Back porch writer...August 2008

It’s August. The sun is high, and not a cloud mars the blue sky. I take a moment and thank God for the huge old oak tree with limbs stretching across my yard. Today it’s offering me just enough shade as I retreat, laptop in hand to my favorite spot . . . the back porch.



I check my notes and prepare my imaginary road map. It’s time for my “‘virtual jaunt” up north to interview another author!



Husband, Bill, joins me outdoors. He hands me a bottle of water and asks, “How’s it going?”



“I’m hot! I’m also eager to get started—for a couple reasons. One, the author writes romance. Two, I love romance!”



“Romance?” Bill winks.



I wink back. “I’ll grab the camera; you get Jake (our dog), and I’ll meet you at the Jeep. “We’re going to Indiana!”


***
Denise Hunter lives in Indiana with her husband, Kevin, and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since!



Her most recent title, The Convenient Groom, is in bookstores everywhere. It features Kate Lawrence, a marriage expert who gets jilted on her wedding day. Like Surrender Bay, this book is surely headed for the best-seller list.



Currently Denise is busy writing Sweetwater Gap, a love story set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which will be available December.


***
Ms. Hunter indulges me and my imagination and suggests, “There’s a park I used to take my boys to when they were younger. There are ducks and geese, tall shade trees, a river. Shall we escape reality for a while and spend the afternoon there?”



I’m drawn into the setting and picture this as an ideal spot for an afternoon chat. Yes, we’ll find a picnic table. We’ll relax! I can almost feel a cool breeze, ah. . . . Let’s begin.



Valerie: You’re from Indiana, yet you’ve staged your stories in wonderful places like Wyoming, Nantucket, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fiction or fact, how do you research these dreamy locations?



Denise: Yes, I’ve set books in all those places. A research trip is a must for me. It adds so much to the story and helps me as I write it to “see” it. But it’s not easy to work in trips with three kids and school and writing schedules. So far, my family has been great about letting me work our family vacations around my research trips.



Valerie: Have you ever considered Florida?



Denise: Not yet, but you never know. 



Valerie: In The Convenient Groom, how did you come up with Kate Lawrence—her name, occupation? Was her character or any part of this story derived from someone you knew who had this happen to them?



Denise: When I began brainstorming that story, I wanted to write a modern-day marriage of convenience. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to make it plausible, so I had to come up with a really strong motive for Kate to marry a man other than her groom.



That’s how her occupation came into a play: What if a celebrity relationship expert gets dumped at the altar?



Then I raised the stakes. What if her debut book is releasing on her wedding day as part of the publicity? What if her publisher has forked out big dollars for her fancy island wedding?



Fortunately, I’ve never had a friend go through this. I knew who Kate was before I decided what would happen to her. I’m organized and can be a bit of a perfectionist, so I drew from that well when writing about her. Her name came to me quickly, but I have a great book called Beyond Jennifer and Jason that I use to name my characters.



Valerie: Before or after the completion of any of your novels, have you ever met someone who resembled one of your story-line characters?



Denise: I can’t say that I have. It might be a little freaky if I did.



Valerie: Wife, mother of three sons, a book or more per year . . . How do you do it? How do you cope with deadlines when your family wants dinner?



Denise: Papa John’s? Yeah, life is pretty busy right now. The boys all play sports and that keeps me busy running them around. During the school year, my writing hours are from nine AM to noon. I schedule appointments around those hours and protect them with my life—if I don’t, no one else will. The hours of noon to three PM are for writing business, appointments, errands, grocery shopping, housework, interviews, et cetera. Then I pick up the kids, and things turn really hectic with homework and sports.



I try not to write too much on summer break, though I always have edits or galleys or something writing related to do.



Valerie: Assuming you share your progress with your family and/or friends, are they always eager to hear your rough drafts? Do you feel their criticism or praise is effective in continuing your project?



Denise: My family and friends are very supportive. They do ask about my writing and they may even ask what my story’s about, but I don’t give more than a one-sentence blurb. I think most people’s eyes glaze over when we describe our stories. It's one thing to read a story, another to listen to someone describe it!



On the other hand, I do brainstorm every story with my Girls Write Out friends Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, and Kristin Billerbeck. They know the ins and outs of all my plots and vice versa. If we’re stuck at some point during the writing, we often bounce ideas off each other. It’s a wonderful thing to have.

Valerie: You’re also musically talented. You play the drums! Do you play in a band? Do you sing and/or dance, too?



