Today Suzie continues her interview with Dan Darling, author of Teen People of the Bible. 

 Suzie: Do the Teens of the Bible have anything to say to teens in this culture?

Dan: They absolutely do. The main message of Teen People of the Bible is that God cares about teens. God’s Word speaks to teens—in this culture, in the midst of their most difficult struggles.

God hears their cries. He knows their pain. Just like God worked through the lives of young people like David, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, Rebekah, Rahab, Joash, Josiah—he wants to work through the lives of young people today.

Even though the clothing and culture and lifestyles were much different thousands of years ago—the stories of those teens are the same as the stories of teens today. Parent problems, sexual temptation, relationship issues, financial hardships—the teens in Scripture encountered all of this.

Suzie: What were your teen years like?

Dan: I was very fortunate to grow up in a home where I saw Christianity lived out every day. My Mom and Dad weren’t just faithful in taking me to church—they lived out their faith Monday thru Friday.

It was a real part of who they were. I had the privilege of working alongside my Dad in his construction business for many years and I saw him walk with integrity and honor every day of the week. They also showed me unconditional love.

I also grew up in a great church environment where I was taught the Bible and held accountable. Looking back, I realize that my experience was something rare and I’m eternally grateful to God for it.

That’s not to say I was a perfect teen—because I certainly wasn’t. (ask my teachers and my parents!). That’s not to say I didn’t have struggles. I think one of the common misconceptions about Christian teens is that they somehow are immune to the struggles that every teen faces. I still had to make a decision for God.

I still had to develop my own walk with God (as you talk so eloquently about in your book, Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway?)

Suzie: Thanks for the compliment. : ) I appreciate that. Okay, let’s switch gears. Tell me about your writing life. What is a typical day?

Dan: Are there any typical days?

Well, my wife and I both work at Victory In Grace Ministries, where I’m an editor for their monthly devotional magazine. It involves a lot of writing and editing. I also do quite a bit of work on the web as well. I begin the average day in my office around 9:00, answering emails and going over projects with the people at the office.

I try to get my writing down in the morning (it doesn’t always work out that way). I don’t have a “writing schedule” like many other authors. Instead, when I’ve got some tight deadlines, I shut my office door and grab 3-4 hours at a time.

For my own personal projects, like Teen People and the various articles I write for other publications, I write at home at night, from 8:00 to 12:00. Then, I usually grab about 4-5 hours on a Saturday afternoon. I try, (not always successfully), to balance my work with my responsibilities as a father to my little daughter Grace and as a husband to my love wife, Angela.

Suzie: If you could give one piece of advice to a teen who wants to publish his or her writing, what would it be?

Dan: You know, I started writing as a teen, so this is dear to my heart. I would give three pieces of advice:

1) Keep writing and don’t stop. Besides the many writing assignments you have at school, try to do some of your own personal writing or journaling. A great way to being is to write a daily spiritual journal. But you may also want to join any writing contests—even take extra courses online or at your school or college. Keep the muse going.

2) Find a mentor or group of people who can give you good, critical feedback on your work. I’m eternally grateful to Julie Dearyan, who has been my boss for like 8 years. When I was a teen, she really encouraged my writing and always gave me great, critical advice and feedback. I wouldn’t be a writer today without her.

3) Take advantage of opportunities to get published. There are several devotional websites out there that accept submission—want submissions—from teens, including Devozine and others.

Suzie: Now, for some fun questions: If you could be any animal, what would you be, and why?

Dan:Hands-down, I’d be a black bear. When I was growing up, we’d go to northern Minnesota every year and I saw quite a few black bears in the wild. They are amazing—how a big animal like that could be so stealth and sneak up on you (these kinds of bears, unlike grizzlies, generally don’t attack and are more afraid of you than you are of them.). I’m continually amazed at God’s creation.

Suzie: If you had to order your “last meal”, what would it be?

Dan: That’s a tough one, because eating is my favorite hobby. And my wife is as close to a gourmet chef as you’ll find. I guess it would be a heaping plate of her Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp, French Bread, and a desert of her apple crisp.

Suzie: Thanks, Dan, for hanging out with us at Real Teen Faith? Any last words? (Sorry that this question comes so soon after your last meal question.)

Dan: I just want to say thank you for having me here at Real Teen Faith. I appreciate the opportunity and I’m exited about what God is doing through your work with Christian young people. I also want to encourage teens by saying that God speaks to them, He hears their needs, He knows their desires.

 RTF REVIEW: I get to red a lot of teen books, actually a lot of books for adults and teens. My mark of a great book is if I think that I can either use it as a resource or can’t imagine parting with it. Hmm. This book fits both of these standards. As a speaker and someone who works with teens, I know this will be a valuable resource. My husband has already used it in his small cell group, and loves it. But it’s great for teens who want to read about other faith-filled youth, and how to put the principles in practice today.

Definitely a 5-star book!