Aug 53 min read

The Power of Wholesome Fantasy: Writing Stories to Transform Young Adult Lives

Guest Blog by Helen Matejik

Have you ever escaped into the pages of a book, finding a world so vivid and captivating that it offered a sanctuary from your reality? Have you met characters who felt like true friends, guiding you through life's challenges and inspiring you to be your best self?

For me, growing up in a dysfunctional home, struggling through adolescence, and trying to make sense of the world—my world, books were not just an escape—they were my lifeline. The stories I devoured became my mentors, teaching me resilience, hope, and the power of imagination. These experiences ignited a burning desire to craft narratives that could offer others the same solace and inspiration. As a woman dedicated to storytelling and making a positive impact, I embarked on a mission to write wholesome young adult fantasy books. Here are five reasons why.

1. Present God’s Love and Grace

Storytelling is a powerful tool for reflecting God’s love and grace. By writing wholesome young adult fantasy books, I aim to create characters that embody Christian values such as kindness, forgiveness, honesty, and self-sacrifice. I understand that a story’s characters are role models who can inspire young readers to live out their faith and show them that they, too, can make a positive difference in the world.

Did you know that a study by the National Literacy Trust found that the characters influence 82% of young readers in the books that they read? According to a survey conducted by Scholastic, 68% of kids say that reading fiction helps them understand other people better.

2. Creating Worlds of Wonder and Hope

Fantasy has always been a gateway to wonder and imagination. I aspire to provide an escape from the challenges of everyday life by crafting magical worlds filled with adventure, hope, and belief in the extraordinary power of God, especially in stressful, challenging situations. These stories serve as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, goodness and courage can prevail.

I write stories that remind me that love, goodness, and courage can prevail even in the face of adversity. Here’s a fun fact: Research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that engaging with imaginative stories can increase empathy by allowing readers to experience diverse perspectives.

3. Fostering Moral and Ethical Growth

Young adult fantasy provides an ideal canvas to explore moral and ethical dilemmas in a genre often characterized by battles between good and evil. Through my characters' journeys, I strive to impart lessons on integrity, the importance of forgiveness, kindness, consideration, and making the right choices even when it's hard.

4. Addressing Real-Life Issues in a Safe Space

Fantasy allows for exploring real-life issues—such as identity, purpose, friendship, self-esteem, and peer pressure—in a safe and approachable way. By weaving these themes into my stories, I desire to help young readers navigate their challenges with a sense of empowerment and understanding.

I received a touching story from one of my readers who told me that she learned the value of forgiving family members after reading about a character's journey to forgiveness in my book “The Eagles’ Jubilee.” This aligns with findings from the American Library Association, which states that YA fiction can provide readers with coping mechanisms for real-world problems.

5. Inspiring Creativity and Imagination

At its heart, fantasy is about limitless possibilities. I want to ignite the spark of creativity in my readers, encouraging them to dream big, imagine boldly, and see the magic in everyday life. Through my books, I want to show that their stories are worth telling and that they can shape their destinies.

Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that kids who read for pleasure are more likely to develop better language skills and have higher academic achievement? The National Endowment for the Arts reported that students who read frequently score higher on standardized tests and have more tremendous academic success.

Conclusion

Writing wholesome young adult fantasy books is more than a creative endeavor for me—it’s a mission. It's about giving young readers a beacon of light in their formative years, inspiring them to be their best selves, and reminding them that they have a purpose and there is always hope, even in the darkest times. As a woman and a writer, I am committed to creating stories that uplift, empower, and resonate long after the final page is turned.

Join us on Aug 6th on the Beacon of Light Podcast at 6:30 pm Mountain on my YOUTUBE