Denise: The only band I’m in is my church’s worship team. That’s the whole reason I learned to play drums—we had a guitarist, a keyboardist, an electric guitarist, a bass player, but no drummer. I’d always wanted to play.



I used to dance on my high school drill team, but my dancing days are over. Singing? I leave that to my husband, and my kids thank me for it.



Valerie: Do you feel your faith has played a role in where you are today?



I honestly don’t think I would’ve started writing without my faith. It was my grandfather’s godly life and his ultimate death that served as the catalyst for my first book. My initial dream was just to finish a manuscript and see if I had any talent for writing, but God has taken that dream and turned it into so much more than I ever imagined.



Valerie: Amen to that! You have won many awards, and being recognized for your God-given talent has to be among your “flying high” times as an author. Which award totally thrilled you, and whom did you call first to share your good news?



Denise: Awards are great and I’m always honored when I receive one. I don’t think there’s one particular award that meant more than the others, but the first ones to hear about them are always my girlfriends. I can’t tell you how much their friendship means to me. This can be a very lonely occupation, and it helps to have others to share with, whine to, and laugh with.







Valerie: Not to change the subject, but I’ve heard a number of woman authors constantly complain about having to sit too long at a desk and end up with “wider” instead of “tighter” ends. You’re beautiful and slim—just good genes, or do you have a special secret?



Denise: Thanks. Considering I still haven’t lost my Christmas weight, I’ll hold on to that compliment. I do have good genes, but I also have to be careful of what I eat and do the treadmill five times a week. I devised a way to put my laptop on the treadmill, and that makes the time pass quickly.



Valerie Please tell me how you would finish this sentence: “When I’m writing . . .”



Denise: I’m afraid. That first draft . . . so scary for me. Some parts flow along, but mostly, I’m just afraid it’s all drivel, and this makes me not want to put my rear end in the chair. It’s not the frozen-in-terror kind of fear, but rather the doesn’t-the-toilet-need-scrubbing-right-now kind of fear. It’s amazing how appealing household chores can be when I’m afraid to write.



That fear really does keep me on my knees though, and I do make sure I meet my daily quota because meeting that deadline is important to me—not to mention to my publisher. Once the first draft is down, the writing gets easier. I love rewriting and polishing and tweaking sentences.



Valerie: Denise, I have enjoyed the afternoon so much. Thank you for meeting with me; it’s been such a pleasure.



Denise: Yes, it has!



If you want to keep up on all her new releases and see all her great novels, visit Denise at www.denisehunterbooks.com.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valerie Anne Faulkner, a New York native moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida in 1973. Author of I Must Be in Heaven: A Promise Kept, she spends her days working side by side with her husband, Bill, as an electrician, then evenings, as a writer. The CFOM interviews have been a great way for her to meet other authors and hone her writing craft. This back porch writer’s family is very important to her, and she cherishes time spent with her three grown children and six grandchildren. A few hours with family or a day enjoying one of Florida’s Gulf beaches are her favorite ways to relieve stress and refresh from her busy lifestyle. Valerie’s motto is “A day with prayer . . . seldom unravels.” Visit her at www.imustbeinheaven.com.




www.imustbeinheaven.com

Back Porch Writer...September 2008

Bah, our summer and all its wonder is approaching the finish line. Barbecued ribs and corn on the cob have too soon been gobbled up.



Fishing.



Swimming.



Camping.



Humph. It was fun. But now a new day fills the horizon; a new season draws near. It’s September.



Oh . . . it’s September!



The alarm clock screams, “Up and at ’em!”



Fix the kids’ lunches.



Get them ready for school.



Toss them their backpacks.



Load them on the Big-Yellow-Kid-Catcher.



Wave and blow them kisses.



Whew, I recall those days! I remember them well!



I mosey outside, crank up the ole computer, and sigh. “Ah… it’s a beautiful day, Lord” I’m just fine with this awesome new month.



My hubby, Bill, joins me on the porch with a cup of coffee. “Where’re we headed?”



“Tennessee.”



“Life is good!” A smile stretches across his face.



“Sure is!”



Within a matter of minutes, Bill, Jake (our dog), and I are on our way. In our virtual Jeep we soar out of Florida through Georgia and into Tennessee. Open roads, mountains, and a picture-perfect glance of God’s miraculous handiwork: scenery that takes my breath away.



