Westport Writers' Workshop

Middle Grade Fiction Workshop

By Josephine N. Bryer

                  Entering the spacious, bright room that the Middle Grade Fiction Workshop is held, one’s attention is immediately drawn to the friendly and open atmosphere. The spacious room lets in natural sunlight from the many long windows. There is a round table supplied with both coffee and tea in one corner. The three eager writers of the workshop arrive one by one and give a familiar smile to each other as they sit down around the table, and ask about the others’ week or family. These three writers have quickly become close friends as they learned to trust and appreciate each other’s critiques. Upon arrival, the instructor Ann Haywood Leal, author of two middle grade novels, Also Known As Harper (2009) and A Finders-Keeper's Place (2010) published by Henry Holt and Company, greets her students warmly.

Ann starts off with a few quotes from well-known authors. One is a quote from Erica Jong, “as a reader, I want a book to kidnap me into its world. Its world must make myso-called real world seem flimsy. Its world must lure me to return. When I close the book, I should feel better.” This quote smoothly transitions into their discussion about endings. Ann then pulls out a few children books, Charlotte’s Web among them, and reads the endings. She explains that the ending of a book is arguably the most important part as it creates the lasting feeling that readers recall when thinking about the book. The nostalgic ending of Charlotte’s Web always happens to bring tears to her eyes.

Ann then turns to some helpful tips for writing dialogue, “There are many different forms of dialogue based on the relationship of the characters that are speaking. In order to make a conversation as realistic as possible, you have to figure out how close the characters are. If the characters happen to be married or close siblings, you may want them to finish each other’s sentences to show that close bond.” All the students nod in agreement, thinking about their husbands and close friends. “You also have to make sure to never just dump information on your readers. However, if you do need to explain something, it is helpful to have an expert who can give a quick explanation.”

“I have definitely used that method with the science teacher,” Rosemary says as everyone laughs.

Ann finishes her list of advice for dialogue and then moves to a discussion that everyone is clearly waiting for. “Now we can talk about agents and editors.” She tells her students about her experience of getting an agent, and reveals her most valuable piece of advice, “The best place to find both editors and agents are writing conferences.” Rosemarie and Carol have never published a book before, so the subject of writing conferences is completely new to them. Once everyone’s questions are cleared up, the class begins the second portion of the workshop where each student reads aloud a chapter from their stories.

Rosemarie is the first to read from her story - a supernatural mystery. Everyone else follows along on their separate copies on which they make comments. As she reads, there is not a minute that goes by where someone does not smile or giggle. Carol lets out a loud gasp as she figures out a clue. Once Rosemarie is finished, Ann cannot stop smiling. She loves the story, but helps Rosemarie work out the kinks by giving advice to more clearly identify speakers at parts where the reader may get confused.

One of the other students, Marge, nods in agreement. She then looks through her comments and points out some grammatical errors. Rosemarie is very thankful to get help from the former English teacher. Everyone hands Rosemarie their copies with their written comments.

Marge’s story about pirates is next and she hands a copy to Ann, wanting her to be the one to read it aloud. She wants to make sure that someone else can easily read her story aloud besides her. Ann takes the story and reads with enthusiasm, changing voices for each character. One of the young characters gives a witty comment and the class roars with laughter. Once she finishes, Ann points out that she loves how Marge included a subplot in her story.

“Subplots are a really great way to keep a story moving! If you ever get stuck or bored, you should add in a subplot,” says Ann.

“Yeah, I found that I could really use multiple subplots to help my main plot move on,” Carol commented.

After everyone gave her critiques, Carol hands her story over to Marge to read aloud. Her story is about an autistic boy and everyone cannot help but get a little teary as their pity for the boy grows.

Once the chapter ends, Ann points out, “I love how he speaks with all capital letters and no spacing. This is a great example of how dialogue can really identify who a person is. The capital letters really show his problem with volume and social skills.”

Carol asks for advice as to how she should format her chapters. Ann and the other writers helpfully discuss the pros and cons of keeping the chapters short, or combining them to make them longer.

Before they know it, the two hours are over. Ann ends the class with a quote from Annie Dillard, “One of the few things I know about writing is this:  spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time.  Do not hoard what seems good for a better place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now." She tells her fellow writers that they should not worry that another story idea may not come to them, and that they should just put everything into the story that they are currently writing. She assures them that they will be able to think of another story idea. Rosemarie, Carol, and Marge agree optimistically, letting the quote sink in.

Everyone packs up, but not wanting to leave yet, they stay seated. They chat and laugh as they compare each other to the characters that they have spent eight weeks hearing about, and have grown to love.