Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers

Am I writing a specific story that could only happen to this character, in this world, in this time? What

The most effective scenes flip action, plot, or character in unexpected ways.

What dark dreams does your character have?

Difficult plot points and antagonists that attack your protagonist’s core identity also give your characters the room to reexamine their firm values.

By sketching out a scene from beat to beat, you’ll notice parts where there are no clear Objectives, or where Objectives aren’t in opposition.

Vary your story’s rhythm by giving us long scenes and short scenes in a pattern.

The Climax is, coincidentally, the only time during the Fall that you should let your character succeed in a big way.

Make sure you’re giving us the antagonist’s Objective and Motivation throughout. Don’t wait until the end to reveal

Your most significant and developed characters should be the ones that keep showing up in an important way throughout the plot. Build those relationships so that when a secondary character has a big moment, the reader will already have a bond with her.