Just like riding a bicycle

I've been working on Book One of the series and I've realized something: Going back to writing something you haven't written in a loooong time isn't as hard as it seems. In fact, it's just like riding a bicycle!

I'm not new to writing these kinds of stories, for this kind of audience. In fact, I wrote stories just like this when I was a teenager. One of my friends LOVED reading all of them, constantly encouraging me to get them published. Well, I HAD thought of getting them published but never...did anything with them.

I also put together a collection of spooky short stories for the the younger readers. I still have it, somewhere.

The point is, I'm not struggling to write these stories. I just write them and it's coming out quite easily. Something which I am grateful for, given that I'm ALSO writing another book at the same time! One that really isn't aimed at the younger readers, but that shouldn't stop them from TRYING to read it! :)

One thing: Just because writing for middle grade readers is coming easily for me, that doesn't mean I shouldn't brush up on how to write for them. After all, it's been YEARS since I've done it. So I need a refresher on how to do it. For this reason, I've been reading EVERYTHING I can get my hands on that has to do with writing for middle grade readers. Some good articles I've uncovered in my search:

Writing the Middle-Grade Novel by Kristi Holl
http://www.right-writing.com/middle-grade.html

You Can Write a Middle Grade Novel http://www.squidoo.com/middlegradenovels

The Difference Between Middle Grade & Young Adult
http://www.write4kids.com/feature6.html

Middle Grade Novel Guidelines
http://writingfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/middle_grade_novel_guidelines

Also here's some blog posts of interest:

http://editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/2007/10/ya-and-middle-grade-and-never-tween.html

http://saralewisholmes.blogspot.com/2007/09/stuck-in-middle-with-you.html

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/2008/02/writing-for-kidschallenging-and.html

Interesting stuff. I'm also going to see what books are out there on writing for the MG readers.

I only hope this ease of writing the stories continues. And if not? I'll keep writing them, anyway! And I'm not stopping until I finish Book Twelve!!