Craft Articles

Join us in exploring others’ craft and building our own.

Here you will find explorations of mentor texts – articles that dive into specific craft elements in published books, interviews with authors, and tips on growing and improving as a writer.

Disclaimer: Some posts include bookshop.org affiliate links. Use the links to support KidLit Craft and local bookstores, at no additional cost to you.

Browse the Blog

Mapping Change in Character Relationships in Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp
Middle Grade Erin Nuttall Middle Grade Erin Nuttall

Mapping Change in Character Relationships in Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp

It can be argued that Skyler Schrempp’s debut novel, Three Strike Summer, is about baseball. Or poverty. Or migrants. Or summer. Or families trying their best to get by. Or unions. Or friendship. Or finding joy even in the hardships of life. And it is. It’s about all of these things, but my favorite part of the story is the story of sisters. Of Gloria and Jessamyn. Schrempp gives voice to a frustrating, loving, complicated relationship that grows, changes, and strengthens throughout the story.

Read More
Bridging the Gap Between Reader and History: A Q&A with Skyler Schrempp, author of Three Strike Summer
Author Interview, Middle Grade Erin Nuttall Author Interview, Middle Grade Erin Nuttall

Bridging the Gap Between Reader and History: A Q&A with Skyler Schrempp, author of Three Strike Summer

Skyler Schrempp: “I once read that George R. R. Martin talks about writers as “architects” or “gardeners”. Architects plan everything out before building and gardeners plant a bunch of things and see what grows well. I guess I see myself as more of a gardener than a panster! Pantser implies you’re really winging it, but I feel very intentional when I write…and it’s slow…like gardening.”

Read More
Establishing Shots: How Tim McCanna Sets Up Peach and Plum, Here We Come! for Success
Middle Grade, Picture Books Anne-Marie Strohman Middle Grade, Picture Books Anne-Marie Strohman

Establishing Shots: How Tim McCanna Sets Up Peach and Plum, Here We Come! for Success

In order to get early readers on board, Tim had to draw readers in from the very first page and show them what to expect from the book. His 38-word, two-spread introduction to the book is a master establishing shot that covers not just setting, but all the elements readers need to be pulled into a story.

Read More
On the Road with Louise Hawes, a Q&A
Author Interview, Middle Grade, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman Author Interview, Middle Grade, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman

On the Road with Louise Hawes, a Q&A

Louise Hawes: I often spend months (sometimes years) filling a notebook with my character's responses and thoughts before I begin writing an actual draft. That notebook is all in long-hand, as you know, and I don't stop to edit or erase anything. My characters' letters are in the first person, and result from a fluid, bodily connection from my heart to my hand to the page. In contrast, my draft will be typed on a laptop, the far less spontaneous product of me thinking and feeling my way into a story that features the character whose voice has already filled my notebook.

Read More
In Summary: Backstory
Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman

In Summary: Backstory

Backstory is a necessary part of telling a story, but how much to include and what to leave out can be complicated. It's rare in books for kids to have many pages of backstory in a row (though Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate does it with style). At KidLit Craft, we've explored backstory in many categories and genres. Here are our favorite posts about backstory.

Read More
In Summary: Beginnings
Middle Grade, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman Middle Grade, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman

In Summary: Beginnings

This summer, we're introducing a new series called In Summary, where we collect up some of our favorite posts on different craft topics. Our first post is on BEGINNINGS. Beginnings give writers the opportunity to capture a reader's attention, to draw them into the story, to give them a sense of the tone, style, and point of view, as well as whether the character is one they want to spend time with. Beginnings can be slow or fast, voicey or reflective, action-driven or character-driven. There's no one right way to start a story. But there are more and less effective openings for each particular story. These posts will help you determine what choices you have as you write and revise your opening and prompt you to experiment. We hope you get inspired!

Read More
Striving for Unfiltered Vulnerability: A Q&A with Misa Sugiura
Author Interview, Middle Grade, Young Adult Kristi Wright Author Interview, Middle Grade, Young Adult Kristi Wright

Striving for Unfiltered Vulnerability: A Q&A with Misa Sugiura

"I create my characters’ flaws, misconceptions, and spiritual wounds around a theme or a question that interests me, and then I give them a personal conflict that directly challenges those flaws, misconceptions, and wounds. After that, it’s a matter of developing broader challenges, events, relationships, and conflicts that can revolve around the same theme." ~ Misa Sugiura

Read More
Stories are Stories: Learning from Early Reader Cat Can Fix It! by Stefanie Hohl
Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman

Stories are Stories: Learning from Early Reader Cat Can Fix It! by Stefanie Hohl

Just because you have to use simple words doesn’t mean the story has to lack emotion or depth. It’s challenging, but early readers can still use all the elements of story—character, plot, setting, etc. In fact, looking to early readers as a model, writers in other categories can see how efficient storytelling can be without sacrificing emotional depth.

Read More
Crafting Characters: Getting to Know Your Non-Fiction Characters and By Working Outside In
Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman

Crafting Characters: Getting to Know Your Non-Fiction Characters and By Working Outside In

It's CRAFTING CHARACTERS post number 5! Today we've got something for everyone--working from the outside in, and special tips for getting to know your non-fiction characters. Whether it's asking "what if"? or interrogating a character's economic circumstances, whether diving into research or interviewing a real live person, in this post you'll find wisdom for taking your characters--both fictional and real--to the next level.

Read More
Crafting Characters: Getting to Know Your Character Through Writing Your Story
Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman Middle Grade, Picture Books, Young Adult Anne-Marie Strohman

Crafting Characters: Getting to Know Your Character Through Writing Your Story

It's our fourth installment of our CRAFTING CHARACTERS series, and today, we check in with writers who work their characters out on the page as they draft. Some of these authors do use some freewriting techniques, but usually after they've seen their character in action on the page, or during the revision process. Read on for some excellent insights!

Read More