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At LDStorymakers this year, author Jennifer A. Nielsen gave an amazing presentation on writing for middle-graders, AKA middle-readers.
If you’ve ever even considered writing for the middle-grade audience (approximately ages 8-13), you don’t want to miss this presentation.
Click this video to start, and then click on a note to play the chord. If you hit the top of the note, it will do the major chord, and the bottom will do the minor. I’ve always wanted to make something like this, and I finally got around to it!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
I went to an awesome presentation by Christine Mehring at the Write Here in Ephraim writers conference this last week, and this class was amazing! I talked to Christine afterward to see if I could post the audio of it on my blog, and she said it was okay, so here it is!
She talked about the Hero’s Journey, and about archetypes in story. I found this image that reflects much of what was discussed:
Amazing stuff!
She also talked about archetypal characters:
The Hero: Usually the protagonist
The Mentor: The mentor also gives the hero some kind of help to take with them to help them in their adventure. They teach and give a gift.
Threshold guardian: “This is a bad idea, don’t do it.” Their job is to try to stop the hero
The Herald: Someone who comes and says, “You’re normal life is over, and it will never be the same.”
Shapeshifter: The one who seems to change sides or positions.
Shadow: What the hero could have been if the hero had taken a different path (the evil twin)
Ally: The friend, sidekick, or assistant
Trickster: Comic relief
In any story, you’re likely to find most if not all of these roles. It’s fun to plug in characters from my own books.
I’m so glad I was able to get this one announced by Easter! Here’s a video if you want to hear the music (below). Go on, listen to it. But don’t stop there–buy the sheet music 
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