As part of the WOW! Women on Writing blog tour for Anna Levine’s wonderful picture book All Eyes on Alexandra, I am pleased to welcome Anna, as she shares her thoughts on writing middle-grade characters.
‘Why’ happens next? Understanding middle-grade characters.
by Anna Levine
The other day I was frustrated with the progress of my novel. I called up a friend and was explaining the plot when she stopped me and said, “Anna, you keep telling me what happens next and not why.”
Her comment gave me pause and made me think about how oftentimes we get so focused on developing the plot, caught up in building a sequence of events, that we forget that things happen for a reason, and those reasons are what give depth to character motivation.
Sense of self, family relationships between parents/caregivers/siblings and relatives, peer pressures and academic achievement all effect or are the ‘whys’ which can explain the ‘what’ that happens in a novel. How a child resolves problems with any or all of the above issues will show the reader what kind of person he or she is.
So while pace is important in a middle-grade novel, middle-grade readers are looking to see how the characters deal with issues they find themselves facing.
Thanks so much Anna. I am sure writers will appreciate your insights.
Be sure to check out the other stops on Anna’s blogging tour:
Blog Tour Dates
December 3rd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Make sure you visit WOW’s blog today and read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book All Eyes on Alexandra.
December 5th @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Visit Cassandra’s blog where she shares her thoughts about Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/
December 5th @ Break Even Books
Visit Erik’s blog where you can read Anna Levine’s guest post about how to jog your inspiration.
December 7th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and visit Lacey’s blog where you can read her review of Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com
December 8th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog today where he joins in the fun of celebrating and shares information about Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 8th @ Christy’s Cozy Corners
Visit Christy’s blog and cozy up while you read her review of Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://christyscozycorners.com/
December 9th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s guest post about designing your ideal writing spot.
http://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com
December 9th @ Christy’s Cozy Corner
Visit Christy’s blog where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about how she decided to use crane’s in her story.
https://christyscozycorners.com/
December 10th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Pamela’s blog where you can read Anna Levine’s guest post about how authors use anthropomorphic animals.
http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
December 11th @ Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee.
Make sure you visit Jeanie’s blog today and read her thoughts about Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.readwritesparklecoffee.com/
December 12th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog where he interviews Anna Levine, author of All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 13th @ Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee.
Make sure you visit Jeanie’s blog today and read Anna Levine’s guest post about building a theme day around a picture book.
http://www.readwritesparklecoffee.com/
December 13th @ Oh for the Hook of a Book
Visit Erin’s blog where she shares her thoughts on Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
December 15th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog where she features Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra in a spotlight post.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
December 17th @ World of My Imagination
Stop by Nicole’s blog today where you can read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com
December 19th @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Visit Cassandra’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about naming your characters.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com
December 19th @ Linda’s Blog
Make sure you visit Linda’s blog today where you can read her thoughts about Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://www.lindaleekane.com/blog
December 20th @ Word Magic: All About Books
Visit Fiona’s blog where you can read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
December 21st @ Bring on Lemons
Make sure you grab some lemonade and stop by Crystal’s blog today where she reviews Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
December 27th @ Linda’s Blog
Visit Linda’s blog again where you can read her interview with author Anna Levine.
https://www.lindaleekane.com/blog
December 28th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Beverley’s blog today you can read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
December 31st @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi’s blog and read Anna Levine’s guest post on learning about families and different cultures.
https://strength4spouses.blog/
January 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit author Anthony Avina’s blog where he shares his thoughts about Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
January 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Beverley’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about getting into the head of your middle-grade characters.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
January 4th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit author Anthony Avina’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about using fiction to write non-fiction.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
January 7th @ Strength 4 Spouses Blog
Visit Wendi’s blog again where you can read her thoughts about the book All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine.
Beverley A Baird 