Welcome to the Rebellion

 by Charlotte Bennardo

Ah, the teen years; we hate them and love them, although when asked, most people say they wouldn't want to go back to high school (young adult era) again-or ever. 

I'm one of them. 

My main insecurity was cliche; not measuring up, being 'cool,' fitting in. It wasn't until my senior year that I finally said "Screw it, I'm not staying here so I don't care." And yes, I peeled out of the parking lot on last day of classes, got reprimanded, and shrugged. (I was an honor student, NEVER got in trouble, school was over. What were they going to do?) 

So when I write my young adult characters, I use the "I don't care about the status quo" rebellious characteristic for two reasons: the first that life was infinitely more interesting when I didn't confine myself to what everyone else thought or lived by. It was very liberating and I haven't looked back. The second reason is that agents and editors want strong characters, especially female ones. No more shrinking violets, no more gals who didn't speak and act up for themselves. Granted, not all young adult women are bold, rebellious. And they may never be. But, editor and agent wish lists aside, I'm not that young woman anymore. Yes, I remember her, but like my high school life, it belongs in the past...

Welcome to the rebellion. 

Charlotte is busy promoting her new YA fantasy, The Excalibur Vow, and thinking about the sequel people have been asking for. Her adult sweet romance, Christmas Bells, Hanukkah Lights, will debut in 2026. She writes MG, YA, NA, and adult novels and short stories in sci fi, fantasy, contemporary, horror, paranormal, and romance genres. She is the author of the award-winning middle grade Evolution Revolution trilogy: Simple Machines, Simple Plans, and Simple Lessons. She co-authored the YA novels Blonde OPS, Sirenz, and Sirenz Back in Fashion. She has several short stories in anthologies, online, and her website, along with newspaper and magazine articles. She's applying her MFA skills on several children's and adult novels and short stories. She lives in NJ but dreams of a Caribbean beach house. And more cats.