THE CRAFT OF WRITING MIDDLE GRADE – FEBRUARY 2025
Welcome back to the February edition of the CRAFT OF WRITING blog. This year we’re focusing on Genres. We’ll be looking at approaches to writing thrillers, mysteries, romances, and more. Each month I’ll interview an accomplished author who writes in a particular genre, so get ready to learn from the experts!
Today, we’re talking Middle Grade Fiction with Dr. Steve Hooley, the author of the Mad River Magic series of Middle Grade books.
The Craft of Writing Middle Grade Fiction with Steve Hooley Share on X
* * *
Steve is present in more ways than one today! He is also the master craftsman who created this unique and fabulous “Wilbur and Orville 1903” propeller pen. Hand crafted by Steve, the pen is made from Ash, one of the woods the Wright brothers used to build their first aircraft. The market value of this beautiful creation is around $80.00. (See more of Steve’s legacy pens at https://stevehooleywriter.com/legacy-pens/)
The name of each person who enters a comment will be put into the drawing for the pen. So join the conversation and earn a chance to win. I’ll post the name of the winner after 9 PM Central Time tonight.
* * *
Welcome, Steve, and thank you for being on the Craft of Writing blog!
Thanks for the invitation, Kay. It is my pleasure to be here.
What is your definition of a middle grade novel?
Most authors define “middle grade fiction” as being written for ages 8 – 12 (third grade through sixth grade), and containing no sexual content or realistic violence. I think that another way to look at it is the intelligence and information processing skills of the reader. “Children” of this age are reaching the age where they can understand adult logic and reasoning. And they are not yet filled with the adolescent hormone-driven physical and sexual attraction that is found in young adult material, and that clouds their thinking.
How are middle grade books different from other forms of fiction?
They differ from books for younger readers in that they are more like adult books, longer, with plot and structure. And they differ from books for YA and adult in that they usually contain no profanity, sex, or overt violence.
What’s the most important aspect of a middle grade book?
In my opinion, the age group of readers of middle grade books is in the innocent age of transition to adulthood. This permits the reader to learn principles from the book that will prepare them for their adult life. And it gives the author a unique opportunity to present material which the reader can evaluate and consider regarding choices for their adult life.
Why did you decide to write in the middle grade genre?
Grandchildren is the one-word answer. I actually write for advanced middle grade and early YA. Since I write Christian fiction, I call it “clean teen” fiction, no profanity or sex. I have 10 grandchildren, most of whom are in elementary school, but moving into Jr. Hi and high school. I wanted to provide reading material for them that is free of the negative influences infiltrating so many middle grade and YA books.
Can you give us a brief outline of the process—from concept to completion—that you use to write a middle grade novel?
- Find an issue that is creating problems or concerns for readers of that age group
- Look for a creative way to develop an adventure that uses symbolism and fantasy to provide entertainment while allowing the reader to confront the problem – entertain, don’t preach
- Plot the story in the mythical structure of the writer’s journey (Campbell and Vogler)
- Keep the material and content appropriate for the age group
- Write and edit, constantly keeping the age of the characters in mind
- Seek feedback from advanced middle grade or high school students
What advice would you give an author who decides to write a middle grade novel?
I was fortunate to find a middle school (grades 5-8) gifted and talented coordinator at our local school who recruited volunteers for beta reading. This is a great way for us oldsters to learn how the current generation of middle schoolers are communicating. Prepare yourself for their honesty and bluntness.
Also, prepare yourself to find a wide discrepancy between boys and girls and what kind of reading material they want.
I would also advise, if you are a male writer, it is safest to use a teacher or coordinator to be your contact person.
Besides your own books, what MG books would you recommend?
Of course, the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson series.
Another book that I found extremely helpful was S.P. Sipal’s A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter. This is actually a comprehensive book on all aspects of writing fiction, using J.K. Rowling’s work as examples.
Are you working on a book now?
