Why I recommend Story Grid story structure method for kid lit writers

A Dream Is Born

I wrote and illustrated my first book in 3rd grade. When the school awarded me 1st place for my story, a dream was born. I told everyone who asked (and many who didn’t), I’ll be a writer when I grow up. In high school, I published poetry in two magazines thanks to an inspiring writing teacher.

Struggling (Non) Writer

I graduated with a degree in English, but for years after, my dream lay dormant. During those years, I did many things – like running a bookstore, moving across the country, starting a company, and becoming a mom – and in between, I wrote. Books on writing craft and story structure proliferated on my bookshelves. Sometimes I shared what I wrote with friends and publishing professionals who said things like: what’s the point of this scene and this is unpublishable.

Enter Story Grid

In 2019, frustrated to tears with my lack of progress, I stumbled upon a podcast by a new organization called Story Grid. I followed along as an editor took a struggling writer through the entire process of writing a first draft and a second. I wrote a YA novel. And joined the Story Grid Guild. I wrote a middle grade novel and several picture books. I shared my stories with critique partners and agents. Suddenly, I began to hear: more please and query me after you revise.

Things Start Improving

Suddenly, I started winning small contests. In 2022, I was honored to be a winner in the Kids Choice KitLit Writing Contest, and a WriteMentor Flash Fiction Shortlistee. In 2023 I was selected for the SCBWI Michelle Begley Mentorship Program. Now, as I begin querying my middle grade and pictures books, I am so grateful for the many people who encouraged me on this marathon.

I will be writing about exactly how Story Grid saved my writing dream in my next post. All those books on craft were helpful, but too ultimately too vague. Story Grid is the story structure methodology that finally made sense to me. Stay tuned for How to Use Story Grid to Structure Picture Books coming next!