Our adventure takes us to Tamara Leigh’s residence in the Tennessee country where she resides with her husband, David, and their two sons. Tamara Leigh is the best-selling author of Splitting Harriet, Perfecting Kate, and Stealing Adda. Her first seven award-winning novels became national best sellers, but dissatisfied that the stories were not God-honoring, in 2003, she was determined to write books that more directly represented her faith.



Ms. Leigh invites us to her favorite spot and encourages us to feel right at home. Her back porch overlooks a gorgeous waterfall and acres of greenery, a beautiful setting to chat.



Sipping the marvelously delicious treat she prepared, I begin. “Tamara, this coffee is scrumptious, shaved dark chocolate with a drizzle of caramel. Wow! This is all so nice. I have a number of questions . . .



Valerie: Would you rather be the interviewer or the interviewee?



Tamara: Easy—the interviewer, especially if the interview is televised. When I was promoting my first inspirational novel, Stealing Adda, I was invited to appear on the Deeper Shopping Network. And was I one nervous, tic-ridden interviewee! Fortunately, the interviewer knew how to handle my sort and saved me from too much embarrassment. Afterward, she told me that when I got the “deer in the headlights” look, she knew it was time to rephrase or move on. There’s just something about that glassy-eyed camera that causes intelligent responses to stick in my throat. Hence, I much prefer written interviews, which allow me time to think before I speak. Not that that’s any guarantee.



Valerie: Would you consider sharing one of your fondest childhood memories with us and finish this sentence: I’ve told my children that when I was in the ____ th grade, I . . .”



Tamara: Ooh, a prompt! My kind of interview. Here goes: I’ve even told my children that when I was in the ninth grade, I actually started to like my older sister. I’m sure readers can guess my reason for pulling this particular memory out of my parenting bag (hint: I have two boys, ages eleven and fourteen). A little background: Growing up, my sister and I did not like each other. In fact, we were enemies who tolerated one another only as far as we had to in order to avoid hair-pulling, drag-down-the-hall clashes that would get us in trouble with Mom who worked too hard to feed and clothe her four children to cause her any more stress. But something happened when Lisa entered her senior year and I entered my freshman year in high school. Every morning I rode with her to school in her little red MG, and eventually we started to talk, which had the added benefit of keeping her hands on the wheel and out of my hair. I don’t know at what point I started looking up to her and she stopped looking down on me, but today, my worst enemy is my best friend—apart from my husband (I’ll tell you more about him later). So when my boys are tussling and grumbling about how much they dislike each other, I say, “I used to feel the same way about your Aunt Lisa, but when I was in the ninth grade . . .” Everyone needs hope.



Valerie: What ruffles your feathers and agitates you most? What do you do to alleviate the turmoil, find peace, and remain calm?



Tamara: Outright conflict sends the bead on my worry thermometer straight to the top. Having grown up in a dysfunctional family (I know, who hasn’t?), I learned how to walk on those cliché eggshells to keep arguments from accelerating. I know it isn’t healthy to hold in feelings, but if I can’t resolve a conflict without myself or the other person resorting to raised voices and heated words that can wound for years, I walk away. Some dare call it pouting, but I call it cooling off, which is most effective when combined with prayer and Scripture. Later, when everyone involved is calm, we work through the problem.



Valerie: Everybody has to “go with the flow” when they begin a new venture, but in your opinion, how different is writing and publishing today versus when you started writing in ’94?



Tamara: The same, but different. Stay with me here. When I say “the same,” I mean that the author still needs to know her craft, be disciplined in her pursuit of a writing career, and deliver a great story in order to catch an editor’s attention and attract readers. As for how writing and publishing is different today, there are several areas that come to mind. The first, of course, is the incredible growth and variety of genres in today’s Christian market, which was fledgling when my first medieval romance was published in 1994. Then there’s the powerful influence of the Internet, which not only allows readers to purchase an author’s book without leaving their home, but helps writers to connect with their readers on a more personal level and makes the process of manuscript submission and revision faster and less problematic. The last thing that stands out is the marketing of an author’s book. In the nineties, my publisher discouraged my husband, an advertising executive, from participating in the marketing of my books. We were told that it was the publisher’s responsibility and that any efforts on our part would prove negligible. Today, it seems most publishers realize the importance of an author’s contributions and seek their input.



Valerie: If you were just starting out, would there be any one thing you’d have considered doing differently?



