Off Topic Writing a YA Gymnastics Novel — What Would You Want to See?

[Rookie Gym Coach]

Hello!

Mods, please delete if not allowed.


I’m a former gymnast and now a rec coach. I’ve decided I want to write a book, and I have multiple plots of varying genres floating around my brain. I’d love to get opinions from gymnasts, parents, and coaches here.

As I grew out of middle grade books and started reading young adult, I noticed a serious lack of books that are true to gymnastics, especially ones written by someone who actually knows the sport. There’s so much storytelling potential in gymnastics: pressure, friendships, injuries, comebacks, identity, college recruiting, etc. but very little of it feels accurately represented.

When I was younger, I absolutely adored The Perfect Balance Gymnastics Academy series by Melissa Torres. They were some of the only books I read that truly captured the gymnastics environment and lifestyle, which makes sense since Melissa was an ex–Level 10. Unfortunately, there aren’t many equivalents for older readers.

Another caveat with YA gymnastics books, is they're always about the best of the best gymnasts, who are level 10+ or "the top in the country." There is a lack of representation for an average gymnast who isn't level 10 and is in a lower optional level, or an Xcel program.

One YA example is It's All in How You Fall, but in my opinion the gymnastics isn’t very accurate, and it leans much more toward romance than being gymnastics centered. I wouldn’t mind romance as a subplot, but I think gymnastics should be the most prevalent element in the story; something that’s largely missing in YA literature. One YA book I did love is Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli, which handled mature topics and the gymnastics world much more realistically.



Lately, I’ve been exploring a few different directions:

• A romance that actually gets gymnastics right
• A gymnastics-centered novel with minimal to no romance
• A gymnastics-centered murder mystery/thriller

I was wondering:

• What themes, concepts, and storylines would teens in this sport like to see represented?
• Are there things gymnastics books always get wrong that I should avoid? (I have a few ideas, but I’d love to hear other perspectives.)
• Are there experiences—training culture, meets, team dynamics—that you think would translate well into a YA story?
• If you were to read a gymnastics YA book, what would make you roll your eyes vs. feel seen?

Thanks in advance. This community always has such thoughtful insight.

 

[Dream]

There is a lack of representation for an average gymnast who isn't level 10 and is in a lower optional level, or an Xcel program.

I think that would reach many people as there are more people in this stage than the occasional stars. Maybe one who is struggling with a skill or ignored by coaches but finds friendship and excitement in gymnastics any way? Or explains why she keeps doing it despite not being the star? Then she could find love or solve a mystery or both? Love your ideas!

 

[bestmommyever1234]

There’s a series called "Gymnastics Academy" ; "A second chance". Which is a gymnastics show about fourteen year old gymnasts and how they are all fighting for a scholarship to pay off they’re tuition for the next 1-2 years plus perks. This show is based in Australia and they’re all optionals but not level 10’s or elite. They all seem to be level 6-8 with Maya (one of the girl’s on the show) having level 6 skills, and Kyra or Scarlet (also on the show) having level 8 skills with most of the other girls falling into the level 7 range. There is also romance as a subplot which I like, and there’s drama between the girls, Kyra having an injury, coaches and judges being biased, and struggling to keep a balance with gymnastics and the struggles of the real world. So I would recommend watching this show so you get some ideas, and read some of the later Perfect Balance books as now all of the girls are in middle school and Paige is in high school.

 

[Rookie Gym Coach]

There’s a series called "Gymnastics Academy" ; "A second chance". Which is a gymnastics show about fourteen year old gymnasts and how they are all fighting for a scholarship to pay off they’re tuition for the next 1-2 years plus perks. This show is based in Australia and they’re all optionals but not level 10’s or elite. They all seem to be level 6-8 with Maya (one of the girl’s on the show) having level 6 skills, and Kyra or Scarlet (also on the show) having level 8 skills with most of the other girls falling into the level 7 range. There is also romance as a subplot which I like, and there’s drama between the girls, Kyra having an injury, coaches and judges being biased, and struggling to keep a balance with gymnastics and the struggles of the real world. So I would recommend watching this show so you get some ideas, and read some of the later Perfect Balance books as now all of the girls are in middle school and Paige is in high school.

I've actually watched that show and the movies already! I'm only 16 so I've experienced my fair share of gymnastics media.