How Did You Become a Children’s Author?

People ask me, “How did you become an author?” thinking I can give them a quick, concise answer.  There’s more to becoming an author than writing, being published, or people reading your books. 

In a previous posting, “Dream Big..Step Forward”, you’ll see that it really was not due to my excellent query letter skills to the publisher, or having a literary agent, and definitely not my persistence in hounding the editor.  I began in Children’s Ministry. 

When sitting with three other people, a Pastor, an Associate Pastor and his wife and beginning a church, I was the only one who was nominated to be the Children’s Mnistry leader….by default.  The Associate’s wife said she didn’t want to do it, but she would help me if I did the leading.  No great faith-filled praying and seeking God about a ‘deep decision’.  It was straight-forward that they had a need..so I helped.  I had no idea what to do, but a Children’s Ministry seminar was being conducted by Willie George, so I went to learn. 

I spent the next years constantly searching for faith-filled materials.  I needed puppets, and made them; puppet skits, and made them; stories, and wrote them; people to serve in the ministry, prayed for them and brought them along.  You saw the word ‘stories’ in there?  I wrote what I believed and made it understandable for the children.  There was a need to teach them about salvation, so Orville Wright Caterpillar was born.  He covered that plus, dreaming big and stepping forward and spreading the good news in “The Flight of Orville Wright Caterpillar”. 

Then there was a need to speak to fears in children’s thoughts…the ‘what if’s’; lies and discouraging words about who you really are and what you can really do; keeping the enemy where he belongs (under your feet); friends that build you up and believe in you; and overcoming challenges.  Amelia Airheart Butterfly was born to become a Wright On Gospel Glider with her friend, Orville.  The books is “The Adventure of Amelia Airheart Butterfly in bye! bye! Dragonfly!” 

The next book covered prayer, angels and God’s providing protection over us.  Friendship was covered once again with Orville, Amelia and their new friend, Antrew Ant in “Do Angels Go Camping?”

All the books I wrote came from a desire to help my Pastor, teach the children and see their lives changed.  I taught and did puppet skits from every book before they were published.

How did I become an author?  There was a need…so I helped.  Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get.  We make a life by what we give.” 

Don’t underestimate helping in your church.  Everything you do builds into your purpose on this earth.  Do you see a need?  Then get up and help!  The rewards are greater than being a published author. 

All said and done, I was there taking part in ‘life and life more abundantly’.

Leave a COMMENT, or share this with a friend.  What do you think about helping when you see a need in church? 

All books can be purchased through Donna’s Book Store Amazon Link