It’s happened to all of us. The dreaded b l o c k.
It’s the intersection of panic and dread, with a little bit of ack thrown in for good measure. You’ve tried every writing prompt in your Prompt A Day calendar, texted each of your writer buddies for exercises, and Googled multiple variations on “what to write when you’re out of words.”
And nothing helps.
Never fear. We’ve compiled a few tried and true, last-ditch efforts to help you thwart Block Brain.
Change your physical location
Sometimes, for your brain to bust out of its rut, you have to take it on a little field trip. You can do this by going for a walk – which is scientifically proven to help creativity, by the way. Or by taking a shower, which relaxes the body, distracts the brain, and releases dopamine all at once. It’s the trifecta of creativity. Trying something brand new, whether that’s going to a coffee shop you’ve never been or taking a staycation in a hotel you’ve never stayed, or going for a short drive down a road you’ve never traveled. Giving your brain a brand new experience to process can spur new ideas.
Unplug
Yes, you heard me correctly. Disconnect from the internet, the phone, the tv, the video games, all the things. Reduce the noise for an hour, or a day, or a week if you can. Multitasking is a creativity killer, so eliminate the temptation to respond to every notification and scroll every feed for as long as you can.
Fold your laundry (or wash dishes, or mow the yard)
Performing a repetitive task puts your body on autopilot and sets your brain free to roam. And a roaming brain is a creative brain. So fold those socks, knit one and purl two, or polish the silver and see what breakthroughs unfurl.
Get sketchy
Take a pad and pencil to your favorite park, art museum, or even your own backyard, and spend an afternoon sketching. Another idea is to snap photos of random things in your world – pigeons on the sidewalk, cats napping in a sunbeam, or grasshoppers in the flowerbed, then sketch your photos. Observing, thinking, and drawing can spur a new set of thoughts and reflections that can re-inspire your writing.
Do you have any go-to methods for breaking through writer’s block? Have you tried any of the exercises mentioned here? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.
As always, happy writing!
When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found sipping cinnamon tea, struggling to keep houseplants alive, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling career in corporate marketing before wandering off to be a writer. Now, she is a part-time copywriter and blogger, a full-time mom, and a children’s author. JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is her debut novel. She can be reached through her website for events, visits, and questions at www.kellimckinney.com.
You’ve worked hard to write your middle grade novel, and now you’re ready to sell it to a publisher. Except you’ve been told you must describe your entire 50,000 book in 30 to 150 words.
Welcome to what the writing community calls “the pitch.”
A pitch is a short description of your book that highlights what makes your story unique.
I’ve taken online classes, read articles, and listened to conference talks about how to write a pitch. When it comes to elements every pitch should contain, most presentations boil down to this: The pitch needs to identify the main character in a manner that shows their goal, the obstacles that stand in their way, and what might happen if they don’t succeed.
Let’s use the technique (protagonist, goal, obstacles, fallout) with a well-known story: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Start with the Protagonist. Bilbo is a hobbit, a race of short people living in middle earth, a land with magical creatures.
What is his goal? He will aid the dwarf king, his faithful subjects, and a wizard on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestorial home.
What are the obstacles? The company runs into trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and wood elves. Aided by Bilbo’s magic ring and a river town, the heroes kill the dragon who took over the kingdom. However, a battle between five armies breaks out over the treasure the dragon guarded.
What might happen (fallout)? If Bilbo cannot negotiate peace between the various factions, his whole company might die.
Now put the ideas together.
Bilbo is a hobbit, a race of short people living in middle earth, a land with magical creatures. He will aid the dwarf king, his faithful subjects, and a wizard on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestorial home. The company runs into trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and wood elves. Aided by Bilbo’s magic ring and a river town, the heroes kill the dragon who took over the kingdom. However, a battle between five armies breaks out over the treasure the dragon guarded. If Bilbo cannot negotiate peace between the warring factions, his whole company might die.
This pitch rings in at 97 words, which will work for most conference pitches. However, if your selected entity wants it even shorter, watch me trim the idea to 41 words and still keep the heart of the story.
Aided by Bilbo, thirteen dwarves go on a quest to reclaim their ancestral kingdom, which is guarded by a dragon. When the beast is killed, five armies converge to claim the treasure left behind. Bilbo must negotiate peace or die trying.
Sure, you say. Simple to do with a well-established story. But will it work for me? Let’s see. Using my method, here’s a 52-word pitch for my newest release, Offsides.
Danielle expected a challenging senior year with her final season of soccer, a strained friendship, and a new crush. What she didn’t expect was to uncover a human trafficking ring in her town. When an older man starts grooming her neighbor, Dani intervenes. But her actions may make her the next target.
Intrigued? That’s the power of a pitch. Good luck crafting your own. (And please, make my day and check out Offsides.)
Lori Z. Scott is known for her bestselling Meghan Rose series. Besides these humorous children’s chapter books, Lori has published over 200 articles, short stories, devotions, and poems for magazines like Brio and Focus on the Family. She has also contributed to 15 books, including Writing and Selling Children’s Books in the Christian Market. In 2022, Lori introduced a new YA series. The first book, Inside the Ten-Foot Line, is a Carol Award semi-finalist, the Golden Scroll Youth Book of the Year winner, and an Illumination Book Award medalist. The second book, Offsides, promises even more action and humor. You can connect with Lori on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori
If you love middle grade novels, you’re probably familiar with some of the unique characteristics of this genre. You don’t have to go far to find writing tips on expected word counts, use of age-appropriate language and topics, and developing a middle-grade voice. In fact, when I first started writing for this age group, I explored what the experts had to say about middle grade book parameters. In my research, several articles pointed out that this age group doesn’t have as much emotional maturity as a young adult audience.
Middle grade emotions typically manifest in physical actions and responses.
And while a young adult book will also show these emotions externally, the writing often includes more introspective reflections.
This surprised me. After all, kids of all ages grapple with hardships that vary in severity (from getting grounded to being abused). To help me better understand the difference, I envisioned a middle grade versus a young adult version of Little Red Riding Hood.
In the middle grade version:
I expect Ms. Hood might react to being swallowed by displaying physical indicators of distress, like weeping or chewing her nails.
In the young adult novel:
In addition to Ms. Hood weeping and chewing her nails, I expect her to agonize over life choices that led to the current predicament (being lodged in the stomach of a wolf.) Her internal reflection might read something like this:
Why do I always fail no matter how much I long to make Mother proud by doing the right thing? What is wrong with me? How could I not see through the wolf’s charm and recognize his true intentions? Will anyone notice my disappearance? Will anyone care?
Picturing it that way clarified the concept for me.
But that brought a follow up question. If it’s true that we should tone down introspective thoughts in middle grade novels, should MG writers avoid tackling topics that dive deeply into emotion?
I believe the answer is no. Don’t avoid the tough stuff. But always, always, always keep your target audience in mind, and keep it age appropriate.
Case in point.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is a powerfully emotional MG novel. The book follows the struggles of Billy, who makes multiple sacrifices to buy and care for two dogs. The dogs return his devotion by sacrificing their lives to keep Billy safe. The reader is so invested in the relationship between the characters that the dogs’ gut-wrenching demise hits close to home. Though fictional, it brings to light real world struggles children grapple with, like death and grief and remorse. But the story also offers the reader hope, because when Billy revisits his beloved dogs’ grave, he reflects on how he dealt with the loss.
I read the story when I was in sixth grade. In our classroom, the imaginary world provided a springboard to talk about and process crippling real-world emotions some of my peers knew all too well. As for me, I loved every bit of the book and cried my eyes out at the end. Billy’s closing words were some of the most poignant ones I’d ever heard, and I carried them close to my heart for years.
In today’s world:
It’s accurate to say that many children have experienced hunger, divorce, neglect or other traumatizing events. And I believe they can better process the emotions that go with these burdens when a storybook character shows them they aren’t alone in their feelings… and that there is a path through the situation. So don’t shy away from heavier topics in your middle grade writing. Some kids grow up fast, whether or not they are emotionally mature enough to handle it. Your words may serve as a blueprint or even a lifeline for these tweens seeking to make sense of their world.
What emotionally charged middle grade novels have you read lately?
Let me know in the comments! Until later!
Teacher and author Lori Z. Scott writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.
In middle grade novels, do you know what gets my goat? Stories riddled with clichés.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: cliches often come across as lazy writing. Cliches can make dialog as flat as a pancake and cause your labor of love to become as dull as dishwater. Worse, an ill-fitting cliché can throw the reader out of the story world you’ve created. Mark my words, your writing will improve if you weed out these overused sayings. But how?
Once upon a blue moon (and for a different website), I wrote a longer article detailing six ways to deal with this issue. But here, I’d like to focus on just one tried and true method that works especially well for middle grade stories. Consider it my “two-cents worth” approach because it adds humor to your story and gives you more bang for your buck.
Are you ready for this tip? It’s “Run with the cliché.”
I can explain it best like this: Take an old phrase and give it a middle grade twist by adding onto the end of it. The result may tickle your funny bone.
Look at my examples and then try this method for yourself.
That problem was as old as time… but not nearly as old as the Twinkie Mom packed in my lunch today.
