rachelnseigel It's time for #mglitchat. Tonight's topic:
Aging characters in a series. -9:00 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone is #mglitchat on tonight? -9:01 PM May 16th,
2013
rachelnseigel @matt_janacone We are just starting!
#mglitchat -9:01 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly Hi #MGLitChat friends! :) -9:01 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel how many series do you think we'll
touch on tonight? every one? #mglitchat -9:01 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone @rachelnseigel And what r we chattin' about?
#mglitchat -9:02 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @matt_janacone aging your character across a
series. #mglitchat -9:02 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk #mglitchat I think we can cover
just about every series- those where the character ages, those where they don't
-9:02 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel #mglitchat in the Charlie Bone books, Charlie
eventually ages a year, but never more than that. In HP, he ages with each
book. -9:03 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws Interesting when the series reading level
seems to age with the characters…#harrypotter #mglitchat opinions, everyone?
-9:04 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel #mglitchat In my mind, aging works initially-
when your audience grows with the books, but not with the next generation.
-9:04 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel The fact that we can choose which
way to go, age, not age our characters is awesome. #mglitchat -9:04 PM May
16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel Though I love that Laura
Ingalls gets older in Little House. Never bothered me as a child reader
#mglitchat -9:04 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone If you can age a character through a series
w/o compromising the quality of character or original story, I say do it!
#mglitchat -9:05 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws I lost interest in her when
she got too old. #mglitchat as I did with Anne of Green Gables. -9:05 PM May
16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel agreed. I don't feel that it
was intentional, somehow. #mglitchat -9:05 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws What about Beverly Cleary? Ramona gets older
each book… #butshestartedoutsoyoung #mglitchat -9:06 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws I think she intended her
audience to grow with the books. Maybe didn't realize that audience would b so
young? #mglitchat -9:06 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler Are there others like the Betsy-Tacy series,
where there are actually 2 series, one for younger, one for older? #mglitchat
-9:07 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone I don't think writers should force series for
the sake of $$$. #mglitchat -9:07 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel #mglitchat I was also thinking of the ALICE
books by Phylis Reynolds Naylor. There r in effect 3 different series. -9:07 PM
May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @dianezahler I can't think of current series, but
decades ago, the Sweet Valley twins had multiple series for different ages.
#mglitchat -9:08 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel Beezus got teenager, tho
#mglitchat -9:08 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @ShellSly @dianezahler #mglitchat I read a
couple of them concurrently, but they were really different series for
different age categories. -9:08 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @childbkauthor @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat
Interesting perspective- I don't remember thinking about it like that as a kid.
-9:10 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @childbkauthor @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat I
remember feeling aged out of some series when they got too old. I lost
interest. -9:10 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel Yes, innocent but there are
undertones of mature themes -- fear that Ramona's father will lose his job, for
one #mglitchat -9:10 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone I think characters should have to lead writers
to a sequel much like they lead writers through a stories. #mglitchat -9:10 PM
May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws Aging your characters in a series provides a
natural overarching narrative. #mglitchat It's gotta end sometime -9:11 PM May
16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat I'd forgotten about
that. So what crosses the line beyond innocence in a series where characters
age? -9:12 PM May 16th, 2013
LaurelSnyder hey all! #mglitchat -9:12 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder Hi Laurel! #mglitchat -9:13 PM
May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel well, mg readers can handle a
lot of mature subjects if it's presented in an age-appropriate manner.
#mglitchat -9:13 PM May 16th, 2013
LaurelSnyder @lisabrowndraws Nosmo King. #mglitchat -9:13 PM
May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws Hey yerself RT @LaurelSnyder: hey all!
#mglitchat -9:13 PM May 16th, 2013
LaurelSnyder I see we're talking series... #mglitchat -9:14
PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws characters aging/not aging within series RT
@LaurelSnyder: I see we're talking series... #mglitchat -9:14 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @KatBrzozowski @rachelnseigel Those books are
wonderful. Really more sophisticated and literary than they get credit for
#mglitchat #cleary -9:15 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler Lots of chs in the series I read as a kid didn't
age -- Danny Dunn, Encyclopedia Brown, Henry Huggins (why are they all boys?)
#mglitchat -9:16 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski It's a oft-used
mom's trick. #mglitchat -9:16 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler @lindaurbanbooks You mean, before LH in the Big
Woods? #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @childbkauthor @lisabrowndraws @KatBrzozowski
#mglitchat and where the interactions between children and adults feel real.