Tamara: Twenty-twenty hindsight, hmm? Having grown in my faith over the past fifteen years, if I could do anything different, I believe I would enter the world of publishing via the inspirational market. As much as I enjoyed writing medieval romances for the secular market, I have experienced the greatest satisfaction in writing characters who struggle with some of the same issues of faith that I and other Christians face.

Valerie: In your opinion, do you think its harder today for an artist to find a niche in the market?



Tamara: All you have to do is walk into a Barnes and Noble or browse Amazon.com to realize that there are more books being released each year. This, of course, means more books are being bought by publishing houses—hopefully yours. But because of the overwhelming choices available to readers and that there are still only twenty-four hours in a day, I believe it is harder for an author to find her niche. So write the best book possible and—this is tough for those of us who cling to the walls of our writing caves—promote.


Valerie: You began with historical romance and then changed to chick lit. Have you considered any other genres?



Tamara: Though I’m thrilled to be writing chick lit, I do have “medieval” moments. In fact, were I able to wiggle out a “niche” for my medievals in the inspirational market, I might take a detour. Also, I have considered writing for young adults, but that’s the extent of it.



Valerie: Have you ever been asked to be a ghostwriter? Would you consider it?



Tamara: I haven’t been asked to be a ghost writer, but if I were . . . I suppose I would have to know more about what it entails. It sounds a bit sneaky, don’t you think?



Valerie: With summer ending and a new school year beginning, have you ever considered teaching?



Tamara: Before I was published, I was a Speech and Language Pathologist at an elementary school, and I adored working with children. It’s been fifteen years since I last considered September the start of a new year, but every time our family gears up for our boys to enter a new grade, I get twinges of longing for my half-circle table, itty bitty chairs, and the innocence of the elementary school years.



Valerie: Reading, reviewing . . . are you able to turn off your “critique” button and ignore an occasional error that may pop up in the media? How do you ensure perfection in your own writing?



Tamara: Providing I’m enjoying a book, movie, etc., my “critique” button usually behaves. However, if a story starts to drag or I feel I’m being asked to suspend disbelief too long or too often, I either start thinking of ways to fix the problem, skim read (fast forward), or walk away. When it comes to my own writing, perfection is elusive, as evidenced by my wonderful editor, who catches things that make me smack my forehead. But, as she assures me, that’s her job. Still, I try to turn in the best manuscript possible, which means developing detailed character notes and timelines as the story progresses and consulting them often. Also, I regularly check spelling and grammar and keep a “fix it” file of issues that need to be resolved before I turn in the manuscript.



Valerie: How has your faith made a difference in how you approach life? Your writing?



Tamara: As revealed earlier, I’m a worrier. However, as my faith has grown, I have come to trust God to lead me through difficult situations. Yes, I do still get a sinking feeling at the approach of trouble. I do still take it out on my fingernails. I do still climb into myself and peek through my fingers at what appears to be insurmountable. But as I’ve learned to ask God for guidance, and as I’ve become familiar with Scripture, the feeling of being overwhelmed has decreased considerably. In fact, sometimes I’m so calm, I amaze my family. My faith has also made a difference in my writing, as evidenced by how it began to pervade my secular medieval romances—so much that the revisions I received from editors often focused on excising the faith elements (Misbegotten was cut by 30,000 words!). Long story short, I finally answered the call to write inspirational fiction, and now I’m blessed to express my faith through my characters, who teach me so much as they tackle the same issues we all face.



Valerie: What project(s) are you working on now?



Tamara: Since I finished writing my August ’08 release, Faking Grace, I have been working on the first book in my Southern Discomfort series, titled Paying Piper (I know, me and my doing something to someone’s titles). The series is set in fictional Pickwick, North Carolina, a town that sprang up around the Pickwick Estate in the early 1900s, somewhat like the Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate. Somewhat. Each book tells the tale of one of three cousins: Piper, Magdalene, and Bridget. Paying Piper will release in May 2009. Here’s a look:

The last thing image consultant Piper Wick needs is to be exposed as “one of those Pickwicks,” especially the one who pulled the Lady Godiva stunt that made national news twelve years ago. But if she’s going to keep it under wraps, she may have to compromise her beliefs to clean up the latest in a long string of “Pickwick Pickles.”
Valerie: Great! Okay, Here’s another: Have you ever considered going on a mission to another country?



