This is just a really random post that was written at a very early time in the morning, when I was sleep deprived and completely jet lagged and totally loopy, so it's probably not the most educated discussion post in the world. But, I digress...
I know, I know, a weird title, but it's relevant, I promise! This discussion post is about realism in YA, and what happens to normal human body functions with the characters. I don't know why, but I always notice that when characters are on the run from the big bad villain, and they're stuck living in basements and the forests or whatever, things like the need to use the bathroom are never mentioned. YA characters seem to be able to go days, even weeks, without peeing or crapping! It's amazing! The girls also seem to have the miraculous ability to NEVER GET THEIR PERIODS, which I am highly jealous of. Can I please live in this world?
See? Even Hermoine gotta pee.
I mean, I guess it would be awkward to mention that too much. And how awkward is it to think of your favorite YA hottie having to go take a crap? (Everyone now, please imagine Jace on the toilet. See? Awkward.) But at least
once, right? Sometimes an entire novel could go by where the main characters are on the run and stuck camping out in weird places, and not one mention of ever having to use the bathroom comes up. I always end up thinking, "Well, maybe they're a bit irregular."
The one series that I can think of off the top of my head where the main character actually does have normal body functions is the Strange Angels series by Lili St. Crow. The main character, Dru, is on the run a lot and being attacked by demons and stuff, and usually after a big scare or monster attack, the first thing she thinks is that she has to pee. I always notice for some reason.
I guess there wasn't really much significance to this post other than to ramble about characters in books peeing and stuff... But still! Share your thoughts! What do you think of YA characters and normal body functions?? Should there be more? Less? None at all? Let me know!