Sweet Sally. She’s always bending over backwards for people. Literally. She’s a gymnast.
I was left with one burning question. I guess that’s what happens when you set your homework on fire and your best friend douses the flames at the last second.
In my homeroom, finding a friendly face used to be a dime a dozen. Not with today’s inflation.
It’s hard for grandma to jog her memory. It’s more like a crawl.
If the shoe fits, it’s probably not on sale.
It takes two to tangle. Unless you’re my mom, and then you’re too exhausted to do anything.
You can’t hold candle to a good book. Well, you can, but it will burn.
Sometimes I feel like I’m all thumbs. Which comes in handy when you’re playing video games but not so much when picking your nose.
Now it’s your turn.
Go out on a limb. Think outside the box. Put the pedal to the medal. Take your favorite cliché and run with it. I’d love to hear what you come up with. Post it in the comments. I’m all ears.
Teacher and author Lori Z. Scott writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.
When I first started writing, I assumed publishing occurred as writers often presented in Hollywood films. Authors complete a first draft of a story and send it to a publisher, who is anxiously waiting for the manuscript. Then, a team of people publicize the story. Talk show hosts call, bookstores hold signings for crowds of adoring fans, news reporters request interviews, the book sells a million copies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Reality is so different.
Authors work hard.
We craft a story (sometimes through years of labor) and then revise it multiple times. We research into the wee hours of the morning. We hire beta readers to give us feedback, and then go through the process again. When the manuscript is finally ready, we can’t just send it out, lest it land in the bottomless slush pile of submissions from which few ever return. Some publishers require an agent, so off we go, hunting for someone to believe in us and our vision. We send query letters and book proposals. We attend conferences, read articles, build a brand and platform, and the list goes on.
Yet even we they understand all the work involved, authors still pick up the pen and write. Why?
Perhaps because authors have learned the value of perseverance. If we continue with determination and dedication, we can succeed.
So today, let’s examine three ways we can persevere in our writing journey.
Set Goals
If you work full time like I do, your writing time is limited. I try to my redeem time by focusing on a big objective that might take longer and several smaller goals that can aid in accomplishing the bigger goal. It’s a method that has helped me survive life’s demands.
Consider a few smaller goals you can finish in a week. For example, Offsides, my upcoming YA fiction novel, will soon hit the market. When it does, I want pre-sales to be up, a launch team in place, and blog interviews booked. (Any takers? Asking for a friend…) Over the next several months, I’ll dedicate time each week to contact people, create social media posts, and market to my target audience. Being ready for the release is not something I’m going to complete on a short timetable. Instead, to reach my big goal, I’ll work on smaller goals each week, such as ‘Compile a list of endorsers,’ or ‘Contact libraries and bookstores.’ The ability to complete weekly small tasks will give me a great deal of confidence, and those little things will build into the bigger event: the release itself.
Take Breaks
Inspired or not, I often force myself to sit down at the computer. I love the challenge of writing, but I still wrestle with guilt for not being more productive. But here’s a secret: It’s okay to take a break. Shut down Word and go for a walk, go out for dinner with a friend, paint a picture, do the laundry, or find some other outlet for your mind. The change might actually be good for you. Medical studies show that downtime with limited stimulation helps replenish the brain’s ability to focus, create, make connections, and process information. I can’t tell you how many times a plotline problem resolves itself while I doodle a cartoon.
Adopt the Long View
Life makes many demands on us. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. And that’s okay. Unless you’re doing freelance editing or working on a publisher’s staff, you aren’t likely to be a fulltime writer, so when the unexpected pops up, it’s okay to make room for it. As much as you love writing, it will never love you back the way family and friends will. You want to write, but does that trump every other area of your life? Hopefully not. What if it’s a unique writing opportunity? Then yes, jump on it! But make sure your loved ones understand your situation and are on board. Initiate a conversation to explore your expectations and their needs so you can avoid hurt feelings.
I would define the long view as pursuing your writing dreams one manageable step at a time. Find balance. Say yes whenever possible and no whenever necessary and don’t stress about any self-imposed deadline. Flexibility frees the writer to create in the tiny slivers of open time without missing out on major life events.
“All of my writer friends and I have one thing in common: We didn’t listen to the naysayers. We kept writing. And eventually we have all been published.”
Author, Davi S. Laskar
So, when it comes to writing, set your goals, take breaks, and adopt the long view. Your perseverance will pay off.
Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .
When it comes to writing middle grade fiction, authors might wonder what works best for this 8-12 years old age group. After all, it encompasses a large audience. Consider the developmental differences between an eight-year-old (3rd grade) and a twelve-year-old (7th grade). Height, puberty, social/emotional awareness, goals, interests… there is a lot of room for variation here. Narrowing down a story idea can prove challenging.
Here’s the good news: middle grade readers enjoy all genres. Historical fiction, science fiction, contemporary fiction, fantasy, mystery, graphic novels, and action-adventure.
What are some elements that work well with this age group?
Stories that are Character-Driven
Make your protagonist the same age as your reader. Let them face authentic challenges and struggles and push them to actively resolve these problems independent of an adult. They need to be likeable and relatable. Show your reader their hopes, their fears, their best friend, their worst day, and their thought process. Remember, at this age, kids make a lot of mistakes, and that’s okay. Keeping it real can lead to entertaining outcomes and set the MC up for major character growth. For example, in the book Wonder, author R.J. Palacio introduces the reader to a child with a severe and very visible facial deformity. Not only is he phasing from homeschool to public school, but he’s doing it at a time when this age group typically hyper-focuses on looks. In laughable fashion, he thwarts a few bullies who underestimate him. At the same time, he faces prejudices and obstacles that help stir empathy in the reader. These factors make the reader open to the valuable but organic lessons housed in the tale, such as you can choose happiness or don’t judge people by their appearance.
Stories with Humor
Light-hearted banter or outright ridiculousness works well with this age group. The book itself doesn’t have to be geared for humor. Writers can sprinkle this in through relationships, exaggerated situations or characters, word play, or crazy reactions. Kids are more likely to pick up on themes or messages you want to get across if it’s couched in humor. Editors love this aspect too.
Our own Kelli McKinney uses humor in her book Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents. McKinney gives the reader an inside scoop on the thoughts of the main character, Jeff, who is often egocentric and overly focused on a single goal. The conversation between the reader and the author makes Jeff’s actions and reactions hilarious.
Stories with Action
Keep the romance to a minimum but drum up the action. Use natural-sounding dialogue to maintain the fast pace that keeps readers engaged and use the old “show don’t tell” adage when using description. Short chapters, especially ones that end with cliffhangers, will keep readers turning the pages. Look at what author Peter Brown does with The Wild Robot. The chapters average 3 pages. Some are a single page. In addition, each chapter contains a single, pivotal event that propels the story forward. The action itself fits the audience. There are confrontations, problems, and challenges, but those situations are more about pace and chase than it is about violence and graphic details.
In conclusion
One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with strong characters, good humor, and middle grade action is to read, read, read. Visit your local library and request copies of new releases and popular titles like the ones listed here. What are some good middle grade books you would recommend?
Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .
As an aspiring middle grade author, you’ve probably heard this before – if you want to write compelling, relevant stories, you have to know your audience inside and out.
Today we’re going to talk about that inside part- the emotional and social developmental milestones of kids. Although there are many ways of considering developmental milestones, one way is to take a look at the middle grade reader from the perspective of the grandfather of child psychology, Erik Erikson.
Erikson’s work categorizes the developmental stages of growth into eight stages from Infancy to Late Adulthood.
Within each stage, he says, there is a central conflict. The way in which the person overcomes this conflict affects his or her social and emotional development. If for some reason the person doesn’t develop the skills needed to succeed, they may struggle in the next stages of their development.
Middle grade readers are generally between eight and twelve years old. This places them firmly in Erikson’s stage four – Industry vs. Inferiority.
When he uses the term ‘industry,’ Erikson isn’t talking about working the factory line or a particular economic segment. He’s talking about hard work. He’s referring to becoming an industrious person – someone who practices a skill until they master that skill.
This stage is all about building competence and confidence. And as the name of stage four suggests, if a child doesn’t develop competence and confidence, they will move into stage five feeling inferior.
Stage four kids begin comparing themselves to the world around them and asking questions like “How do I measure up?” “What am I good at?”
For kids this age, the world around them is their school environment and their home, but friends and classmates begin to take on more influential roles. Plus, instead of playing and learning for fun, now kids are being graded on their abilities by teachers, and rated on their performance by other kids.
Erikson emphasizes the importance of adults in positive psychosocial development. Kids need trustworthy, reliable people to come alongside them as they work to solve their own problems. Adults should emphasize effort rather than outcome.
We know that in real life, adults are not always helpful and encouraging. Also in real life, sometimes well-meaning adults can be too helpful and remove the child’s opportunity to develop their own skills. As a middle grade author, we know that kids want to see themselves as the hero in their stories, so we want to be careful about how much/what kind of adult interaction we write.
So what does this have to do with writing for middle grade readers? Understanding these developmental stages can help us weave authentic environments, characters, and plot points for middle graders.
Ask yourself:
Does my main character have realistic struggles? What is my MC good at? What challenges him/her?
