I've been focusing on different elements to add to my writing. Can't forget about the weather, smells, the latest trends, and on and on it goes. What I find strange is that the hardest element to include in YA and MG is spirituality. Most writers, especially YA, have little problem in peppering a teenage party scene with a few stolen beers or an occasional curse. But add God and the poetic wheels can screech to a halt. Why do we neglect faith in our characters? What teenager hasn't wondered about religion or higher powers?
Some writers do manage to beautifully include that precious element. What preteen girl from my generation didn't read Are You There God? It's me, Margaret.? Yes, there are others: A Fine White Dust, The Bronze Bow, The Chronicles of Narnia.
When I wrote about an Amish girl, I was forced to go beyond my doubts. I didn't want to step on my readers' spiritual toes. Setting aside my doubts, I created Naomi as she truly is - a child of God. It would have been far easier to describe her clothing than to delve into thoughts about God. But, it would have been a thin sketch of herself.
2 Timothy 2:15 (New International Version, ©2010)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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