Writing for Kids from a Faith-Based Perspective

by Patrick E. Craig

Writing for kids from a moral worldview can be one of the most challenging tasks a writer will ever face. When we write as Christians it is important to find a way to present truth to them that draws them in and engages them without blasting them. To do this I try to develop characters that let God work in them and through them to show other characters the love of God. If you are writing for kids, it goes even deeper. Kids don't read preaching, they read stories. In order for a child to get the message you have to engage them with a fascinating story. That means you have to drop the pastoral pontifications and doctrinal pronouncements and develop storylines that draw them in.

In my book, "The Lost Coast", Punkin, Boo, and Megan have been hidden in a cave by their guardian angel, Michael. Megan has been wounded by demons so Michael prays for Megan and her arm is healed. God touches Megan's heart and the girls are able to ask the question, "Why should God let you into heaven?" Our libraries and bookstores are filled with vampires, zombies, werewolves, wizards and all kinds of powerful supernatural creatures. So warrior angels and demons are perfectly acceptable to kids. By the time the girls get to the salvation message, it is easy to tell Megan what the bible says:  The only way to be really protected from evil spirits is to place your trust in Jesus Christ – and Megan does.

Another thing - kids need to be pushed. I've always loved words – big words, strong words, complex words. I once had a mother thank me for not dumbing down my books, even though her son was only nine. Another grandmother told me that her fourteen year old grandson, who never reads, sat down and read my book straight through because the language challenged him. When you are writing for kids don't be afraid to confront them with words they have to wrestle with. Kids like to know that you think they are up to challenges and they respond to your trust. That really applies when you are writing for them.

Make your books real. In a Christian adventure, don't be afraid to deal with the consequences of sin. I resurrected a terrible villain in the second draft of "The Lost Coast" because I didn't want to offend the sensibilities of my tender readers. A friend read the rewrite and e-mailed me a curt message:  "What is this, a camp-meeting? Not everyone gets saved you know." So I killed him again in the third draft and my readers loved it.

And finally, develop characters that can be examples while learning from their mistakes. Kids need to identify with kids that are like them – they stumble and fall, but with the help of God, they get up and go on.  

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Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. He spent the next twenty-six years as a worship leader, seminar speaker and pastor in churches, and at retreats, seminars and conferences all across the Western United States. After ministering for a number of years in music and worship to a circuit of small churches in Northern California, he is now concentrating on writing and publishing both fiction and non-fiction books. He has recently signed a three book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his "Apple Creek Dreams" series. The books are historical Amish fiction and the first book, "A Quilt for Jenna," will be released January 1, 2013. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency. 

Connect with Patrick online at Facebook, Twitter, his blog or his website!

The Flow of Passion

Today staff writer and author Londa Hayden takes a turn at the Tune-In Tuesday wheel. Gary will be back next week.

by Londa Hayden

One of my favorite singers is Josh Groban. In fact, it was his music that initially inspired me to write in the first place. It started with his work in Africa for an orphanage filled with children who had lost their parents to AIDS or war. After viewing the video where Josh visited the children of Soweto, my heart was captivated by their spirit. Thus began my journey with the Grobanites for Africa charity. I was inspired to write a poem that captured the essence of Josh's work with the children of Africa. I grew as a writer and revised the poem many times over to simplify the thought pattern. I decided it would work best in a children's book format.

My good friend, Connie Orlando who happens to be a gifted artist, created and contributed two beautiful watercolors to my project. When I saw the first picture, I was awestruck with the beautiful, vivid colors, and I knew immediately that would be the cover of the book. I spent several months researching the various and languages so as not to offend or cause misunderstanding in the text of the poem. Then it was time to find an appropriate publisher. I settled on Blurb.com, a publish on demand firm that allows you to create your own book and provide your own pictures at little to no cost. My obligation was to purchase the final edited version to get it published and posted in the online bookstore. You have the option to purchase copies at a discounted rate and you can set your own retail price.

But before I could finish my layout, I needed more pictures. I researched the Internet for photos of Africa and African children that were royalty free and in a public domain status, which meant they were absolutely free to use for whatever purpose I had in mind. There are lots of free photo websites out there, but not all of them offer royalty free and public domain status photos—so it is important to do your homework. I found out the U.S. Army offers free photos and they had many options available on their website. With my chosen photos properly resized and stored, I finished the layout of my first picture book In the Savanna. The whole process was fun as the website software is very user-friendly.

All the proceeds go to an orphanage in Africa, namely the one supported by Grobanites for Africa. You can get a free preview and purchase In the Savanna at blurb.com. I also offer it on my website at http://londahayden.com. I have received feedback from many of my Grobanite pals who have purchased a copy for themselves, their children, or grandkids. Last year, I was fortunate enough to learn that Jon Christos, another well-liked operatic singer in the Great Britain area, read it on his radio program.

You should write what you know and even though I've never been to Africa, I definitely had a passion to know more about what was going on over there. The Internet was a great tool to find lots of information along with several books and periodicals I researched at the local library. I even interviewed with people who have either lived or visited various places in Africa on mission trips. It was an inspiring adventure that opened my eyes to a world way beyond my own. I have now set out to write my first action/adventure/romance novel Rescue in the Congo.

Go with the flow of your passion in whatever you choose to write, you will accomplish something far greater than you ever thought possible.

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“In the Savanna” is Londa Hayden’s beautifully illustrated picture book with watercolors and photographs that offer a gentle introduction to young children about the orphans left behind, because of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. It offers positive reinforcement to find a cure in this next generation through a simple poem that will inspire compassion and hope for the future of Africa and the world. 100% of all profits will go to a charity that help the orphans of Africa.