-9:18 PM May 16th, 2013
gregpincus @dianezahler I was thinking that, too:
Encyclopedia Brown, Sally, Bugs didn't age. And at a certain point, I stopped
reading 'em #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi @dianezahler good question! #mglitchat -9:18
PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone Wait. R we talking about characters that don't
age through series? #mglitchat -9:18 PM May 16th, 2013
KatBrzozowski @lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel Agree. Those
books defined my childhood reading pretty much - those and Babysitter's Club.
#mglitchat -9:19 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @matt_janacone those that age, and those that
don't #mglitchat -9:19 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel @childbkauthor @KatBrzozowski
Your secret is safe with me. #mglitchat -9:19 PM May 16th, 2013
lindaurbanbooks @dianezahler I believe they did Ma's
girlhood, other cousins etc. #mglitchat -9:20 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws In the CS Lewis books the kids age. And it's
quite satisfying. #mglitchat And a plot point. -9:20 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly Characters that DO age: Greg from Wimpy Kid. He's
quickly advancing thru middle school. Will the books stop before high school?
#mglitchat -9:21 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel that last one was too heavy.
And religious. At least for this Jew. #mglitchat -9:21 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler Good point! RT @lisabrowndraws: In the CS Lewis
books the kids age. And its quite satisfying. And a plot point. #mglitchat
-9:21 PM May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi @gregpincus Like the Magic Tree House kids
who never age. #mglitchat -9:21 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy To me the question of aging directly relates
to the kind of series. Mysteries and other episodic series can go forever...
1/2 #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
lindaurbanbooks Just checked GoodReads. Chapter books: The
Carrie Years, The Rose Years etc. @dianezahler: You mean, before LH in the Big
Woods? #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws :) RT @KatBrzozowski: @rachelnseigel They had
like 17 summer experiences but never graduated to high school.
#longestsummerever #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy 2/2 ...whereas character-driven ones need
growth and closure. #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi Percy Jackson and friends age, but the
content is kept MG. #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone Wouldn't characters who grow/age progress into
more advanced genres/reading levels? #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @rachelnseigel Exactly. Plus, he'll lose his
"wimpy" charm if he gets too old. #MGLitChat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @lindaurbanbooks @dianezahler Ugh, dead
writers' estate sequels. Save me. #mglitchat -9:22 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler @lindaurbanbooks Somehow that bothers me. I'm a
purist. #mglitchat -9:23 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler RT @lisabrowndraws: @lindaurbanbooks Ugh, dead
writers estate sequels. Save me. #mglitchat -9:23 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @SafiyyahKathimi Interesting about Percy. I feel
like if he got any older, it would definitely be YA. #mglitchat -9:24 PM May
16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @matt_janacone think it's problematic. Kids
read FAST, the books would soon become too old for them. #mglitchat -9:24 PM
May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi @Danaalisonlevy Useful distinction!
#mglitchat -9:24 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @Danaalisonlevy #Mglitchat like Nancy Drew.
-9:25 PM May 16th, 2013
RosanneParry @matt_janacone It's the authors choice. Heather
Vogel Frederick won't be taking the Mother-Daughter Book Club girls into hs.
#mglitchat -9:25 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @rachelnseigel Good question! They do sell *very*
well, so who knows? #MGLitChat -9:25 PM May 16th, 2013
matt_janacone I believe writers show their age or where they
are in life through their characters. #mglitchat -9:25 PM May 16th, 2013
LaurelSnyder I think maybe the more formulaic a series is,
the harder it is for the characters to age. Formula would have to change.
#mglitchat -9:25 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy The question I struggle with is how to age
the characters and still keep them true to an MG audience? #mglitchat -9:25 PM
May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel #mglitchat Actually, Nancy Drew is an
interesting case- she was originally a teenager, but the series was 4 a younger
audience. -9:25 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @Danaalisonlevy I like that. Episodic vs.
character-driven series. Good to keep in mind! #mglitchat -9:26 PM May 16th,
2013
matt_janacone I think you can tell where writers are in life
through their books. #mglitchat -9:26 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @Danaalisonlevy Good q. But think about books
where the main characters aren't necessarily the age of the readers
#frogandtoad #mglitchat -9:26 PM May 16th, 2013
dianezahler @rachelnseigel that's right, she drove her
little red roadster, didn't she? #mglitchat -9:26 PM May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi @rachelnseigel Yes! Perfect for the
voracious MG reader who needed 100+ stories not limited to a school scene.
