Writing Books that Matter

I was in the window seat, thumbing through my recent issue of “Writer’s Digest,” just waiting for the plane to take off when a mother and her young daughter sat down next to me.

“Don’t worry, babe,” the mom comforted. “You’re going to be all right. We both will.”

But the little girl didn’t seem so sure. She fidgeted, hid her face in her stuffed unicorn, and eventually, her tears flowed.

She was afraid. Very afraid.

The mom in me wanted to help. I was so thankful I had listened to that still small Voice when I packed my briefcase that morning.

“Is this your first flight?” I asked the little girl.

Without looking at me, she nodded.

“It’s a first flight for both of us,” her mom quickly added. “And, we’re both a little scared.”

I locked eyes with the mama and asked, “I’m a children’s author. Would it be Ok if I shared a book with your daughter? I think it might be helpful.”

“Of course,” she answered.

I reached down and pulled out my book, “I Will Not Be Afraid” (Concordia Publishing House) and handed it to the little girl.

“I wrote this book for my little girls when they were afraid,” I told her. “I want you to have it.”

She looked up at me with her big brown teary eyes and gave me just a hint of a smile. She and her mama read every page and every accompanying bible verse about fear, and by the time the plane took off, a calmness had blanketed our row.

That, my friends, is why we do what we do.

Our words, whether written in rhyme or narrative, hold great power. They can encourage, empower, educate, and comfort our readers. They can bring much-needed laughter, and they can provide a temporary escape into a world of story.

As Christian writers for children, we can make a difference, and just knowing that fact makes all the difference. Knowing you’re not just throwing together a manuscript for the sake of another sale, but rather you’re crafting a story that might encourage a child who never receives any support at home, or that you’re writing a book that could bring comfort to a scared little girl, that’s what keeps us writing.

That should be what drives us when we’re putting in the hours—studying the craft, learning the market, revising and rewriting, praying over every word, and promoting so our books can go everyplace they were intended to go and do the work they were destined to do.

Felt needs

Many publishers call these kinds of books “felt need” books, which basically means these children’s books fill a void. They address a need or they deal with a difficult situation in a very kid-friendly way. I love writing these kinds of books because it feels like ministry. You know why it feels that way? Because it is!

Some common felt-need topics include being afraid, being sad, feeling overwhelmed, feeling angry, and not feeling good enough. These types of needs can be narrowed down through story to address a very specific aspect of the felt need. For example, it’s not just that the child is afraid. The child in your story might be afraid of the dark. That’s a very common childhood fear. My daughter Abby was very afraid of the dark, which is why I wrote “Operation Moonbeam” (Little Lamb Books) which debuts in 2021. Or, it’s not just that your main character feels sad, it’s that she feels sad about her best friend moving away. Now, you’ve got the seeds of a story.

              Felt need books are also referred to as issue oriented books. For example, there have been several books released in recent years about a grandparent’s battle with dementia. It’s very sad when Grandpa no longer remembers his grandson’s name. Helping a child understand the disease a little more and assuring the child that Grandpa’s lack of memory certainly doesn’t mean his love for the child is diminished, provides education and comfort to that reader. This can be handled through fiction or nonfiction, or you can combine the two by addressing the situation through story as well as providing nonfiction backmatter about the disease and resources to learn more.

              As I walked through Book Expo in New York City last year, I couldn’t believe how many more companies had begun felt need/issue oriented lines. Just as I walked into the main room at Book Expo, I saw a whole wall of board books that all began the same way, “When I feel…”

Do you know why these kinds of books are becoming more and more popular? I believe it’s because they are becoming more and more needed. Kids today are facing adult situations, and as these little kids battle big problems, they often suffer anxiety, fear, anger, and hopelessness.

I’m not saying that as Christian children’s writers we are expected to have all the answers, but I am saying this—we know the One who does! He can help us help them! And, it’s our privilege to hold the little hands of our readers and walk them through these difficult seasons.

In order to do this with skill, however, we need to study others who have done it well. Here are just a couple of suggestions to get you started. Read “The Rough Patch” by Brian Lies to see a masterfully written children’s book about dealing with grief. Read Crystal Bowman’s book, “I Love You to the Stars: When Grandma Forgets, Love Remembers “ that tackles the topic of dementia head on. And, of course, you can check out “I Will Not Be Afraid” to see how I handled many of the most common childhood fears in one book.

Let me also challenge you to make a list of the things that most bothered you as a child or a teen. Was it anxiety over being bullied? Was it feeling embarrassed over not being good enough? Be specific when you make your list, attaching emotions to events or situations. Next, look at your list and ask, “Do children today face these same types of situations? Is there room on the shelf for another book addressing this topic or emotion? And, am I the one to write it?”

Once you’ve answered those questions, pray and ask God the best way to share your story so the pain you experienced as a child (or the pain your own children have gone through) has purpose. Let it motivate you to write a life-changing book for children, or maybe just a comforting book for a little girl sitting next to you on your next flight. Be excited that God has chosen you for such a time as this…your healing words are needed now more than ever.

So write.

(This post is an excerpt from Michelle’s upcoming book with Cyle Young: Writing & Selling Children’s Books in the Christian Market: From Board Books to YA being published by Iron Stream Media.)

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author of over 90 books with close to 4 million sold. Her many journalism and book awards include top honors from the Associated Press, AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book, and the Selah Award for Best Children’s Book. Michelle currently serves as President of Platinum Literary Services, a premier full-service literary firm; Chairman of the Board of Advisors for Serious Writer, Inc.; and a much sought-after speaker at writers conferences and women’s retreats all over the United States.  

When not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys bass fishing and cheering on the Indiana University Basketball team, the Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings.

Michelle is celebrating the recent release of her books, Cuddle-up Prayers; The Perfect Persimmon; I Love You Bigger Than the Sky and is anticipating the upcoming release of her book Writing & Selling Children’s Books in the Christian Market: From Board Books to YA (Iron Stream Media) with her coauthor and literary agent Cyle Young.