RTW: A Dark (YA) Passenger


Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where the ladies at YA Highway post a weekly writing- or reading-related question for participants to respond to on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

Today’s Topic: What non-YA character would you love to see star in a YA book as themselves?

Oh, this is SO easy…


Dexter Morgan is the most complex character I’ve ever known. He’s a blood spatter analyst, brother, father, husband, rescuer, friend, vigilante and… serial killer. He does it all with a certain flair for the dramatics, a very dark sense of humor, and an intensity that borders on terrifying. Plus, um, he’s pretty hot.

I’d love to know Dexter as a teenager. His childhood was less than enviable, his sister is a bit of a mess, and his relationship with his father, Harry, is all kinds of complicated. He’d make fascinating young adult character because even as a grown man, he’s constantly questioning who he is and trying to balance all the facets of his personality. Imagine all the angst he’d bring to a YA novel!

And can I just mention that Showtime will begin airing the newest season of Dexter in LESS THAN A MONTH?! So excited!

So, what non-YA character would you love to meet in a YA story?

27 thoughts on “RTW: A Dark (YA) Passenger

  1. Rebecca B says:
    Rebecca B's avatar

    This is the best answer! Dexter is so complex as an adult–I can’t imagine how interesting he would be to read/watch as a teen.
    (And I have been counting down the days to the new season since the last one ended.)

    • katyupperman says:
      Katy Upperman's avatar

      Yay! Glad to know you’re a Dexter fan, Rebecca! It’s quite possibly my favorite show EVER. Have you seen Six Feet Under? A close second in the awesome department.

  2. katharine owens says:
    katharine owens's avatar

    great answer! I hear all about this show, but haven’t seen it. It seems like people really love it. What an interesting YA character. It could be the ultimate suspense novel, really.

  3. Ian Hiatt says:
    Ian Hiatt's avatar

    I considered Dexter as my RTW character! He’s a very interesting character…Admittedly the Dexter on Showtime and the Dexter in Jeff Lindsay’s books are very different, but I think their childhood would be interesting either way. Every now and then we get a peek at it but only peeks! It’s so frustrating! 😛

  4. Jillian says:
    Jillian's avatar

    Love it! For my post I did think about some of the creepy-smart-killer-with-flair characters I love, but I had trouble settling on one that would also work as a YA character… It sounds like you’ve found the perfect example though. This post also reminded me that I’ve wanted to see Dexter FOREVER and need to get on it pronto!

  5. Jessica Love says:
    Jessica Love's avatar

    They have been filming episodes of Dexter in my friend’s apartment complex! I don’t watch the show because I can’t handle violence / death at all, but I have heard it’s awesome.

    • katyupperman says:
      Katy Upperman's avatar

      It’s definitely a very graphic show, and hard to watch sometimes, but so, so good. And how lucky is your friend?! I wonder if she’s seen Michael C. Hall… Love him!

    • katyupperman says:
      Katy Upperman's avatar

      Oh, yeah… it would have to be dark, or it wouldn’t be nearly as effectual as the show or the book series the show’s based on. I think it would be fascinating!

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