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Why Questions Are So Important for Middle Grade Novel Writers
Children are full of questions. From the time they speak their first words, children will persistently and constantly ask the annoying questions: why, what if, how come. Younger children ask the basic question of why, but middle graders are full of more in-depth questions, like what if, what next, and why me. These are good questions; they demonstrate an active mind thinking and reasoning things out. Middle graders want to understand why things happen, both good things and bad things. They also seek reassurance that the world around them is explainable and not as scary as it might first appear.
Considering the compelling need for answers, writing for middle graders demands that we, the authors, also challenge ourselves with these same questions and try to provide sufficient answers to satisfy the middle-grade mindset. How do we address this need for answers without spelling out the repetitively annoying questions? Here are a few tips that I use:
Talk to middle graders – as a music teacher and a parent, I had plenty of opportunities to question potential readers. You may as well ask them the typical questions they love to use before they ask you. It gets them thinking, as well as promotes your understanding and appreciation of the age group for which you are potentially writing.
Think about the three main questions middle graders love to ask: What if? What next? Why me? Now make your list of potential answers to these questions and then ask some middle graders to consider your answers, and whether they adequately meet their needs. Also, ask them how they would answer these questions or how they would expect our answers to be. Always make lists – what you think or say and what the middle graders share.
Expand on these basic questions. How about: What if my house burns down while I am sleeping? Or: Why does the schoolyard bully always pick on me?
Now question yourself regarding story format. For example, how much description does a middle-grade novel need? Well, considering their endless questioning, I would think middle graders would want to know every detail relating to the story they are reading. That includes knowing what the characters look like, what the location is like, and even what the weather is doing. Descriptions and setting make the middle-grade reader feel comfortable with the story. Description defines the who, why, where, what, and how. So, lots of detail, but not too much. Use dialogue to add to the descriptions without making the descriptive narrative too overwhelming.
Remember, too, that the characters in your middle-grade novel are also middle graders. Allow them to ask the same questions middle graders might pose to you. Make them create their own unique question-and-answer scenario. If your characters are asking these questions, it will open the dialogue amongst middle-grade readers and make them realize that they are not alone in their quest for knowledge.
So, question yourself and allow readers and potential readers to question you. Enjoy the experience, as the middle graders' quest for answers will give you more material for your stories. Remember that, just like my father always said, "We go through life asking questions."
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Emily-Jane Hills Orford