I was thinking about this last night, and I didn't come up with one definitive answer so I'll try again today. Sometimes it helps to think aloud.

First of all, writing 'YA' is largely a marketing category - books that are today termed 'YA' would have been shelved in the Childrens section, not too long ago; or simply 'upgraded' to general fiction or science fiction/fantasy or wherever, depending on the genre. Books for teenagers existed of course, but they weren't called 'YA' back then. Not that I think having a whole category/genre dedicated to books for teens is a bad thing. Actually, I think it's great - especially the way teenage fiction sections are set up in bookstores now. They look cool, they're separate from the younger childrens books, and the choice of books is just incredible! Very inviting for teens who might drift away from reading for pleasure, with so many other things grabbing at their attention and free time. The quality of these novels is just fantastic, too. So many amazing authors writing about those teen years... No wonder they're so popular with editors right now!

But that's not the whole story.

Primarily, I write YA fiction because I love writing about characters aged around 16-18. It's an age where a lot happened in my life, and those experiences seem more important and powerful when you're going through all the inevitable changes that the teenage years bring. All those 'first times' that we go through at 17... It makes for wonderful drama and conflict in fiction. The potential for emotional writing is huge - and I love writing big emotional scenes. I remember how brave I could be at 17, while now - as an adult - I am much more cautious and (try to) think things through before acting. There's a fearless quality to many teenagers I have known.

I used to work with older teens, as a student advisor, and I learned so much during that time. It was stressful but rewarding, and I also undertook a counselling qualification that still benefits me today. I was just turning 30 when I took the job, and I think it was then that I realised I wanted to focus on the teenage years in my fiction. Previously, I'd written 'literary' short stories about adults - but my heart just wasn't in them.

Now that I'm writing YA contemporary fantasy, I can allow my imagination to soar - while still grounding myself in the very real issues of what it's like to be 17. I remember that time pretty well (too well!), even though it was half my lifetime ago. To think that I'm writing books that might one day be read by young adults who experience things so passionately... That would be a reward in itself. :)