Home » Books, Poetry & Writing » Writing Tips » How to write a novel

Any comments about middle grade novels?

Your opinions are always welcome

From the lens Middle Grade Novels - How to Write Them.

Are you a writer? Tell us about yourself, or just leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

  • biznardi May 9, 2012 @ 10:30 am | delete
    This is a well written lens. I never thought about writing a novel of kids.
  • bloomingrose Apr 16, 2012 @ 2:17 am | delete
    Back to pin this to my Writing board. Great lens.
  • BunnyFabulous Apr 3, 2012 @ 2:39 pm | delete
    Have wondered what it would be like to write a novel for kids. You give really great practical advice....especially 'Don't Quit!' Great lens.
  • danowrites Mar 28, 2012 @ 10:12 am | delete
    Thank you for this, it is very helpful indeed.
  • Nick-The-Novelist Feb 29, 2012 @ 11:06 am | delete
    Love the advice about making a main character. Interviewing them is an awesome technique. I find it works much better than a simple character sheet at getting to know them.
  • bobby150 Jan 26, 2012 @ 7:40 am | delete
    "Don't Quit!" best advice overall. Many people quit very early in writing a novel or any difficult undertaking. As a writer it's important to get into the work and learn all you can about these new characters that you have created. When you know your characters, you can't just walk away from them and forget them because your tired of the work. If they are good strong characters that belong in your story they will be with you everyday and every step of the way.
  • TMitch Jan 23, 2012 @ 8:22 am | delete
    I have written my first middle grade manuscript, and I am looking for ways of making it stronger and publishable. Thank you for these grade tips.
  • workingmomwm Jan 14, 2012 @ 10:30 pm | delete
    I am a writer, but I've never written a book for middle grade readers. You have some great tips here. Thanks for sharing!
  • Art_Aspirations Jan 14, 2012 @ 1:23 pm | delete
    A well-crafted lens. My granddaughter is an avid reader at age 8 and I thoroughly enjoy reading what she is reading.
  • davidleetong Jan 14, 2012 @ 12:07 pm | delete
    Love the lens! So well written... Scary opening photo though :D
  • baby-strollers Jan 14, 2012 @ 1:04 am | delete
    My little one will be 8 before long - I would love to put some of your advice to work. I think I could do it.
  • darciefrench Jan 13, 2012 @ 11:10 am | delete
    I was a ghostwriter for several middle grade children's novels. I really enjoyed it. The books are numbers 5-8 in the Why Some Cats Are Rascals series by Bozena Nowiki.
  • rich074 Jan 13, 2012 @ 9:21 am | delete
    Expertly Done
  • Jan 12, 2012 @ 6:15 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for this lens. It is very helpful and encouraging. I will, pick up the unfinished story I've written, everyday as you suggest.
  • scarlettohairy Jan 12, 2012 @ 2:55 pm | delete
    This is a great information! I love how you've broken down the basics and made it seem oh-so-doable!
  • vanidiana Jan 12, 2012 @ 9:14 am | delete
    I am a kid story writer, and all that you have written in this lens really give me more inspirations how to write better. Thank you very much for sharing about the writing tips. I have written three middle grade novels, one fantasy story and two sci-fi stories. You are right about not stopping, sometimes I got too busy doing other things that I left my stories half finished.
  • Jan 11, 2012 @ 3:34 pm | delete
    Something I have not yet tried. Thanks!
  • juliavm Jan 11, 2012 @ 11:27 am | delete
    I wonder if I'll have the discipline to sit and write a novel. I used to have lots of ideas, but was too lazy to get these ideas on paper. Maybe I could use this lens as a guide, and put my story telling skills to the test. Great lens!
  • MaryQuinlin Jan 11, 2012 @ 2:02 am | delete
    I very much enjoyed all you included--so many good tips!
  • BuddyBink Jan 10, 2012 @ 6:09 pm | delete
    A very nice outline on how to write a novel. Thanks
  • SomeoneYouKnow Jan 10, 2012 @ 11:50 am | delete
    I love this genre as well. I have not tried to write one, but you have given me the encouragement needed to start. During the time it took me to read this lens I have come up with a character and a situation for her. I am off and running with this. Thank you!
  • Angelgirl1976 Jan 10, 2012 @ 7:14 am | delete
    Thank you for this, it is very helpful indeed. I lost my job 2 weeks before christmas and I have always loved writing but just didn't have the tme to write but now I have the time. I have been thinking that I want to write for a living. When I was at school, my teachers always said I should take up a career in writing so now seems like a good time. This really helped me so thank you for the info :)
  • bloomingrose Jan 10, 2012 @ 1:20 am | delete
    I bookmarked this but I would personally love to write for this age. I read a lot of children's books - I like seeing eyes through child's eyes.
  • AshAffiches Jan 10, 2012 @ 1:05 am | delete
    5 stars!
  • iijuan12 Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:17 pm | delete
    Very informative lens!
  • Duane_Jackson Jan 9, 2012 @ 7:33 pm | delete
    Love the tips and advice!
  • SecondHandJoe Jan 9, 2012 @ 7:00 pm | delete
    I just finished my first middle grade novel- next week I'll read another!
  • KhairuZiya Jan 9, 2012 @ 6:59 pm | delete
    great lens, very informative. thank you for sharing
  • Ericastanciu Jan 9, 2012 @ 12:15 pm | delete
    Great lens! Really informative
  • Mia-Mia Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:54 am | delete
    Thank you for this very helpful and informative lens; and for the encouragement. I've thought about this genre many times, but have not investigated it. I may do so now.
  • Mia-Mia Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:54 am | delete
    Thank you for this very helpful and informative lens; and for the encouragement. I've thought about this genre many times, but have not investigated it. I may do so now.
  • d-artist Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:20 am | delete
    Very nice with great information...I will have to look into this a bit more...thanks for sharing!
  • jeremykim2011 Jan 9, 2012 @ 4:32 am | delete
    Thanks for the wonderful writing tips! Great lens!
  • GrammaLinda Jan 8, 2012 @ 9:54 pm | delete
    I hadn't considered weriting a middle grade novel, but I have started two young adult novels. Good points about writing on the novel everyday. Had I done that, they would both be finished now. Great lens! Blessings!
  • Jan 8, 2012 @ 8:54 pm | delete
    What a cool idea for lens - love it!
  • Annie Sep 14, 2011 @ 3:12 pm | delete
    Who wrote this, I'm posting it on my wall and would like to credit the author: The most important thing to remember when writing a novel is that you cannot quit. Even if you think the story is bad, don't quit. Even if you decide you're the most talentless scribbler of worthless ideas, don't quit. Almost every author goes through a period of hating their novel while they're writing it.

