Calling all Kidlit writers! Check out our comprehensive series on writing middle grade and young adult novels, Master Your Craft (#WPMYC). Our #WPMYC posts take you through the entire process of writing a novel, from nurturing that initial idea, to getting your manuscript whipped into shape, to finding the perfect agent to shepherd it into the world.
Our experienced Winged Pen writers weigh in on a variety of subjects — and ask for your advice, too…because we’ve all got more to learn as we continue the lifelong journey to master our craft. Find links to all 43 Master Your Craft posts below.
Pre-writing Your Novel
Research – Make Your Story Believable
Writing Historical Fiction, or, Notes from a Time Traveler
A Reformed Pantser’s Guide to Character Development
Developing Supporting Characters
2 Approaches to World Building for Fantasy
2 Approaches to World Building for Science Fiction
Friends Don’t Let Friends Write Bad Books
Drafting Your Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel
Conquering the Dreaded Blank Page (and other drafting tricks)
How to Survive Your Toughest Draft
2 Opinions on Revising While Drafting
Revising Your Kidlit Novel
8 Tips on Getting Great Manuscript Critiques
Pacing and Tension: The Heartbeat of Your Story
2 Steps to Make the Saggy Middle Berry, Berry Good
Tasting Your Words: Writing with Your 5 Senses
Chapter Endings, The End is Only the Beginning
The Importance of First and Last Pages
Make Your Story Fit Your Reader
Writing “Other” with Sensitivity
6 Steps to a Query-Ready Manuscript
Querying Literary Agents
Query Tips, Tricks and Tidbits
The Dread Pirate Synopsis: Into the Shallows
The Waiting Game and 15 Ways to Play It
Querying, An Agent’s Perspective
Agent Responses and What They Mean
Congratulations! You’ve completed all the Master Your Craft posts on writing middle grade and young adult novels!
What now?
Marketing Your Novel & the Debut Year
It’s Never Too Early: Marketing for Published & Unpublished Authors
A Peek Inside the Author Debut Group
Using Canva to Create Graphics
Launching & Marketing Your Book: Tips from Debut Authors
The Surprising Aftereffects of the Debut Novel
Other Types of Writing
Writing Tips for Short Stories
Work-for-Hire: Getting Your Foot in the Publishing Door
More Tips on Writing Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
There’s always something more to
learn about writing kidlit fiction. As we continue to grow as writers we keep
blogging about our journey. So if you liked the Master Your Craft series, these
are some other posts on writing craft and the writing life that you’ll like as
well.
Write What You Know. What Does That Mean?
What’s So Funny? Injecting Humor into Your Story
Writing Emotions: Our Favorite Tips
How to Write in Multiple Points of View
7 Simple Trustworthy Tricks to Keep Your Draft Moving Smoothly
Should You Get an MFA in Creative Writing?
Using a Booklog to Improve Your Reading Diversity
2 Pieces of Advice that Made Writing a Verse Novel Seem Possible
Tackling the Terrifying – How to Write Scary
Writing Neurodiverse Characters Responsibly
Creativity and Craft, Master Your Craft
6 Reasons Writers Should Consider Judging a Book Award Such as the CYBILS
New Goals + New Approach = New Opportunities
Reflections on My First NaNoWriMo
And there are always new posts to come! Check back periodically for our latest thoughts on writing middle grade and young adult fiction. And as always, thanks for joining us on this writing journey!
The Winged Pen