Writing a Novel Series for Kids, Part 3
I’ve been thinking about novels in series quite a lot lately because I’m writing one and several of my clients are too. It occurred to me as I was watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (a prequel to the original Star Trek) that some novel series are more like episodic television.
Writing a Novel Series for Kids, Part 2
I don’t think I can write about series fiction for kids without first talking about Harry Potter. (If you’ve never ready any Harry Potter, you’re missing out on a huge influence on the kid lit world.)
The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling is, at least according to Mental Floss, the best-selling book series of all time.
Writing a Novel Series for Kids, Part 1
When you were a kid, what series of novels did you read and enjoy? Two of the series that stick out in my memory are Nancy Drew mysteries and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books.
Pageboy, a Memoir by Elliot Page
Pageboy, a memoir by Elliot Page, caught my eye as I scanned the new book shelves at my local library. Page is a transgender man formerly known as Ellen Page, the actor, who I first saw in the film Juno.
Building Your Characters’ World
Rowling and Collins had to think through their world’s history, government, technology/magic, and social customs. Those kinds of concerns are often thought of as belonging to fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. But novels set in the realistic here and now may also use these issues to compelling effect.
Why Do Characters Do the Things They Do?
Digging into our characters’ whys will enrich our fiction.
Character Interviews as a Revision Tool
I’ve been working on character interviews for my middle grade dog novel to help clarify my characters’ wants and needs and what’s at stake for them. I wanted to ease into the interviews like I would for a real human being, not just ask them what they want and why.
MG Novel Recommendation: Simon Sort of Says
If you also appreciate humor, you may want to read Simon Sort of Says (2023) by Erin Bow. It’s a contemporary, realistic, middle grade novel that provides humor as well as a serious and challenging subject—school shootings.
A Different Kind of Character Study
People are fascinating. Why do they do the things they do? I can make up all sorts of motivations and back stories for my fictional characters, but is it believable? Sometimes that’s hard to judge.Lately, I’ve been reading books outside of my typical fun zone, and accidentally discovered another way to study characters.
Characters with Compelling Perspectives
Adult contemporary fiction is not a category I naturally gravitate toward, but this is an example of why reading in many genres and age groups, not just the ones you want to write in, can help you fill your creative well and learn more about the market.