tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post3835511113980032905..comments2024-01-05T05:32:54.346-05:00Comments on S.A. Larsen, Award-winning author of middle grade & young adult fiction: Middle Grade vs. Young AdultS.A. Larsenッhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-32257064619870061352014-03-20T08:09:03.216-04:002014-03-20T08:09:03.216-04:00Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate it. Whe...Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate it. When I initiated this post I hadn't intended for it to be so specific. But as I kept writing the information kept pouring out. Then I had to look for books I felt exhibited each quality. LOL <br /><br />I love that you wrote MG to figure out it wasn't for you. I'm learning more about my 'natural' writing skills and tendencies through writing this MG. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-20069582361784784832014-03-19T21:15:50.507-04:002014-03-19T21:15:50.507-04:00Sheri, what an awesome post! I'm definitely sh...Sheri, what an awesome post! I'm definitely sharing.<br /><br />The first novel I wrote was MG. That's when I realized I wasn't a MG writer. But it was a great experience!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-10355530545361559432014-03-19T19:46:56.601-04:002014-03-19T19:46:56.601-04:00Excellent post, Sheri! What I find interesting is ...Excellent post, Sheri! What I find interesting is many middle graders read YA (Hunger GAmes, Divergent, even Twilight). I would love to know if more middle graders read middle grade or YA. Of course many YA books should not be read my middle graders due to certain content, but some middle graders do want to read up.Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-17856521107538663292014-03-18T16:27:04.308-04:002014-03-18T16:27:04.308-04:00Oh, wow! I'm so humbled. Thanks a ton, Margo! ...Oh, wow! I'm so humbled. Thanks a ton, Margo! Best of luck switching those internal gears from YA to MG. It's work, but a ton of fun. Every now and than I'll feel that spark of childhood, again. So fun!<br /><br />I'm here if you need to brainstorm the story or a scene. Or find a good hat to wear to keep you from pulling out your hair. LOL JKS.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-37906178454967125962014-03-18T16:20:27.040-04:002014-03-18T16:20:27.040-04:00Haha! Neil's book is actually sitting on my de...Haha! Neil's book is actually sitting on my desk. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-35310004487131000362014-03-18T14:39:23.252-04:002014-03-18T14:39:23.252-04:00Great post! I had a hard time deciding which way m...Great post! I had a hard time deciding which way my MG/YA story was going but based on all I've been reading, it's definitely more MG.<br />I loved Neil Gaiman's Fortunately the Milk!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-70386403301506130172014-03-18T11:41:39.956-04:002014-03-18T11:41:39.956-04:00I love these categories and for all the characteri...I love these categories and for all the characteristics you've set out. I'm especially fond of the adventure-fantasy in MG and the fast pacing of YA. I don't care how old you are, these books are great reads.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-28288259059955923322014-03-18T11:38:44.073-04:002014-03-18T11:38:44.073-04:00Oh wow! What a great comparison. Adding this to my...Oh wow! What a great comparison. Adding this to my list of most worthy writing posts and especially right now as I've switched from YA to MG for my next project, too. Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-78016739261834989402014-03-18T10:17:40.696-04:002014-03-18T10:17:40.696-04:00That's one area I've really had to concent...That's one area I've really had to concentrate on - my MG voice. YA is definitely more natural for me. But I'm glad I'm pushing myself, stepping out of my comfort zone. This MG is finally starting to shape up nicely. <br /><br />Thanks for your comment!S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-6101220034134419072014-03-18T10:15:37.968-04:002014-03-18T10:15:37.968-04:00Ooh, I'll go check it out! Thanks for sharing ...Ooh, I'll go check it out! Thanks for sharing the link. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-88873222528446486932014-03-18T10:14:57.514-04:002014-03-18T10:14:57.514-04:00You're welcome!