Tamara: Considered—yes. Realized—no. Admiration for those who minister to the poor and spread the Word of God—absolutely! When my husband and I decided to have children, he sacrificed his passion for racing cars for my peace of mind and to lessen the chance of our children growing up fatherless. Mission work in other countries is not without risks, and I feel that at this time in my life, my place is with my husband and children. But who knows, maybe one day God will call me to cross the border . . .



Valerie: You have been asked many questions during your career, but would you like to share any one thing with your fans? Something they haven’t asked, but you think they would enjoy hearing about?



Tamara: There is something, and I’m bursting to tell it. Twenty-one years ago, my husband proposed to me, and not in any usual way. On a predawn morning in September 1987, he took me for a hot air balloon ride over Lake Tahoe. As the sun rose, in the distance there appeared a red World War II biplane trailing a banner like those used for advertising. Strange for so early in the morning when there weren’t yet sunbathers on the beaches. But as it neared and started to circle our hot air balloon, these are the words I read: “Tammy, I’ll love you forever. Will you marry me? David” You know my answer! Well, Mr. Romantic topped that for our twentieth anniversary this past June. It was the hot air balloon again, but this time we were over Franklin, Tennessee, our two boys were with us, along with our pastor (and his wife) who renewed our vows, and the banner that trailed the airplane said: “Tammy, 20 years is only a start on 4ever. I love you. David” Now that’s how you romance a romance writer! Thanks for having me!



Valerie: Tamara, it’s been terrific talking to you. Of course, your last statement has me all choked up. I’m happy for you, love your story—David’s surely a keeper. Congratulations and thank you for your hospitality.



Tamara: I thank you very much!

Back porch writer...October 2008

On a recent visit to the local bookstore, I was struck by the variety of posters advertising the works of writers’ souls and gifted imaginations. Words like

BEST SELLER.
AWARD WINNER.
BOOK OF THE YEAR!



screamed, “I have a story to tell!”


The books were colorfully arranged, each hoping to stand out in the crowd.



I marveled at the assortment. Then popping out of the group as though waving to me, I noticed a book. Its author was the subject of my first interview. A tad louder than a whisper, I commented to hubby, “Bill, look. I know him!”



I raised an eyebrow and with one finger placed at my lips, I attempted to hold back any boastfulness. “Wow. How many people can say that?”



We exchanged goofy grins. “You know, I’ve been writing interviews of some really interesting people.”



Bill’s chest puffed out ever so slightly. “You’ve met her, too.”



Glancing in the direction my husband pointed, I immediately recognized the book cover. I searched a little more and counted the books whose authors I interviewed. “Two, three, and four . . . Remember the wedding dress?” I glanced around. “Check it out! Yum. I virtually sipped that author’s fabulous coffee!”



Bill meandered down the aisle, singling out one more book. “Athol Dickson. Haven’t you mentioned him?”



“I’m working with him this month.” I grabbed Bill’s hand. “Ready?”



Bill sang, “California, here we come . . .”



His name is Scottish and is pronounced with a long A and O, like “eighth-ol,” with the accent on the first syllable. Born in the fifties, Mr. Dickson’s life journey has been filled to the brim. He’s been a clothing salesman, carpenter, architect and more. After years of diversity he took yet another path and in the mid 1990s began writing.



His novels have been award winners, and have made the top ten on best novel booklists, such as Christianity Today and the Christian Fiction Review. The Gospel According to Moses, River Rising, The Cure, and Winter Haven are a few of his titles. Raised in Texas, Mr. Athol Dickson currently resides in California with his wife, Sue.






Mr. Dickson is working while he sits in a recliner, headphones supplying him with a musical serendipity, and a computer perched on his lap. He welcomes us to “his world.” The room has a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and a vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams. An old English pub sign hangs on one wall that reads RED CAT and includes a red cat’s face with startling green eyes. I prefer looking toward the ocean.



Valerie: Describe Athol Dickson.



Athol: I’m in my early 50s, and lately I’ve begun to feel the years a little bit. Sore hip, a touch of arthritis, knees that pop when I climb stairs, etc. It’s hard to believe this is happening to me, but turns out I’m only mortal. (Surprise!) Let’s see . . . what else? I’ve always loved boating and boats. My very patient wife and I once sold our house and cars and moved aboard a 50-foot boat full time, to cruise the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the USA. And I love to read, of course, and travel. I speak a little Spanish and especially enjoy visiting Latin American countries. Other than that, I’m just your average boring novelist.



Valerie: Any siblings, or are you an only child?



