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Writer's Room => Chapter Books, Easy Readers, and Middle Grade (MG) => Topic started by: julianne-black on November 15, 2018, 10:39 AM

Title: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: julianne-black on November 15, 2018, 10:39 AM

Hi all! I write a monthly column for Story Monsters Ink Magazine and I wanted to switch it up in the next issue. Instead of doing a Q & A with one author, I wanted to do an open comment style article where I post author responses  (plus your name, author of..., and web address) in answer to the following questions:

• The term "Middle Grade" can be tricky to understand as parents and explain as authors. How do create your own guidelines for writing style, voice, content moderation, and/or vocabulary?
  
  Has anyone ever described the Middle Grade bracket to you in a way that stuck or was easily relatable?
  
  What do you find the hardest about sticking to that narrow 8-10ish age group?
  
  MG authors you admire and use to inspire your work?

***answers to any or all of these questions are HUGELY appreciated! As a mom and a columnist I don't think MG gets nearly enough press :)

 :yourock

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: Vijaya on November 15, 2018, 06:50 PM

Would you like these in a PM?

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: julianne-black on November 16, 2018, 07:52 AM

Sure! Thank you!!

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: Debbie Vilardi on November 16, 2018, 06:34 PM

I think the easiest for me was just to know it wasn't the same as middle school. It comes before. Ages 8 (fluent readers) through 12. My writing guidelines are to stick with the voice of the character or age group. If the main character sounds authentic, the rest will follow, especially when using a first person or close third person POV.

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: julianne-black on December 11, 2018, 05:55 PM

The responses have been awesome - sorting through the text now as my article got pushed back a month so they could make way for holiday ads :(

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: Vijaya on January 07, 2019, 06:16 AM

Julianne, please do post a link back here when your article is live. Thank you and Happy New Year!!!

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: julianne-black on January 10, 2019, 07:18 AM

They usually come out on the 16th of each month, I know the editor sent a special note about how much she enjoyed it. Can't wait see it myself :)

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: julianne-black on January 17, 2019, 07:40 AM

Hey all- the article is at: https://issuu.com/storymonstersink/docs/story-monsters-ink-february-2019/48
But I think it will ask you to buy the article. If it does, email me at hello@krakensky.com and I'll get you a PDF.
Pages 46-49

Title: Re: Looking for authors to submit quotes for an article about MG Writing-
Post by: Vijaya on January 17, 2019, 11:59 AM

Thanks Julianne