Plotting a middle grade novel requires a careful approach that respects the norms and expectations of the category while also bringing a fresh perspective to the table. MG challenges authors to weave compelling narratives through relatable characters, problems, and themes that resonate with young readers without preaching at or overtly teaching them.
To do this, look for new angles on cliched topics. Ask yourself, “How else can I approach this?” For example, the title of “Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras?” by Helena Pielichaty is a unique and interesting way to approach a story about a girls’ soccer club.
When creating a premise, don’t try to come up with an important moral or life lesson. Simply think about what you were like as a kid. Look at the kids around you – siblings, nieces, nephews, children, neighbors, students, grandchildren – and identify their hobbies, worries, and goals.
To successfully write an MG novel, you need to gain the perspective of a child. What troubled you at that age? What troubles modern kids? The premise of your plot should focus on problems young readers can relate to, whether that is participating in school, joining a new sport, battling unfair authority figures, or experiencing their first crush.
Conflict
A story wouldn’t be a story without challenges for the characters to overcome. In MG novels, the central conflict should be clear, with a hint of internal struggle alongside it. Because children don’t have all the tools to thoroughly explore their emotional states, internal struggles are best explored through dynamic external conflict.
Internal conflicts:
- A child really wants to do something big, but they feel too small and are afraid to try
- A child loves their home life, but they want to explore another side of themselves outside – they’re not sure if the two sides can mix
- A child wants to do the right thing, but they also want to fit in with a popular crowd
External conflicts:
- A child can’t get a puppy until they save up enough money from shoveling snow, but a rival neighbor kid is taking all their customers
While internal conflicts can connect your readers to the story on an emotional level, there should be more emphasis on external struggles to cater to their attention spans and interests. Remember: this audience stays for action.
Make sure that the plot only moves forward by decisions made by kids – adults shouldn’t have any power here to take away obstacles, solve problems, or face the consequences of decisions. They can offer support and guidance, but young characters should be the only ones taking big steps and dealing with the aftermath.
Pace
Middle grade readers are known for their short attention spans, so keep a fast-paced plot. Characters should stay active, propelling the story forward with their actions and decisions.
Structure
To maintain engagement, an MG novel should have all the essential elements of a good story: a beginning, a middle, a climax, and an end. The beginning should hook readers quickly. MG readers are brutal – if they don’t like a book or find it boring at the start, they won’t hesitate to set it down and never think about it again.
The middle of the story should build on the initial intrigue, leading to a climax that brings all the plot threads together. By the end, everything should be resolved, leaving the reader with a sense of closure and security.
A lack of resolution, particularly for young readers who connect deeply with a story, risks making them feel like they can’t solve a similar problem in their life or suggests to them that it won’t turn out well. MG audiences should feel rewarded for their investment in a story.
Subplots
Subplots serve as a tool to add depth and complexity to the main plot, filling in gaps, revealing character information, and increasing tension at pivotal moments. A writer can alter the pace of a scene by switching between plotlines, either slowing it down or speeding it up as necessary.
In middle grade, subplots can include a different aspect of the main character. They can highlight the antagonist, a secondary character, or even a specific location through a developmental arc. Or, they can include alternative problems that slow down the protagonist’s ability to solve the main conflict.
Engagement
Throughout your plotting process, check in regularly to make sure it is still engaging. If you’ve got a good premise or title, you’re to attract readers’ attention. But if the story doesn’t live up to their expectations or is in any way misleading, they’ll stop reading almost immediately. Every scene should contribute to the overall plot, ensuring a cohesive and compelling narrative that holds the reader’s interest from start to finish. By balancing action, character development, and emotional depth, authors can create MG novels that not only entertain but also resonate with young audiences.
Enjoying our series on Middle Grade fiction? Stay tuned for Part 4: Creating Authentic Characters!