Athol I have one brother, who is two years behind me age-wise, and light-years ahead in most every other way.



Valerie: Do you feel birth order has any direct relationship to one’s personality . . . achievements?



Athol: I have no idea. Maybe. But I do think we can change and grow no matter what our circumstances, so if a person were shaped by something like being an oldest or middle or youngest child, I don’t think that means they have to live their whole lives in any certain way. Nature and nurture certainly influence us, but self-control is underrated.



Valerie: Architect, painter, artist, writer . . . God offered you these talents. You recognized them and have achieved great things. Do you believe all people have been given a gift, talent?



Athol: Well, thanks for that “great things” part, but I’m not sure we could take it quite that far. As a painter and an architect, I was average. I do hope my writing is a little better. I wrestle with writing in a way I never did in the other arts. It’s more painful for some reason, while also being more personally rewarding. Maybe that’s because I dig deeper. Yes, probably it’s that. So there’s a God-given talent, and, yes, I do believe everybody has at least one particular talent given by the grace of God, but I also think you have to add a lot of effort to that gift in order to achieve what God intended. It’s a parallel to faith. In the Bible it says, “A person is justified by what he does, and not by faith alone.” I think it’s that way with all the gifts God gives, be they personal talents or the gift of a personal relationship with God. God’s gifts are free of course, otherwise they would not be gifts, but the gifts must also be accepted, otherwise they’re of no use whatsoever. To accept God’s gifts, we have to use them as he intended, and that means rolling up our sleeves and going to work.



Valerie: If someone asked you, “How do I realize my God-given abilities; where do I begin,” what would you tell them?



Athol: If by “realize” you mean “how do I include them in my life?” or “how do I make them actual?” I think the answer is what I was just saying about responding to God’s gifts with action. But if you mean “how do I know what my gifts are?” I think the answer comes by being honest with yourself. If a thing does not come naturally, at least to some extent, then as much as you might desire the gift, you do not really have it. Also, if you think more about attaining money or fame or someone else’s approval through the gift, and less about actually enjoying that gift when no one else is watching, then your true talents probably lie elsewhere. A gift from God comes naturally (although it must be improved upon as an act of faith), and once it has been revealed, it becomes a nearly irritable passion. For example, even when I write a simple little e-mail to a friend, I often go over it several times to polish the language. Even in the littlest of things I cannot seem to stop myself from caring about writing and working on it. That’s when you know you have a gift.



Valerie: When you sit down to write a new novel, how would you calibrate your personal percentages for us: inspiration/imagination, perspiration, dedication, and enthusiasm.



Athol: First, I’d have to separate inspiration and imagination, because I see them as different. Inspiration can come in a subconscious flash, but imagination is a tool one uses consciously and deliberately, and the use of it sometimes requires a great deal of time. So sometimes I do get an inspired idea as if from out of nowhere (say, 1 percent of the time), but usually I develop ideas into plots and characters by working hard with my imagination, (say, 30 percent of the time). Then I apply craftsmanship to develop the plot and characters in the first draft (this is definitely perspiration, at about 40 percent) and then of course there’s all that editing and rewrites (more perspiration, so increase it to 69 percent). That equals 100 percent, I think, which is fine, because I couldn’t separate dedication and enthusiasm from the process anyway. They’re in every part of the mix as the things that make me want to write in the first place.

Valerie: Would you share what you are currently working on now?



Athol: I’m calling it Lost Mission, but it might not be called that when it hits the bookstores. Sometimes the publisher’s marketing people let my working titles stand, and sometimes they have better ideas. This one is a little different from my other novels (but then, all my novels tend to be different). Basically, there are two parallel stories: one about a Franciscan brother who travels to southern California in the 1700s to establish a mission, and the other about a modern-day Mexican who enters California illegally in order to preach the gospel to us here. Naturally these two stories are interwoven, with lots of action and adventure, but I won’t give away too much about that. Thematically, the story explores what it means to be an unbeliever versus a person of faith, and what it means to seek God’s will in life, no matter what.

Valerie: What stage you are in?



Athol: I’ve almost completed the third draft, and will send it to my editor later this week. After he has a look at it, I’ll do at least two more drafts. Maybe more, if he sees a lot of potential for improvement.



Valerie: California—movie stars, celebrities—have you ever considered writing for television? Screenplays for movies?