Are there opportunities for the MC to try and fail at something? What are the other characters’ reactions to this?
Do the adult characters help build (or obstruct) the MCs sense of competency? Do they try to solve the MCs problem for them, or give them adequate space to try and fail?
Understanding developmentally appropriate stages can help authors craft realistic and compelling stories that readers will love.
When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found sipping cinnamon tea, struggling to keep houseplants alive, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling career in corporate marketing before wandering off to be a writer. Now, she is a part-time copywriter and blogger, a full-time mom, and a children’s author. JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is her debut novel. She can be reached through her website for events, visits, and questions at www.kellimckinney.com.
What motivates the main character in your middle grade manuscript? If you struggle to pinpoint what drives them, you reader will too. I found this out the hard way. After sharing a chapter from my WIP, one critique partner asked, “Why do I care if your protagonist reaches her goal? And why is she so determined to win anyway? What’s her motivation?”
What indeed.A character’s motivation matters. It drives the plot, explains why a character behaves a certain way, and gives the reader a reason to root for a favorable resolution.
Without it, the story falls flat.
Lack of motivation is not an uncommon issue. Many writers plop a character into an adventure without considering why must their story be told by this person.
Take another look your work in progress. Starting with the first chapter, analyze your character—how she responds to her environment and other people. Can you identify what’s motivating her in one or two sentences?
If not, ask why questions to keep digging deeper. Do external forces (like survival or competition) or internal desires (like power or revenge) drive the character? What backstory might you need to develop in order to reveal and explain these actions and aspirations? As you hone in on what drives your character, put obstacles, challenges, and limitations in their path. Make her respond in a manner consistent with this motivation.
You can also practice identifying motivation by reading a few well-written middle grade novels. Identify words, phrases, and actions the author uses to communicate what’s driving the main character. You can even borrow the character (for practice purposes only, of course!) and put them into the first chapter of your book. How does a difference character change your story? Put your story into their story. What happens?
Returning to my experience, when I addressed the deep motivations of my main character in my book Inside the Ten-Foot Line, she came alive. She morphed into someone more likable, relatable, and compelling. Because of that, the story broadened in depth, complexity, and impact. And when she finally met her goal, the reader was left with a sense of satisfaction.
So, get motivated! Unlock your character’s full potential and reveal what drives them.
Hey, all! Now that the winter holidays are past, it’s high time to focus on goals for the upcoming year.
#1 Carve Out Writing Time
It takes discipline to sit down in front of a computer (or pick up pen and paper for old-school fans), block out distractions, and tap into the creative juices.
But we must. Because if we don’t make writing a priority, it won’t happen. (You know I’m right!)
Set a goal to write at least three days a week. Pick out a time that works best for you to write distraction free. Rise an hour before the family and type away. Or slate late night after meeting the day’s obligations. I used to write in notebooks while waiting for my child’s practice to end or I dictated my ideas on my phone to revisit later. Identify your best time, set it, and protect it.
#2 Join a Critique Group
Because of my experience with a faithful team of writers, I can, without hesitation, recommend that you set a goal of joining a critique group. Getting regular feedback on your manuscript can prove invaluable. Our partners spot plot holes, areas that lack clarity, and errors in grammar.
Not every group is a good fit. I encountered many mismatches before discovering my ideal team. But don’t give up! Set a goal to find supportive writers like you. If needed, this link provides a list of organizations that set up critique groups.
#3 Devote Time to Create or Maintain a Platform
Writers need a platform to increase visibility and market their work to a target audience. But “platform” poses a huge obstacle for many people. It’s a time sucker. It’s daunting. There are too many options to consider, like Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, podcasts, and websites. Where do you start?
Instead of trying to engage in multiple arenas (which can lead to quick burnout), try focusing on one or two. Take time to explore various options. Then, set a goal to post or engage in the media bi-weekly or more. Keep your brand in mind. I found this article addressing platform-building from Denise Wakeman helpful.
#4 Educate Yourself
The writing profession encompasses many elements: researching, drafting, and revising; querying agents, publishers, and magazines; organizing book launches, interviews, and speaking engagements; participating in conferences, critique groups, and professional organizations; engaging in social media, podcasts, and advertising; writing blogs, articles, and newsletters. How overwhelming is that?!
#5 Set a goal to educate yourself on one area.
I’ve found it’s best to create an achievable goal with a narrow focus. For example, I need to improve communication, so I’ll educate myself—perhaps through online courses, how-to articles, or conferences—on how to use emails lists and newsletters to reach my target audience.
So, there you have it. Four practical writing goals for any author. What goals are you setting? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.
Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.
Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .
My co-host Lori Scott has an exceptional series about bringing her YA novel from concept to reality, but for my contribution this month, I’m going straight into celebration mode. I hope you’ll join me! Follow me and drop a like or comment on my Instagram @kellimckinneywrites or Facebook page, Kelli McKinney-Author.
I’m so excited to announce that my debut middle grade novel, Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents, published on October 1 with Chicken Scratch Books! Here at Almost an Author, I’ve been reporting many of my ups and downs as I’ve worked on my craft these past several years.
As you know, this has been fun, but not always pretty. That’s okay. Growth is messy sometimes. That’s why this celebration is oh-so-sweet and why I’m so happy to share it with you.
Because if I can do it, you can too.
So, my dear friend, I’m thrilled to share my book cover, blurb, and all the upcoming fun things, because it’s been a crazy ride getting to this day. Thank you for coming along with me.
Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parentsis a humorous contemporary middle grade novel about learning to see beyond yourself and recognizing the perspectives of others. Fifth-grader Jeff doesn’t understand why he’s always in trouble with his parents, so he conducts an experiment to help him learn what will make them happy. Along the way and amid the science, video games, and turtle mishaps, he discovers what true friendship and love in a family are.
When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found sipping cinnamon tea, struggling to keep houseplants alive, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling career in corporate marketing before wandering off to be a writer. Now, she is a part-time copywriter and blogger, a full-time mom, and a children’s author. JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is her debut novel. She can be reached through her website for events, visits, and questions at www.kellimckinney.com.
Behind every book on the shelf, and every story waiting to be published, there’s an author who has experienced the sting of rejection.
My first middle grade book was rejected eight times. My second, soon-to-be-published middle grade was rejected four times before I heard a “yes.”
I’d be lying if I said rejection never hurt. But over the years, through trial and error, I’ve stumbled upon some ways to make it less painful and more empowering. I hope these tips help you too.
Querying is like a marathon job search. Your query letter is your application; your manuscript is your resume. It’s a process that can leave authors feeling vulnerable and anxious, wondering what their dream agent or publisher might think about their work.
In reality, the query is step one of a multi-step path to the shelf. Breaking that path down into steps can help remove some of the emotional pressure along the journey.
Every time you query, you can expect one of four types of messages in return. These responses come in four basic flavors.
1.Yes
This response is my favorite for obvious reasons. As exciting as the yes is, keep in mind that it’s just one part of the puzzle. A yes at the query stage doesn’t guarantee publication. It opens the door to the next step in the process.
2. Constructive no thank you
The constructive response is my second favorite because it offers you a glimpse into the mind of your gatekeepers, the agents and editors. A constructive no thank you is a no that gifts you with actionable feedback about your manuscript. It will read something like this:
Dear Kelli,
Thank you for submitting your work. Although your writing is solid, I had a hard time connecting with your main character. I think your story would benefit from developing a stronger sense of conflict between your MC and his father. I must pass on this project but would like to see anything you may have to share in the future.
Sincerely,
Agent McAgentson
If you receive a few of these, you’ll probably begin to see one or two of the same types of issues rise to the top – and that tells you how to improve. This is useful and good.
3. Destructive no
I haven’t received destructive feedback to a query yet, but some of my writer friends have. A destructive no reads something like this:
Dear Kelli,
Thank you for submitting your work. It’s not for me. Your writing style is abrasive and choppy. If you’d actually read books written by the other authors I represent, you’d know what I meant by ‘voicy fiction.’ This isn’t it.
Good luck,
Agent Rudebelly
The destructive no is hard to read. It’s both less professional and less personable, and it offers no helpful insight or clarity that can help the author improve.
On their websites, most editors and agents will post guidance on their typical response time. For example, Agent McAgentson says that if you haven’t received a request for a full manuscript within 12 weeks of your submission date, you can assume that she’s declined.
4. Silent no thank you
Once you open the email (or the determined number of weeks have passed without an email), you can identify what kind of response you’ve received. Then it’s time for our next tip.
Respond accordingly
Before you respond, feel your feelings and process your emotions. If you need encouragement, seek encouragement, but try not to wallow. When you join the Rejection Club, you’ve joined the ranks of authors everywhere.
If you’re lucky enough to receive constructive feedback with your rejection, accept it with grace. Make note of the agent’s insights and watch for trends – if you receive multiple comments about the same specific aspect of your work, that’s a good sign that you need to revise.
If the agent expresses an interest in looking at your future work, save her contact information and look forward to querying her again.
It might be tempting to reply, especially if you’re feeling angry or upset, but resist the urge. Most agents and editors are too busy to read them. If you are still tempted, consider this:
If you fire off an angry email telling the agent/editor how wrong they are to reject your work and why, you’re guaranteeing they don’t accept any of your future submissions. They can say no without needing to defend their choice. If it isn’t right for them, it’s not right for them – but it will be right for someone else.
