While the basics of plotting are the same for all stories, crafting a children's middle grade story involves a balance of creativity, structure, and understanding the unique perspective of young readers.
Middle grade (MG) books are typically aimed at children aged 8 to 12, which is a period marked by significant emotional and cognitive development.
Here are 10 tips to help you plot an engaging middle grade story:
1. Understand Your Audience
Middle grade readers are at a stage where they're curious, adventurous, and beginning to understand complex emotions and social dynamics. Your story should reflect their interests and challenges.
Themes of friendship, self-discovery, family, and overcoming obstacles resonate well with this age group. In addition, your language needs to be understandable yet challenging enough to stimulate their growing minds.
2. Start with a Strong Concept
A strong idea is the foundation of any good story. Your idea should be intriguing and relatable. You should be able to sum up your concept in a single sentence.
Think about what excites and engages children in this age group. Whether it’s a magical adventure, a mystery to solve, or a realistic tale of school or family life, the core idea should capture the imagination.
Example: Rick Riodan’s concept for Percy Jackson and the Olympians can be summarized as "a modern boy discovers he's the son of a Greek god and must navigate his newfound powers and enemies." This is an intriguing mix of mythology and modern life that instantly grabs the imagination.
3. Develop Relatable Characters
Characters are the heart of your story. Middle grade readers need protagonists they can root for, who are around their age and facing relatable issues.
Make your characters multidimensional with clear motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Avoid stereotypes and give your characters unique traits that make them stand out. Supporting characters, including friends, family, and even antagonists, should also be well-developed and contribute meaningfully to the plot.
Example: In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, Harry is an 11-year-old who learns he’s a wizard. He’s brave, curious, and sometimes unsure of himself, making him relatable to young readers. His friends Hermione and Ron, with their distinct personalities and backgrounds, also add depth and relatability to the story.
4. Create a Powerful Plot
A well-structured plot keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The classic three-act structure works well for middle grade stories:
• Act One: Introduce the main character, setting, and central conflict. The inciting incident should occur early, driving the protagonist into action.
• Act Two: Develop the story through rising action. The protagonist faces obstacles and challenges, leading to growth and development. This is where subplots and secondary characters can enrich the story.
• Act Three: Bring the story to a climax and resolution. The protagonist confronts the central conflict and either succeeds or learns a valuable lesson. Ensure the resolution ties up loose ends and provides a satisfying conclusion.
5. Balance Action and Reflection
The majority of middle grade readers love action-packed scenes, but they also need moments of reflection to understand the characters' emotions and motivations. Alternate between high-energy scenes and quieter, reflective moments. This balance helps maintain pacing and keeps readers emotionally invested.
6. Choose Age-Appropriate Themes and Messages
While middle grade stories should be entertaining, they often carry underlying themes or messages. These can include the importance of friendship, bravery, kindness, perseverance, or self-acceptance. However, avoid being preachy.
Themes should develop naturally through the characters' actions and experiences, and the storyline should be age-appropriate. Keep in mind that the audience isn't as savvy or mature as the young adult crowd.
Example: In Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, friendship, imagination, and dealing with loss are woven throughout the story. Jess and Leslie's adventures in their imaginary kingdom highlight the importance of creativity and the pain of losing a loved one without being moralistic.
7. Use Age-Appropriate Language
The language should be accessible to middle grade readers but not condescending.
Avoid overly complex vocabulary and sentence structures. Instead, focus on clear, vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue. Humor is also an excellent tool; it can make the story more fun and relatable.
Example: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney uses simple, humorous language and illustrations that appeal to this age group. The diary format with short, funny entries keeps the narrative engaging and accessible.
While language needs to be relatable to the reader, avoid latching onto the most current slang words; they can be gone in a year or two, dating your book.
8. Show, Don’t Tell
This classic writing advice is crucial in middle grade fiction. Show emotions and actions through dialogue, behavior, and sensory details rather than lengthy explanations.
This approach makes the story more immersive and allows readers to draw their own conclusions.
Example: In Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Charlotte’s actions and the dialogue between her and Wilbur show her kindness and wisdom. Instead of telling readers that Charlotte is a good friend, her deeds—such as writing words in her web to save Wilbur—show it.
9. Build a Believable World
Consistency is key whether your story is set in the real world or a fantasy one. Create rules for your world and stick to them. Detailed world-building helps readers suspend disbelief and become fully immersed in the story.
When I wrote Walking Through Walls, I did a lot of research into 16th-century China. Being well-equipped, I kept the details consistent throughout the book, including the scenery, clothing, food, respectfulness, and so on. I also didn’t use contractions in the dialogue to add to the flavor of the period.
Middle grade readers appreciate well-thought-out settings in which they can visualize and explore through the narrative.
10. Revise and Seek Feedback
As with all stories, the first draft is just the beginning. Revise your story multiple times. Focus on different aspects with each pass—plot coherence, character development, pacing, language, etc.
It’s also advisable to seek feedback from beta readers, especially those within the target age group, critique members, teachers, librarians, and fellow writers. Their insights can be invaluable in refining your story.
Summing It Up
Writing a middle grade story is rewarding; it allows you to inspire, educate, and entertain young minds. By understanding your audience, developing a solid plot, and crafting relatable characters, you can create a story that resonates with readers and stands the test of time.
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.
PICTURE BOOK AND CHAPTER BOOK COACHING
Four to ten-week coaching programs.
WRITERS ON THE MOVE PRESS.
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.
You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Or give me a call at 347—834—6700. (Please leave a message- I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.)
What exactly does it mean to show rather than tell in your writing?
Writing Middle Grade Guidelines
Finding Age-Appropriate Words When Writing For Children
1 thought on “How to Plot a Middle Grade Story – 10 Tips”