1. I think rivalry is a natural part of the adolescent journey. The teen years are all about developing a sense of independence and individuality. It's a time for defining yourself and your place in the world, and determining the areas in which you do and do not excel. There's an element of competition to just about everything, and while it doesn't always get heated, in the world of storytelling, it's a lot more interesting when it does.
  2. I love the idea of living in an abundant universe, but the reality is that at any given time there's only one winning team-only one who can claim the top academic spot in their class. While there are all types of rivalry to choose from, those of us with brothers and sisters are probably familiar with a little thing called sibling rivalry, which can really come to a head in the teen years. Competition for the parents' attention and a need to define and claim our role in the family often drives it. The good news is that it usually subsides by adulthood. Usually, but not always.
  3. At school, rivalry plays out just about everywhere but most openly in sports. Whether it's rivalry against another school, or other players, competing for the top positions or for the win is expected if not encouraged.
  4. In the classroom, there's rivalry for grades and the teacher's approval-only one can be top of the class-only one will be chosen as valedictorian.
  5. When it comes time to apply to colleges, rivalry kicks in big time. There are loads of university applicants and only a limited number of openings, so it's imperative to do what it takes to stand out above all the rest.
  6. Summer and/or afterschool jobs-like college, there are only so many slots available, and since work experience looks good on a college application it becomes crucial to do what it takes to rise above the rest of the applicants and clinch the position.
  7. Extracurricular activities like cheerleading, the school play, and student government, all revolve around competing against others in order to win the role. For every winner, there are scores of others who didn't make the cut.
  8. Friends/Popularity-Back to that whole thing about adolescence being a time to define yourself and your place in the world-friendships are where that most often plays out. Jockeying for position within a clique isn't always as dramatic in real life as it is in fiction, but in a book, high drama makes for high entertainment.
  9. Dating-When your friends all like the same guy/girl, rivalry naturally ensues.
  10. While YA fiction aims to mirror the teen experience, it does so in a much more heightened way. The sort of drama and rivalry most of us would strive to avoid in real life serves to drive a story forward and make it nearly impossible to put down.

Unrivalled is available now (MIRA Ink, £7.99)

Alyson Noel

Alyson Noel