Ages of my characters

by Gayle Bentham
19th February 2012

I'm working on a novel aimed at children aged 9-12. Should my main character be within that age bracket so that the reader can relate to them more?

Replies

Thanks Gayle, I suppose I write fantasy but I am not sure I would really call it that - although that might be snobbery on my part!

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Mark
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Mark Rudd
21/02/2012

Hi Gayle,

I started off with one which is Fantasy and now I have two; the second one being murder\mystery which is the one I am working on just now. I have a plotline for the fantasy ready and waiting for when I have finished the murder mystery.

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Christina Howland
21/02/2012

I too also write for 12+/YA and my main characters are all slightly older.

I agree with the other comments that as a younger child you aspire to be like an older sibling, or someone significant that is older than you.

Louise, great links. I hadn't come across those whilst researching and have now added them to my bookmarks for reading later.

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Anthony Scott Glenn
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