I was recently asked, why write for middle school? I guess you could say it just found me. My middle school voice, that is. When I sat down to write, my twelve-year-old self just showed up, and started following me around my story. She reminded me of all the seventh grade moments when I wished the linoleum floor in the girls’ bathroom or my English classroom or the cafeteria would open and just swallow me whole. My twelve-year-old self was a person I could totally relate to. You see, in middle school the world was black or white. There was no gray. No blurred lines. You were blond and beautiful or you were red frizzy hair with braces. You were in or you were out.
As a forty something, I realize that everyone in middle school felt as I did. No one was perfect. No matter how glossy on the outside.
There are many happily ever afters. You may just not be able to guess who they are by their twelve year old selves. For me, I love writing stories about every kid in middle school who has those swallow-me-whole moments. They are not alone. We’ve all been there.
Book tip: The False Prince by Jennifer Nielson. You want heartfelt story dripping with action, intrigue and mystery, this is the story for you!
