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ANATOMY OF A MIDDLE GRADE MANUSCRIPT
Lightning Strikes!
As a writer, you’ve probably
experienced that moment when you’re involved in some unrelated task and you're suddenly overwhelmed by an idea with nothing to write on! I was sitting in a
movie theatre watching the opening credits of a film - where these playing cards
filled the screen. I was hypnotized by the faces of the King and Queen of
Hearts. I felt them calling me. The next morning, I opened my laptop and began
writing a story about a boy who discovers an animated deck of cards in his
father’s old desk.
Best Laid Plans
I hadn’t planned on writing a
middle grade book. I started out writing what I thought was a picture book. I
even worked on a number of illustrations. But once the first draft was done, a
dear friend, who was a librarian at a middle school, read it and suggested I
consider revising for a middle grade audience. I knew very little about the
genre and was grateful for her guidance. She suggested I read what has become
one of my all-time favorite books: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE, by
Kate DiCamillo.
Read, Read, Read!
I immediately began reading
as many books in the genre as I could get my hands on— more Kate DiCamillo,
Neil Gaiman, Richard Peck, Jennifer L. Holm. I was moved by their heartfelt
novels—each one so beautifully crafted. The more I read, the more I began to
understand the age group. Their thirst for humor, adventure and authenticity,
freed me to become more expressive in my own writing. And, so it began—I would
craft a middle grade novel from my picture book draft.
Research
When I began writing
MISADVENTURES OF A MAGICIAN'S SON, I knew right away certain aspects of my main
character Alex would be similar to mine. He questions everything and can get
lost in his own thoughts. We both lost a parent at a young age and both of us
were bullied. I felt comfortable tapping into my own journey as an awkward
12-year-old to build his world. But Alex, who reluctantly follows in his
father’s footsteps, is also a talented magician. On the subject of magic
tricks, I knew very little, and needed to do some serious research.
While the internet offered
helpful information, I felt strongly that I needed a one-on-one experience.
Enter Joel, a young magician I spent quite a bit of time with. Pen in hand, I
asked countless questions while he enthusiastically shuffled his cards, did
flourishes and made them fly from one hand to the other. He described each
maneuver while I scribbled notes and took plenty of photographs. I also shot
video that I watched over and over which helped me translate the card tricks
onto the written page.
As the novel progressed, I
visited Joel on several occasions loaded with more and more questions. “Could
Alex do this? What about a trick like this?” After a while, I realized what I
was doing was basically asking permission. Joel helped me realize, when it came
to magic, anything was possible! This
was a huge turning point for me. I had permission to take the story where it
wanted to go.
Pulling It All Together
I had just completed a
writing workshop at Media Bistro in NYC when I discovered they also offered a
YA/MG writing-critique workshop. I immediately signed up! Led by a remarkable agent/author Kate McKean, the group of eight
was filled with talented writers, screenwriters, playwrights and me! This was
the real deal and quite honestly, I was a bit intimidated. But they were all so
supportive and the feedback was spot-on. I learned how to build tension, flesh
out characters and move the story forward. It still remains one of the best
experiences I’ve ever unknowingly put myself into!
Edit, Edit, Edit.
By the time the critique
workshop had come to an end, I had received written feedback from each member
of the group on my entire manuscript–chapter by chapter–which I organized in
separate folders. With the understanding that I needed to get the word count up
around 35,000-40,000, I began another draft.
I found this stage to be the
most cathartic. Deleting blocks of text for a concise sentence. Elaborating on
an emotional moment. Heightening suspense by using short quick sentences. I was
molding and reshaping the story like clay on armature.
Step Away.
This is some of the best
advice I can share. After a few months of focusing on another project, I came
back and was able to review what I had written with a fresh perspective.
Edit some more!
After another round of edits,
a few minor changes were made and I was ready for submission.
MISADVENTURES OF A MAGICIAN’S
SON became a personal adventure from picture book to middle grade novel that
will soon be released by Blue Whale Press this coming Fall!
Author/illustrator,
Laurie Smollett Kutscera grew up in NYC’s Greenwich Village. She studied fine art
and children’s book illustration at Queens College with Caldecott medalist
Marvin Bileck. She is a published children’s book illustrator, an award-winning
graphic designer and toy designer.
