How to Write Middle Grade Fiction That Is Compelling And Compassionate All writers need to know their audience, and that's especially true for middle grade fiction. In this post, author Alyson Gerber offers up tips for writers on how to write middle grade fiction that is compelling AND compassionate. Author: Jun 3, 2021 Growing up, I thought I was too loud, too much, not smart enough, or good enough to matter. By the time I was seven, my undiagnosed ADHD was wreaking havoc on every part of my life. From 11 to 13, I was also trapped in a back brace 23 hours a day, seven days a week to treat my scoliosis. It felt like I was taking up too much space in the world, and food started to take up all the space in my mind.