If you email them asking if you can resubmit after you’ve made revisions, you’re wasting their time and burning bridges. If they had wanted you to revise and resubmit, they would have told you.
If you email them to tell them Agent/Publisher XYZ accepted this manuscript and it will be published on this date, that’s great, but rather rude and vengeful and will likely ruin your chances for future submissions.
If you’ve received destructive feedback, do not respond. At all. It might be tempting to let this person know your opinion about them, but in the end, responding in anger isn’t helpful. You’re not going to change their heart or mind.
This leads us to what rejection truly is.
Rejection is necessary
The main thing I want to impress on you about rejections is this: They. Are. Necessary. They’re part of the amazing process of being an author. Use rejection as an opportunity to practice patience, hone your craft, and reflect on why you write.
Everyone, from J.K. Rowling to Anne Frank to Kathryn Stockton, receives rejection letters. They are a sign of something incredibly valuable. They’re a sign that you dreamed up a story, wrote it, edited it, and sent it out into the world. That’s huge. That should be celebrated. Don’t ever stop celebrating it.
A rejection is a sign that you’ve accomplished something millions of people only imagine- you completed a book. So go collect all the rejections, because that’s how you make your way to the shelf. One rejection at a time.
See you next time.
When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found on the sidelines at her son’s tennis tournaments, brewing a cup of cinnamon spice tea, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff to chase.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling fifteen-year career in corporate marketing before wandering off on her own to be a freelance copywriter.
Now, she is a part-time copywriter, full-time mom, and a children’s author. She lives in Texas but a huge piece of her heart belongs to Oklahoma. Her debut novel, JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is forthcoming in late 2022 with Chicken Scratch Books.
Kelli loves to hear from readers and writers. She can be reached through her website at www.kellmckinney.com or on Instagram @klmckinneywrites .
The American Thanksgiving falls in November, making now a great time for writers to count their blessings. I can’t resist adopting comedian Jimmy Fallon’s thank you note approach to pointing these out. Though Fallon employs irony or sarcasm in his remarks, this list is heartfelt.
Social Media
Thank You, Social Media, for being my friend.
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and other media outlets give authors an affordable way to build their platform. Besides connecting with their target audience, authors can network or promote their work through cover reveals, giveaways, and branding. Authors can even find representation through pitch parties like #pitmad or #faithpitch. Click here for an Almost an Author article about how to promote your book on social media.
Writing Tools
Thank You, Writing Tools, for taking White-out off my shopping list.
Many authors have dog-eared resource books on their shelves. But a growing number of digital tools have found their way into writers’ hearts. These tools make crafting a polished story faster and easier. Click here for an Almost an Author article about some of these handy tools.
Fiverr
Thank You, Fiverr, for your current merry use of the double r.
If you’re looking for a way to make money as an author, this freelance community is a potential place to find gigs. Writers can offer services, such as writing blog posts, press releases or articles, and set their own prices. There are pros and cons to consider when embarking on Fiverr, many authors use it as a source of income.
Writing Conferences
Thank You, Writing Conferences, the nerdiest sleepover party ever.
Whether online or face-to-face, attending a conference offers advantages for authors at all stages of their career. Beginning and intermediate writers can learn craft through workshops taught by industry experts, make appointments with publishers and agents to pitch their ideas, get feedback on their WIP, enter contests, and network with other authors. Along with those perks, seasoned authors can sell their books or join the faculty.
Writers Touch Lives
Thank you, Writers, for touching lives. It sure beats touching your toes.
As writers, one the greatest privileges we have is the ability of our words to make a difference in the world. What we write can inspire innovation, heal hearts, or challenge authority. The worlds we create can offer sanctuary, hope, or encouragement. What we say matters and can last well beyond our last breath.
Jimmy Fallon ends his weekly skit with, “There you go, everybody. Those are our thank-you notes.” Usually, I suffer a sense of disappointment when it ends, especially when other ideas pop into my head. Now, you’re in that position. What else are you thankful for as a writer? Caffeine? Comfortable chairs? Let me know!
Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott.
Last month I shared three things I’ve learned on my way to becoming a soon-to-be-published middle grade author.
I have about a year between now and my book launch, and there’s a lot that happens between now and then. I thought I’d give you a little glimpse at what’s going on behind the scenes, at least for the next several weeks.
Working on the story
Every publisher is different, but the hopefully the priority remains the same across all of them: make sure the story is as good as it can be. Right now, I’m working with the editorial director on revisions that will help bring our shared vision of the story to life.
I’m working toward a very generous but slightly intimidating deadline (aren’t all deadlines like that?). Throughout this stage I’m editing my story and defining my creative process at the same time.
You might have heard that expression about writing the book you want to read? It’s true, but not for the reasons you might think. It’s true because when you’re editing that book, you’re reading it over and over a gazillion times. If you don’t like it, you won’t enjoy this part of the process at all. #trustme
Growing an audience
The other thing I’m working on – and I’m not working on it as much as I should – is connecting with gatekeepers and influencers. This is tricky, because as we have talked about, middle grade writers really have three audiences. I’ve spent most of my time really focused on one audience as I’ve written the book. That’s the children themselves, the readers. That’s who we write for.
Now I need to shift a little more attention to the other two audiences. One is the primary gatekeepers- the parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles who buy books for the readers they love. And finally, we have the librarians/teachers/bookshop employees who make recommendations.
My book isn’t even on shelves yet, so why do I want to work on this now? Because even the best stories in the world don’t sell themselves. It takes time to grow authentic relationships both in real life and on social media. Even though I should have started working on this a long time ago, the next best time to work on it is today.
Continuous improvement
I’m still eager to learn and grow as a writer, so even though most of my effort is going into polishing the manuscript, I carve out time each week to read writing books/blogs or listen to podcasts. Right now I’m listening to K.M. Weiland’s ‘Helping Writers Become Authors’ podcast and loving it.
Gratitude
Not a day goes by that I’m not immensely grateful that I get to do this. All of it. I have loved every minute of trying, learning, failing, laughing about failing, and trying again. If you take away anything from this post, or this blog, please let it be this: If I can learn to write for children, you can too. Don’t give up.
See you next time.
When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found on the sidelines at her son’s tennis tournaments, brewing a cup of cinnamon spice tea, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff to chase.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling fifteen-year career in corporate marketing before wandering off on her own to be a freelance copywriter.
Now, she is a part-time copywriter, full-time mom, and a children’s author. She lives in Texas but a huge piece of her heart belongs to Oklahoma. Her debut novel, JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is forthcoming in late 2022 with Chicken Scratch Books.
Kelli loves to hear from readers and writers. She can be reached through her website at www.kellmckinney.com or on Instagram @klmckinneywrites .
Sometimes when I tell people I write middle grade, they nod knowingly and say “Cool. Like a chapter book, then?”
Then I respond, “Well, no, not really. I mean, yes, middle grade books in fact do contain chapters. Lots of them, usually. But middle grade books are different from chapter books.”
The conversation usually stops because pizza delivery guy doesn’t usually care why or how middle grade books are different from chapter books.
But if you’re reading this, I suspect that you do.
A chapter book:
Has a main character who is between the ages of 7-10, and can be anthropomorphic (e.g., a talking dog).
Is illustrated, sometimes on every page, usually in black and white.
Sticks to a word count of between 5,000 and 20,000 words (an average of 45-60 pages)
Is action-focused, with minimal internal character development.
Aims for readers aged 7-10.
Examples of chapter books are The Magic Treehouse, Flat Stanley, or Amelia Bedelia series.
A middle grade book:
Has a main character who is between the ages of 10-13.
Contains few illustrations.
Has a word count of between 25,000 – 40,000 words (an average of 150-200 pages)
Features both a well-developed character journey and motive-driven plot.
Aims for readers aged 8-12.
Examples of middle grade books are here, here, and here
If you write middle grade, you know how important it is to make sure your work is relevant to your reader. Understanding the distinctions between chapter books and middle grade is a great first step.
Happy Writing!
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
In honor of Independence Day, I wanted to do something special for this post to celebrate. I had an opportunity to interview award-winning author Andrea Rand, whose fantasy series The Chronicles of Kibblestan weaves themes of freedom and liberty throughout. I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did!
Andrea Rand
Me: Your writing works so well on multiple layers. You have vibrant characters with clear motivation, engaging and fast-moving plot, and fascinating parallels between the fictional world of Kibblestan and real-world issues. Did you start writing the books with a goal to create those parallels, or did it happen naturally as part of your creative process?
AR: You have heard the saying that writers are either “plotters” (outlining a novel with plot points before writing their first draft) or “pantsers” (writing by the seat of their pants) and I fall into the latter category. I always start out with a premise and know how it’s going to end but getting from point A to point B is highly dependent on my characters and their motivations. So no, I didn’t start out writing my series with the goal of having things parallel our world today, however I think it is inevitable that experiences in an author’s life and values that they hold dear will shape their stories.
