Why are all Teen Fics the same?

Almost every time I find a teen fic novel, it's about romance and teenagers. That's not the whole genre, you know. Teen fic is about writing teen issues, as opposed to adult ones. It's about coming to terms with who you are and your place in society. Yes, lots of this could/would take place in high school in real life, but not EXCLUSIVELY there and through romance.

I almost hate putting 'teen fiction' as a genre on my novel. I imagine when people see it, they just assume it's like all the other books.

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I agree with you totally! The genre of teen fiction has changed so much, I remember when a teen fiction could be about bullying, eating disorders, and one or two about dating, ext. Now, I think people are thinking of it as just teen romance. Or, they see that one story got popular because of their plot and multiple people try to copy it. I prefer Teen FIc the way it used to be

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You're just talking about Wattpad, right? Because there are plenty of awesome books about real teen issues out there. Try Ellen Hopkins or Sarah Dessen. They're amazing authors. I reckon most teen fiction on this site is written by lonely teenage girls, hence the content. With mine, I do try to be different and stray away from the normal cliches. Plus, my characters are actually in their late teens, so they're out of high school. I've never really tried to tackle issues like cutting or eating disorders in my stories; that's way too personal for me. I do have drug use and alcohol, but my characters are not really addicted. I think my main issues are love v.s. infatuation, love v.s. obsession, and love v.s. abuse. But none of that fluffy stuff. I can't write that.

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They all have the same plot and the same characters and the same rediculusly happy ending. I tried to find a realistic teen fiction book on this website, but man, it's hard!

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It's hard to find it, but romance is part of teenage life as well. Falling in love and trying new things. Things about bullying, a normal life, or struggles through the year is now a days classified as either poetry or other. Also, sometimes what happens to teens happens to all ages so writers may not want to file it under the teen fiction genre. Personally, I think wattpad should have a genre called teen romance AND teen fiction. That way all the romantic teen stories can stay together.

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@AlexaFragile omgoogel me too i was realy reluctant to label mine teen fiction but it is it dose not take place in a high school or have any romance but it is teen fiction people seem to think it has to be about romance and cliques and all that but there are a lot of other topics to write about that i actually find a lot more intriguing

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I agree, most need to find something unique. I found a really, non-cliche one a while ago. It talks about the destruction of Earth, basically how our choices destroyed it. But it's for teenagers. You should check it out: http://www.wattpad.com/story/1635053-pavement-of-sapphire

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@AlexaFragile I think in part, it's human nature. Almost any story is derivative from a story the person telling it heard somewhere else. Look at how, for example, we got from Hamlet to Lion King. That's an example of how it can go well.

Though, to be fair, in the case you're referring to it's probably closer to The evolution from Tristan and Isolde to Romeo and Juliet to High School Musical, which is.... not so good.

As @livelovelaugh331 pointed out, a lot of it does have to do with the popularity of cookie-cutter wish fulfillment stories, as well. It's easier to get five thousand reads and eight hundred votes on a poorly executed "Oh No, I'm In Love With A Werewolf Player (Named Harry Styles)"-type story than it is on say... the objectively better written story that @FrancescaG referenced.

Ultimately though, I agree. Teen fiction could definitely do with a bit of a jolt, originality-wise.

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@AlexaFragile I know how you feel. I wrote a new story and since the guy is a new kid, someone thought it was the same thing. Which it's not. My stories are always different in a way.... I think it's because of how I am. xD Anyways I think it's just how people see themselves in another life. A happy one. Really I need a good book that's realistic and doesn't stay away from the plot line. I found a good one and in the third chapter, she fell in love with the guy who made her life a living crap hole!!! Who does that? I don't! Well...... no. I don't.

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I agree with you. My reason is different than a lot of other people's reasons. Sure, people want their story to be full of romance, but that's probably because everyone wants their life to go that way. Assholes usualy stay assholes, overemotional girls don't change them. Neither do they fall in love with the person they 'kidnapped'. I mean, oh please! Also, a lot of people make guys dramatic and wimpy. Usually guys are a bit... Guyish. Something I wouldn't 'fall in love with'. Or with a dickhead.

I don't think those girls actually care if other people like reading it. They are just dead set on getting the guy of their dreams. It's just sad. Dreams are dreams. You can take the idea you've got from a dream, but you've gotta change it into a book. An actual story.

By the way, all those one direction fanfics? Are REALLY annoying. I don't read them, but my best friend is obsessed with one direction. Though she isn't half as bad as a lot of people on wattpad. Brrrrrrrr...

They are allowed to like a wimpy, dignity lacking boyband, but please don't overdo it.

