For the past few months, we’ve been looking at some specific writing elements that make Middle Grade Middle Grade. First, we looked at voice. Giving your character a strong middle grade voice is vital. If you missed this discussion, here’s a link to the blog with all that information.

The second element we analyzed was pacing. Using specific techniques to keep your pacing fluid makes all the difference in middle grade. If you missed this discussion, here’s a link to the blog for this information.

Now we’ll focus on another piece of writing that is unique to middle grade. It is the concept of interconnected elements. Every choice your protagonist makes needs to signal their layers of motive. And every hint of motive needs to guide toward the themes of the story. These connected elements all weave in and around the plot events. Your reader has to relate to every choice on a middle grade level. That is how the motive and themes will resonate with them too.

Connect the Elements

So how do you know if your manuscript has effectively woven these elements together? How can you see if the themes are relatable? How do you know if your main character’s choices display motive, and if the motives themselves illuminate the themes?

MG readers like their stories to be grounded in what they can relate to. Kids need to relate to the choices the story protagonist makes each day. Even if the story takes place in a completely different world than they know or will ever experience, they still need to relate to the choices being made.

Why?

Choices are hints to the deeper layers of motive driving the protagonist. And those motives are the guide the reader uses to relate to, recognize, and understand the themes of the story. This interconnected weave of story elements is so important to a deep connection with your readers.

I made a video where I discuss the importance of these elements being well connected in middle grade fiction. I also give some great examples from strong MG stories. Here’s the link for the video Relatable Connectedness.

Looking At Your Story

Every story must have connections between its elements, but in middle grade, this is even more important. When kids read a story, they want to relate to the protagonist. They want to see themselves in the place and in the events. But more importantly, they want to feel themselves in the growth and understandings of the protagonist.

This connection comes by making sure your protagonist’s choices hint at the deeper motives which guide to an understanding of the themes you want the reader to recognize. All connected.

I created this downloadable PDF worksheet Connecting Writing Elements to help you look at your own story and see where you can strengthen these connections between choices, motive, and theme.

So much of a strong middle grade story is grounded in the choices the protagonist makes. This is their story – not the author’s. Their choices open the window to their layers of motive, which then guides the reader to see the themes for growth and understanding.

Your job as the writer is to make sure those paths are connected and clear so the reader relates and grows right along with the main character.