The idea for the fantasy world of Kibblestan came to me years ago, shortly after the September 11th attacks, when my daughter was just a baby and I wanted to write a story for her. September 11th affected many people in different ways, and for me, it was a huge wake-up call when I learned about the Taliban and how women were treated in Afghanistan. This may sound naïve, but I had never really contemplated what life might be like in other countries, how people suffer under oppression, and what made America the country that’s seen as a bastion of liberty to so many around the world.
I started paying more attention to current events and reading more history and memoirs of people living in other parts of the world which are not as free, and the concern for preserving liberty that swelled within me is reflected in my writing. I call The Chronicles of Kibblestan a fantastical adventure with a patriotic twist, and though it has themes of liberty versus tyranny with nuggets about America’s Constitution and founding principles sprinkled in, it is very character driven and many of the plot points are influenced by my characters’ motivations.
Me: How have middle grade readers responded to your stories?
AR: Being an author can sometimes feel a bit lonely, like you’re typing into a void as you have no idea who is reading your work or what they think, and so it is always encouraging when I do get a message or an Amazon review that gives me positive feedback. Lately, I have been receiving messages asking when my next book will be out, which is a huge motivator to keep going.
I am the first to admit that I am a kid at heart, and much of what I write is inspired by my vivid memories of what it was like to be a kid. I can remember what I liked to read and what made me laugh, which influences my stories. As part of my beta-reading process I always recruit several young readers of various ages and who I don’t know very well, to read the book and answer two questions: Did you get bored and did you understand everything. More than anything, I want to write a book that is purely fun to read. I have received comments from parents saying that their child is telling them all about my book as they read it, or that they’ve read it very quickly and are ready for the next in the series. Receiving comments like these truly make my day and are what make me want to keep going.
Me: What guidance would you offer new writers who want to write series?
AR: Being a “pantser,” I didn’t realize my first Kibblestan book was going to become a series until after I had written it, and I realized there was more story to tell. However, whether you start out with the intention of writing a series or not, it is imperative that each book can stand on its own and has a complete story arc.
I publish independently, so I can control what I publish and when, however if you are looking to publish traditionally, the rule I have always heard is to make sure that the first story that you pitch can stand on its own, because many times the publisher will not want to publish subsequent books until they are confident of the sales potential, which is based upon the revenue of that first book.
Depending on the kind of series you are writing, I would also advise ending each book with a hook for reading future books, but at the same time make sure that your ending is satisfying to the story at hand. The way I approached this for The Chronicles of Kibblestan was to add an epilogue to each book that acts as a teaser for the next story.
The other challenge of writing a series is to avoid the temptation of huge information dumps at the beginning of each book, in case the reader hasn’t read or has forgotten things from the previous book. I found this to be extremely challenging for my latest book that will be coming out, The Chronicles of Kibblestan: The Web, as it is the story of a land losing its freedom from within, and I needed to catch the reader up on the characters and political landscape. To avoid a big information dump, you can use conversations and internal thoughts that cover this information, but make sure they are concise and sprinkled throughout the current book’s storyline over several chapters as opposed to trying to fit everything into chapter one.
If you haven’t read this series, it’s well worth your time to check it out. Find out more about Andrea and the Kibblestan books at andrearand.com or purchase your copy through Amazon.
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
How excited are you for summer vacation?! I have no clue what I am going to do this summer, but I’m excited anyway!
Whether or not you are going anywhere this summer, I highly recommend escaping to a magical world and exciting adventure through books!
Looking for ideas for your summer reading? Here are a few great books you might like.
Rating Your Bunkmates and Other Camp Crimes
By Jennifer Orr
Summer camp anyone? The main character of this fun book, Abigail, is brilliant but struggles socially. Each chapter starts with cleverly written field notes, and it’s not long until Abigail stumbles onto a mystery. Will she solve it? More importantly, will she finally learn how to make friends?
Book Description:
Twelve-year-old Abigail Hensley is a socially awkward aspiring anthropologist who has always had trouble connecting with her peers. Abigail is hopeful that a week at sleepaway camp is the answer to finally making a friend. After all, her extensive research shows that summer camp is the best place to make lifelong connections. Using her tried-and-true research methods, Abigail begins to study her cabinmates for friendship potential. But just when it seems that she is off to a good start, her bunkmate’s phone gets stolen, and Abigail is the main suspect. Can she clear her name, find the real culprit, and make a friend before the week is done?
Pegasus: The Flame of Olympus
By Kate O’Hearn
I love mythical creatures! Filled with adventures and mythology, I loved all 6 books in this series. Give this one a try, and if you like it, you’ll have 5 more to keep you busy all summer long.
Book Description:
When Pegasus crashes onto a Manhattan roof during a terrible storm, thirteen-year-old Emily’s life changes forever. Suddenly allied with a winged horse she’d always thought was mythical, Emily is thrust into the center of a fierce battle between the Roman gods and a terrifying race of multiarmed stone warriors called the Nirads. Emily must team up with a thief named Paelen, the goddess Diana, and a mortal boy named Joel to return Pegasus to Olympus and rescue the gods from a certain death.
Along the way, Emily and her companions will fight monsters, run from a government agency that is prepared to dissect Pegasus, and even fly above the Manhattan skyline—all as part of a quest to save Olympus before the Olympic flame burns out.
Welcome to Dog Beach
By Lisa Greenwald
I love books with animals, especially dogs, and this book is a great middle grade getaway read!
Book Description:
Eleven-year-old Remy loves Seagate, the island where her grandmother had a house and where her family spends every summer vacation. But this year’s different. Remy misses her dog, Danish, who recently passed away. The usual Seagate traditions don’t feel the same—and neither does her relationship with her two best friends, Micayla and Bennett. Micayla’s family is moving to Seagate year-round, and she’s spending more time with the year-round kids. Bennett’s doing “boy stuff” with new kid Calvin and his snobby sister Claire. Remy takes comfort in the company of Dog Beach—which is where she hatches her plan to bring her friends closer and recapture the Seagate magic. This start of a new series is filled with summer treats, activities, and the spirit of friendship and invention that are Greenwald’s trademarks.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
By Rick Riordan
I recently did an author interview with a 5th grade classroom, and they asked me my favorite authors. Rick Riordan is at the top of the list! If you haven’t yet, give Percy Jackson a try. It is epic fantasy, with amazing characters, and Percy even learns differently, like me!
Book Description:
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse–Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him.
When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he learns the truth about where he came from, and that he goes to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, god of the sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends–one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena–Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
The Genius Files
By Dan Gutman
Perfect for dreaming of summer vacations, this is a great family adventure featuring twins. It also adds in a fun dose of US Geography! Plus, it’s book one of five, so there are more traveling twin adventures to read if you love this one.
Book Description:
The most exciting road trip in history begins! In this action-packed, New York Times bestselling adventure, twelve-year-old twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald embark on a family vacation you’ll have to read to believe.
Coke McDonald and his twin sister, Pepsi, think their family’s cross-country RV vacation is nothing to get excited about…until they’re chased off a cliff, locked in a burning school, and receive mysterious messages in codes and ciphers. From California to Wisconsin, it’s a race against time to find out who’s after Coke and Pep, who’s leaving the notes…and just what being a part of The Genius Files entails!
With the real-kid humor that has earned Dan Gutman millions of fans around the world and featuring weird-but-true American tourist destinations, The Genius Files is a one-of-a-kind mix of geography and fun.
As Coke and Pep dodge nefarious villains from the Pez museum in California all the way to the Infinity Room in Wisconsin, black-and-white photographs and maps put young readers right into the action.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
By Grace Lin
This gorgeous fantasy is inspired by Chinese folklore. The pictures are beautiful, and the story is magical. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Book Description:
In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.
Princess Academy
By Shannon Hale
I don’t think I would want to attend school at the Princess Academy. (Neither does the main character!) I love books with strong female characters, and this one does not disappoint.
Book Description:
In this first book in New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning author Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy series, Miri finds herself a sudden participant in a contest to find the next princess of the realm.
Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king’s priests have divined her village the home of the future princess. In a year’s time, the prince will choose his bride from among the village girls.
The king’s ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires. Winning the contest could give her everything she ever wanted–but it would mean leaving her home and family behind.
Welcome to Superhero School
By Gracie Dix (that’s me!)
I love the crew in Welcome to Superhero School. They are not perfect, and sometimes they are even annoying, but they are the best! This team of students learn that their superpowers alone aren’t enough to save the day – they must rely on one another, ask for help, and work together. Plus, there are dinosaurs with laser eyes! I recently re-read my book, and I loved it as much as I did when I was writing it. I hope you do too!
Book Description:
Join Oliver, Jess, and all their friends on a mission to destroy the power-hungry, evil villains of Vork.
From subterranean sewers to lush jungle, from dinosaurs to dragons, our heroes will be pushed to their limits in ways they’d never imagined. Will their collective Powers—Flight, Morphing, Invisibility, Mind Reading, and more—be enough for them to overcome the malevolence of Vork? Or will they stumble over their own doubts and painful histories?
This action-packed journey of friendship, hardship, and humor will take our heroes to thrilling new heights and a deeper understanding of their own place in the world. But will that be enough—or will Vork always be one step ahead?
