Writing a Bully Character in a MG Book
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
It seems that you can’t have a MG book (“MG” is industry speak for “middle grade,” or novels crafted for nine- to twelve-year-olds) in today’s market without running into a bully character. Let's make this clear: bullies are awful, bullying is everywhere, and crafting a bully character can be a great way to explore this social issue. But because of bullying’s popularity in the MG book space.
Writing MG Book Bullies
An MG book about bullying can be a great way for children to learn about bullying and explore their own feelings if they are facing bullying themselves (or watching someone else go through it). And of course, many writers of children’s books want to help victims of bullying, or see bullies change their ways. (Though I would be careful about moralizing in books or preaching a message to create meaningful children’s books.
All of this being said, writing a MG book about bullying is a popular choice. Recently, I read a query which said something like “Since bullying has become such a big national issue …” That left me almost falling out of my chair. Bullying isn't a new problem. It's existed since the dawn of time and will continue to exist, unfortunately.
It's part of human nature for some people to try out power dynamics and be bad, usually at the expense of someone else. Even those who may be typically seen as bullied can sometimes be the bully: Liz Lemon discovered this in an episode of 30 Rock when she inadvertently turns on her staff. It's an unfortunate cycle that no amount of writing on it—or moralizing about it—will change it. That’s sad but true.
Writing a MG Book Bully Character That Is Realistic
However, I still encourage people to write about bullying, especially in kidlit. But with a thoughtful twist. In most manuscripts, aspiring MG book writers often create boring, generic bullies. Bully boys are usually physically large, dull, and psychologically disturbed. Mean girls are generally pretty and popular, with a socioeconomic advantage.
As soon as I read a school scene in most MG book manuscripts, I know the story is going to include the obligatory bully and their bullying tactics pretty much right off the bat. (This might be a reaction by writers to include conflict right away, even if they have a pretty “normal” school story with no big villain or antagonist character.)
Instead of going with a stock bully character from central casting for your MG book, think outside the box. Remember the old adage, “Hurt people hurt people.” The bully probably has their own issues going on, and is working out some of their problems on others. That’s not to say this is right or just—it’s not—but approaching a bully character from a place of empathy and understanding might lead you to some fresh layers and dynamics in your MG book.
After all, evil-doers who are doing evil for the sake of evil are cliché, and even kids will see through such a limited characterization.
Bullying Is Not Mandatory in a MG book
That being said, if you’re on the fence about including a bully in your school-based MG book (or even a novel set outside of school where there are other power dynamics at play), the good news is: you don’t have to! There’s no set ingredient list. Omit the bully if you don’t think you can do this character justice in your MG book.
Try to think differently when writing a MG book. If you force yourself to write a character you’re not interested in, or that you’re including because you feel you “have to,” it will be the flattest personality of all. If you want to accurately depict bullying in an MG book, you have to do more research into the real bullying that goes on today and make sure it’s not sugar-coated or glossed over. Make your bullies people who can actually evoke empathy from the reader—that’s a tall order, but a worthwhile endeavor.
If you can accomplish this, readers will be very interested in your MG book. I would like to read a complex bully character and a realistic bullying scenario. Until I find one, a query letter promising to address this epidemic might get an eye roll because there is no bigger stereotype in the schoolyard canon.
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