Athol: Based on my first novel, I wrote a screenplay with a guy named Michael Waxman, who has lots of feature film experience working with Michael Mann, the director. Waxman was great, an honorable man who taught me a lot about the business and the process of screenwriting, but unfortunately one of the other producers embezzled the seed money for the production. That left me feeling leery of Hollywood projects. Life’s too short to worry about dealing with crooks, so unless someone comes along with cash up front and a percentage of the gross, I think I’ll stick with novels. Of course, only the top names in the business get deals like that, so I’m not holding my breath.



Valerie: Would you want to act, or have you ever acted?



Athol: In high school I played the lead in A Different Drummer. That’s all, and once was enough for me. But I’d love to direct a feature film. Wouldn’t everyone?



Valerie: Speaking of California, have you ever felt an earthquake? What was your reaction?



Athol: We had a 5.8 earthquake about three weeks ago. Maybe you read about it. That was my first real earthquake since moving to California, all the others before it being only tremors. They’re pretty crazy, let me tell you. I was sitting in the easy chair where I do most of my writing, and all of a sudden the walls and beams were wobbling. It went on long enough for me to figure out what was happening, but since our house was built in 1929, I wasn’t particularly scared. I figure the house has made it through some real doozies before now, so I just kind of kicked back and enjoyed the sensation.



Valerie: Do you have one particular “cherished item” you’d regret loosing in a natural disaster?



Athol: Funny you should ask. Just this morning I was thinking about my Bible, which has about 20 years’ worth of notes in the margin, and what a shame it would be to lose it now. I had an uncle who was a pastor of a little country church for 45 years, and one Sunday after church he realized he had left his personal study Bible on the podium, so he went back to get it and sure enough, it had been stolen. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that one.



Valerie: This one’s for fun: If you could clone a character from one of your stories, who would it be?



Athol: Papa DeGroot from River Rising. He’s so very . . . interesting, shall we say? I’d tell you more about him, but I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone.



Valerie: Now, the two of you go to your favorite restaurant called . . .?



Athol: This is a tough choice. Maybe Mandina’s in New Orleans, since Papa is from Plaquemines Parish, just south of the city. Or maybe we could get Papa on a plane and fly him out to Newport Beach for dinner at Bandera.



Valerie: You’d wear . . .?



Athol: Polo shirt, faded jeans, and topsiders. I never go anywhere that requires coats or ties.



Valerie: You’d order your favorite meal, which is . . .?



Athol: It’s all good at Mandina’s. At Bandera it’s the prime rib.



Valerie: The atmosphere and fellowship with your fictional character is an enjoyable experience. Which of you picks up the tab?



Athol: Oh, Papa would pay, because he has so much money. Besides, he owes me.



Valerie: You’re funny—good one! Last, you have been asked many questions during your career, but would you like to share any one thing with your fans? Something they haven’t asked, but you think they would enjoy hearing about?



Athol: I never cease to be surprised that a reader would want to know about me. Behind the stories I’m just a guy who sits around all day typing and staring out the window. So I have no idea what a reader would enjoy hearing about. Would they like to know about my marriage? It’s almost 25 years old, and my wife and I are still seriously crazy about each other. That’s great for us, but kind of boring for everybody else. People prefer messy divorces, don’t they? That’s what makes the news, anyway. Speaking of that, I guess I could mention I’m a news junkie; I scour the Internet for background on news stories all the time. I love dogs and some cats (affectionate cats), but I do not get along well with horses. For some reason, horses seem to like to hurt me. I clean the kitchen and my wife cooks. I like cookies, which explains my waistline. I love art museums and galleries. Beautiful paintings inspire me to write. Basically, like I said before, I’m just a regular guy who writes novels for a living. But I do try to tell stories that are fresh and original, not like any other stories, so that’s something.



That’s something to be proud of! Thank you so much for sharing today. It’s been a pleasure meeting with you.



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Valerie Anne Faulkner, a New York native moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida in 1973. Author of I Must Be in Heaven: A Promise Kept, she spends her days working side by side with her husband, Bill, as an electrician, then evenings, as a writer. The CFOM interviews have been a great way for her to meet other authors and hone her writing craft. This back porch writer’s family is very important to her, and she cherishes time spent with her three grown children and six grandchildren. A few hours with family or a day enjoying one of Florida’s Gulf beaches are her favorite ways to relieve stress and refresh from her busy lifestyle. Valerie’s motto is “A day with prayer . . . seldom unravels.” Visit her at www.imustbeinheaven.com.