Graceanne “Gracie” Dix is a high school author. When she isn’t writing, she can be found singing, creating art, in the theatre, volunteering, or playing tennis. She loves to travel and is a loyal friend. Gracie lives in Dallas, Texas with her parents, Richard and Jennifer, her brother, Nate, whenever he is home from college, and her beloved dogs, Snowball and Sandcastle (“Sandy”). You can find reviews for these, and lots more middle grade books, on her Instagram account: @gracie.dix.author and on her blog at graciedix.com.
I once asked New York Times bestselling author Melanie Benjamin her top tip for writing historical fiction. She gave me two: write to entertain, and connect with readers on issues in the past that resonate in the present. Although Benjamin writes for adults, her advice proves equally applicable to middle grade historical fiction authors.
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner answers this question by focusing on a paraphrase of Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory. “Research the iceberg, then write the tip.” Writers of middle grade historical fiction would do well to keep these three suggestions in mind.
Write to entertain.
Write to connect the past with the present.
Write the tip.
Write to Entertain
In order to entertain, MG writers must first provide readers with a strong protagonist—one generally two years older than the age of the author’s target audience (8-12-year-olds). The story should embroil this sympathetic character in historical situations that compel the protagonist to respond. Unlike YA or adult stories, these MG characters are not out to “save the world.” They make decisions based on their immediate circumstances with a focus on friends and family.
The Bicycle Spy provides a good example. Twelve-year-old Marcel discovers that his friend’s entire family is in imminent danger. He knows he can help, but it will involve a risky bicycle ride to pass along covert information. When his plans go awry, he must keep pedaling and think quickly… because his friend, her family, and his own future hang in the balance.
Enable Readers to Connect the Past with the Present
In addition to crafting an entertaining story that involves the main character’s friends and family, middle grade authors must also connect events in the historical novel with situations experienced by their target audience. According to Linda Levstick, a professor at the University of Kentucky, embedding history within this kind of a narrative arc will help middle graders make sense of, personalize, and remember historical events. Evoking readers’ emotions helps young readers forge important connections.
All middle grade readers have experienced loss of some kind. They also know how it feels when adults have them do things they’d rather not do. Tapping into these common emotions can bring historical characters to life. The past becomes more memorable when readers connect historical events with their own experiences.
For example, in my middle grade novel, California Trail Discovered, orphaned thirteen-year-old Daniel and his ten-year-old stepsister Hannah (fictional characters) must travel West with their guardian, Jim Savage (a historical figure). Daniel doesn’t want to go. He wants to stay in Illinois and solve the mystery of his parents’ deaths. Forced to join Jim’s wagon train and travel to California, Daniel and Hannah become friends with Virginia Reed, a historical figure and member of the Donner Party. Together, Daniel, Hannah, and Virginia face the trials and triumphs of life on the trail.
Write the Tip
Lisa Gardner’s advice to research the iceberg (the history surrounding an event you want to bring to life) and then writing only the tip, is sound advice for historical fiction writers. Just as only ten percent of an iceberg floats above the surface, so too, authors of historical fiction should only reveal ten percent of the research they discover. The ninety percent of the information writers withhold acts as the bulk of their story’s iceberg, providing substance and weight. As literary agent Rachelle Gardner warns, writers must always make a story’s message subservient to its plot. This is especially true of middle grade fiction.
Conclusion
Middle grade historical fiction authors who write to entertain, connect the past with their readers’ present realities, and reveal only ten percent of the research upon which their novel is based will not only reach this age group at a very formative time in their lives—they help them become life-long learners.
Marie Sontag, a former middle school teacher, writes historical fiction for middle grade and young adult readers. A member of ACFW and SCBWI, she has a BA in social science, a masters in instructional technology, and a Ph.D. in education. She and her husband reside in the Texas DFW area. When not researching or writing her next book, she can be found helping her grandson capture his superhero or Lego-created stories on video (after, of course, he shows Grandma his storyboard!), or acting our princess stories with her granddaughter. You can connect with her at www.mariesontag.com.
Part one of this two-part article covered how to get started on Instagram. This second part explores growing your audience. I offer my advice from my own experience—as one who is not particularly proficient in technology and approached Instagram with trepidation.
Growing Your Audience
In a year and a half, my followers went from zero to over 8,400. Some authors build faster using Reels, but I’m happy with my progress. Here are some tips I learned.
Remember, in the end, social media is about relationship and community, not about you. If you support, love, and encourage others, they will, in turn, do the same for you. So be real. Share your hopes and dreams, triumphs and disappointments, fears and hobbies. Besides making new friends, you’ll discover people who will root for your success.
Post great content. Although this was covered in the last article, it cannot be emphasized enough. Stay true to your brand with your posts. You can use the stories feature of Instagram to put out information that your followers might find interesting but does not fit into your overall brand you want your profile to promote. Like Snapchat, it disappears in 24 hours.
Post consistently at a regular time. In general, the best time is between 10:00 and 3:00 during the week. I post at 7:00 a.m., prior to the start of my workday, and during my lunch break. My followers know this and are more likely to look for me at those times. Many authors plan media in advance using an Instagram scheduling tool. Or this video shows you how to schedule from your desktop for free.
Interact with people. Liking their post is great but leaving a comment of at least five words has more impact. Always respond to those who comment on your posts and return the favor by commenting on one of their posts. Sometimes these interactions help build a relationship. Sometimes they give you a chance to promote your book. Sometimes it’s just plain fun. No matter your motivation, this small investment can reap big benefits.
Join an author challenge—daily writing prompts on a variety of topics, such as science fiction, poetry, romance, and other genres. It provides you with material to post. Plus, if you follow the challenge hashtag, you will find like-minded people to connect with. This mutual interest builds community.
Follow trains can bring in a large number of followers very quickly. Anyone can create a one. Most include specific rules, such as following the host or certain accounts, in order to join. Select one that fits your audience profile. If you follow someone on a train, let them know by leaving a comment. Otherwise, it’s easy to get overlooked, and they might not follow back. Take a snapshot of the accounts you follow too. Then check on them in week to see if they followed back. If they didn’t, feel free to unfollow them since they did not, in good faith, fulfill the purpose of the event. (A good train host will be alert to this abuse, but many rely on you not to be fooled.)
Use hashtags reach your target audience. For example, if I use the hashtag #embersgram, which is geared for Christian writers, I can find posts by anyone using it and, even better, they can find me. Instagram automatically provides hashtag choices when you start typing, similar to how a search engine operates. Here are some middle grade book and writing tags to get you started, but research to find more: #middlegrade #bookstagram #middlegradebooks #middlegradefiction #mglit #middlegradereads #middleschool #authorsofinstagram #middlegradefantasy #mgbooks #middlegradeauthor #middlegradebook #mg #christianwriter #christianauthor #authorlife #writersofig #writinglife #writingcommunity #igwriters
There is much more to learn about this fast-growing social media tool. Now that you know how to get started, you can grow the platform you need to improve your chances of getting published. Follow me too at @Lori.Z.Scott. I’ll follow you right back!
Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction because, like an atom, she makes up everything. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lames jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.
Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 150 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books, mostly so she would have an excuse to give people for not folding her laundry. (Hey! Busy writing here!)
Lori loves speaking and leading workshops and enjoys visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott.
I read a ton of great middle grade series in 2020 and I’m excited to share just a few of them with you. If you love fantasy, action and adventure, mysteries, and amazing characters, you will love this list! Want more? Follow me on Instagram at @gracie.dix.author for lots of middle grade book suggestions, reviews, and pictures of my adorable pups!
1. Artemis Fowl
By Eoin Colfer
I saw this movie when it came out on Disney+ and it inspired me to read the first book. Then I was hooked! This series is legendary! It’s action packed, full of twists and turns that even I couldn’t expect and yet Artemis seems to be able to get through each and every one of them. I strive to be as genius as Artemis Fowl one day!
Description:
Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous — and extremely high-tech — fairies.
He kidnaps one of them, Holly Short, and holds her for ransom in an effort to restore his family’s fortune.
But he may have underestimated the fairies’ powers. Is he about to trigger a cross-species war?
2. The Spy School Series
By Stuart Gibbs
I reread this series before reading the latest book, Spy School Revolution. I still love the entire series and the last book was AWESOME!
Description:
Can an undercover nerd become a superstar agent? Ben Ripley sure hopes so—and his life may depend on it! When Ben Ripley is recruited to the CIA’s Academy of Espionage, it’s a dream come true. But as soon as he gets on campus, Ben finds out that Spy School is way more deadly than debonair. And given his total lack of coordination and failure to grasp even the most basic spying skills, Ben begins to wonder what he’s doing here in the first place. Luckily, through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he could actually become a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life!
3. The Magisterium Series
By Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
This 5-book series did not disappoint! I highly recommend this series full of magic, good versus evil, and characters that I miss reading about!
Description:
Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst – and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It’s a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .
4. The Nevermoor Trilogy
By Jessica Townsend
I love this trilogy! Jack is a great character and it was fun to watch his relationship with Morrigan develop. Morrigan is cursed, she escapes death and ends up in a magical world and that is when the real adventures start – need I say more?
Description:
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each with an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.