Yes, switching back and forth...You're welcome!<br /><br />Yes, switching back and forth has definitely made the differences bolder. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-7433805927367782112014-03-18T10:06:10.361-04:002014-03-18T10:06:10.361-04:00Yes, Angela. That's the main lesson I've l...Yes, Angela. That's the main lesson I've learned through writing my current MG. I normally write YA, so I figured shifting gears would bring about some challenges. It's not that the skill isn't there. It's that I had to (and keep having to) remind myself while writing of pacing, action, and what MG characters concentrate on internally as opposed to what YA characters do.S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-86522791734493785742014-03-18T08:09:27.769-04:002014-03-18T08:09:27.769-04:00Fantastic breakdown of the differences between the...Fantastic breakdown of the differences between these genres! I've stubbed my toe on these, before, and found the difference out the hard way. Nice to have them all outlined here! I'm sharing this, with my thanks!Suzanne Warrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141459404743769260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-51469890527450658862014-03-17T23:28:50.629-04:002014-03-17T23:28:50.629-04:00I loved how you delineated these so well! I will b...I loved how you delineated these so well! I will be bookmarking this great list! I write both too, and I find there's things I like about both.<br />I especially loved what you said about YA being about characters who've experienced pain. While some MG characters have, I think what you said about YAs being more realistic about the world and aware of people's flaws was spot on.Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13139361928785566916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-52345169360709113532014-03-17T21:46:17.100-04:002014-03-17T21:46:17.100-04:00Lately I've preferred MG, particularly upper M...Lately I've preferred MG, particularly upper MG, to YA. In my historical genre, it just seems like MG does a better job at it these days, making it more about historical events instead of focused on a young person who just happens to be living in the past. I've also liked a lot of other MG in other genres.Carrie-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05810154378449825641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-71085270633166804522014-03-17T20:49:31.603-04:002014-03-17T20:49:31.603-04:00Terrific outline of MG/YA. Perfectly defines why I...Terrific outline of MG/YA. Perfectly defines why I write both. I love the innocence/discovery of MG and the passionate subjects and no holds barred of YA. Great post, Sheri.Kai Strand, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10012304963642303041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-14652937476289843102014-03-17T19:53:12.784-04:002014-03-17T19:53:12.784-04:00As someone who writes MG and YA, I have to agree w...As someone who writes MG and YA, I have to agree with you on the various points you bring up regarding the similarities and differences with it comes to writing for both these age groups. And it's important to keep these in mind to make sure the MS is appropriate for the group the writer is aiming for.Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-3035652809086363982014-03-17T19:29:28.710-04:002014-03-17T19:29:28.710-04:00Wow, great comprehensive lists. Very useful. Thank...Wow, great comprehensive lists. Very useful. Thanks, SheriLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-57536852274076479482014-03-17T17:23:45.926-04:002014-03-17T17:23:45.926-04:00These were great suggestions. I oftened thought ab...These were great suggestions. I oftened thought about writing MG. But I have adult and YA stories to get out of my system first.<br /><br />Good post!<br /><br />Hugs and chocolate!<br />Shellyshellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09596621767297173021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-49283912311095307652014-03-17T16:02:40.742-04:002014-03-17T16:02:40.742-04:00Wonderful insight, Sheri! My focus is on YA right ...Wonderful insight, Sheri! My focus is on YA right now, but if that ever changes I'll be sure to revisit this post for reference. Thank you! :)Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08284738955789123035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-69268872000167048122014-03-17T15:40:40.067-04:002014-03-17T15:40:40.067-04:00Wow, Sheri! That's a very thorough analysis. G...Wow, Sheri! That's a very thorough analysis. Great post! I especially love the way you gave us examples of each genre. That's extremely helpful. The only thing I would point out is Captain Underpants and Geronimo Stilton are considered (by booksellers, at least) to be 2nd and 3rd grade chapter books, not MG.Joanne R. Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076959910493197255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-28237271103488175552014-03-17T13:58:53.145-04:002014-03-17T13:58:53.145-04:00One of these days I'd love to write a MG novel...One of these days I'd love to write a MG novel, so I think I'll print out this list to help me when I get to that day. Thanks, Sheri!Leandra Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381034024025750992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-31667249718636884972014-03-17T10:33:21.105-04:002014-03-17T10:33:21.105-04:00Good breakdown of the two. I don't think I'...Good breakdown of the two. I don't think I'd be up to writing either. Not sure I could remember that far back.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-4145965834771364782014-03-17T10:07:41.604-04:002014-03-17T10:07:41.604-04:00Great breakdown, Sheri. I have a YA in my head. I ...Great breakdown, Sheri. I have a YA in my head. I hope to get something down on paper soon. Thank you for a well thought out post on this plus examples. I have Ice Dogs on order. It should be here Tuesday. YaY. Happy Saint Paddy's Day, my friend. Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-18807846901599907402014-03-17T09:42:00.524-04:002014-03-17T09:42:00.524-04:00Wow, what a thorough and helpful explanation of MG...Wow, what a thorough and helpful explanation of MG and YA + types of stories. I have noticed some overlap. When reading The Real Boy by Anne Ursu and Year of the Shadows by Claire Legrand, both MGs did explore adult/parent figure failings. In real life, thirteen-year-olds start to question their parents, so I think some exploration is okay. What do you think? Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.com