Category Archives: writing for children

A Dose of Encouragement

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Chuck Mall

All of these scenarios about writers exist: * Someone wrote a first novel that sold well and made them famous. But after that success, none of his other books did well. * Someone wrote for 25 years, completing several manuscripts … Continue reading →

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Book Review

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Chuck Mall

Oddball entry: my reviews are on Amazon and Goodreads, but this one deserves a place in my space. Hope is a Ferris Wheel by Robin Herrera I’m a bit late to the game on reading this 2014 MG novel, but … Continue reading →

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3 Hot Tips to Make Your Middle-Grade Novel Saleable

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Chuck Mall

If you’ve been studying writing awhile, you’re well-versed on how to create a character, how to structure a plot, and how to find the novel’s “voice” (by far the hardest thing). But did you know these three extras that really … Continue reading →

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Middle-Grade Book Know-How

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Chuck Mall

Write Well, Learn the Genre, and Learn Advanced Techniques I can’t tell whether I’m writing a middle-grade book, a chapter book, or a YA. Have you ever thought about this? I’ve heard it at writers conferences and critique groups for … Continue reading →

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Rolling with Middle Grade Reading

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Chuck Mall

Three “teaching” middle-grade books for writers After my last post I got emails and texts, asking me to talk about more middle-grade books I’ve read recently. So here are capsules of a few more. I don’t always read books in … Continue reading →

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Middle-Grader Road Grading

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Chuck Mall

Why are middle-grade books my chosen writing genre? I’ve written middle-grade and young-adult fiction, and picture books (which I’ve tried to write; but can’t do it well). Somehow middle-grade plots, characters, and ideas are what populate my mind.  Perhaps it’s … Continue reading →

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The Useful Cage

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Chuck Mall

How the Storytelling Format Can Limit a Fictional Narrative Strategically As a writer who has created almost all of his fiction in third person limited, using a standard narrative format, I’m always exploring how established novelists use or misuse format … Continue reading →

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