Choice of words in a Y/A novel

by Paul Garside
7th March 2016

Hello all, it has been a while since I asked a question. I have used a few words that I think should be understood by young people in a Y/A novel as they are used in context. However, some people in my family think that maybe they are too, I was going to say intellectual for young people, but I don't think that is really quite the right term. I will give a couple of examples of words I have used, oh by the way the book is not peppered with these types of word just about half a dozen tops in a hundred thousand words. "Mellifluous", when referring to the voice of an extra dimensional being, another word was "ruminating", when the protagonist is pondering over some of his actions. So what do you think, do I change my first thoughts and just use everyday words or push em to look up what they mean if they don't already know. Thanks in advance Paul G

Replies

Thank you Lorraine, my thoughts exactly, but you know when something has been put in your head it is better to get other views. I will keep it my way.

Again thanks and kind regards Paul.

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Paul Garside
08/03/2016

Do you dumb down, or challenge? Y/A is not junior school age; your readers should be able to handle those words.

Lorraine

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Lorraine Swoboda
08/03/2016