Yes. I’m currently working on #7 in the Mad River Magic series. The context is the current huge problem of fentanyl deaths in young people.
Where can we find out more about you and your writing?
Go to https://stevehooleywriter.com/ for information on my books.
Also, sign up on the opening page of the site for my newsletter if you would like to get monthly updates, and have an opportunity to be in monthly drawings for “legacy pens” such as Kay’s Propeller Pen. I make pens from old trees and old buildings to “leave a legacy.”
Thanks, Steve, for being with us today.
Thanks, Kay, for the opportunity.
The Craft of Writing Middle Grade Fiction with Steve Hooley Share on X
***
Meet Steve Hooley
Steve Hooley is a physician/writer. He has published seven short stories in four anthologies, his father’s memoirs, and is currently working on a middle-grade fantasy series, Mad River Magic.
Steve lives with his wife, Cindy, in rural western Ohio. They have five children and nine grandchildren. When not writing, he makes legacy pens and takes care of his enchanted forest.
To learn more, please visit SteveHooleyWriter.com.
* * *
“a spectacular tale of decades-old murder mystery, human drama, and a hint of romance…” —Prairie Book Reviews
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, or Apple Books.
Good morning, Kay and Steve. Steve’s post this morning is somewhat timely for me. I read THE WILD ROBOT by Peter Brown last week. I compared it with points Steve raised this morning for middle grade fiction. Steve is spot-on, as always. For the unintiated, I have read all of the Mad River Magic series and heartily recommend them not only for the youngsters but also for the oldsters and those in between.
I would also urge visitors to Kay’s pages to comment today so that they might have the chance to win one of Steve’s exquisitely crafted pens. I have several and treasure each of them. Kay and Steve: please don’t place my name in the hopper. Give someone else a chance. I already have an embarrassment of riches.
Have a terrific day!
Good morning, Joe! It’s so good to see you here.
I completely agree that the Mad River Magic series is fun for both kids and adults. I haven’t read THE WILD ROBOT, but you got me interested. I’ll check it out (literally, from the library.)
Have a wonderful week.
Thanks, Joe, for visiting. And thanks for that advertisement. As always, your knowledge of books is wide and deep, and reflects so many years of doing book reviews. Thanks for the mention of THE WILD ROBOT. I’ll check it out.
Thanks for your input this morning!
Kay,
It is wonderful to read about Steve’s excellent work with middle grade novels. Thank you for this article.
Terry
Thanks, Terry!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Terry.
What an interesting post, Steve. I admire your reasons for writing it, to help kids learn how to handle problems and live positive lives. MG is an esp. confusing time of growth, questioning, and experimentation. Fentanyl is a critical, timely issue and kids need all the help they can get to navigate these days.
A question: how long is a typical MG book?
Since I’m a previous winner of Steve’s beautiful pen, please don’t include my name in the drawing.
Thanks Kay and Steve!
Waving “hi” to Joe. Great to see you here.
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie.
Good question about length. WRITING CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR DUMMIES says the average length is 96 – 156 pages. But, J K Rowling didn’t take that advice. GOBLET OF FIRE (number 4 in the Harry Potter series) is 734 pages. So, I guess you can write whatever length you need to tell the story. I think most of my Mad River Magic series books are about 80,000 words.
Thanks!
Good morning, Debbie.
I love the MG genre. Such an important time in a child’s life, and we need good books for the kids to read. I’m grateful for what Steve’s done in this area.
Have a great week.
Good morning, Kay
Sorry for just jumping in and not waiting for the boss.
Steve, Thank you again for being my interview guest today. I love your answers to the questions. Your work was one that inspired me to try my hand at MG fiction.
(Jump in any time. There’s no protocol here!)
Can you tell us anything about your work in progress?
Ah, Steve. How nice of you to ask. Although this is your day, I’ll just mention my upcoming MG series, “The Reen and Joanie Detective Agency” series published by Elk Lake Publishers.
