Writing for young people holds rewards beyond collecting a
check. Those of us who have undertaken it are keenly aware of the
joy of bringing words to life for the first-time reader and the
responsibility of touching a vulnerable teen who is bewildered by
his growing world.
This holds doubly true for those who write inspirational
stories for children and teens. For many, writing inspirational
books, stories, and articles is a kind of prayer. It is our way of
communicating with God and then sharing it with others.
Okay, you've decided that you want to tackle this specialized
area of writing. Am I suggesting that you saturate your writing
with Bible verses or sermons? Hardly.
No editor--or child--wants a sermonizing story that beats the
reader over the head with its moral. Let the theme come through
the story itself.
As in other writing, it is essential that you know your
market. Where do you find the right place for your work?
Start at home. Do you have children or grandchildren? Look
at what they're reading. What about the Sunday School pamphlets
they bring home following church? For a more comprehensive review
of children's inspirational literature, look at the Writer's Market
(which is published on a yearly basis) and monthly publications
such as CBI, Writer, and Writers' Digest.
Just like writers aiming for the secular market, inspirational
writers need ideas. Where, you ask, can I find them?
First, look at the events and people in the world around you
that provoke an awareness of God's presence in you. Are you moved
by the sight of a kindergartner walking to school holding tightly
to his mother's hand? What about the sweet appeal of a new baby?
Make careful notes of these events. They become the "stuff" of
your stories. More, they will have a unique quality because they
are filtered through your eyes.
Second, after you have made these notes, find in them the
universal quality that will allow young readers to relate to them.
Are you confused? I just told you to search for that which is
individual to you. Why, then, do I suggest that you look for
universal qualities?
The reason is simple. You have to know what touches a chord
within you before you can make it accessible to your readers.
Third, make it a daily practice to write down your prayers.
A good place to do so is in your journal. (If you don't keep a
journal, start immediately.) Record your prayers as honestly and
candidly as you can.
Why write your prayers? Aren't prayers personal conversations
between you and God? Of course. If you're like me, though, the
quiet thoughts and pleas you bring to your prayers may be forgotten
within five minutes after you rise from your knees. Writing them
down is the only sure way to remember them.
Your prayers can work their way into your writing in
unexpected ways. You may even compile a book of prayers. In
addition, recording your prayers opens you to new spiritual
insights. These will strengthen your writing.
So far we've been talking about writing fiction. Another
category is inspirational non-fiction. Librarians are always on
the look-out for biographies of famous and not-so famous persons.
Biographies of George Washington are numerous. Are you aware,
though, that he had a deeply spiritual nature and prayed diligently
for the deliverance of his troops and his country?
Delve deep. Look beyond the obvious to find the nugget of
spirituality that will bring your subject to life in a way that
will inspire the young reader.
If writing inspirational stories is for you, celebrate your
desire to help your readers find strength and faith. Look for ways
to express your belief in God and then share it.
SIDEBAR: Do's and Don't's of writing the inspirational story
Do:
- Do pay attention to guidelines. (Does the publication use scripture? Does it use retelling of Bible stories or does it want only fictional pieces?)
- Do request monthly themes.
- Do write to the age group.
- Do pay attention to vocabulary. (Some publications will have a vocabulary list, including their preferred names for Deity.)
- Do allow the protagonist (a child) to solve the problem.
- Do maximize your sales by submitting the same story to more than one publication. (Check the rights of your targeted markets. Many denominational publications do not overlap and you can market your story or article to several different ones.)
Don't:
- Don't preach or moralize.
