Plotting And Scheming For Middle Grade Books

Plotting and Scheming for Middle Grade Books

The presenter Kiri Jorgensen Editor of chicken scratch publishers. Presented at LDSPMA conference.

Middle grade is 4th grade to 8th grade and age 9-13
First books that have a complete plot. It has to be pure storytelling.
Moving from chapter books to full novels
If kids don’t connect immediately, they will abandon the book. Need to build the connection by getting the reader to cheer, connect and relate to the main character.
Will analyze the book Dread Watch to see how to write children’s books.

Plot: there are many ways to plot. Your book needs to have three turning point scenes that shift he characters motive that is connected to the plot. The motive (why they do what they do) they need to be releasable to the reader. Each turn of scenes is related to their choices. They need to connect to the character in their normal world.

First turning point: fourth of the way in the story. Erath shaking event. They have launched into a new path and their efforts are not working.
Second Turing pint is the midpoint decision. They shift direction again.
The epitome scene: main character get to the heart of the plot and realizes what they need to do and it is usually just before where they need to go and it is influence by their decision.
In dread lock: first turning point is Gets obsessed with a watch. It will solve all his problems. He goes after the watch. Midpoint decision: He touches the watch and his should and friend are sucked into the watch. A whole bunch of people are caught in the watch. Caleb makes the choice to help the girl. It makes things different. The epitome scene. He breaks out but need to go back into watch to save

Scheming: (the layers of motive of why characters do what they do) 18 min.

Surface layer is the desire; the physical need to what they need. What drives the character in the beginning of the
The think need is what drives their behavior through the rest of the novel (emotional need) they think they need to solve their problems. Their need may shift as their understanding shifts. The character may not know what that root need is. The clear motive may be clear to the reader but not to the character. You as the author need to know the root of their need. Very basic emotions. They are very cliché. (root needs is love, family, friendships etc)
(unclear what the third layer way. Maybe the final realization in the epitome scene.
In the book, character wants the watch to solve hi problems. The story progressed his think need if I can be strong and overcome my fears I can overcome the monster. Ultimately, the root of his needs is getting the understanding of what love it.

How to combine plot and motive is agency.

Connection: in Dread Watch book, Caleb is willing to sacrifice his family for the watch. Characters need to fail. Failure upon failure will show where the character will shift. In the epitome scene (getting out of the watch) He has learned to overcome his fears based on his love of his family. This is where Caleb knows how to solve the problem.

Draw a turning point map in your book. The three plot points need to be evenly spaced.

Beginning (his new life) new school, bully, leaves home. Goes into the watch and anger moves into fear. Those in the watch try to solve. Epitome gets out of the watch and he is in control.

For each character, see what their motives behind your character behavior. Think of layers of motives. Key motive is influenced by a former motive. At the earth-shaking event their motivation will influence their actions. Their actions need to make the decisions sand not someone else. The midpoint their think point is not fixing the problem so they try a different problem. It may be a physical and definitely an emotional shift) The epitome scene they find what the real solution is.

Chicken scratch books: