How Did You Get Started?

[G.H.]

I typically read things like King, Grisham, Hosseini, and Jane Casey. One day I sat down and started to write a story, and it wasn't until I'd finished the first draft that someone told me what genre it was. So I'm new to READING middle-grade, and reading other posts. I watch, listen, and try to learn more.

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[Jemima]

I know that feeling. I hadn't read any middle grade books since I stopped reading pony books (probably well into my teens!). But I wrote my stories, and friends urged me to publish them, and then it seemed they were mostly in the middle grade genre, simply because of the type of characters.
I think several of us are in the same boat really. And maybe our middle grade books are in the 'upper end' as a result.
But the advice from those in the know was to read your genre, read the best in your genre, and learn what works in MG (or in my case, children's lit, as I'm in the UK).

So get reading in this new strand, Jerry. You'll have a ball.

Look for Neil Gaiman's kids books, Rick Riordan, maybe Eoin Colfer (although I don't enjoy Artemis Fowl) who are sort of like the authors you've mentioned. And browse through some of our past BOTM posts to see what you might like from what we've recommended to each other. As well as our Bookshelf - which is not open to add your own books. We try to keep it to those the Group reads these days.

I'm sure some of the others have ideas, too.

[E.G.]

I’d always written when I was younger. As a mom, my oldest daughter was telling lies and to curb the habit, I told her a bedtime story about a monster that would know if she kept lying. Then I wondered what other parents in other cultures did like this. I discovered an obscure mythology and started telling her adventure stories about a girl who lies and is taken to another world. It grew and grew, so I wrote it down. Haha. I couldn’t stop writing fiction after that.

[Carol]

I started writing when my children left home and it has opened up a whole new world and interest for me. My children's/teenage sci fi story is a bit short as I wrote it in 3 weeks for a competition but have started on an extension to it. I have also written a historical romance, a historical novel and am currently writing a biography. Perhaps a thriller next? I think if you can write, you can write anything, although perhaps once you start on one genre you have a tendency to keep going in the same vein. Writing has brought me lots of friends and widened my horizons in so many ways and until Covid, also travel in connection with research etc. We are very fortunate to be able to write, and also, if we wish, to publish, regardless of having to wait to be accepted by a publisher. Throughout history, it has been mainly upper or middle class men who have been fortunate to have been able to write and to have been published, although we can think of obvious exceptions. Happy writing, everyone.

[Rebecca]

I've written all my life, but I'm another who's an accidental MG author. My MG books started with a single story that wasn't at all meant for kids, but by the time I had a collection and was calling it a book, friends and I sort of decided it was MG. I never stopped reading kids' books, though, so maybe it was a natural fit!

[Bill]

I started writing years ago but the draft gathered dust on the digital shelf of my computer. Then I ran a Harry Potter shop for a while from 2018 and started writing again in between customers. That middle grade story became Time Thieves of Tutankhamun and I’ve just self-published it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09X...