I'm about a week and a half into writing my middle grade fantasy, and I am absolutely loving it. So much easier to write these shorter works than the grueling epics I've written in the past. Oh, it is so much fun as well to write to my kids. They eagerly await the installments when I read back to them the stories. Of course, these are based on nighttime stories I tell them, so they've already heard some of it.
But the stories evolve as you put it down in written form, and get more complex, rich, and wondrous. At least, that's been my feelings on the matter. Goal is to finish the draft before Memorial Day weekend. That's only another 30,000 words, so it should be no problem.
I know we sometimes call this changing genres, but to me it's really about shifting audiences in terms of age groups. I still write fantasy. With this book I just imagine I'm telling it (or reading it) to my kids. I have the benefit of revision and expansion along the way. Oh, I'm not doing heavy editing. Just fixing major plot shifts that impact the later story.
But this is just so much fun! I think I may be a middle grade/YA writer after all. It is so freeing to be writing actively again. Woohoo!
I'll start giving snippets of plot sometime soon to see how this intrigues readers. If it seems to work widely, the goal is to submit to agents by mid June.
2 comments:
That's great. I think The Lord of the Rings came from stories Tolkien told his children, too. That must be really fun to share it with them. Good luck reaching your goal!
Wow Josh. I love to hear you talking about something you love to do. Can't wait to hear the story.
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