February 16, 2011
WiCM Writers’ Group – Writing for Tweens with Debra Moffitt
There I was, trapped in a room full of intimidating girls. The covert, giddy looks, the social protocol I couldn’t comprehend, the distinct fear that puberty could hit any second and would be violently instantaneous—it was awful.
“Bras, boys, and periods. That’s what this is all about.”
These words greeted me as I—a man—attended this month’s WiCM’s Writers’ Group. Debra Moffitt, the author of the very successful Pink Locker Society book series, gave us a crash course in writing for the tween audience, specifically the female tween audience.
Ah, the tween years, when pecking order replaces alphabetical. Or were those the teenaged years? I couldn’t quite remember middle school, and I realized I’d have a hard time accessing this WiCM event. To make matters worse, I felt all alone in my cluelessness. Everywhere I looked, WiCM members nodded in fond recollection as we took a trip back in time.
Debra Moffitt is a tween expert. She is an editor at KidsHealth.org, a hub of all sorts of kids’ health and wellness information. But her understanding of The Tween is on full display at www.pinklockersociety.org, the online home of her popular Pink Locker Society book series. Over pop-top bracelets and six word middle school memoirs, Debra warmly reintroduced us to the age.
Sometimes we think of these years as a mere transition from simple childhood to challenging teendom. But Debra’s insights reminded us of what a special time it is. Individuals begin to build their own personal moralities. Problems become more complex. We start to display the textured personas that we will eventually fully inhabit. And before teen angst takes charge, an extraordinary optimism rules the day.
I suppose it all made sense, at least intellectually. Everyone else seemed to get it. But I just couldn’t follow. What were they all smiling about? Were they laughing at me? And why was I thinking of school dances, and with simultaneous curiosity and dread? It was impossible to focus on Debra’s presentation once I started thinking of all the ways I could embarrass myself; I’d never understand what it felt like to be a tween.
Thankfully Debra capped the evening by giving us a number of great online resources. She handed out a short essay on the literary journey of Billie Letts. She also recommended this book as a writing resource. Lastly, but not leastly, she cited the following online starting points to help the aspiring writer remember that tween voice:
This was a great evening. Debra provided a lot of new information as well as helped us access our own private memory banks. Even if you missed the event, I’d recommend taking a look at these sites. A stroll down locker row could do us all some good.
Until next time…
Lucas
Children's Media Association 
Hi Lucas! I so enjoyed your recap. I just now read it when I saw you featured in the WICM newsletter. You have encapsulated the stone, cold truth: Girls are agonzing in middle school and boys are thinking “Uh, I wonder what’s for lunch?”
Cheers,
Debra