 16-year-olds are at a crux, where they can make decisions and do things, yet they are still told what to do. Teens may adopt the easy, superficial analysis just because they haven't got the experience to make them realize that's too simple. Be wary of writing teens as "little adults." Consider the character's background, experiences, and setting -- but don't overdo it.
( between school and romance... )
[Jessica] Your writing prompt is to take a young protagonist, at least younger than 16, and put them in a situation where they are in charge of some adults. You have to have a good reason why they are in charge.
[Dan] Very nice.
[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses, now go write.