    You see, sticking to the project is the hardest part of creating a worthwhile story. Once you quit, you fail. And if you don't quit, you can always keep adding to and editing your novel, until it is something you can be proud of.

    You should expect to write something new on your novel every day.
    remember that the key word here is "daily". Do you realize that if you write just 500 words daily for two months and ten days, you'll have a viable 35,000-word middle grade novel manuscript?
  • LindaJM Sep 14, 2011 @ 8:03 pm | delete
    Thanks... I wrote that! - Linda Jo Martin ... glad you appreciate it!
  • franstan Jul 29, 2011 @ 8:52 pm | delete
    Love this lens
  • Donnette Jun 25, 2011 @ 6:39 am | delete
    I love the layout of your page. thank you for sharing
  • wolley_81 Mar 16, 2011 @ 7:53 am | delete
    Hey, this brings back my old passions of writing! :) thanks! this is really informative and inspiring!
  • cinstress Mar 15, 2011 @ 9:54 pm | delete
    I love writing too!
    thanks for a great lens with many resources
  • Gail47 Feb 18, 2011 @ 8:46 am | delete
    Great resource with beautiful posters, too! What a comprehensive lens, and I'm sure those who would like to write for that age group will appreciate your information.
  • KaraLynnRussell Jan 23, 2011 @ 2:50 pm | delete
    Lots of helpful links here. Thanks for creating this lens.
  • pumpnut Dec 14, 2010 @ 9:30 am | delete
    I would love to have a least one story out there in the world. It's on my list.
  • GrammaLinda Oct 30, 2010 @ 11:09 am | delete
    You have some wonderful ideas and writing resources. I have been writing for as long as I can remember, and love to do fictional writing for young adults and children, when I have time.
  • KarenTBTEN Oct 16, 2010 @ 4:52 pm | delete
    Great writing resource. SquidAngel blessings.
  • Jimmie Oct 9, 2010 @ 1:15 am | delete
    Your content is great. I've always wanted to write a YA book (young adult) about ... well, maybe I should'nt give away my plot idea. ;-)
    This lens is so visually appealing. I love the columnar look. It really keeps my eye going down, down, down the page.
  • jp1978 Oct 3, 2010 @ 3:52 am | delete
    Great! Everything is here, what's left for us is the writing...
  • LensbyLisa Sep 30, 2010 @ 7:31 am | delete
    Great lens! I really enjoyed reading this.
  • dagsmith Sep 6, 2010 @ 10:44 pm | delete
    Great lens - you've been visited by a squidoo angel!
  • Debbie Dillon Jul 30, 2010 @ 9:16 pm | delete
    What a perfect day to stumble across this great information and encouragement! Thank you so much for your insight and words of wisdom. I've been beating myself up all day about my writing, hating my manuscript(s), running into dead ends and convincing myself that my reader would be bored with my story if I labor over each and every word.
    Again, thank you, thank you.
  • Farida Gohar Jul 30, 2010 @ 5:01 am | delete
    Thank u 4 such a useful writing 2write kids literature.
  • bbudoyono May 11, 2010 @ 8:29 am | delete
    Excellent lens. Thanks for writing this.
  • Ramkitten Nov 16, 2009 @ 5:40 pm | delete
    I'd never actually heard the term "middle grade novel." I've written for adults and "young adults" but never have tried a "middle grade" story. Perhaps that will be in my future. You give excellent tips in a very eye-catching lens. Nicely done!
  • Flynn_the_Cat Nov 4, 2009 @ 12:37 am | delete
    Great lens! Blessed!
  • Val_Bonney Aug 15, 2009 @ 7:13 am | delete
    Superb lens, Linda - you make writing for young adults seem not only achievable, but extremely tempting!!