#mglitchat -9:27 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy @rachelnseigel Exactly! Compare Nancy Drew
with Anne of Green Gables. One required stasis and the other change #mglitchat
-9:27 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel preteens like to read about
teens, teens about young adults, etc. #mglitchat #aspirationalreading -9:27 PM
May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws Good pt RT @Danaalisonlevy: @rachelnseigel
Exactly! Nancy Drew vs Anne of Green Gables. One required stasis and the other
change #mglitchat -9:27 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @rachelnseigel I think the pacing can be adjusted to
slow aging, but as a reader, I'd notice. #MGLitChat -9:27 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws #Mglitchat they do say kids
read about 3 years up right? But not all books about 16 year olds r appropriate
4 12-13. -9:28 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy @lisabrowndraws Very true...esp. with
animal/fantasy MG. I guess I was thinking contemp #mglitchat -9:28 PM May 16th,
2013
lisabrowndraws @KatBrzozowski @rachelnseigel Downton IS too
fast, isn't it? #mglitchat -9:28 PM May 16th, 2013
akossket RT @rachelnseigel: #mglitchat Actually, Nancy Drew
is an interesting case- she was originally a teenager, but the series was 4 a
younger audience. -9:28 PM May 16th, 2013
AniProf #mglitchat Just stopping by to say sorry, but I
won't be joining in; season finale for Elementary. -9:29 PM May 16th, 2013
RosanneParry @Danaalisonlevy I think this is why authors opt
to stop a series at a certain age. Or use animal characters. ex Hank the Cow
Dog #mglitchat -9:29 PM May 16th, 2013
LaurelSnyder I bet if Nancy was done today, she'd be
younger. #mglitchat -9:29 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski @childbkauthor @lisabrowndraws
#mglitchat I confess I've never tried it, but I'm open. -9:29 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @AniProf Thanks for stopping in to say hi! :)
#mglitchat -9:30 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @LaurelSnyder #Mglitchat she is being done
again- and I think they've aged her down. And then there is the clue Crew where
she's 7 or 8. -9:30 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly What about fairytale rewrites, where a princess is
old enough to fall in love? Is that too much of an age gap for young readers?
#mglitchat -9:31 PM May 16th, 2013
MissionRead #PageChallenge book hint # 2 Age: MG #mglitchat
-9:31 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @AniProf #mglitchat isn't that at 10? I'm
going to have to catch Office finale on timeshift later. Or on Hulu. ;-) -9:31
PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat
lesson there is sometimes the charm is in the original age- not when they get
older. -9:32 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy @rosanneparry I agree. Their ages become a
character arc. But when they're still in the "sweet spot" of MG the
challenge is...1/2 #mglitchat -9:32 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat that
is way too fast! I'd hate to read a series that jumped ahead years with each
book. -9:33 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws @rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski sometimes is
key. #mglitchat -9:33 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy @rosanneparry 2/2 ...while still pleasing the
audience. #mglitchat -9:33 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws @KatBrzozowski #mglitchat
which brings us back to Wimpy Kid- would kids read Greg's high school years?
-9:33 PM May 16th, 2013
lisabrowndraws Fun but gotta run before my own kid ages out
of me reading to him before bed. #mglitchat -9:33 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski @lisabrowndraws Loved that show
when it was on. New series is dubious. ;-) #mglitchat -9:34 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws Thanks for joining in!
#mglitchat -9:34 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws thanks for
joining, I'm dealing with my own kids, g'night! #mglitchat -9:35 PM May 16th,
2013
ShellSly @lisabrowndraws Have a good evening! #mglitchat
-9:35 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel we're learning a lot about what works
and doesn't work by what has been done. #mglitchat -9:36 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk #mglitchat agreed! -9:36 PM May
16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel you spoke of Nancy Drew being
redone, and I have to agree, much younger now. #mglitchat -9:37 PM May 16th,
2013
rachelnseigel #mglitchat I would love to hear from any
Librarians or teachers what their kids think- do they like seeing their
favourite characters age? -9:38 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk #mglitchat A few years anyway. But
she keeps coming back. Quite amazes me. -9:38 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel Classic Girl Sleuth. ;) #mglitchat
-9:39 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk #mglitchat I was more of a Trixie
Belden fan myself. ;-) -9:39 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @rachelnseigel Used to teach special ed reading.
