Why Do You Write? Why Staying Authentic Is Essential

When people find out I'm an author, one of the first questions they ask is “Why did you start writing?” or “Why do you write?”

As a kid I loved writing stories for fun, but becoming a published author just seemed like an impossible dream to obtain. I loved reading a wide variety of books, and even majored in English in university, but how could writing stories ever be a career?

Now fast forward ten years; I am a substitute teacher, and a foster parent. After helping a student through a tough transition at school, a colleague joked that I should write kids stories to help the students. She was joking, but the idea was planted. I realized that having a book that reflected a child’s struggle could be a useful tool. A desire started to grow within me, to help kids navigate situations that weren’t typically represented in traditionally published books. 

My "Why" Started To Take Shape

I live with my twin sister on a hobby farm, and we foster children together. What does this have to do with writing?…Well, while the idea that I could write in general, came from my school experience...the heart and motivation behind me writing came from my experiences fostering. After reading thousands of children’s books at bedtime with various youth and children in our home, I saw many books thrown to the floor in sadness or in anger. I realized that kids who have experienced trauma often don’t relate to the typical lovey-dovey, silly, or fluffy stories that are popular in stores. Most kids in foster care don’t want to read books that don’t reflect their own lived experiences, or that clash with their developing world view.

My sister, Alana, and I set out on a journey to write 2 stories that would give a voice to kids who have experienced trauma while also empowering and healing their hearts. We wanted to write books that we could use in our own foster home and in the classroom to help kids through life’s struggles.

Staying True To Our Audience

So, Sometimes I Get Stuck, our first book was born. It teaches kids that everyone feels stuck at various times of the day or throughout their lives, but there is always something they can do to get unstuck. Some parents asked us to remove the page you see below, because they worried it would make kids think badly about themselves. It was the first test of whether we could or should stay true to the authentic experiences of ourselves and our target audience. Alana and I chatted together and we chose to keep the page since almost every child in foster care who has come through our doors has believed these lies at one time or another.

In order to stay authentic and true to our original reason for publishing, we knew we had to keep the page. We can’t avoid the hard topics, we need to face them head on and help kids see that they are not alone. When the right person reads this story, it resonates with them and is just what they need to hear. We have had many adults read our story and say “I wish I had had a book like this when I was young.” A few have even been moved to tears because the story speaks to their exact challenges and big feelings. Keeping the text authentic has helped us connect with readers and encourage them.

Staying True To Ourselves

Next we published our second book, When Christmas Feels Different. Our goal was to stay authentic to the fostering experience, while still providing hope. We wanted to put into words the reality that most kids in foster care find Christmas hard and it is often filled with grief. Our main character, Ruby, finds peace and joy when she learns about the very first Christmas.

Some critics tried to dissuade us: “Why not make it a general holiday book? Less people will buy it if you mention Jesus." While that could be the case, the best  way I personally know to provide hope and healing to kids is through sharing my faith in Jesus. My faith and love for God is authentic, it has brought healing to my life when I was grieving and feeling broken hearted. Jesus loves me and he loves my readers too. No matter how much I mess up or how broken and frustrated I feel He is able to give me peace and joy.

The first Christmas story in Bethlehem was messy, scary and very unexpected. Jesus was born to a young virgin; people probably thought the worst about her! No one would give them shelter, and so they slept in a stable. That is where she gave birth to baby Jesus, in a dirty stable! Yet, Mary wasn’t alone or forgotten, it was all a part of a prophecy and plan that was a couple thousand years in the making. If that first chaotic and difficult Christmas turned out just right, then I am encouraged that whatever circumstances and hardships I face this Christmas, can also turn out alright. This belief fuels my writing and my stories. My faith is a big part of my life, so it definitely overflows into my writing and helps shape why I write. I want to encourage others who are going through hard experiences.

"When you feel like quitting, remember why you started." -John Di Lemme

Each author has their own story of why they started writing and what drives them to continue. If you haven’t thought about it, stop right now and consider: “Why do I write?” Your answer is unique to you and it will shape your content and your audience. I have found that when life gets overwhelming or I face doubts about the direction of my writing, remembering the “why” I started can be very powerful. Circling back to my writing roots and early inspiration helps me stay authentic and motivated.

Why Do YOU Write?

Take a minute to think….

• Who or what inspired that first story?

• What was the message you wanted to share with the world and had to write it down?

• Is writing an escape, a teaching tool, or a form of expression?

• Who do you desperately want to read your story? Think of one group of people.

• Who did you dedicate the story to? What was the significance?

• Does your writing reflect your own beliefs and convictions?

Now that you know your “why”, hold tight to it.

Why Being Authentic Matters

Here are 3 ways that being authentic has helped me as a writer.

1) Being authentic attracts the right audience.

We have had the most success selling our books to play therapists, foster parents, social workers and teachers. Our goal is to use stories to help kids who have lived through trauma heal and grow, so we sell most of our books to other people who work with and understand those readers. Being true to our message allowed us to find not just any readers...but the right ones.

2) Being authentic builds readers’ trust.

Our followers and fans know what to expect from our books because we stay authentic to our goal. We try to only post content, and write books that align with our “why we write” ideals. This consistency has helped us in our book sales. Most people who buy When Christmas Feels Different, also buy Sometime I Get Stuck, because both books align in purpose and stick to our goal of helping kids with trauma navigate tough times. 

3) Our authentic voice makes our books unique.

We live a life that is very different from most other 34-year-olds, but we are passionate about fostering kids, teaching and our faith. These traits make us unique, and help us write stories that stand out. Authenticity is what we are all about.

The Bottom Line

Our world is craving genuine people and authentic stories. The market is flooded every day with new children’s books. What will set yours apart? What will make your book one that parents will love and read again and again?  The answer is simple: write authentic stories that align with your passion. Find the people in the world who need to hear your message and value your authentic vulnerability. Then find a way to get your book in front of them. No matter if you write for a few or write for millions, always remember why you started; let that guide and motivate your writing. 

Author Bio:

My name is Marlyn Bursey and I am a teacher, foster parent, and most recently a children’s book author. I co-write with my twin sister, Alana Bursey, under the pen name Bursey Twin Stories. I live with my twin sister on a small farm in Eldorado, ON, Canada. We are busy with kids in our home and teaching. We enjoy the quiet morning hours or the hours before bed when the house is quiet to brainstorm future story ideas. Our two published books are: When Christmas Feels Different (Oct 2025) and Sometimes I Get Stuck (June 2025).

You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook @burseytwinstories . Visit our website for more info.

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