    Thanks hon xx
  • Lori_Lee-Ray Jun 11, 2009 @ 2:59 am | delete
    Absolutely phenomenal lense, love the layout and the information! Great job! I'm lensrolling you to my author lense on James Bell Scott
  • AnnieMcMahon May 5, 2009 @ 2:23 pm | delete
    I'm "favoriting" your lens and will be back to read it more thoroughly. Great lens! I'm a wanna-be writer, in the process of submitting my first manuscript.
  • spirituality Apr 22, 2009 @ 10:22 am | delete
    Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
  • Treasures-By-Brenda Apr 14, 2009 @ 5:37 pm | delete
    You almost make me want to write a novel...I think you've done a fantastic job here and I've blessed your lens.

    Brenda
  • JenOfChicago Dec 11, 2008 @ 5:35 pm | delete
    Great lens!
  • PattB Dec 8, 2008 @ 2:02 am | delete
    I'm so excited about this lens. At one time I thought about writing novels for middle grades, and now I think you've revived that interest. I will bookmark this lens, and look forward to returning. thanks!
  • Sara Nov 17, 2008 @ 6:02 pm | delete
    Thanks for this information, I am actually writing a story and this is very helpful. I am only in 8th grade but I want my readers to grow to love my characters and want the story to be real, or at least that they are with the characters at the time of their delimma's. This really helped me with very imaginative ways of describing the characters and new plots. I didn't necessarily ask myself "How can I hurt my character?" because it all came together, but I did like that suggestion. Thankyou so much!! By the way your site, 5 stars!
  • Xbox 360 Fix Oct 1, 2008 @ 11:38 pm | delete
    Hey great lens! and even better content lol!
    Thanks for the advice..
  • Aug 4, 2008 @ 8:30 pm | delete
    I love your this site. I haven't written a novel, but a children's picture book. I am looking forward to reading your other sites. I give your 5 stars and would like to rate your site(if I can figure out how to do this). Keep going!
  • qlcoach Jul 14, 2008 @ 10:18 am | delete
    Excellent information here. Thank you for sharing it and thank you for participating in our club.
    Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and theapist
  • mjrinella May 3, 2008 @ 12:48 pm | delete
    Wow, great lens! 5 stars.
  • SusanVillasLewis Apr 14, 2008 @ 4:48 pm | delete
    Hmmm. Well, I already know how to read books for the 9-12 year old set. They're among my favorites right now. But it's harder than it looks to write for them!!
  • JanetG Oct 14, 2007 @ 7:34 am | delete
    5 stars!! Enjoyed your info. I am writing a non fiction book for 9-12 year old girls. Your site gave me a shot in the arm. Found you thru the Muse Online Forum. Thanks.
  • Steve_Albert Sep 11, 2007 @ 3:30 pm | delete
    Great lens! 5 stars!! :)
  • ForeignFilmFanatic Aug 27, 2007 @ 2:22 pm | delete
    Great lens with lots of helpful information! I gave it 5*. Hope you'll visit my Foreign Films Frenzy lens too!
  • boredofeducation Aug 15, 2007 @ 12:13 am | delete
    Great Lens!

    Welcome to the Squidoo Book Club.
  • Aug 6, 2007 @ 11:45 am | delete
    Great lens! I voted 5 stars - I invite you to check out mine too, and rate it for me! Live Streaming Video
  • EelKat Aug 5, 2007 @ 3:31 pm | delete
    What a great page you got here! I'm a writer, but most of my books are for adults, however the past few months I've been writing a couple of books for kids, which I hope to get published soon. Your info is very hlpful.
  • Ms_Appleseed Aug 4, 2007 @ 10:43 am | delete
    I love your blog! What great committment you have to the writing experience. I am working on focus and you have inspired me. Thanks!
  • LindaJM Aug 2, 2007 @ 2:29 am | delete
    Thanks, sdtechteacher, I haven't submitted my novels for publication yet, though I've written several. I go over them and revise repeatedly. One of these days I'll be ready to submit.
  • sdtechteacher Aug 1, 2007 @ 11:01 am | delete
    I really like your lens. You put a lot of encouraging advice in here plus links and other resources. 5 stars!

    Have you published an middle grade books? I'd love to see one.
  • Marta_Stephens Jul 27, 2007 @ 7:24 am | delete
    Linda, I really enjoyed reading your Lens. Great advice too. I think you are the only other person (besides me) that I know of who makes a list of the chapters with a brief summary of its content. It's a great way to make sure the scenes are sequential too.

    Marta!
  • Gordonjohns Jul 27, 2007 @ 7:24 am | delete
    Lots of good content. 5*. Though i agree with Elee, some pictures would help break up the text. Great first effort.
    Tikal Xunantunich

by

LindaJM

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss
My blog: Linda Jo Martin
Perspectives on Writing more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags