[Jade]

Hi, this is really specific, and I'd like your opinion on it if you wouldn't mind.

 

Do you think my novel idea is too "grown up" for MG (Middle Grade)? Should it be classified as YA (Young Adult)?

Explicit/ish part(s): 1) The main antagonist "kidnaps" the MCs multiple times.

In one scene, one MC notices that there is some "salt" in a factory that is strangely shiny, and he thinks that whoever buys that must need to bake a lot of cakes. The factory is later revealed to be owned by the main antagonist. The main antagonist is not considered a criminal for owning the shiny salt (illegal substances) but he is because he kidnapped the MCs and attempted (and failed) to let someone be left for dead in a forest fire. They survived. There is no other mention of this "shiny salt" ever in the trilogy.

My targeted audience for this trilogy are 12-14 year olds. Should I still consider this novel as MG? Or make it Teen/YA?

Be blessed,

Jade

[Gordon Korman]

Tough question. If the "salt" is any kind of illegal drug, you're more or less out of middle school. But it depends on how you handle it. Kidnapping isn't exactly a great MG topic either, but again, it depends on how serious and how much ill-treatment is involved. Why don't you write it and give it to some trusted adults (a favorite teacher, your Mom, a trusted aunt?) to read, and see what they say. My own stuff is pretty iffy, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. e.g. MASTERMINDS is pretty serious for MG. I tend to err on the side of older and leave it to the publishers. 

Advice? Don't sweat it.                                                                                             -----GK-----

[Ruchama]

Is there any comedy in the book? If you put some funny parts and such, then the book would still be MG

Ruchama 

[Jade]

Thanks, Gord. There isn't much ill-treatment in the kidnapping, they're really only tied to chairs and their mouths aren't even bound. The henchmen that trapped them literally forgot to get them again because they're really bad henchmen. Very lazy. I will, so thanks for that advice. That's smart. I was shocked in what happened in MASTERMINDS, but it was cool, so! 

Yes, Ruchama, there is a lot of comedy. It's really a "Let's defeat the bad guys!" book.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

I've been writing (I finished plotting a long while ago). I decided to make my MCs 13 and not 14 and I've actually gotten to 17,000 words (6 chapters). This is actually perfectly on the pace I want, leaving about 3000 words per each chapter before I hit 50,000. But the thing is. I found such a cool new idea for my plot, turning it from Realistic Fiction to Sci-Fi! But now I have to re-write my plot, which will be a pain. It's worth it though!

[Jade]

I\'ve been writing (I finished plotting a long while ago). I decided to make my MCs 13 and not 14 and I\'ve actually gotten to 17,000 words (6 chapters). This is actually perfectly on the pace I want, leaving about 3000 words per each chapter before I hit 50,000. But the thing is. I found such a cool new idea for my plot, turning it from Realistic Fiction to Sci-Fi! But now I have to re-write my plot, which will be a pain. It\'s worth it though!

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, Jade,

If you've come up with something irresistible, write it! Word count can be important, but it isn't everything. An idea that you're excited about is terrific and worth exploring. Save your existing work (you're on computer, right?) and go off on this new sci-fi tangent. Sounds exciting!                                                                              -G-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jade]

Yes, I am. Thankfully I just got this idea during the earlier part so I can just adjust the plot outline--same plot. (Maybe I can actually make an arc!) That's what I'm going to be doing tonight, as right now I'm doing some last-minute studying for an Absolutely Pleasantless class. Can't wait for tonight! (Thanks to you, I actually enjoy plotting and outlining.)

 

Be blessed!
Jade 

[Jade]

Oh, and, you're right about word count. I just really want to stay in the "limits" or the "norm" for Middle Grade because this is going to be my debut novel so I don't want all the agents I will query to be put off by my manuscript being 100k words for a Middle Grade novel. This new idea is more like a Middle Grade novel! I found a solution to the "drugs" thing. Instead of it being like bad drugs, it will be like fake bad drugs. As in they are an experimental substance that will probably never exist in real life. There's also enough funny to factor in so it's highly downplayed. Either way, I only have to edit my first six chapters a little bit to add a bit more foreshadowing. There's also more action because this is now Sci-Fi and not just Realistic Fiction in its own right. Really, it's still realistic but with a little more pizazz. My novel is shaping even more and more in my head. I know you said don't rush, and I'm not, but I just work really fast. Super excited. Can't wait till tomorrow