Is this ok in YA? I always thought that it wasn't ok to talk directly to the reader in any novel (i.e. The MC says to the reader "but you wouldn't understand that") but then I think of Lemony Snicket, Percy Jackson, etc. where the authors talk directly to the readers in places. Are these just exceptions to the rule? In general, is it a good or bad idea to talk to the reader in a YA novel?
Talking to the reader?
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My MC in Premeditated does it regularly (as parenthetical asides). Granted, it hasn't been through edits yet, but I know I've seen other books do the same.
It's "Breaking the 4th Wall".
It's "Breaking the 4th Wall".
Becca C.
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I think it's voice. It works for with Lemony Snicket. I personally love it when a third-person narrator has a personality. It can be pretty ambitious, so use with caution, I'd say.
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It's one of those things that add a lot of voice and flavor to 3rd omniscient (see Lemony Snicket, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett). Not sure if you could do it in 3rd limited without it being a little weird.
But then doing it in 1st might come off a little Ferris Bueller. I can see it working with the right story and the right writer.
Actually, that might work really well in a contemporary or a humorous sf/f.
But then doing it in 1st might come off a little Ferris Bueller. I can see it working with the right story and the right writer.
Actually, that might work really well in a contemporary or a humorous sf/f.
Becca C.
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i haven't tried it but second person is really awesome if it can be pulled off. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult is the best example of it.
Also, both of the books in the OP are MG. Lemony Snicket is also a very particular type of first person that not many people could pull off.
A lot of YA agents don't like breaking the fourth wall. I don't really know why, I just know the aversion exists. But I've had comments on accidental breaks when I make a universal statement (in first person) as in "but you never really know a person until...."
It seems to be falling out of favor, but I agree it can work really well to comedic effect. But most of the examples of it that I see would work equally well as a thought from the character. So I guess think about why you need to directly address the reader instead of just letting a character pontificate. The latter won't break the reader out of the story.
A lot of YA agents don't like breaking the fourth wall. I don't really know why, I just know the aversion exists. But I've had comments on accidental breaks when I make a universal statement (in first person) as in "but you never really know a person until...."
It seems to be falling out of favor, but I agree it can work really well to comedic effect. But most of the examples of it that I see would work equally well as a thought from the character. So I guess think about why you need to directly address the reader instead of just letting a character pontificate. The latter won't break the reader out of the story.
Becca C.
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I've had accusations of breaking the fourth wall from that kind of "you" statement, too. Mostly from English teachers. I really don't see a problem with it. It's the more colloquial version of using "one" -- which I think is too formal for most writing.
My standard rule is if Catcher in the Rye does it it's okay. It's pretty much the godmother of YA. 
I used it in The Tower (my first published novel) without really thinking about it--I was a real newb then--and it worked, mainly because I used it very sparingly. I think it can work if you're talking about a universal axiom but it shouldn't be overused. Since my first novel, I' ve only used it once or twice and the publishers didn't hold it against me.
The question isn't whether you can do it, but whether you should do it. If your story works better that way, then do it. However, it can be tricky to pull off, not the least because it often gets used as a tactic to introduce voice in a hamfisted way.
Bottom line? It looks easier to do (well) than it is. Get feedback from beta readers, or at least know you are going out on a limb if you don't. What looks like it works to you may well have the opposite effect than intended.
Bottom line? It looks easier to do (well) than it is. Get feedback from beta readers, or at least know you are going out on a limb if you don't. What looks like it works to you may well have the opposite effect than intended.
Lauren Oliver does it in Before I Fall to good effect.
Hmm, I have that in mine too and didn't even think of it as directly addressing the reader.
Hmm, I have that in mine too and didn't even think of it as directly addressing the reader.
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If it works for the story, do it. I'm pretty sure the 1st-person narrator of Daughter of the Forest breaks the 4th wall at several points in the book.
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I agree with veinglory. In most cases, you will jar the reader out of the story and remind them that it's just a story. It might work better at the beginning or at the very end, but in-between the meat of the story I'd say don't do it. It will work better with a good voice. It all depends on how you pull it off.
If that's the way your MC thinks, go for it. (I don't think in second-person monologues, but maybe other people do.)
It's not a favorite style of mine, but it can be done. Markus Zusak does it in I Am the Messenger (and maybe The Book Thief? It's been awhile since I read that one.) But he intentionally breaks the fourth wall a lot.
It's not a favorite style of mine, but it can be done. Markus Zusak does it in I Am the Messenger (and maybe The Book Thief? It's been awhile since I read that one.) But he intentionally breaks the fourth wall a lot.