Noticed kids loved series, but sometimes avoided "irrelevant"
books... 1/2 #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel now see I was busy reading
"choose your own adventures" no one aged. #mglitchat -9:40 PM May
16th, 2013
melissawiley @rachelnseigel Often when romance is involved,
mg readers like to see the characters age. Laura/Almanzo, Anne/Gilbert,
Betsy/Joe. #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel actually I don't even remember any
main characters #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @rachelnseigel ...such as fifth graders reading
Junie B "First Grader" books, but otherwise read other Junie B. 2/2
#mglitchat -9:40 PM May 16th, 2013
melissawiley Reader craves that happy ending where they
finally get together. #mglitchat -9:40 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly Edit: Meant to say, fifth graders *avoiding*
"First Grader" book. Twitter needs an edit button! #mglitchat -9:41
PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @melissawiley yes, any romance, would def require
the characters age. #mglitchat -9:41 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly @melissawiley Good to know Re: romance and aging.
I've been trying to find the perfect age for a MG fairytale romance. #mglitchat
-9:42 PM May 16th, 2013
PagesCorner RT @MissionRead: #PageChallenge book hint # 2
Age: MG #mglitchat -9:43 PM May 16th, 2013
melissawiley @rachelnseigel @rachelnseigel Depends on the
reader, right? At 11 I was GLUED to the unfolding saga of Anne & Gilbert.
#mglitchat -9:44 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @melissawiley Loved that saga too! #mglitchat
-9:45 PM May 16th, 2013
KatBrzozowski @rachelnseigel @lisabrowndraws I'm retreating
back to manuscript reading world, but it was lovely chatting with you two!
#mglitchat -9:46 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @KatBrzozowski Thanks for stopping by and
chatting! #mglitchat -9:46 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @KatBrzozowski @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat
same! Thanks for joining in tonight! :-) -9:46 PM May 16th, 2013
Danaalisonlevy Thanks for all the good thinky thoughts! Have
a great night! #mglitchat -9:46 PM May 16th, 2013
melissawiley @rachelnseigel I didn't enjoy the later Little
House books until I was older. Loved Farmer Boy at 8, loved Golden Years at 11.
#mglitchat -9:46 PM May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi @melissawiley Yes! It's also nice to have a
sense that life is still interesting (from a kid perspective) in adulthood.
#mglitchat -9:47 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @mjtlbarrie @AnshaKotyk #mglitchat she was
just more interesting- less goodie goodie. And loved her family! -9:48 PM May
16th, 2013
JoAnnYhard Doing that now. It's a year later for book #3 as
setting is iceberg season in NL in June, so had to be 1 yr later. #mglitchat
-9:48 PM May 16th, 2013
KatBrzozowski Awww too sweet. RT @lisabrowndraws: Fun but
gotta run before my own kid ages out of me reading to him before bed.
#mglitchat -9:50 PM May 16th, 2013
KimJGaneWCPosse RT @AniProf: #mglitchat Just stopping by to
say sorry, but I won't be joining in; season finale for Elementary. -9:52 PM
May 16th, 2013
melissawiley @rachelnseigel The First Four Years is a hard
book at any age, I think. Even for adults. So very bleak. #mglitchat -9:53 PM
May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel #mglitchat We have just under 10 minutes left.
Any final thoughts on the subject of aging characters over a seires? -9:53 PM
May 16th, 2013
SafiyyahKathimi This just guts me. Read for your lives! MT
@lisabrowndraws: Gotta run before my own kid ages out of me reading to him
before bed. #mglitchat -9:53 PM May 16th, 2013
KimJGaneWCPosse @AniProf Ha! Same boat! Popped in though to
see what I was missing, since I totally forgot last week. Hello from the couch!
#mglitchat -9:53 PM May 16th, 2013
rachelnseigel @childbkauthor @lisabrowndraws #mglitchat some
do for sure- depends on author and series. Had this chat with @kevinarts a
while ago. -9:54 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @KimJGaneWCPosse Howdy! I'm still wrestling
kids... or rustling... ;) #mglitchat -9:54 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel Depends def on what the author is
trying to accomplish with the series, where the arc is if there is one.
#mglitchat -9:56 PM May 16th, 2013
JoAnnYhard @rachelnseigel Age 13 for books 1&2, time 2
months apart, now 14 in book 3. Also each book from a different main character
POV. #mglitchat -9:56 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk I'll have our transcript up in a few minutes.
#mglitchat -9:57 PM May 16th, 2013
ShellSly Thanks for chatting tonight, everyone. Good topic!
#mglitchat -10:00 PM May 16th, 2013
AnshaKotyk @ShellSly Thanks to everyone for stopping by
tonight and discussing our topic #mglitchat -10:00 PM May 16th, 2013
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