Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast

If you spend a lot of time worrying about how to write the perfect opening chapter for your middle-grade novel or whether you should end your chapters on a cliffhanger, then you're going to love writing in scenes!

In this episode, we'll cover:

1. the difference between scenes and chapters
2. three reasons why it's best to write in a series of scenes rather than in chapters

This episode is the first in a mini series on writing scenes in middle-grade novels, so stay tuned to the podcast over the next few episodes to learn:

• how to write a solid scene
• the elements that all scenes need to work
• when to write in scene and when to write in summary

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

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Word count may seem like the least of your concerns when you're thinking about writing a middle-grade novel. You've got story type, plot, theme, character development, pacing, and who knows what else to consider, right?

But here's the thing: knowing industry-standard guidelines for the length of a middle-grade novel, and having a target word count in mind before you start drafting can actually help you to outline, draft, revise and publish. 

In today's episode, we'll cover:

1. the guidelines for middle-grade novel word count
2. four reasons why word count matters

In the end, every author has the choice to watch word count or not, but it's a fact that word count matters, so make each word count!

 For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

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You may have taken all the writing classes and read all the craft books on writing, and you may theoretically know everything you need to know to write your middle-grade novel, but if you have only managed the theory of writing without managing your mindset, you are going to encounter fear at some point. 

And that fear will stop you from writing.

So, what's the solution?

In this podcast episode, we cover:

1. how fear is keeping you stuck
2. what to do to about the fear

What you believe about yourself impacts your success or failure. So, managing your beliefs leads to positive thoughts and feelings, which motivates constructive writing habits. Mindset matters!

 For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

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Books help kids make sense of the world through story, but they can only do that if the books they read have an underlying meaning to them.

That's where theme comes in. 

In this episode, we're going to look at how theme can help you write your novel, and create a story that will send kids on a journey in which they can fall in love with characters they care about and feel emotions they can relate to.

To do that, we'll cover:

• what theme is
• how knowing your story’s theme can make writing your novel easier
• three questions that will help you find your middle-grade novel’s theme

Theme is one of the foundational elements of novel writing, as is story type which can help you uncover your novel's theme. If you'd like to find out more about story type, sign up for a workshop at: loupiccolo.com/storytype

Bonus: You can find a free PDF download summarizing this episode.

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

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What's more important for your novel: great language or great story? 

If you answered 'great story', you've got it right! 

While great language is important too, it won't carry your story idea through a full-length middle-grade novel and, by itself, it's not a story. 

If you submit a novel to an agent without solid story structure, it will be rejected. 

If you think your novel lacks structure, in this episode, I cover:

• why so many writers make the mistake of choosing language over story
• what to do if you realize you've made this mistake
• how to build solid structure into your novel 
• a workshop on how adding structure to your novel can sell your book

You can sign up for the workshop at: loupiccolo.com/storytype

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

Have something to say? Send me a message!

You have a great story idea but you don't know how to turn it into a fully developed middle-grade novel that publishers want to buy and readers will love.

What to do?

This episode on the ten universal story types will help you:

• identify your novel's story type
• find a way into your story
• get past your story's murky middle
• craft an effective character arc
• draft effective scenes and events for your story
• write a story that satisfies readers

Bonus: get access to a free PDF handout on story type and why you should use it to draft your middle-grade novel.

Workshop:  Join me on November 29, 2025 for a workshop on the ten universal story types.

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

Have something to say? Send me a message!

In this bonus episode, I will take the eight key questions we looked at in the last episode on how to get to know the ideal middle-grade reader for your novel, and apply them to Kate DiCamillo's middle-grade novel Because of Winn-Dixie. 

This episode will show you what the process of fleshing out your ideal middle-grade reader looks like in action, and how it can connect your readers to your protagonist and the theme of your story, turning them into your book's biggest fan. 

If you haven't already listened to episode #15, here is the link.

You can also download a free PDF worksheet that lists:

• reasons why it's important to get to know your ideal reader
• 8 questions you can ask to get to know them 
• how this will help you outline, draft, revise, publish and market your book

 For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

Have something to say? Send me a message!

If you want to be the type of middle-grade writer who creates books with characters who feel like real people, and transports kids out of their own world into the imaginary one you have created in such a way that they lose themselves and actually feel some sort of grief when the book ends… 

… then you need to start with understanding who middle-grade readers are, in general, and who the ideal reader is for YOUR  book.

In this episode, I cover:

• reasons why it's important to get to know your ideal reader
• 8 questions you can ask to get to know them 
• how this will help you outline, draft, revise, publish and market your book

I've created a PDF handout you can download that sums up the episode: loupiccolo.com/reader

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

Have something to say? Send me a message!

So, you want to write a middle-grade novel. 

Maybe you have an idea that just won't let you be. Or maybe you've spent years writing picture books, and you'd like to try something different?

But when you sit down in front of your computer… well, you don't quite know how to start. 

That's why, in this episode, we're taking a deep dive into how reading like a writer will help you:

• learn about middle-grade guidelines
• understand why something isn't working in your own book
• increase your chances of being published
• create a protagonist kids can relate to
• grow as a writer
• remember what it felt like to be a child

I've created a PDF handout you can download that sums up the episode: loupiccolo.com/read

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

Have something to say? Send me a message!

 Strong voice is important in all fiction, but it's vital in middle grade. 

Why? 

Because kids between 8 and 12, who are almost ready to leave early childhood behind and embark on big adventures, need a safe way to do so. 

How do they do it? 

Through the characters in middle-grade novels who are living the life they want to live.

If your characters have strong voice, your book becomes memorable because voice helps the story flow with just the right amount of emotional complexity a kid can connect with and relate to.  

This means that voice in a middle-grade novel is closely related to how engaged your readers will be with your story. 

In this episode, we look at:

1. what middle-grade voice is 
2. why middle-grade voice matters
3. an example of strong voice in Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
4. tips for developing strong middle-grade voice

I've created a PDF handout you can download that sums up the episode: loupiccolo.com/voice

For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram

Have something to say? Send me a message!