I write edgy, sexy teen romances, and that's what I'll continue

When Simone Elkeles proclaimed, “I write edgy, sexy teen romances, and that's what I'll continue to do,” she was not merely declaring a genre, but affirming her calling. Her words shine with defiance and devotion, a refusal to be swayed by critics or by the shifting winds of literary fashion. She stands firm in her purpose: to give voice to the passions, struggles, and awakenings of youth, where love is raw, untested, and transformative. In this declaration, we hear not only the resolve of a writer but the courage of one who chooses to illuminate a time of life often dismissed or misunderstood.

The origin of this wisdom lies in Elkeles’ career as a celebrated author of young adult fiction. Known for works like Perfect Chemistry, she captured the hearts of readers by weaving tales of forbidden attraction, cultural divides, and the search for identity. Where others might have sought safer paths, she embraced the edgy, the risky, the bold—because adolescence itself is not a quiet season, but a tempest. Her words remind us that to tell the truth of youth, one must not flinch from its fire, its beauty, and its danger.

History too has honored those who chose to speak authentically of youth, even when it shocked or unsettled society. Consider Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther, a tale of youthful passion and despair that electrified Europe, stirring controversy yet capturing the heartbeat of an age. Or recall Sappho of Lesbos, who centuries earlier dared to write poetry of intimacy and longing, immortalizing emotions that others might have silenced. Like them, Elkeles claims her space, unashamed, declaring that the romance of youth, with all its flaws and fire, deserves to be written and remembered.

Her words also teach us about the power of authenticity. Too often, artists and creators bend themselves to please the demands of others, abandoning what stirs their own soul. But Elkeles insists on remaining true to her vision. In this, she embodies a lesson: to walk your path unshaken, to create what you were called to create, regardless of whether it wins approval or raises brows. For art that is diluted by fear loses its power; art that is born of conviction ignites hearts.

The deeper meaning of her declaration is also about youth itself. Teenagers live in a world of intensity—where love feels eternal, where rejection feels fatal, where every glance and touch can shape identity. To dismiss their romances as trivial is to misunderstand the fire of first love, the crucible of self-discovery. Elkeles reminds us that these stories matter, for they mirror the struggles of belonging, the daring of desire, and the eternal search for connection. Through them, young readers see themselves, and in seeing, they find courage to grow.

The lesson here is profound: embrace your passion without apology. Do not shrink from the path that is truly yours, even if others call it unworthy or unimportant. Whether you are a writer, a worker, or a dreamer, let your craft reflect your soul. Create the work that resonates with truth, not the work that pleases the crowd. For in authenticity lies power, and in power lies legacy.

Practical wisdom flows: if your calling is to build, then build boldly; if to write, then write truly; if to teach, then teach with fire. Do not abandon your path for the comfort of conformity. Like Elkeles, stand firm and say, “That is what I will continue to do.” For those who live with such resolve not only create works of art or acts of labor, but also leave behind a beacon for future generations.

Thus let this teaching be passed down: authenticity is the soul’s greatest strength. The world will always seek to bend you, to mold you into safer shapes. But the ancients and the wise remind us—live as you are called, speak the truth of your heart, and continue steadfastly. For only then will your life, like Elkeles’ words, burn with conviction, courage, and the fire of purpose.