Creating Relatable Teen Characters: Lessons from The House of Illusions

Writing for teens isn’t just about using slang or mentioning social media. To truly connect with young readers, you have to understand them. That means tapping into their fears, friendships, frustrations, and the hilarious awkwardness that defines the teenage experience. One of the best examples of this done right is The House of Illusions—a spooky, laugh-out-loud adventure that delivers some of the most authentic teen characters you’ll find in fiction.

In this book Brandon Gardner enforces why creating relatable teen characters can do wonders for a story. 

So, how can writers create teen characters that feel real? Let’s dive into the lessons you can learn from The House of Illusions and how you can apply them to your own writing.

1. Let Teens Be Funny, Flawed, and Fearless (Sometimes All at Once)

Relatable characters are never perfect. In The House of Illusions, every teen is flawed in a way that feels totally familiar: Oliver is nervous and awkward, Diego is sarcastic and impulsive, Drew is skeptical and competitive, and Emily is fierce, athletic, and occasionally terrifying.

What makes these characters pop off the page is their ability to go from silly to serious in a heartbeat. One minute they’re joking about ghost-hunting YouTubers with cheesy taglines, and the next they’re facing creepy sounds in a haunted house. This emotional rollercoaster mirrors real teenage life—chaotic, unpredictable, and deeply personal.

If you’re creating teen characters, let them mess up. Let them overreact. Let them drop a sarcastic joke when things get too intense. That’s what makes them feel alive.

2. Capture Real Teen Dialogues (With Just the Right Level of Chaos)

Teen dialogue is tricky—lean too hard into current slang and it’ll sound outdated by next year. But The House of Illusions doesn’t try to mimic TikTok trends. Instead, it nails the rhythm of how teens actually talk.

Take this gem:

“This kind of dialogue—full of sass, pop culture, and disbelief—is exactly how teens speak. To see how Brandon balances tone and character voice, take a look at the contrasts in The House of Illusions vs. The House That Horror Built, where humor and horror are blended in very different ways.”

That’s exactly how teens respond—with a touch of sass, a pop culture reference, and a heavy dose of disbelief. Every conversation in the book feels overheard, not written. Teens interrupt, roast each other, avoid feelings, and occasionally throw out surprisingly deep insights. You can tell the author listened closely to how teens speak before writing a single word.

3. Friendships That Feel Messy and Real

Another reason the characters in The House of Illusions are so relatable? Their friendships are chaotic. They bicker. They tease. They question each other’s judgment constantly. But they also show up when it matters.

For example, when the boys decide to explore a haunted house, they don’t exactly rally behind Oliver’s ghost obsession—but they go anyway. When Emily joins the group, she shifts the dynamic entirely, holding her own against the boys and showing both strength and vulnerability.

Real friendships—especially teenage ones—are built on shared experiences, not just shared interests. Writers who want their teen characters to feel authentic should focus on these in-between moments. The teasing, the silent support, the moments of hesitation before saying “I’ve got your back.”

4. Showcase Insecurity Without Making It the Whole Identity

Teenagers feel everything more intensely—including insecurity. But The House of Illusions never lets that become the sole trait of any character. Oliver may be painfully awkward around girls (especially Emily), but he’s also curious, kind, and unexpectedly brave. Drew might be overly confident, but he’s also fiercely loyal.

Instead of turning insecurities into clichés, the story embraces them. Oliver stumbles over his words when talking to Emily, but he doesn’t magically transform into a suave hero by the end. He stays awkward—just a little braver than before.

Writers should avoid “fixing” their teen characters. Let them grow, yes—but let them grow slowly and realistically. That’s what your readers will connect with.

5. Inject Humor Without Undermining the Story

One of the hardest balances to strike in YA fiction is humor in the middle of serious moments. The House of Illusions pulls this off brilliantly. Even while the characters are trapped in a haunted house, you’ll find scenes like this:

“You call me a girl again and I will punch you,” Emily said.
“Then we can all hear Oliver squeal like a girl,” Diego said.
“Seriously though, how is anyone supposed to take you seriously when you call yourself fart-licker?”

The laughs come from the characters—not at their expense. This distinction is important. Relatable teen characters don’t need to be comedians, but they do need to have moments of levity that reflect real teenage behavior. Humor helps readers breathe between tense scenes and gives your characters personality beyond the plot.

6. Let Girls Be Strong Without Making Boys Weak

Emily is one of the best parts of The House of Illusions. She’s athletic, quick-witted, and commands respect without being overly “perfect.” She also doesn’t fall into the trap of being the “token tough girl.” She messes up, gets scared, and pushes back hard when underestimated.

Crucially, her strength doesn’t come at the expense of the boys. Diego and Drew might roll their eyes at her toughness, but they never reduce her to a stereotype. And Oliver—though intimidated—clearly admires her and even learns from her.

This is how you create gender balance in teen fiction. Let girls be strong. Let boys be vulnerable. Let everyone be interesting.

7. Add a Setting That Reflects the Chaos of Adolescence

Relatable characters need a stage that matches their energy—and in this book, the haunted mansion is the perfect metaphor. It’s full of mystery, illusions, tech-powered frights, and one headless bride hologram. Just like teen life, nothing is as it seems. You think you’ve figured it out, and suddenly you’re trapped in a room with screaming soundtracks and slamming doors.

A good setting doesn’t just create mood—it enhances character development. In The House of Illusions, the house forces the teens to confront fear, trust each other, and act quickly when things get weird. Without this setting, their personalities might not shine as much. Writers should remember: your worldbuilding isn’t just background—it’s a pressure cooker that brings out who your characters really are.

8. Embrace the Power of Group Dynamics

One of the most underutilized tools in teen fiction is the ensemble cast. The House of Illusions thrives because every character brings something different to the table. The contrast between Drew’s skepticism, Oliver’s belief, Diego’s sarcasm, and Emily’s strength makes every conversation dynamic.

Group dynamics also allow for natural conflict, growth, and comic relief. You get to explore different sides of an issue, like whether the haunted house is real or a hoax, without forcing exposition. Readers get to pick their “favorite” character, see themselves reflected in the group, and experience the highs and lows of teen friendship from multiple angles.

9. Give Them Something to Believe In (Even If They Don’t Agree)

Teens are searching—for identity, purpose, excitement, or escape. In this story, each character is searching for something slightly different. Oliver wants to believe in the supernatural. Drew wants to prove that it’s all fake. Emily wants a challenge. Diego wants a thrill.

These motives may clash, but they’re what keep the story alive. Your characters should have clear goals or beliefs, even if they’re small. When teens read stories where characters have strong convictions (even misguided ones), they connect more deeply.

10. End with Real Growth—Not Perfection

The final lesson from The House of Illusions? Let your characters grow… but keep them real. At the end, Oliver is still awkward, Drew is still skeptical, and Diego is still cracking jokes. But they’ve been through something together. They’ve been changed just enough to hint that they’re growing up.

And that’s the key. Don’t write characters who “graduate” from their flaws. Write teens who learn how to live with them.

Write Teens Who Feel Human

The success of The House of Illusions isn’t built on a complicated plot or high-concept twists. It’s built on characters who talk, act, and react like real teens. They’re awkward and funny, brave and petty, scared and skeptical—often all at once.

If you want your readers to fall in love with your story, don’t try to make your teens cool. Make them real.