Middle Grade Tips & Tricks with Alyssa Colman - The Gilded Girl

Marissa chats with Alyssa Colman about her Gilded Magic middle grade fantasy duology and her upcoming WHERE ONLY STORMS GROW in this jam-packed middle grade focused episode. Also discussed: the hallmarks of middle grade (themes, tone, voice), word counts, heavy and difficult themes in middle grade books, voice, humor, creating sympathetic characters, how middle grade characters defeat their villains, magic systems, standing out in a crowded market, and so much more! Jennifer Laughran’s post about word counts: https://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordcount-dracula.html Lisa Cron’s Story Genius: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781607748892 Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780399579745 Dan Wells on Story Structure: https://youtu.be/KcmiqQ9NpPE?si=jVamtqLH3YPFYBub  The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Amplify Marketers Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear. Red Herrings Society Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377 Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/