Mastering Middle Grade
Beating Writer’s Block
It’s happened to all of us. The dreaded b l o c k. It’s the intersection of panic and…
November 16, 2023-
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Mastering Middle Grade
Pitch Perfect
You’ve worked hard to write your middle grade novel, and now you’re ready to sell it to a publisher.…
October 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Why You should Tackle Tough Topics in Middle Grade Writing
If you love middle grade novels, you’re probably familiar with some of the unique characteristics of this genre. You…
August 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
How to Make a Cliché Work for You
In middle grade novels, do you know what gets my goat? Stories riddled with clichés. Let’s address the elephant…
July 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
How to Persevere in Your Writing
When I first started writing, I assumed publishing occurred as writers often presented in Hollywood films. Authors complete a…
June 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Elements That Work
When it comes to writing middle grade fiction, authors might wonder what works best for this 8-12 years old…
April 21, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development as a Writing Tool
As an aspiring middle grade author, you’ve probably heard this before – if you want to write compelling, relevant…
March 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Motivation
What motivates the main character in your middle grade manuscript? If you struggle to pinpoint what drives them, you…
February 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Five Writing Goals to Start the Year
Hey, all! Now that the winter holidays are past, it’s high time to focus on goals for the upcoming…
January 16, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
I’m an Author
My co-host Lori Scott has an exceptional series about bringing her YA novel from concept to reality, but for…
October 16, 2022 -
Mastering Middle Grade
What Rejection Really Is
Behind every book on the shelf, and every story waiting to be published, there’s an author who has experienced…
June 16, 2022 -
Mastering Middle Grade
5 Things Writers Can Give Thanks For
The American Thanksgiving falls in November, making now a great time for writers to count their blessings. I can’t…
November 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Now What?
Last month I shared three things I’ve learned on my way to becoming a soon-to-be-published middle grade author. I…
October 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Are you Writing a Middle Grade or Chapter Book?
Sometimes when I tell people I write middle grade, they nod knowingly and say “Cool. Like a chapter book,…
August 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
An Interview with M. G. Fantasy Author Andrea Rand
In honor of Independence Day, I wanted to do something special for this post to celebrate. I had an…
July 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
8 Middle Grade Books for Summer
How excited are you for summer vacation?! I have no clue what I am going to do this summer,…
June 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Three Tips for Middle Grade Historical Fiction Authors
I once asked New York Times bestselling author Melanie Benjamin her top tip for writing historical fiction. She gave…
May 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Getting Started on Instagram, part 2
Part one of this two-part article covered how to get started on Instagram. This second part explores growing your…
April 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
10 Epic Middle Grade Book Series
I read a ton of great middle grade series in 2020 and I’m excited to share just a few…
February 16, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Ringing in the New with Great Resources
As we look ahead to a new year and a new opportunity to write and learn, I wanted to…
December 16, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Ten Ways to Be a Great Critique Partner
It cannot be overstated: Critique groups are vital for writers. The critique group is to a writer what coaches…
October 16, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Write Like a Kid
When your critique partners tell you (more than once) your middle grade fiction sounds too adult, how do you…
August 16, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Mentor Texts for Authors
I love having family and friends who teach at elementary schools for lots of reasons, but especially because of…
July 16, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
The Benefits of Oatmeal Brain
I don’t know if this happens to you, but when stress piles up in my life, my body starts…
June 16, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Real talk: When to submit your manuscript
Writing a book is the literary exercise equivalent of taking a cross-country road trip. No matter how beautiful the…
May 16, 2020
