“When I was younger, I often felt misunderstood or that something was wrong with me,” writer Priscila Chacón Martínez confesses. “Representation to me means writing stories with characters who are neurodivergent and to portray their abilities and struggles in a natural way.” She’s writing novels in Spanish for young adults that have eternal hope at their core. This story is part of the Journeys in Christian Publishing: Stories from LittWorld series.
Why I write
Books ease my soul and have helped me empathize with others, so I want to give back something of what I had won and write. I started writing novels in high school and have kept going since then.
There are many opportunities for Christian publishers where I live. There are not many novels in Spanish with hope as their message: hope for the future, the eternal future.
There are even less books written for young people in Spanish, with a Christian message. I would have liked to read those books, fiction books that were safe and warm and entertaining.
I want to provide those books because young adults are our future, and I’d like them to know there is hope.
I’d also like to represent the neurodivergent community in my novels. I belong to this group, and I want to write for those who face struggles like mine. When I was younger, I often felt misunderstood or that something was wrong with me. I’d like my books to say that while some conditions may be overcome or treated, others can be embraced—and that is alright. We are still loved by God the way we are and can serve Him.
Representation to me means writing stories with characters who are neurodivergent and to portray their abilities and struggles in a natural way—like it would be with a person whose mind behaves like the norm.
What books mean to me
For me, books mean company and silent friendship. In a story—be it from the Bible or human inspiration—I find tranquility and an opportunity to examine myself and the world.
Through His Word, God shows me my true nature and how to become a better human. I can read and learn from the perfect example of Jesus, and from other’s lives throughout biblical history. I believe God has revealed in His Word all the principles we need; however, He has also given us creativity and talents to use for Him, like writing.
Led into writing
My parents taught me God’s way and the gospel since I was a child. I grew up believing I did not belong in the world, and with just a few solid friendships, books became my friends.
While I was looking for inspiration to write a book in college, I read the book of Revelation. It was then that I asked myself: what I was doing while in the world, and where will I go when all is said and done? I renewed my faith in God and took a step to use my love for writing for His glory.
The Lord gives me inspiration to write while I read, and from life’s experiences. They fuel my creativity, and help me analyze myself and what deserves to be shared through a novel.
In the beach of life, God is the one who puts the shells close enough so I can take them and thread them to create a story. Shells are the seeds, some of them turn into books, others just in life lessons.
3 things the Lord has taught me
Be patient. Do not be discouraged when things don’t go as you planned. I have not published yet, though I have tried and planned. I used to wonder if God was crossing my designs to make me humble and show me patience.
Be resilient. Life’s experiences may be hard now, but you can turn them into songs for Him. Write. Now I breathe in and try not to be discouraged, and to take every chance to learn, read, and write more. I’m sure He will make a way, and I want to be prepared to walk it.
Surround yourself with creative people in the publishing ministry. They can be partners and good friends. LittWorld 2024 has shown me this is true. May God help your ministry, and use MAI to expand His kingdom.
What I’m writing and how you can pray
After LittWorld, I picked up a novel I was re-writing and have now reached the self-editing stage. It’s been a fun yet hard journey. Please pray that God may guide me when I write. That He may put the right words in my mind and my fingers, and help me organize myself to be constant while writing. Pray that the books I’ve already written may be published in the way He has planned, and His message may reach those who read them. Pray that the articles I write and the testimonies I share in my social media accounts may show Him.
Read more of Priscila’s work.