The Kid Criteria

Since I’m working on my first middle grade novel, I certainly can’t claim to be an authority on writing for this genre. I’m working hard and discovering the “rules” for chapter books. Good middle grade writing must meet the expectations of the reader. So, what are those expectations? The first question I needed to ask myself before embarking on this new genre-journey was, What do kids look for when they turn the pages? In other words, what will keep a book in their hands and the T.V. and computer games off? The best answer to that question can only come from the readers themselves.

Recently a newspaper published a number of essays written by elementary school age children on What is your favorite book? It was fun to read about each child’s favorite middle grade novel or series. Here are some of the things these kids said they love about their favorite middle grade books. What could be better than getting this information straight from the horses mouth? I call this the Kid Criteria List.

• Zany, crazy, hilarious, I’m-laughing-so-hard-I-can’t-breathe humor.

• Adventure, adventure, adventure!

• Unpredictable and even impulsive main characters.

• Mysteries that aren’t predictable.

• Easy to read but with some “harder words.”

• Good “describing” words.

• A story that flows (Yes, a child actually said this!)

• A character they can identify with (“A lot like me.”)

• Lots of action.

• A book that isn’t boring.

• Interesting facts.

• Some sad or even tragic moments.

• Something humorous or weird just around the corner.

Kids know precisely what they want, don’t they? I love what one child said in the newspaper article. I’ll paraphrase: I really want to be a writer when I grow up—but I’ve chosen a better job. (o:

I guess it’s up to the rest of us to write those exciting middle grade novels. I know I’ll be checking the Kid Criteria List often, because our audience knows exactly what they want!

Contributed by Sheryl Ann Crawford

Not Your Mother’s M-G Novel!

As we were growing up, many of us enjoyed the Nancy Drew books, The Moffats series (my personal favorites) and the Narnia Chronicles. Later on, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Charlotte’s Web, and A Wrinkle in Time were favorites.  All of these great books, and many, many others, have spoken to countless middle graders over the years. 

 

But wonderful as all these books are, today’s world of middle-grade novels is considerably different.  According to a recent article in the Children’s Writer e-newsletter, to be competitive and successful in the current middle-grades market, we need to be aware of the many changes that have taken place.

 

To begin, today’s middle-grade novel has more white space and less text on each page.  Because of the abundance of visual media, today’s readers (and the editors who choose what will be published) want books that are shorter and simpler (i.e., “quick reads”)  than they once were.  They also want less introductory narrative, more action, more first-person point of view, and less complex vocabulary.  They also look for books that are “edgy” and more realistic than in years past.

 

In addition, the most avid readers (usually girls) prefer fiction to non-fiction, and high fantasy is many times the choice of the best, and older, readers.  Boys are often a harder sell, and when they do read, they usually prefer non-fiction, especially about sports or hobbies.  Humor, done well, is universally popular across all ages and genders of middle-grade readers.  Girls enjoy stories about relationships, with some introspection by the main characters, but, as a rule, boys will turn away from this kind of book.

 

Another important aspect to keep in mind, this article states, is that while young readers may come to love your books, the books first have to appeal to adults….the editors who choose them and the parents and others who will purchase them.  Also, a busy parent will often gravitate towards series books because they are easy choices.  They know their children are already fond of the characters.

 

Some of the above may sound like the “dumbing down” of literature for young people, and we may wish things were different.  We are certainly free to write what appeals to us most, but I think it’s important to keep these realities of the publishing world in mind, in this case for the middle-grade novel, especially if we have yet to make a “name” for ourselves in the children’s book market.

 

Contributed by Marjorie Flathers

 

Viewpoint in the Middle-Grade Novel

A tween-ager read my book, To Catch a Golden Ring and wrote to me saying, “I felt like I was Angie. I experienced everything she did, and I felt like the things that happened to her were happening to me. It was like I could get under her skin!”

How do we writers create stories that pull readers in? How do we build characters that matter, characters that readers relate to? The secret is in a technique called single character viewpoint. This means that everything that happens is seen, or heard, or smelled, or felt by the main character — the viewpoint character — and by that one character alone. Such a character may be seen as “I,” (first person singular) or as “he/she” (third person singular). The choice is the author’s. Some of us write more easily in first person, some in third. The “person” is often dictated by the style and content of the book. As you are writing, it will become apparent to you which voice you are most comfortable with.

The single character viewpoint is a convention of style that does not diminish the supporting cast. It simply answers the question, “Whose story is this?”  In To Catch a Golden Ring, the story is Angie’s. She therefore has to be on center stage throughout the book. Everything is seen through her eyes, heard through her ears, felt as only Angie can feel. She is the most developed character — the one who grows and changes before our eyes. She is the character with a problem that must be solved, the character that sounds like no other.

Does this mean that secondary characters are static? Not at all. They move and breathe. They have opinions. They laugh and cry and cause happiness and tears.  They have their own voices. They have their own problems. But they are seen only through the eyes of the viewpoint character.

They are humanized through dialogue and tone of voice (which the viewpoint character hears), through movement and facial expressions (which the viewpoint character sees and interprets), and through particular character traits (that the viewpoint character observes). Each supporting character must move the plot forward in some way, each must sound different, each must have a unique voice — without taking over the story.  

