Interview with Davin Whitehurst, author of children's book ' I Have Faith'

Davin Whitehurst lives in the beautiful high desert of Southern Arizona with his wife and son. He is releasing his first book "I have Faith" in May of 2016 but has so many more that are in the making. The motivation behind the books are deeply rooted from in his own past. He is a living testimony of Proverbs 22:6. Growing up in Southwest Kansas and in a Christian household, he was trained up in the way he should go. By the time he became a teenager, Davin turned away from God and left church. Fast forward into his late twenties and God brought him back with a powerful calling. He and his family have been faithfully serving at Seed of Abraham Christian Center International for over seven years now. Proof that when we teach our children the way they should go. When they get older, they know where to turn and will not depart from God. Davin wants each book written to be a resource that parents have to help train their children in the way they should go. He writes stories in a simple way that will be fun and practical for every child. He wants children to get excited about faith and the things of God.

His latest release is the children’s book, I Have Faith.

For More Information

• Visit Davin Whitehurst’s website.
• Connect with Davin on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book:

Are you ready to get your child excited about faith? “I Have Faith” puts your child right in the footsteps of Danny as he begins to learn about faith. Danny and his older brother have been wanting a dog, but both know their parents don’t think they are ready for a dog. When Danny’s mom begins

teaching him what the bible says about faith, he puts his faith into action. After praying and releasing his faith for a dog, doubt and even his best friend keep telling him that he will never get a dog. Over time Danny never loses his faith in the promises of God and finds that God is faithful and that faith works. Come along on this journey that is a real life event that took place in the author’s life as a child.

This book has great illustrations that support a wonderful story about finding faith in God. As you are teaching your child about principals in the bible; this book will help you teach faith. What a wonderful experience it is when we can see our children begin to develop their faith in God, and grow from a tiny mustard seed to a firmly planted tree. The back of the book has a parent/child discussion which will help children gain understanding in faith and some scriptures that Danny’s mom used to get him excited about faith.

What first inspired you to write or who inspired you?        

About seven years ago I started getting ideas for children’s books. I am the type of person that rights things down and draws out concepts for business ideas, books, inventions and all sorts of things. So I just put them aside not really knowing why all these book ideas kept coming to me. Until one day I began to realize that children’s books were part of the calling God has placed on my life. Seeing the impact that books had on my life as a child, I got inspired to publish books that will have an impact on children as well.

At what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I knew I was to write books around the age of 27, but it was not until I was about 33 that I made the final decision to complete a book idea.

Do you take notes when reading or watching a movie?

I don’t normally take notes while watching tv or movies but I do take notes from reading. I normally have a small notebook or evernote on my phone ready so that I can take notes and ideas down whenever I get them. Ideas can flee your mind so quick. Don’t let them get away.

Has writing always been a passion for you or did you discover it years later?

Writing was never really a passion for me until about 2 years ago when I really started to get into putting my ideas and thoughts down into an engaging format. Now it’s one of my favorite things to do. I rarely go more than a couple days without writing.

Do you have a day job?  What do you do?

I am a part time government contractor and work for multiple contracts around the United States. When I am not doing that, I am a full time author and business owner. I just started my own publishing company and establishing that and my books is definitely a full time job.

Can you name three writing tips to pass on to aspiring authors?

1.      Never let an idea slip away. Have something to take down your ideas. I like to use pen and paper sometimes but other times I may speak into my note app on my phone.

2.      Just write. You can always refine and add the details later.

3.      Write from your heart because that’s where your uniqueness comes from. God has given me a specific way to write and convey my message to children. I can’t write like a lot of other authors so I just stick to what’s in me. If you do the same, your uniqueness will shine through.

Do you let unimportant things get in the way of your writing?

I try not to any more. When I was still working full time, I would let work and long days stop me from writing. Now I make time to write. I don’t watch television anymore and I limit myself on movies because I focus my time on establishing my brand. When I have had a busy day or worked a lot of hours, I decompress from the day. Then I force myself to either work on writing or the business side of the books.

What hours do you write best?

I am kind of a spontaneous writer. I don’t limit myself to a time of day but write whenever the ideas and concepts are flowing. Other times I just force myself to write. I have learned that for me, I have to be very disciplined on writing or the time begins to slip away and I am no longer writing.

How often do you write?

I try and write every day. I am working on multiple children’s books and a YA novel. Sometimes I get a block and I just stop until the ideas begin to come to me. If I am not working on my books though; I love to just write notes about what I am reading in my bible or short stories on crazy ideas that I have.

Are you an avid reader?

I go through phases.  I really enjoy business and inspirational or self help books. So as long as I can keep a good one or two of those around, I read a lot.

What are you reading now?

I am reading my bible for one. I try and make sure I read it from cover to end once a year on top of my study time. I am just beginning a book called Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker, which is a good book that teaches on developing wealth.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently marketing my book I Have Faith which is a picture book that helps children understand what faith is and how they can develop it. 

Plus I just meet with my illustrator to go over a new children’s book that goes over the first chapter of the book of Genesis. We are preparing to have that out the beginning of December.

I am currently working on my first novel series which is based around samurais and ancient Japan. It is an action story with elements of sci-fi. So I am pretty excited about working on that.

All of this is wrapped into my new publishing company Childlike Faith Publishing. I am busy getting the brand established so be on the lookout for more great works to come.