Five Questions I Ask Before Writing Every Book

There are thousands of books available for preteens and teens today—stories filled with humor, fantasy, and adventure. Every author has the freedom to decide what kind of stories they want to tell. As a Christian author, I've made intentional decisions about the stories I choose to write.

Before I plot out any novel, I ask myself five questions. They shape every decision I make—from the characters to the ending—and they remind me why I started writing for young readers in the first place.

1. Will this story leave readers with hope?

Life isn't always easy, and my books don't pretend it is. My characters face fear, loss, disappointment, betrayal, and impossible choices. But I never want a young reader to close one of my books believing darkness has the final word.

Hope doesn't always mean a perfect ending. It may mean that my character finds the courage to take the next step on their journey or discovers that they are not alone in whatever they are facing.

If a story can't leave room for hope, it isn't the story I'm meant to write. That's it. I don't care if the genre is science fiction or literary fiction. Just call me the hope author. LOL.

2. Are the scenes age-appropriate for my readers?

Adventure stories need conflict. Heroes face danger. Battles are fought. Villains threaten innocent people. Those moments are often what keep readers turning the pages. But I also believe there's a difference between creating tension and dwelling on graphic violence.

Because I write for preteens and young teens, I'm intentional about what I include and how I portray it. I want readers to feel the danger without exposing them to images or descriptions that aren't appropriate for their age.

I would rather have readers gripping the edge of their seats because they're invested in the characters than because they're horrified by what they've just read. My goal isn't to overwhelm them. It's to immerse them in an unforgettable adventure.

3. Would I feel comfortable recommending this book to a parent?

Parents trust authors with something incredibly valuable: their children's time, imagination, and often their values. I never take that lightly.

If I wouldn't feel comfortable handing the book to a parent and saying, "I hope your child enjoys this," then I need to rethink something.

4. Does this story point readers toward truth?

Not every chapter or book includes a Bible verse. Not every character says the right thing. My characters make mistakes. They wrestle with doubt. They fail. Just like we do. But beneath every adventure is a deeper question: What is true?

Whether it's courage, forgiveness, sacrifice, friendship, or faith, I want every story to point toward the kind of truth that changes hearts, not just entertains minds.

5. Would I have loved this book when I was twelve?

I remember being the kid who couldn't put a good book down and pretending I was part of the adventure. Those are the stories that stayed with me.

So I don't write to trends or what everyone else is writing. I write the kinds of books I would have treasured growing up. Because somewhere, there's another bored twelve-year-old waiting for a story that takes them on an extraordinary journey.

Okay... I'll add one more.

6. Would I be proud if my grandchildren found this book on a shelf?

This question is deeply personal. My grandchildren are already old enough to read my early middle grade books. That means I don't have to imagine some distant future. "Yaya wrote this," is what they say while reading the Lolo and Winkle series. They even quote the scenes.

When they turn the pages, I don't want to wonder if I'll need to explain away a scene, apologize for the language, or wish I had made a different choice. I want them to find exciting adventures, characters who wrestle with real challenges, and stories that remind them that courage, faith, and hope matter.

Every author has to decide what kind of legacy they want to leave through their stories. This is part of mine. If I wouldn't be proud for my grandchildren to read it, I won't write it.

I'm not condeming anyone. These are my beliefs. Every author has a different vision for the stories they tell. Mine is simple. I want to write adventures that keep kids turning pages, encourage meaningful conversations, and leave readers with hope long after they've finished the final chapter.

If that's the kind of story you're looking for, I'd love to welcome you into my world.

Browse my books here and discover the adventures.

Blessings,

LB