Creating a viewpoint character is a convention of style that will serve you well in the middle grade novel. A viewpoint character keeps your plot on track, creates a relationship with setting, and allows secondary characters to develop into important story enhancers. A well-developed viewpoint character will carry your story from start to finish.

Just think how much work that is going to save you!

Contributed by Marilyn Donahue

Cliffhangers

When I was growing up I loved reading middle grade novels. I would devour mystery and adventure stories to the point that I couldn’t wait to get back to the library to get more. What made those middle grade novels appealing? It was the cliffhanger chapter endings. I couldn’t wait to turn the page.

A writer wants the audience to keep reading. She wants the story to capture the imagination and draw people into the action itself. But if the chapter ends in a regular old way, the readers won’t have the curiosity to continue on.

A good cliffhanger builds up tension without giving the outcome away. It captures your attention to the point that you regret putting the book down. It makes a good story into an exciting tale where the reader asks, “What’s going to happen next?”

Make sure your middle grade chapters have cliffhanger endings. You’ll keep your readers interested and wanting to come back for more.

Contributed by Catherine L. Osornio

Keep looking forward!

Here is a favorite Psalm of mine that helps me keep light and puts a song in my heart. Hope you enjoy it too!

—Veronica

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Psalm 16:5-6

What In The World Is A Tweener?

A few years ago if you had talked about Tweeners most people would have thought you were not “all there.” I’m not sure who coined the word but it refers to those readers who are beyond picture books and simple story concepts. Although no longer babies, neither are they teenagers. Hence the name Tweeners.

Tweeners are usually categorized as ages 8-12. They still like to read. But, you had better have a good plot and lots of excitement or they may throw your book down and head for the Nintendo or Wii. 

Some recommendations:

1. If you want to write for this age, read tweener books. LOTS of them. A number of people suggest you read at least 100 books. Sounds like a lot but if you dissect 100 books and see what got them published, I imagine you are well on your way to being added to that list of published authors.

2. If you can afford it, take a course on writing middle grade novels. There are some online. Check them out. If not, google “middle grade books.” You will find numerous articles about writing for this age.

3. Know the basics. Tweener books usually run 20,000 to 40,000 words. Don’t write an 800-page book and expect it to be published. There are always exceptions to this but they are just that, exceptions.  

4. Know your publisher. I have mentioned this before but it bears repeating. Study the market to see which publishers publish tweener books. Find out what KIND of tweener books they publish. If you have a fantasy book and they publish only nonfiction, don’t think they are going to change the rules of the entire company because your book is so profound they simply have to be the ones to publish it. Those things happen only in our dreams!

5. It helps to like tweeners if you want to write for them. There are probably some people out there who hate children but get a book published (I don’t know any of them). You should love those you want to write for. Well, at least like them! If you can’t stand them, try another age to write for.

I hope these things will help you in your quest to write for tweeners. I’ll have a few more suggestions on September 18. “See” you then.

-contributed by Gloria

Writing for Tweenagers

So you want to write for the ‘tweenagers? These are the kids in between the early readers, simple chapter books, simple formula stories, and the hard-to-please, easily bored, busy teenagers. In other words, just the age I love to write for. We have the opportunity to excite, create curiosity, and bring entertainment in a positive way to these kids in a developing age. Don’t try to fool them, and don’t “talk down” to them—they will pick up on that in an instant. We must be real in our beliefs. They can spot hypocrisy and criticism even if we try to cloak it.

Whether we write contemporary or historical novels, mysteries, humor, or adventure, the pace must be lively and characters interesting and believable. Fantasy is popular right now, but pass on following a trend that you’re personally uncomfortable with. If you love history and enjoy doing research, try writing a historical novel, my personal favorite. Fashion the protagonist at the upper level of the middle-grade, 13 or 14 years old. Make him or her be an actual part of the history, not standing on the sidelines. Add actual historic figures as close friends or bit players, and set the action in an interesting, or even better, fascinating period of history. Do your research job well, add details of setting and conversation typical of the time, but not too much.

You’ll learn snippets and facts of history you never knew, and will enjoy writing them so the ‘tweens can learn too, in a novel that keeps them turning pages until the last one.

-contributed by Shirley Shibley

Our Mission Field

Have you written a middle grade novel? Was it published yet? If not, don’t despair. I read how one writer wrote numerous novels before he ever got one published. But he said he could see how he improved each time. He also said he couldn’t have written the final, published one, if he hadn’t first written the others.

Keep learning. Keep reading. Keep praying. And don’t forget—keep writing!

As God’s scribes and as writers of middle grade novels, we have the unique opportunity of presenting a biblical worldview to the minds and hearts of children. What an awesome ministry opportunity this is! The entire world for generations to come is our mission field whether we write MG novels for the Christian or the general market. May we always keep this in mind as we write.

My prayer is that in the month ahead as you read these tips, reflections, and advice posted on our blog about middle grade novels that you will grow as a writer along the journey God has called you to take, in whatever genre you write.

-Contributed by Nancy I. Sanders