I belong to an underrepresented population in the world of children’s literature. There are very few books for or about being a gay kid. I was a gay kid. I know what it’s like. I should be able to write something.

I’ve thought about writing a gay themed story since I started writing. The thing is, it’s not that simple. I write when the story comes to me. I can’t force it. No story in this genre had come into my head and begged to be written before. I tried. I did. I’m no activist, but I feel it’s important for kids, both gay and strait, to become familiar with gay topics. Being gay should be seen as normal from a young age. Picture book are a perfect medium for this.

This week an incident from my second grade self made its way out of my pencil. Though not completely my story, it is the most autobiographical story I’ve ever written. I even, for now, gave the main character my own name.

I hope there are more. My childhood was not difficult. Not remotely. But I know not every child has it easy. It would be nice to create something that helps make a child’s life a little easier, safer, kinder.

Time to keep writing.