Perhaps it's because fantasy has a huge appeal to younger kids so it's what they read when they're younger as opposed to hard issues like sex, drugs, and rock and roll. So then anyway, most fantasy falls to MG.
I know that my kids are both ardent fantasy lovers - and the books they pick all seem to be middle grade. (They're 8 and 11 so that makes sense). The 11 year old could read YA (she's capable) but her interests don't run to sex, drugs and rock and roll (thank goodness). But give her a good fantasy and she won't put the book down.
I also wanted to say, don't worry about it. I mean, I don't know if you are, in fact, worrying about this, but it seems you are trying to figure things out.
I say write the story you want to tell and be opened to the fact that you might have to change the age of your MC and a few details. You can let the editor decide later if you have chosen the right age group to market your book to.
I changed my MC's age a few times. I thought she was 14 at first, but this put me in the YA market and because it is fantasy - not YA sexy, vampire fantasy - it made her seem like a slow 14 year old. And editor from Putnam suggested I make her 12. And viola!
Research is good, but don't let it rule you. Write your story and know that you will fix and tweak it later.
7 comments:
Perhaps it's because fantasy has a huge appeal to younger kids so it's what they read when they're younger as opposed to hard issues like sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
So then anyway, most fantasy falls to MG.
So it's not just me? It really does seem like most fantasy is falling into that category...
I know that my kids are both ardent fantasy lovers - and the books they pick all seem to be middle grade. (They're 8 and 11 so that makes sense). The 11 year old could read YA (she's capable) but her interests don't run to sex, drugs and rock and roll (thank goodness). But give her a good fantasy and she won't put the book down.
Heh, I'm 26 and I'm still like that! She has good taste :)
I think it depends on what kind of fantasy.
Magic - MG.
Vampires - YA
Traveling to the center of earth - MG
Traveling pants that fit you and all your friends - YA
I also wanted to say, don't worry about it. I mean, I don't know if you are, in fact, worrying about this, but it seems you are trying to figure things out.
I say write the story you want to tell and be opened to the fact that you might have to change the age of your MC and a few details. You can let the editor decide later if you have chosen the right age group to market your book to.
I changed my MC's age a few times. I thought she was 14 at first, but this put me in the YA market and because it is fantasy - not YA sexy, vampire fantasy - it made her seem like a slow 14 year old. And editor from Putnam suggested I make her 12. And viola!
Research is good, but don't let it rule you. Write your story and know that you will fix and tweak it later.
Thanks Sheri--
...and yeah, I'm obsessing.
Post a Comment