• 4 tips for writing children's books on difficult subjects from Xulon Press, the largest Christian self-publisher.

    4 Tips for Writing Children’s Books on Grown-Up Topics

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    When many think of writing children’s books, images of talking animals communicating with awe-struck children come to mind. Many of these children’s stories aptly summarize the youthful whimsy of naivety, as the young protagonists are captivated by every angle of his or her growing experience. Some may even feel the role of children’s books would be to focus on the positive aspects of life, downplaying the harsh realities of daily unpleasantness. This is just one option and perspective of children’s literature. In editing and examining the assortment of children’s stories we come across, the need for children to be exposed to reality—the…

  • “For the Kids” vs. “To the Kids”: How to Write Your Children’s Book

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      Are you writing and self-publishing a children’s book? It’s vital to consider a few critical questions, which will ultimately determine your word choices and content within your book. Aside from deciding the basics, such as fiction or non-fiction and the theme or overall topic, the next most important thing to determine is your target audience. Start by answering these basic questions: Who would you like to read this book? Who are you, as the author, speaking to exactly? Are you writing to Christians or non-Christians? Is it a book kids can read themselves? Is this a book meant for…

  • Realistic and Respectful Romance

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    The man, the woman, or the look that says so much between the two: romance shouldn’t have to just reside in grocery store romance novels or anything from Nicholas Sparks. A growing trend in Christian fiction today is romantic fiction, a genre that thrives on endearing, appropriate romance and that has made household names of authors Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury and Dee Henderson. Yet a challenge that is always in the background of Christian romance is conveying realistic romance without tittering on giving too much detail. It’s drawing the line between sweet kisses shared on a moonlit doorstep, to full…

  • Christian fiction is a strong creative writing format

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    Christian fiction is a strong creative writing format to portray Christian-based ideas, stimulating topics and reach audiences. You, as the writer, are creatively inputting biblical content, such as interpretations of Bible verses, coupled in dramatic tales with suspenseful plot twists. Your characters may have dark secrets, or have to face emotional dilemmas with complex narratives in adventurous settings, with a healthy dose of conflict. It’s very convenient to use direct, matter-of-fact writing styles, to portray all of the above, to tell readers what God may want in your Christian fiction books, but showing them may create a deeper resonance in…