Her passion for writing began 14 years ago
while cruising the eastern seaboard from Nantucket to the Virgin Islands. She is an active member of the SCBWI, 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and Children’s Book
Academy.
Laurie lives on
the north shore of Long Island with her husband Nick and rescue doggie, Cody.
She and her husband own and operate an 85ft classic yacht for charter in NYC
and Long Island Sound.
twitter:@lkutscera
*****
Give-away
Some of you already know that one of my (Becky's) hobbies is making jewellery and charm bookmarks. I like adding pretty charms to things, along with other jewellery-making ideas. today's prize is one of my charm-added bracelets. the bracelet itself looked small to me, so I had my 16 year old daughter (who is full-grown at 5'10" tall) try it on to make sure it would fit the average person. I've added a couple of fantasy charms to it and it is today's prize (pictured above). (Don't ask me what metal it is, as I am not sure. I tend to buy mostly silver-plated and stainless steel jewellery pieces and charms. I occasionally get actual sterling silver pieces in, but I don't keep track of which is what.) But it's a pretty bracelet that comes in a pretty jewellery bag, and you can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift to someone else.) If you are already a signed-up member of the challenge, all you have to do to be entered into the drawing for today's prize is comment on this blog post. (The photo doesn't really do the bracelet justice. It's more sparkly than it looks in the photo. I'm great at photographing people and places, but not so great at photographing items.)
Congrats on your manuscript becoming a book, Laurie! Thank you for sharing the steps in between. That MG/YA workshop sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Candice. Its really was a great experience. There are a number of critique groups available online and through The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
DeleteGreat post, Laurie! Thank you for the advice on how to turn picture books into middle grade novels. This couldn’t have come at a better time as I am reworking, or trying to rework, quite a few of my picture books into chapter books (Anya, Footprints in the Snow, Nana DuPuy and the Fairy Tulips, Needles The Discontented Pine Tree) and middle grade novels (The Misadventures of Ned, Zoro’s Not So Great Adventure)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Wow! You have a lot of projects in the works! When you need to take a break you can shift from one project to another. Good Luck!
DeleteThank you, Laurie, for taking us through your incredible process. What great results for such hard work.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Judy. It was a labor of love!
DeleteNice post, Laurie. I learned things about you and your path to Misadventures of a Magician's Son that I did not know. Lots of good advice, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Alayne. I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it!
DeleteHow wonderful for you to pass on your valuable lessons to fellow authors, Laurie! Can't wait to hold your amazing talent in my hands and to recommend it to all those waiting young readers!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy! People...Lucy is my dear friend - the librarian I mentioned, who helped me forge a path into the world of middle grade adventures! I will forever be grateful to you.
DeleteAlways interesting to read about another author’s process. Congrats on your book.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Donna L Martin
Story Catcher Publishing
Thank you Donna!
DeleteThis was a really fun story to read -- and I'm sure your story telling talent has made your book just as fun to read. Great title too! And it's always good to reminded of the "step away" trick. Thanks for a great post.
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks so much Elisa, I really enjoyed writing it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post - thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashley!
DeleteGreat post, great timing for me - as I am thinking that a book I'm working on might actually be an MG book... rather than what I thought it was.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, Im so glad it was helpful!
DeleteThank you for sharing your process. Great perspective. Congratulations on your book!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tracy!
DeleteHi Laurie! I appreciate you taking the time to share your writing journey. I'm on a similar path, using my PB as backstory for my MG ms. Also, thanks for pointing me to Kate McKean. Her Twitter account and blog are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found your way to Kate. She is a master when it comes to middle grade and young adult novels. Good Luck to you!
DeleteIt's amazing how much research we writers do to craft a magical story! It's not just ideas & writing, but knowing what to write, how to write. Enjoyed hearing about your journey & looking fwd to reading your book (and maybe learning some card tricks?! :> )
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right Yangmama! The research can be as involved as the writing. And thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed hearing about my journey.
DeleteCongratulations on your book! I loved how you explained your journey and where each phase took you! It must have been so interesting to study the magician you met. Not knowing anything about the subject yet determined to understand your character. Amazing! Great post and thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kelly. I now find myself mesmerized by magicians- they come in all ages these days!
Delete