10 Steps to Writing Adventures for Kids—Perfect for Halloween!

Do you love thrills? I do, but only if it’s in a controlled environment. Haunted houses. Outdoor perils. Storm adventures. Historical prisons.

I got so scared once in a haunted house that I whacked the “ghosts” with my Halloween teddy bear prop from my costume. The management turned on all the lights and asked me to leave!

One Halloween my friend, Lisa, dared me to do Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. Here we are getting our scare on (and it was scary). I was immensely proud that I didn’t whack anyone this time!

Yes, I still get scared of real places as an adult. Of creepy cellars where there are sure to be bodies buried. Of taking the trash out at nighttime. Of being in the woods after dark. My heart pip-pops waiting for that creature or boogeyman to grab me. I know he could be! My imagination tells me so.

So it’s no wonder that I love to create stories that thrill—especially through the natural world with outdoor adventures like in my newest book, Loon Cove Summer. I started out writing thrilling adventures for grownups and along the way fell in love with writing for kids. But could I transition writing from adults to tweens?

Several authors have moved from writing for adults to writing for young readers. John Grisham moved into the children’s market by writing thrillers for kids and so have James Patterson, James Rollins, and David Baldacci.

And as my son became an avid and selective reader, I discovered that kids love to experience thrilling adventures not just in movies but in books, too. I began to see patterns in kid adventure tales—and I began applying what I learned to create my own stories.

Here are my 10 Steps to Writing Adventures for Kids:

1. Put the kids in charge. Kids don’t want to read about grownups having adventures.
2. Which leads into … have the kids figure out how to deal with challenging situations, not grownups. Kids want to see themselves as the hero, not Mom or Dad or their teacher.
3. Whatever scary situations they find themselves in they must navigate their way out.
4. Don’t dwell on the dark stuff. Make it happen fast but without gory details. Kids can use their imagination to fill in the blanks.
5. Give them friends in their travels. Life is hard without friends! And kids needs friends to help them along their scary adventures.
6. Through story events, push the kids to discover their own strength and courage to overcome bad things happening to them.
7. Make all seem lost! End the chapters on cliffhangers to encourage young readers to keep turning the pages and find out what happens next.
8. Have everything work out in the end, or at least partially, even if all seems doomed for a while.
9. Add humor. Interjecting a dollop of funny can alleviate tension in the scariest of scenes and lighten the moment.
10. Make it a series! Have a final resolution to the story but leave it open for more tales down the road for the characters. Kids love to follow their beloved characters into new adventures.

Speaking of Thrills, Here’s a Spooky Good Read!

And since we’re still talking about adventures with young readers, I was so honored to be invited back to my son’s former elementary school as a visiting author. It’s been 10 years since I did my first ever school visit there (and was sooo nervous) when my first children’s book came out. And my son’s favorite teacher Mr. Waldron is still there! What a wonderful community. The students were so engaged and asked so many curious and interesting questions. This truly is one of the best parts about being a children’s book author.

One fascinating question I got asked: “Would you ever take two of your books and write a new book mixing the stories up together?” Hmm… 🙂

Since, we are talking about my son—many have asked me where I get my story ideas. Well, this is how my first children’s book started …

The idea for this series began when my son, Joshua, was three and we’d sit out on the front stoop in summertime under the stars and he’d say “Mommy, Mommy, tell me a story!”

So I did, night after night I spun this tale about a boy named Joshua who discovers a fantastic forest in another world full of talking creatures and ancient magic and there were beasts and bandits and battles and great adventures with new friends.

Over the years that story turned into my book, Joshua and the Lightning Road, that was first published in 2015. And by then my son was old enough to help me with plotting the series and characters whenever I got stuck.

Here’s to the real Joshua for whom it all began. He’s 22 now and running his own business and we’re celebrating 10 years since this book came out! So, thanks, buddy. P.S. Yes, we really did name you after the cat. 🙂

Fiction Writers—Book To Check Out:

Bookish Stuff!

Check out the cutest, most adorable book review I’ve ever received! Watch this magical video made by 10-year-old Megan with Read Read Hurray. She created wonderful imagery and shares her thoughts, feelings, and what she’s learned along this story’s journey. Rated 10/10! Thank you Megan!

A snippet: “Loon Cove Summer by Donna Galanti is a touching and inspiring story. During her summer, she uncovers family secrets, makes new friends, and learns to face her fears. I really enjoyed this book because it’s emotional and meaningful. I like how Sarah grows more confident and braver as she discovers who she really is.”

My next kid adventure is nearly here! You can pre-order The Secret Winners Club out 3/3/26.

Happy Fall!

XXOO Donna