Send a text

In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back author and literacy advocate Fleur Bradley. The discussion centers on the importance of mysteries in keeping kids reading, the structural "nuts and bolts" of writing for middle grade (MG) versus young adult (YA) audiences, and the release of Bradley’s new craft book designed to help writers navigate the genre.

Get A Clue is available for preorder right now! Releases April 7th.

Key Discussion Points

Addressing the Literacy "Drop-off"

• Statistics show a significant decline in reading for pleasure as children move from 3rd grade into middle school.
• Middle grade and YA mysteries act as a "hook" to keep reluctant readers engaged because of their high stakes and interactive nature.
• Mysteries foster critical thinking and deductive reasoning, making the reader an active participant in the story.

Crafting the MG and YA Mystery

• The "Fair Play" Rule: In a successful mystery, the reader must be given all the clues necessary to solve the crime alongside the protagonist.
• Pacing and Momentum: Unlike contemporary fiction, which may focus heavily on internal character arcs, mysteries require constant external momentum and "beats" to keep the reader turning pages.
• Revision Strategies: Using a structural approach during the revision process can help identify "sagging middles" and ensure clues are properly planted.

Defining the Crime by Age Category

• Middle Grade (MG): * The focus is on the puzzle and the "how."
  • While murder can be a plot point, it should be handled with a "cozy" sensibility—minimal gore and focused on the intellectual challenge.
• Young Adult (YA): * Allows for more "grit," darkness, and emotional complexity.
  • Authors have more flexibility regarding the types of crimes and the level of peril involved.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Authors

• Writers are encouraged to focus on the "nuts and bolts" of plotting early on.
• Implementing "Your Turn" exercises—taking a specific craft lesson and immediately applying it to a current manuscript—is the most effective way to learn the genre.
• Character voice is paramount; testing a character’s voice through short scenes can determine if they are strong enough to carry a full-length mystery.

Key Takeaways

• Mysteries are essential tools for literacy because they turn reading into a game or puzzle.
• Structure is the backbone of the genre; without a solid plot and well-timed clues, a mystery will lose its audience.
• Understanding the specific expectations of the MG vs. YA market is crucial for publication success.

Support the show

Visit the Website

Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

Send a text

Episode Summary In this Season 5 bonus episode, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid clear out their "insanely long" laundry list of burning topics. The duo discusses the restorative power of community, starting with Lisa’s wildly successful brewery book swap on Reading Street. They dive into how simple, low-lift events can be the perfect antidote to a dark news cycle and offer tips on how you can start your own.

The conversation moves into the digital space, covering the shift from Twitter to Threads and Blue Sky for monthly Kidlit chats. Finally, Beth and Lisa get serious about industry safety, offering a "buyer beware" guide to writing conferences and professional classes. They share advice on how to vet organizers, protect your investment, and ensure the event aligns with your specific writing goals.

Key Topics Covered

• The Magic of the Book Swap: Why gathering "book people" in a local brewery proved to be exactly what the community needed.
• Low-Lift Event Planning: How to foster connection without the stress of high-stakes organizing.
• The New Digital Frontier: Navigating the monthly Kidlit community chats on Threads and Blue Sky.
• Conference Due Diligence: How to research writing events, check their track records, and avoid losing money on canceled "dream" conferences.
• Defining Your Purpose: Why knowing why you are attending an event (networking vs. craft vs. pitching) is the key to a successful investment.

Resources & Links

• Threads Kidlit Chat: Join the conversation every first Wednesday of the month.
• Blue Sky Kidlit Chat: Join the conversation every first Tuesday of the month.
• Writers With Wrinkles Facebook Group: Join our private community for publishing news and "well-rounded" writing advice. (Note: Please answer the entry questions to join!)

Coming Up Next Week Don’t miss our conversation with author Fleur Bradley, who returns to the show to discuss her brand-new writing craft book focused on the art of Middle Grade mystery!

Support the show

Visit the Website

Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

Send a text

In this session, Beth and Lisa critique the opening of "Beyond the Moon," a middle-grade contemporary manuscript. The discussion focuses on refining the "hook," establishing a consistent tone, and leveraging character relationships to engage readers immediately.

Key Critique Points

• Establishing Tone and Mood: The opening combines a "creepy" atmosphere with a protagonist who is "giggling." The hosts recommend aligning these elements so the reader knows exactly what kind of story they are entering—whether it is a mystery, a comedy, or a ghost story.
• The Power of Specificity: Using general adjectives like "spooky" or "cool" tells the reader how to feel rather than showing them. The hosts suggest using specific sensory details—like the smell of old paper or the look of a cracked glass eye on a mannequin—to build a more immersive world.
• Strengthening the "Hook": Modern middle-grade fiction requires a fast start. To capture a young reader's attention, the manuscript needs to move the central conflict and the emotional "hook" to the very first page.
• Show, Don't Tell with Characters: Instead of describing the protagonist as a "second-class citizen" in her family, the hosts suggest showing this through a "snub" from a relative or a specific interaction with her "golden" sister.
• Utilizing Interiority: The character’s internal monologue is a powerful tool for middle-grade authors. Using the protagonist’s private thoughts can help establish a unique voice and build an immediate bond with the reader.

Writing Takeaways

• Read the Current Market: Writers should read 20–25 books published in their genre within the last year to understand modern pacing and descriptive styles.
• Front-Load the Conflict: Don't wait for Chapter Two to introduce the primary tension.
• Focus on Voice: The hosts noted that while structural changes are needed, the author has already cleared the biggest hurdle: creating a character with a clear, relatable voice.

The Waiting Room - private writers Facebook group

Support the show

Visit the Website

Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!