Hello, fellow adventurers! I’m an educator by day and an author by night, navigating the wild worlds of writing and education. For years, I published nonfiction books about teaching and American History. You know, the stuff you sometimes read, but often skip over in favor of that latest fantasy novel. But through it all, I never lost my love for fantastical tales.Picture this: late nights lost in books, epic battles against dragons, and convincing my kids that reading is cool. Now, I’m diving back into the realm of fantasy with a fresh idea for a middle-grade series, a place where life in middle school collides with a role-playing game.
Bridging the Teaching and Writing Realms
I was that kid who spent countless hours filling notebooks with wild stories of wizards and heroes saving the day. I wanted to craft worlds where anything was possible. Then life happened. I became a teacher, and my pen shifted from imaginary worlds to history and lesson plans. Exciting? Maybe not so much.When I was given the privilege of writing books on how to be a good teacher or guides to the US Presidents, I didn’t realize how much it would draw me away from my fantasy world. However, those years of nonfiction writing taught me structure, discipline, and hopefully how to keep readers engaged (not always an easy feat). I quickly realized that teaching and writing have a lot in common. Both require creativity. They also need a sprinkle of humor to keep people engaged. And let’s be real: my students could always spot a boring lesson faster than they could spot a pop quiz.
Inspiration Over a Slice of Pizza
Video game sessions with my kids brought me back to my roots. It was during one of those marathon gaming nights, with pizza in hand, that my son started talking about his latest D&D character. I thought, “Why not blend my passion for fantasy with my experiences in the classroom?” Bam! Inspiration struck.When my son was describing his character’s latest exploits, I found myself imagining a world where life in middle school experienced as part of a gaming quest. School may not have dragons, but it does have drama, friendships, and the occasional locker that eats your homework.My idea centered on themes that resonated with like adventure, teamwork, and navigating the awkwardness of those middle school years. I felt it also had the potential to impact young readers in a way that was both relatable and imaginative.
Why Middle Grade?
So, why write for middle schoolers? This age group is a true roller coaster ride – hormones and life providing them many ups and downs. Kids are exploring their identities and facing challenges for the first time. They crave stories that validate their experiences and take them on thrilling adventures. I believe that integrating gaming into school life can be a springboard for students’ imaginations, just like it was for me.Plus, let’s be honest; writing for this age range is a lot of fun. You get to craft bizarre situations, quirky characters, and a dash of humor without worrying about adult themes. It’s liberating, like running through a field of daisies or, at least, rolling a natural 20 in an RPG.
The Writing Process
Writing this new series has me both excited and, honestly, a bit daunted. How do you blend the real world with fantastical elements? Cracking that nut is what has me working late into the night. To keep me motivated, I often remember some advice I got from another writer. She told me to keep it authentic but don’t be afraid to let my imagination roam. As she told me, there’s plenty of room in the writing world for everyone.
Looking Ahead
Each day I find myself excited to experience the joy of helping my characters get in and out of sticky situations. I only hope that I can insipre young readers to look for adventure as they deal with their own successes and challenges. And since I’m new to the middle-grade scene, I would love for you to come along on this journey with me. So, whether you want to read updates or share your own stories, I invite you to join me. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!