5. Keeper of the Lost Cities
By Shannon Messenger
If you are looking for a LONG series, I highly recommend this one! I finished the first 8 books in the series last year – over 5600 pages! Each book is better than the last, and the descriptions and action are vivid and exciting! It would make a great movie or TV series. I can’t wait for Book 9 to be released!
Description:
Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks… But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known. But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death—and time is running out.
6. The Royal Academy Rebels Series
By Jen Calonita
Do you love twists on classic fairy tales? For me, the answer is yes! So I love Jen Calonita’s books! Great adventure, strong female characters, and re-imagined fairy tales – sign me up please!
Description:
In Enchantasia, becoming a legendary prince or princess doesn’t happen overnight. Enter Royal Academy, the training ground for the fairy tale leaders of tomorrow!
But Devin has major reservations about her new school and her royal future. How can she be a princess and the best creature caretaker Enchantasia has ever seen? It doesn’t help that there’s something seriously weird about RA’s headmistress. Olivina seems obsessed with preparing students for possible attacks from villains (“A royal can’t rule when they’re stuck in a tower!”) Devin gets that being Snow White and Rapunzel’s fairy godmother has probably made Olivina pretty paranoid, but anytime someone steps a toe out of line, Olivina becomes more of a fairy nightmare than a fairy godmother.
Something isn’t right with this lady, and Devin is determind to find out what. But what Devin discovers could change the fairy tale world forever…
7. The Bowser and Birdie Novels
By Spencer Quinn
If you’ve visited my Instagram, you know how much I love dogs! One thing my dogs Sandy and Snowball have in common with Bowser, the dog in these series, is they will protect their house! I recommend this series if you love mystery, adventure and dogs – like me!
Description:
There is trouble brewing in the Louisiana swamp — Bowser can smell it. Bowser is a very handsome and only slightly slobbery dog, and he can smell lots of things. Like bacon. And rawhide chews! And the sweat on humans when they’re lying. Birdie Gaux, the girl Bowser lives with, also knows something is wrong. It’s not just that her grammy’s stuffed prize marlin has been stolen. It’s the weird rumor that the marlin is linked to a missing treasure. It’s the truck that seems to be following Birdie and the bad feeling on the back of her neck. When Birdie and Bowser start digging into the mystery, not even Bowser’s powerful sniffer can smell just how menacing the threat is. And when the danger comes straight for Birdie, Bowser knows it up to him to sic ’em.
8. The Spiderwick Chronicles
By Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
I love the relationship between the twin brothers in this series, and the illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi are fantastic too! With 5 books, and a fun movie to watch after you finish the series, this set is a sure hit for middle grade and fantasy-loving readers!
Description:
After finding a mysterious, handmade field guide in the attic of the ramshackle old mansion they’ve just moved into, Jared; his twin brother, Simon; and their older sister, Mallory, discover that there’s a magical and maybe dangerous world existing parallel to our own—the world of faerie. The Grace children want to share their story, but the faeries will do everything possible to stop them…
9. The Nightmares! Trilogy
By Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
Do you stay up late reading? I do! But that’s okay, because in this series if you snooze, you lose! I love spooky goodness and these books are scary in the best possible way!
Description:
Sleeping has never been so scary. And now waking up is even worse! Charlie Laird has several problems: 1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch. 2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is NOT a place you want to find yourself after dark. 3. He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap. What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world—that’s a line that should never be crossed. And when your worst nightmares start to come true . . . well, that’s something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good.
10. Welcome to Superhero School (Book 1 of The Vork Chronicles)
By Gracie Dix
Welcome to Superhero School is my first novel and it is filled with characters I love, epic adventures, and of course superpowers! If you love it, check out the prequel, Journey to Superhero School that tell you how twins Jess and Oliver got their powers and ended up at Superhero School, and be on the lookout for the sequel. I’m writing it now!
Description: Join Oliver, Jess, and all their friends on a mission to destroy the power-hungry, evil villains of Vork. From subterranean sewers to lush jungle, from dinosaurs to dragons, our heroes will be pushed to their limits in ways they’d never imagined. Will their collective Powers—Flight, Morphing, Invisibility, Mind Reading, and more—be enough for them to overcome the malevolence of Vork? Or will they stumble over their own doubts and painful histories? This action-packed journey of friendship, hardship, and humor will take our heroes to thrilling new heights and a deeper understanding of their own place in the world. But will that be enough—or will Vork always be one step ahead?
Gracie Dix is a high school student and author, who has been writing since she could hold a pencil. When Gracie isn’t writing, she can be found singing, creating art, in the theatre, or volunteering. She loves travel and is a loyal friend. Gracie lives in Dallas, Texas with her parents, brother, and her beloved dogs, Snowball and Sandcastle “Sandy.”
As we look ahead to a new year and a new opportunity to write and learn, I wanted to pull together a list of resources for writers. Wherever you might be in your writing journey, it is always worth reading about the industry and craft, and these sites are some of the best I have found.
The largest society for children’s writers and illustrators in the US, SCBWI has chapters in nearly every state and hosts conferences on a national and regional scale. For an annual membership fee, members get access to tons of events, critique opportunities, and online book sales. SCBWI is a hub of activity for children’s writers and artists – be sure to visit their blog for interviews with editors, agents, artists and authors and to keep tabs on what’s moving in the industry. The SCBWI message boards are a fantastic place to post questions and learn from established writers.
A growing community for writers focused on the clean or Christian market, Serious Writer hosts conferences and contests, offers a wide range of classes, and provides an active social media forum for writers to connect. Serious Writer Club has both a free option as well as a membership-based option.
This site connects agents and publishers to writers by doing exactly what it says – collecting wish lists of what agents and publishers are looking for and posting it online. The list is updated regularly, and it is a fabulous way to find industry insiders who might be interested in your project.
This site appeals to my spreadsheet-making sensibilities. It’s essentially an online method of organizing and tracking your queries and manuscript submissions. You can also post questions and interact with other writers.
For a $25/month fee, you can access agent and publisher research – lists of who is acquiring what and for how much. If you are researching places to query, it’s well worth a one-month subscription (be sure to cancel!) to find out whether the agent you’ve had your eye on is truly selling middle grade work.
Finally – it’s not a book about writing but if you want to write and sell middle grade (or other children’s books), pick up a copy of the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market.
Keep in mind that this is a highly abbreviated list, not a definitive list of resources, and that a site that one writer might consider a good resource may not fit another writer’s sensibilities.
If you’ve found a favorite go-to resource that you’d like to share, please post it in the comments below. Happy New Year, and Happy Writing!
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
It cannot be overstated: Critique groups are vital for writers. The critique group is to a writer what coaches are to professional sports teams. If you want to play (write) at your best, you need them.
Many critique groups are meeting virtually, but good critique group etiquette is still as important as it ever was – if not more so. Whether you’re joining your first group or your fifty-first, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on some of the often-unspoken rules of critique groups. Here are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to being the kind of critique group member people want to have around.
Critique Partner DOs:
Ask the group leader about expectations before your first meeting. How many pages should the writing sample be, and should you share it before or during the meeting? If you will be sharing electronic documents, what file format is preferred?
Ask each member what kind of feedback they are most interested in before you read their work. Some are interested in general reactions; others may be trying to solve a specific problem. Tailor your feedback to help each writer achieve his or her objectives.
When giving feedback, be as specific as you can, and comment from your own perspective. For example, “I wondered if this character might have a stronger response when his little sister fell,” is more constructive input than “Needs better characterization.”
Be considerate and helpful. No matter what type of feedback you offer, consider how you would feel if you were the one receiving it. Deliver every comment, whether critical or complimentary, thoughtfully and with care for the receiver.
If you have time, organize your comments. Prioritize them into “big bucket” and “little bucket,” or sort them by story component. Try to help the writer gain a sense of what problems might prevent their manuscript from getting a second look from an agent or publisher.
Critique partner DON’Ts:
When you receive criticism, don’t freak out. Criticism of your work is not the same as criticism of you as a human being, so do not treat it as such. Try not to take any comments as a judgment of your value or worth, because they are not. They’re notes from a fellow writer about how they reacted to your work product.
Don’t obsess but do notice trends. If you get certain types of feedback consistently, there’s a reason.
Try not to brush off the good things. If you’re like me, you are your own harshest critic. Learn to graciously accept compliments.
Remember to be respectful of the group’s time. Make an effort to be on time and prepared. Everyone understands that life happens, but if you’re going to miss a meeting or be late, let your group leader know.
Stay on topic. This falls under “be respectful of the group’s time,” but it is worth mentioning. Most groups have a limited amount of time, which means if you want each member to receive feedback on their work, the entire group must stick to the same agenda. Don’t hog the group’s time with tangential discussions, irrelevant questions, or personal stories. Stick to the task at hand, which is critiquing your fellow writers’ work.
These are just a few things I’ve learned over the years in various critique groups. The most productive groups are the ones who set clear expectations about group behavior early. It’s easier for everyone when they know what to expect.
What’s your critique group like? Do you share a set of guidelines or group practices, so everyone knows what to expect?
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
When your critique partners tell you (more than once) your middle grade fiction sounds too adult, how do you fix it?
That depends on what kind of problem it is. If it’s the content that’s too adult, I talk about that in another post.
What I want to talk about today is the voice. How do we, adult authors-in-progress, write with a kid’s voice?
