Exploring Nature and Adventure with Middle Grade Author, Carla Kessler

Join us as we delve into the enchanting world of middle grade fiction with Carla Kessler, a retired middle school teacher turned author. In this exclusive interview, Kessler shares insights into her latest middle grade novel, Terracolina – A Place to Belong, inspired by a deep love for nature and a profound concern for climate change. Discover how she crafts relatable characters and infuses adventure into her stories, teaching young readers to connect with the wonders of the natural world.

Could you share a little about yourself and your current middle grade novel?

I am a retired middle school teacher, a cellist, and a gardener. Terracolina – A Place to Belong reflects my love of nature, especially my reverence for the plant world, and the concern I saw daily, amongst the kids in my classroom, over the threats of climate change.

What inspired you to start writing middle grade fiction?

Fantasy played a large role in my life as a middle grader. I escaped frequently into books such as the Narnia series, the Wizard of Oz series and the Secret Garden, as well as Sci-Fi books as I got older. Books gave me a way to distance myself from a world that I didn’t always feel I fit into. I wanted to write one of those books. I know there are plenty of kids today who, like me, love to escape into a book.

How do you approach crafting characters that resonate with middle grade readers?

A character resonates with readers when he/she thinks and experiences things that the reader can relate to. For example, almost all kids can relate to struggles with school, in some form, or struggles with parents understanding them, during the tween years. I also wanted especially to connect with readers who were introverts, as I was. Hence my main character is an introvert.

Do you have a favorite middle grade book?

That’s tough! I love so many books. During my tweens, I think my favorite book was The Secret Garden. As a teacher, some of my favorite books to share with my middle grade students were A Wrinkle in Time and Hatchet.

Can you describe your typical writing day?

I still find it hard to give myself permission to write in the middle of the day. Even though I am retired and have more time, I have so many things I enjoy doing or feel obliged to do, that I usually want to take care of those first before I drop everything and write. This means most of the time I am writing at night.

What do you hope young readers will take away from your books?

I want to trigger their sense of wonder over our natural world, especially the plant world. I hope, after reading the full trilogy (a work in progress) that they will consider creating a garden of their own and know that by doing so they are contributing to the preservation of our mother earth.

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring middle grade authors?

Get a journal that is easy to take anywhere with you, and jot down your thoughts and observations whenever the mood strikes you. Reread what you have journaled and imagine how some of your pieces might belong in a story. Build your stories, whether real or imagined, around your own life experience. Be sure to share your work with someone who can give you feedback in a supportive and helpful way. Although writing is something you do alone, you will most likely be sharing it with many types of readers, so getting impressions from people about what they understand from your work, is an important step to making it sharable with many.

How do you incorporate humor and adventure into your middle grade stories?

A sense of adventure and humor come from your own way of experiencing life. I am better at recalling adventurous feelings than humorous ones, so my writing reflects that. I can recall the excitement of an exploration or adventure of my own and reproduce that feeling by creating a scene in my book that brings out those feelings in my character.

What upcoming project can readers look forward to from you?

Book two of the Terracolina Trilogy is almost ready. I am making a few more improvements and expect to publish it in April.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that I haven’t covered in the interview?

If you’d like to learn about the real garden that inspired the magical garden of Terracolina, use this link to take you to a short story (with lots of beautiful pictures) of my garden on an island in Washington. https://dl.bookfunnel.com/wulwolaj3j