The first book, “The Other Side of Sunshine,” is due to be released in early spring. The second, “Knights in Manhattan,” is scheduled for Fall of this year.
Congratulations, Kay. I look forward to reading them.
What books did you find most helpful as you prepared for writing middle grade stories?
Thanks for asking, Steve. In addition to your books, here are a few others:
– The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
– Murder is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens
– The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
– The first Penderwicks book by Jeanne Birdsall
I used to teach junior high, grades 7-9 back then, and although I taught science, watching the kids grow from 7th graders to ninth was a real eye-opener. Such drastic changes (and let’s not talk about what teaching 8th graders was like as they became bags of hormones.)
My grandson was an avid reader, reading well above his “grade level” from an early age. Luckily, his parents encouraged it.
Good morning, Terry
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I love that phrase “bags of hormones.” That reminded me that my beta readers (the girls) always thought I should put in more romance in my books. The boys always wanted pure adventure. Maybe we need to divide the middle grade genre into girls and boys.
Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by, Terry.
I would think teaching grades 7-9 would be the most difficult. Kudos to you.
Being a teacher deserves a combat medal! I’m starting Steve’s first Mad River Magic Book tonight! I downloaded it and it got lost in the 2500 books I have on my Kindle. And don’t enter me in the drawing…like Joe, I’ve been blessed with more than one of Steve’s beautiful pens.
Thanks for stopping by Patricia. And thanks for reading my book. I am honored. I hope you like it.
Which reminds me, I’ve been rereading Harry Potter, and your writing reminds me of JK Rowling’s style, with an emphasis on relationships and emotion. If you were to write a middle grade book, it would be a big hit with the girls. I’m sure Kay and I would invite you into the middle grade genre, if you wanted to try something new.
Thanks!
Hi Patricia, I second Steve’s invitation: come on into the MG world.
And btw, it’s wonderful for folks to offer to step aside and let someone else have a chance at one of Steve’s fabulous pens. Of course I will honor that. But just fyi: you can always gift the pen to a favorite friend or relative.
Have a great week!
Hi Steve, sounds like your books are really good reads especially the middle schoolers. I have 2 grown adult children and 3 grandchildren. I always thought that 6th grade and up to 8th grade(Middle School here) were and still are the hardest growing up years for kiddos. Our grandaughter is in her first year in college and what an eyeopener that is, our grandson(her brother) is in the 11th grade and our youngest grandson ( who is our sons and their cousin) is in the 8th grade. They all love to read especially our grandson who is in the 11th grade, he loves the Harry Potter books , he has them all and I dont know how many times he has read them, he loves to read and is a fast reader. Thank you for writing books for Middle school aged kiddos, sounds like all middle school aged kids should read them including the parents. Very nice to meet you. Have a great day and a great week.
Thanks, Alicia, for stopping by, and for sharing your experience with middle graders and children/grandchildren. Even though we don’t want to preach, we need to offer guidance. Parents and grandparents can be a very positive influence in young people’s growth and development.
Thanks for your story and your thoughts.
Hi Alicia,
thanks for stopping by and commenting. Sounds like you have good insight into the middle grade world.
Have a great week.
Great blog! I’m always looking for more good books for my granddaughters. I’ll check out the Mad River Magic series.
Thanks for stopping by, Katherine. And thanks for checking out the Mad River Magic series.
Hi Katherine. Glad you’re going to check out the Mad River Magic series. I think you’ll like it.
Thank you Steve & Kay for a great interview with insights to help writers of any genre. Have a wonderful week!
Hello Lisa! Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment on today’s post.
There were five people who were eligible to win the propeller pen:
1 Terry Whalin
2 Terry Odell
3 Alicia Haney
4 Katherine Smits
5 Lisa Simonds
I ran a random integer generator to pick a number between 1 and 5. The number that came up was 5, so Lisa Simonds is the winner of the propeller pen. Congratulations, Lisa!
Congratulations, Lisa, on winning the pen. I hope you enjoy using it. If you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me.
Thank you both!!!