4 Important Things to Know to Survive a YA Novel.

1. Determine what type of the three basic YA novel types you are in:

a) If you are "not like other girls" and suddenly the hottest guy in school starts paying you attention, you are in the High School Romance novel. Just try to be upfront and honest, follow your heart, and you'll be okay.

b) If you suddenly manifest powers and/or discover a world in which everyone seems to know about a prophecy that might concern you, you are in a Chosen One novel. Stay tuned for further instruction.

c) If you suddenly find yourself being the only one who can see the manifest flaws in a broken system where the ruling elite control an impoverished normal class, you are in a Dystopian Novel. Stay tuned for further instruction.

2. So everything is on your shoulders, you're the symbol of the revolution or the One who will fix everything. That's a lot of stress, huh? Make sure that you have an obscure, hipster-ish hobby that you do on the side to help you cope. Examples include:

-archery

-sword fighting with your dreamy potential love interest

-underwater basket-weaving

-distributing food to the oppressed poor. 

These may seem a bit strange and outlandish, but trust me, they will be useful a a critical moment in your plot- er, your life!

3. Being a teenager is hard. Trying to save the world makes things harder. Trying to choose between two (or more!) Byronic and brooding teenage boys? Nearly impossible. Here are a few tips to make that choice a little easier:

-If he watches you while you sleep, stares at you constantly, or makes guilt-tripping comments to try and grab your affections, he is bad news. Stay away from this guy unless the raw passion seduces you against your will into making out with him for page after steamy page.

-If he is from your old life, sweet, and adorkable, ditch him. He is obviously not as dreamy as the dark and mysterious white guy who keeps giving you murder eyes. This guy will also likely get over you very quickly with another girl from this new world you've discovered. 

-If he is your social, military, or corporate superior, chances are he has got ties to the evil you are trying to fight. Fall in love with him anyway though, so you can reel at shock at his betrayal afterwards. 

Romance is tricky. Try to prioritize the lives of innocents over airing your drama.

4. We cannot possibly cover all of the different challenges you will face on your journey. You will meet a litany of people, so it is important to know friend from foe. 

a) The Token- Everyone loves diversity, right? When putting together your ragtag band of friends, try to have one friend of color. Not more than one though, or else it might be too hard to tell them apart. If there are suspiciously few ethnic people in your region, find a gay guy. Not a lesbian though, because she might be seen as a potential love interest, and probably will be killed off partway through the story. 

b)The Joker-This is your comic relief. Always ready with a quip and a quote. Likely has some sort of tragic backstory, and will likely die in a tragic manner. Prepare a funeral speech centered around his one true quality, his sense of humor.

c) The Frenemy- This girl likes your guy. She is often cool, confident, sexy, and 100% more qualified than you in every way. And yet you are the main character, so sit back, and relax. Eventually, she will grudgingly admit that you earned the guy, the gig, and the glory, even though you really haven't.

d) The Villain- This person is the head of the Society that you find corrupt. Or they are the head of the school you are learning to control your powers at. Or they are the head of a syndicate of ambiguous Evil that you must stop. The point is they are an adult in power, so they must be stopped at all costs. Watch for subtle foreshadowing around them, like adherence to strict rules, approval of social norms, and their nerve to tell you to keep your nose out of other people's business. Conservative in values, they clash with your vague liberalism in a way you cannot stand. 

In your YA adventure, you will find acceptance, heartache, love, and glory. You will peak at sixteen years old and live happily ever after if you succeed. Or you will go out in a blaze of glory for no point or purpose. It's up to the author really. Just try and live your life by morals that manifest overnight, and forget those morals a few days later. Oh, and miscommunication is key. Nothing better than cheap conflict! Best of luck!