Sir E. Robert Smythe:
Writing for Middle-grade
Christina Weigand
Time to talk a little bit about my Middle-grade
series. A few years ago I approached a gentleman about taking a
series of children's scripts and aging them up to middle-grade. I felt that
since I was writing young adult, writing middle grade would be easy. I quickly
realized when I started working on this new series that middle grade is
definitely different from writing young adult. I won't go into all the
differences here, just know that there was a slight learning curve. It has been an exciting challenge to write for people in this
age group.
Although many of the characters had already been created, I
felt one more was needed. So I created Sir E. Robert Smythe. He is the Chief
Safety Ambassador for the Galatic Safety Council from the planet Gwill. He works
with Queen Sage and an array of characters that come to Earth to help children
navigate their way through many of the social issues plaguing today's society.
Sir E. Robert helps boys and girls between the
ages of 12 and 14, deal with school bullies, homeless people, death of a loved
one, rich girl vs. poor girl, self esteem issues, suicide, arts vs. sports and
A.D.H.D.
Someone once asked me why do kids need fantastical creatures
to guide them through life? Don't the parents do that? At the time I was so
upset that I could not formulate an answer. ( A problem I frequently have when
in a confrontational situation). Looking back on that evening from this point
of having finished six books with these characters, I think I finally have a
partial answer. So here it is: This is a very unique age group. These kids are
on the verge of teen years where they become more responsible for their
decisions and yet they are at a point that they still want their parents to
give them all the answers. They don't want to listen to their parents and
yet they are in a place where adults are still needed. The fantastical
creatures of the Gwill create an atmosphere for these young people to begin to
formulate the person that they will grow into, provide gentle guidance while still
giving the preteen room to make their own choices.
Anyway that's what the series is all about. Two of the books
are published: Sir E. Robert Smythe and the School Bully and Sir E. Robert
Smythe and the Lost Detective. The third one, Sir E. Robert Smythe Goes Shopping will be released in the next few months
and the remaining three books are with the publisher with plans of releasing them over the next few years.
and the remaining three books are with the publisher with plans of releasing them over the next few years.
God willing these books will serve to help 8-12 year-olds
become aware of social issues and find a way to navigate their way through
them.
Kids are under so much pressure these days - dare I say social media doesn't help. The growing up stage in their life is often tough to take. Anything in books that can help is welcomed. Well done, Christina, carry on with your work. Rick Haynes.
ReplyDeleteYou summed up tweens perfectly. They are no longer little kids but not yet young adults. Books like yours can be just what they need to get them through a confusing and difficult time. Lei´s face it, we all need some fantasy in our lives from time to time. A great series!
ReplyDeleteThank you Darlene.
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