Read Clean YA with CJ
Episode Forty-Nine
Welcome to another episode of Read Clean YA with CJ, where we explore clean, engaging books for teens and young adults. In this compelling episode of Read Clean YA with CJ, award-winning author Tim Shoemaker discusses his High Water series, the importance of authentic research, and finding light in darkness.
Episode Show Notes Below
Links to Things Discussed in this Episode
Adventure and Hope: Tim Shoemaker on Writing Authentic Stories for Young Readers
Episode Show Notes:
About Tim Shoemaker
With over 20 fiction and nonfiction books, Tim Shoemaker brings decades of youth ministry experience to his writing. Along with his wife Cheryl, he continues working with youth on a volunteer basis, focusing on helping young people develop character, integrity, and faith.
Even in Darkness: A Story of Hope
The final book in the High Water series takes its title from Psalm 112:4
“Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious, compassionate, and righteous.”
The story follows Parker Buckman and his friends in Rockport, Massachusetts, bringing several storylines to their conclusion.
Research Through Experience
Shoemaker believes in experiencing what his characters do, leading him to:
- Get re-certified in scuba diving
- Complete advanced open water training
- Dive with sharks on shipwrecks
- Navigate underwater in challenging conditions
“If your character is going to be afraid, why don’t you experience a little bit of that too? And then you’ll write more realistically.”
Writing for Young Male Readers
Shoemaker addresses common misconceptions about writing for boys:
- Showing authentic male perspectives on fear and courage
- Creating relatable characters who process emotions realistically
- Using appropriate pacing and white space for reluctant readers
Themes Throughout the Series
The High Water series explores several key themes:
- Hope in seemingly hopeless situations
- Faith growing through challenges
- Character development through adversity
- Light breaking through darkness
“In a world that can seem pretty scary, pretty dark, bad things happen but there’s hope.”
Looking Ahead
Shoemaker’s upcoming projects include:
- A nonfiction book about manhood co-written with his son
- A new fiction series set near Death’s Door in Wisconsin
- Continued focus on adventure and character development
Where to Find Tim Shoemaker
Readers can connect with Tim through:
- His website: TimShoemaker.com
- Local Christian bookstores
- Major online retailers
- Speaking events nationwide
The High Water series, including “Even in Darkness,” offers thrilling adventures while exploring deep themes of faith, courage, and hope. These books particularly resonate with young male readers looking for authentic characters facing real challenges.
Subscribe to the Podcast
New episodes released every other Wednesday!
Want to make sure you don’t miss a single episode? Use the links below to subscribe using your preferred app, and the episodes will automatically download to your phone or computer.
Tim Shoemaker
Author
Tim has a passion for youth, for writing, and speaking. Blending the three together has proved to be one great ride! Tim has a desire to help youth avoid the traps in life … the things that will hurt them. He wants to help encourage them to become young men and women of character, integrity, and faith.
Tim, along with his wife, Cheryl, continue to work with youth weekly on a volunteer basis as they have for nearly three decades.
About Your Host
Award-winning author CJ Milacci writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As the podcast host for Read Clean YA with CJ, she loves talking about books and the deeper themes woven into the pages of each novel. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She chats about writing, her faith, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.
CJ Milacci is the award-winning author of The Talionis Series, and she writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Recruit of Talionis, Book 1
A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis?
Fugitive of Talionis, Book 2
They kidnapped her. Trained her. And now they’re hunting her.
Want to know as soon as an episode drops?