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@AlexaFragile If you're talking about on Wattpad, try looking for stories in Undiscovered Gems or even just searching things you're interested in. Almost all the stories with tons of reads are the same, but there are a few that are good. I like to think that my stories are original, but I see where you are coming from. Romance isn't the whole genre, but because most of the teen population likes to read something with a bit of romance in it, you have to deal with it. But it shouldn't take up the whole book.

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@AlexaFragile i wouldn't say everything is romance with teen fiction. like at first i tagged mine with adventure and teen fiction (until i switched to watty awards) i've seen a few non-cliche books that just have a dash of romance as a side to the real plot, which is perfect in my opinion. but the reason people do that, is because teens love to fantasize (fiction) about romance see it all fits in right together. they like to read about what they want. most teens don't fantasize about being in situations in other genres because they're sooo much less likely to happen

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I know what you mean, all the teen fic's are the same but there are a few Wattpad stories that are quite good. I know you're not supposed to link to Wattpad books but I found this in the teen fic section and it's completely different - Look up "Soul Splitters" or something like that. It's really good :)

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@AlexaFragile I agree I'm trying to write one but it keeps going into that direction. Grrr...

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http://www.wattpad.com/story/2125153-who-knew. Alexis is the mega bitch in Presley High. She is rich, famous, pretty, hot and of course is very mean. Just the typical bitch you met in school. However, this does not maintain long. Soon she found that her world was crumbling down. Popurality, reputation, friends and even her parents were all gone. Left with her was the fat guy, Liam that she always hated. Will he saved her from all the shits happening to her despite her bad attitude towards him ? Will they even get along with each other? Who knew. Anything could happen. @AlexaFragile @AwesomeBauer hope you will find it different

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I completely agree with you guys! When I write teen fiction though, I don't make it about romance. It just seems completely cliche if I do. I'll add it sure, because it's a part of life and what teenagers go through, but I feel like a lot of people neglect family issues, and sometimes inner turmoil. A teen fiction story should always be accompanied with some kind of lesson, in my opinion, especially to show other teens the bigger picture, if that makes sense.

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@littlecupcakes lol awesome but can u read mine and tell me how to straighten it out? Grr... writers block. -_- http://www.wattpad.com/story/1942334-me-and-them-back-then-1-make-all-the-good-kids-go

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I totally agree! Teen fiction has been ruined by all these romance stories. When I write teen fiction, I try not to write about it.

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Well I get your point, but you have to keep in mind that a lot of people who are on this website are teenagers. I love realistic books and I agree that some teen fictions are the same mundane plot repeated with different characters, but some books are both relatable and a little far fetched. Take Harry Potter, which is teen fiction. It's about wizards and witches and magic, which (sadly) doesn't exist. However it deals with a lot of teen issues like bullying, dating, parental issues. It all depends on how well written it is, and how much effort the author puts in to make it believable.

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http://www.wattpad.com/story/2132597-stop-and-stare

Well, that's my interpretation of Teenage Fiction.

As you can see form above, I'm a Teen Fiction writer myself and I agree with you on the whole 'there's more to YA ficiton than boy meets girl'. I completely understand that some people simply like that kind of fiction, and that is 100% fine. Typical boy meets girl stories can be written magnificently too so logn as the author is talented. It just kind of bugs me when people, especially adults, assume that all Teen Fiction is the same because it's such a broad genre.

While I do splash in elements of romance and what not into my writing, it's also heavily based on family issues, society's expectations and the development of a young person becoming an adult.

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I just don't read those those ones and when I write I TRY to not write sabby love stories, but you know things happen.

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I never really thought about it that way before..but it's kinda true. Teen Fiction is basically a romance story involving at least one teenager.

Romance always sneaks it's way in the story no matter how different or original the story is supposed to be.

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I don't think romance, in and of itself, is the real issue. I have no issue with romance, as a genre, and I've seen plenty of really well-crafted stories where love is the driving force behind it. I think the major issue is the fact that people are literally producing the EXACT same stories with different names because they know they'll get reads if they do, where taking a chance and going somewhere new makes that more difficult.

@INSnhe I agree with you in that as long as Directioners realize they're obsessive fans of literally the worst thing to happen to music this decade, and they're completely okay with that, all the more power to them.

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YA fiction is a genera that I tend to avoid for exactly that reason. even non-romance stories (hunger games, anybody? Wasn't that supposed to be an action?) are so buried by the romance side-plot that I find it impossible to get into them.

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@TheRobFiles I really like how you said 'Hamlet to Lion King' is good. I love Lion King a lot. xD Am I the only one who noticed that?

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