Finding Your Middle Grade Voice
Posted by annastan on June 21st, 2010. Filed under: A Closer Look, Writing Rants.In a recent post on Children’s Writing and Illustrating, David Caruba shared some of his “State of the Children’s Book Publishing Industry” presentation from this year’s NJ-SCBWI conference. There was lots of great info there, but what really stood out to me was his report on the middle grade market.
Middle grade stories remain strong, although their demand has softened a little over the past year. Some editors attribute the softening not to the market but to their own focus on building YA lists. Single biggest reported issue: middle grade stories without middle grade voices. “We always want middle grade but just can’t get it,” explained an agent. “People can’t write it.” Publishers report wanting MG stories with a marketing platform or media hook.
Since I primarily write middle grade fiction, this got me thinking about the “MG voice” and why it might be so difficult to write. In writing for children we always talk about the importance of not talking down to your audience and not setting out to teach lessons. But these are things you might not realize you’re doing, especially if you’re just starting out or if you’re not all that familiar with current MG books. That might explain the “middle grade stories without middle grace voices” the agent was referring to.
But the more I think about it, the more I think it comes down to something a bit more abstract. What makes a MG voice hard to write (similar to a YA voice) is that it can’t sound as if the author is trying to write a child character; the character has to be a child. It has to look effortless, even if it’s the result of a whole lot of work. For some of us this might come more easily than others. Since there’s part of me that seems to be a perpetual twelve-year-old, a MG voice feels more natural, whereas I really have to work to create a YA voice.
I’m curious to hear what you guys think. Do you find a MG voice difficult to write? Are there specific ways you’ve found to make that voice work?
June 21st, 2010 at 8:38 am
I never thought about a middle grade story without a middle grade voice. This gives me a lot to think about. For me, that YA voice is harder. Perhaps it’s because I’m a kid at heart too.
June 21st, 2010 at 8:47 am
I tried on paragraph of YA and said this sounds way more mg. I don’t know if I’m successful at an mg voice but for me it’s easier than YA. Maybe b/c my kids are that age so I’m around it constantly. When they are teens, it will be easier to write YA. maybe.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:09 am
I also write MG (and picture books). I don’t know if I have a middle grade voice or not, hopefully I do. I cannot see myself writing YA, I’m a kid at heart, too.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:24 am
I’m like you (the perpetual 12-year-old part). Having taught 10-13 year olds for years has also helped cement early adolescence in my mind.
June 21st, 2010 at 10:50 am
This is a great topic—something that’s been coming up a lot lately. I started out writing mg and found that I was much more suited to YA! It too me awhile to keep from sounding like an adult, but I guess I’m just kind of sixteen at heart! I have no trouble thinking like a teen. And it’s not because I have them. I find that as a writer you draw upon your own experiences and I’m continuously revisiting and rethinking those trying and critical years.
June 21st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
It is true! I can do short stories in MG but find for novels I’ve been far more successful at a teen voice. It must be harder to channel my inner 12 year old!
June 21st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Nan, I don’t think I’d heard it put in those terms before, but I immediately knew what the agent meant. Some stories seem to have child characters who are adults in disguise.
Laura, it will be interesting to see how your YA voice develops as your children grow older. I find that even when I think I’m writing YA, it always winds up being MG.
Janet, I admire the fact that you’re able to write PBs as well as MG. I can sometimes dip into YA, but PBs and I just don’t mix!
Caroline, I’m so glad to have found a fellow perpetual twelve-year-old! I can see how teaching that age group would also help you sharpen your MG voice.
Lisa A, I think you’re right that we do draw on our own experiences. For some reason the most vivid ones that emerge in my writing are from my middle school years.
Lisa G, I’m jealous that you’re able to channel your teen voice so easily! Mine tends to be a bit shy and reluctant.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Interesting. I checked the link to see if he gave an example or two of what he felt a strong MG story with a strong MG voice was. Nothing. But it’s a fascinating observation…
June 21st, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Ha, I thought I was the only “12-year old in my head” around here.
Actually, writing YA is much more difficult for me than MG.
The only “catch” I would say if any is that sometimes a MG voice can come as as too “precocious.”
I hear a lot of reviewers talk about how the voice in some MG novels are not authentic, but really have they listened to some 10-12 year olds lately? My god-daughter amazes me about some of the conversations that she can have and she’s only 9. Ha.
But I agree that middle-grade is going to make a big surge in 2012+.
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:49 am
I’m not published yet, but I love writing MG and finding the right voice. I have MG age children myself, which helps me with language and contemporary kid culture (SO much has changed since I was in middle school), but what helps me the most is remembering what it felt to be 13. I’ll never forget that — the good things, the bad things.
June 22nd, 2010 at 9:59 am
I agree, MG voice is hard. And it’s not just voice, but the way kids think, too. I’m reading Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Bryce and he nails both. It’s a brilliantly funny book.
June 22nd, 2010 at 10:32 am
Andrea, some examples would have been nice. I think I’ll be even more aware of voice now when I’m reading MG.
Karen, I know exactly what you mean about a MG voice being too precocious. We want it to be believable as well as sympathetic.
Mary, I think that’s what it all boils down to: the feeling of being that age. The cultural specifics might change, but the feelings are pretty universal.
Sheila, thanks for the book recommendation. I’ll definitely have to check it out!
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Finding the MG voice is something I struggle with each time I begin something new. I want to insert myself way too much.
June 24th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Catherine, I think that’s something a lot of people struggle with. Often I have to go back through a manuscript, word by word, and make sure every sentence sounds appropriate for the character.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Hi Anna,
Thanks for including part of the Market Report on your blog. Very interesting reading the thoughts about a MG voice. I also write MG and do find it challenging not to slip into the occasional YA or adult voice.