We’ve lived a few miles since we were middle grade readers. So it’s impossible to actually write as though we’re kids. Or is it?
Getting the voice right takes time, patience, practice, and a lot of editing. I haven’t fully cracked this code in my own writing, believe me, but I’ve read enough great middle grade voices to know it can be done.
Here’s what I’ve noticed about some of my favorite middle grade voices:
1) They are borne from a well-developed character or characters.
Imagine any of your favorite middle grade stories told by, well, anybody else. For example, could the opening paragraphs of RJ Palacio’s Wonder be as revealing and compelling if it were written from Auggie’s mother’s point of view? For example:
My name is August, by the way. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. –Wonder, by RJ Palacio.
Understanding how your characters view themselves, how they think, behave, dream, relate to the world around them, is so important. When you know who they are, you can decide the best words to use to reveal them on the page.
2) They don’t explain the jokes.
Humor is subjective, for sure, but as in real life, if you have to explain the joke, you’re probably telling it wrong. Doreen Cronin employs a delightfully dry humor to acquaint us with the main characters in her early middle grade book The Trouble With Chickens: A J.J. Tully Story, and in the process establishes a fabulously strong voice.
Her name was Millicent. I called her Moosh, just because it was easier to say and it seemed to annoy her. She had two little puffy chicks with her. She called them Little Boo and Peep. I called them Dirt and Sugar, for no particular reason.
If Doreen had added a few sentences that explained why calling the chickens by the wrong name was funny, would it have been as funny? More importantly, would we have learned as much about the character of our narrator, J.J. Tully?
3) They don’t underestimate the reader.
Middle grade readers are dependent upon adults for their well-being, so they seek stories in which the protagonist child is self-sufficient enough to solve their own problems with minimal adult help. In Sharon Draper’s middle grade story Out of My Mind, not only is the protagonist a child, she has cerebral palsy, confined to a wheelchair, and is unable to speak. Through use of voice, Draper skillfully crafts a complete, complex character whose coming of age tale is both triumphant and heartbreaking.
Everybody uses words to express themselves. Except me. And I bet most people don’t realize the real power of words. But I do. Thoughts need words. Words need a voice. I love the smell of my mother’s hair after she washes it. I love the feel of the scratchy stubble on my father’s face before he shaves. But I’ve never been able to tell them.
Draper’s unflinching look at the inner life and challenges of a differently-abled child doesn’t talk down to the reader in any way. She starts from a place that assumes readers are capable of empathy and connection.
These are just a few things I’ve learned from reading and writing middle grade, and I know I have miles to go. What are some techniques you’ve noticed in other middle grade authors’ work? Let me know in the comments.
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
I love having family and friends who teach at elementary schools for lots of reasons, but especially because of the opportunity to learn from them. One of the phrases I’ve heard but until recently was too shy to ask about was “mentor texts.” That phrase has flittered through a handful of conversations, usually when we are talking about children’s books we love.
Someone will say, “Oooh I love Kevin Henkes, I have used his books as mentor texts for using adjectives,” or “Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is a perfect mentor text for teaching how to begin a story.” Teachers love using great books to spark a love of writing in children.
In her book Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing Through Children’s Literature, Lynne Dorfman describes mentor texts this way:
Mentor texts are pieces of literature that we can return to again and again as we help our young writers learn how to do what they may not yet be able to do on their own…. Mentor texts help writers to notice things about an author’s work that is not like anything they might have done before, and empower them to try something new.
In other words, mentor texts showcase the lovely ways authors wield words as building blocks to construct stories.
Mentor texts are a valuable learning technique not only for our youngest readers and writers, but it holds up well for us, er, older writers too.
In a recent SCBWI workshop on preparing your manuscript for submission, Deborah Warren of East West Literary Agency recommended utilizing mentor texts to help authors polish their own work. Here’s how she explained it: “If you’re struggling with dialogue, find a scene you think handles dialogue well, and study it. What makes it work? Why does it work? Deconstruct it and learn how that author does it. Then apply what you’ve learned to your manuscript.”
Notice that Ms. Warren does not instruct writers to “copy what you’ve read” from manuscripts. Instead, she encourages us to examine the elements of writing that resonate the most with us. She encourages us to become writing students and practice our craft, using pieces of literature to, as Dorfman says, empower us to try something new.
For example, if I have a scene that needs help establishing my setting, I might look at this paragraph from the opening of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax.
The fox felt the car slow before the boy did, as he felt everything first. Through the pads of his paws, along his spine, in the sensitive whiskers at his wrists. By the vibrations, he learned also that the road had grown coarser. He stretched up from his boy’s lap and sniffed at the threads of scent leaking in through the window, which told him they were not traveling into woodlands. The sharp odors of pine-wood, bark, cones, and needles-slivered through the air like blades, but beneath that, the fox recognized softer clover and wild garlic and ferns, and also a hundred things he had never encountered before…
I am excited to keep learning and growing in my craft by using mentor texts to help me revise and strengthen my manuscript. Have you worked with mentor texts before? How has it worked for you? Let me know in the comments.
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
I don’t know if this happens to you, but when stress piles up in my life, my body starts to shut down. Sleepiness and a lack of energy takes over. I forget simple things. I forget complicated things. My body and brain dissolve into a pile of mush.
When Covid-19 swept through our lives, I think it’s safe to say it brought a fair degree of stress along for the ride. All of us wrestled with questions we didn’t expect to face. How do we manage work? School? Bills? Groceries? Our routines are not only upside down, but planning for the future is next to impossible when no one has any answers. That’s when stress threatens to take over and the oatmeal brain kicks in.
As it turns out, oatmeal brain is a blessing. It’s my body’s reaction to confinement, and even though it took me a while to view it this way, it’s a good thing. Here’s why:
It’s a signal. Oatmeal brain tells me it’s time to make a different choice. It says, “hey, instead of focusing on the things you can’t control, why don’t you take a breather? Why don’t you write?”
When real life shuts doors and has no answers, I can turn to my WIP and write about possibilities. I can throw myself into hopeful, joyous, strangely-flawed characters and explore a world built from imagination.
When my thoughts feel itchy and uncomfortable, I can write them out, turn them loose, and follow where they lead.
There have been days when all I’ve needed to get back on track was five minutes staring out the window and imagining what other people are thinking.
There have been days when I’ve felt so overwhelmed all I could do was look forward to a new day. That’s okay, too.
Here’s to looking for the possibilities in each new morning, and to giving ourselves grace as we find ways to move forward.
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
Writing a book is the literary exercise equivalent of taking
a cross-country road trip. No matter how beautiful the scenery, after a few
miles even the most energetic drivers grow road-weary, and the “are we there yet”
questions start flying from the back seat.
That’s when we start thinking about shortcuts. How much
easier would it be to go ahead and take the tollway instead of the scenic
route?
Of course what I’m referring to here is knowing when it’s
time to stop editing and send your manuscript to an agent or editor. How do we
know we’re ready? That’s a question I’ve both asked and heard at conferences or
workshops.
The answers I’ve heard have varied, but I’ve collected the
responses that resonated the most with me and put together a little checklist.
This is what I’m using to determine whether my most recent works-in-progress
are ready to go.
Have you read your
work out loud?
One agent suggested that unless you’ve listened to your own
work out loud – whether you read and record then play it back, or have a
trusted friend read it to you – your work may not be polished enough to send.
Imagine you’re reading your middle grade novel to a
classroom full of fourth or fifth graders and really listen as you read. Is the
dialogue easy to follow? Do the jokes make sense? Are there scenes that lack
tension or is the pace awkward? When you hear it, you can fix it.
What does my critique
group think?
There’s truly no substitute or shortcut for good writing. If
you don’t have a trusted critique group or reading partner, you need to find
one or create one. The best groups will read thoughtfully and give sincere
feedback on what’s working and what’s not. If your critique group thinks it’s
ready, that’s a good sign.
Is this your fifth
(at least) draft?
I’ve heard a number of authors say that their agent never
sees the first five drafts of any project. Sometimes they don’t even submit
draft number six. They revise, polish, pause, revise again… you get the
picture.
It’s hard, but you must resist the temptation to submit your
second or even your third draft. Make sure you’re putting your shiniest, best
work in a prospective agent’s or editor’s hands.
If you’ve done all three of these things – read it out loud,
received the “go ahead” from your critique group, and you’ve revised the whole
thing a few times, good news! You are probably ready to submit. Now you’ll want
to research agencies and editors to check their submission guidelines, but
that’s a post for another day.
I am still on this road trip to being
published, and these are the biggest, most painful things I’ve learned along
the way. Please know I’m writing this
not to discourage anyone from submitting. Far from it. I am cheering for you
and I want you to succeed.
I’m writing this because I have made the mistake of submitting
manuscripts too soon simply because I was excited about a story.
I mean, I loved my
story, my husband and son loved it, so why didn’t the rest of the world? I’ll
tell you why. My husband and son read past the unpolished words and saw what
was in my heart. They love me.
Loving me is not an editor or agent’s job. Their job is to
fall in love with what’s actually written on the page. My job – your job – as a
middle grade author is to make sure the words on the page are worth falling in
love with.
Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.
