If you are attempting to write a middle grade or young adult novel, then this is probably the book for you. Writing Irresistible Kidlit is the ultimate guide for writing children’s books for older readers.
If you write picture books, you have a ton of resources to draw from. There are many craft books to help picture book writers. But finding one for middle grade writers is a bit more difficult.
How to write a children’s book for older readers
- Understand the Kidlit market
- Know your reader
- Finding a big idea
- Knowing storytelling fundamentals
- Developing a great character
- Devise an irresistible plot
- Getting published
Mary Kole comes to the rescue with her craft book. She has a step by step guide to get you from newbie to expert.
Understand the Kidlit market
It begins with an overview of the kidlit market. What is the difference between an early reader, chapter book, middle grade, and young adult novel?
One of the best things to do is to visit your library or local bookstore. Start reading recently published books so you know what kinds of books are being published today.
Know your reader
Know your readers. Know what they want and how they think. What topics are they interested in?
Get to know your readers. Listen to how they talk. What kinds of books are they reading? Is there something they want that is missing from the bookshelves?
Finding a Big Idea
Some writers struggle to find a good idea, while others have so many they can’t decide where to begin. Begin with yourself.
What big ideas resonate with you? What did you want to read as a kid?
You can also practice writing loglines for your book. The pitch can be hard to write when you are done with a book, but you can try writing your pitch first.
Knowing Storytelling Fundamentals
A story is still a story. Know the elements of a story. Hook the reader with a good first line.
Balance action and information so that the readers know just enough to get hooked into your story. Make sure the pace isn’t too slow or too fast.
Use dialogue to give information about a character while still moving the action forward. Show, don’t tell. Show the reader and let the reader come to their own conclusion.
Developing a Great Character
Make your character relatable. Readers want to go on the journey with a character they like. Give your character flaws. Nobody is perfect, including your hero.
The secret of creating a great character is giving them a goal. The story isn’t as exciting when they get what they want all of the time. Instead, think of obstacles and conflicts. Make your character work for their goal.
Conflicts don’t always need to be giant monsters. Characters can have internal conflicts too. Maybe your character doesn’t believe they can reach their goal.
But if your only conflict is internal conflict, the story can get very boring. Balance the conflict to create your best work.
Great characters don’t just apply to heroes. A good story should also have a great antagonist. Sometimes the villains take over the story. But remember to make your villains well-rounded and unique.
Devise an irresistible plot
Readers have countless things vying for their attention. If you want your reader to keep reading, make sure you keep the tension high.
That means cut out all the nonessentials. Show only what is necessary to move the plot forward. If it doesn’t add to the story, cut!
Plot doesn’t mean events. Think about your characters and their emotional plot. Do the characters change in your story?
Sometimes the part writers need to cut is the beginning. Make sure you start the story as close to the inciting incident as possible.
One way to create an irresistible plot is to give it high stakes and tension. Give your hero a reason to reach their goal sooner rather than later. What does the goal mean to your hero and why?
The muddy middle is another area that needs work before you get that irresistible plot. Brainstorm turning points, twists, and other obstacles that can keep your hero from reaching their goal. The more crooked the road, the more exciting the story.
Getting published
Once you have finally finished, revised, and polished your manuscript, what’s next? It’s time to get a literary agent.
Go through the checklist of things to do before submitting to an agent. Write a query letter and submit.
Rereading Writing Irresistible Kidlit
Mary Kole writes a great book for anyone trying to get a middle grade or young adult novel published. Read the book straight through or use it like a self-help guide.
Each section has From the Authors and Editors. These are tips from authors and editors for new writers. These are lists of books that make great mentor texts. Some are just bonus tips that every new writer would love to know.
My tip: borrow the book from your library first. If you love it, buy it and mark it up with all the great tips you can try.
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