Author Profile Interview
October 2005
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a wife and mom of three adult children--18, 23, and 25--and I live in Mississippi. I've been writing since I was eleven, and have made a living writing since 1983.
2. How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I've wanted to write since I was a little girl. I was raised in the Air Force and we moved a lot, so I spent a lot of time reading and imagining. My first piece was published when I was eleven, and I knew from then on that I was going to be a writer. I majored in English in college, and sold my first book at age 25.
3. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
Jesus knew the power of Christian fiction when he taught in parables. Instead of preaching a sermon, he said, "There was once a man who had two sons . . ." People experienced that story emotionally, which made it linger with them. They knew they were one of those two sons, and for days, even months after they heard that story, they probably thought about it and tried to understand it, and tried to see what it meant for them. Christian fiction is powerful today for the very same reason. I know for sure that God uses these stories to challenge people and change their lives, because I get letters from so many readers who tell me that.
4. How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
I hope they go away from them challenged and changed in some way. And I'd love it if my stories sent them back to a deeper study of the Bible, and into a deeper walk with Christ.
5. What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why?
Of course I love the ones that say they've surrendered to Christ because of my books, but I also get letters that surprise me. For instance, one woman who'd read my book SEASONS UNDER HEAVEN (written with Beverly LaHaye), was convicted about organ donation, and two weeks later her sister died. Because she read that book, she convinced her family to donate her sister's organs to help others. Another woman wrote and told me that her daughter had given up a lesbian lifestyle because she came under such intense conviction about her relationship with Christ after reading my books. These are the kinds of letters that thrill my soul.
6. How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
Because I have Biblical principles in my book, I feel I have to study my Bible more than the average person, so I'll make sure that I'm handling the Word of God accurately, and not leading anyone astray. Jesus said, "To whom much has been given, much will be required." I've been given so much, that I feel a great responsibility to stay connected to The Vine.
7. Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life?
I hope that when I go to heaven, I'll take a lot of people with me!
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a weakness for decorating shows on television! I'm afraid I watch way too many of those. My husband hates them, because he knows that when I watch them, I'm going to wind up with new items on my honey-do list, and it's probably going to cost him a lot of money. :-)
9. What can you tell us about your latest novels?
My latest book is LAST LIGHT, Book One of the Restoration Series. In this book, technology suddenly fails. Airplanes fall from the sky, cars won't run, electricity stops working, cell phones are out. The Branning family, an upper-middle class Christian family, suddenly has to decide between hoarding what they have, or sharing it with others at the risk of their own survival. Their little community will stand or fall together, but they're only beginning to realize it. And trust doesn't come easily--particularly when one of them is a killer.
10. What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead?
I'm planning three more novels in the Restoration Series. After that, I have a series planned featuring a young female musician, set in Nashville. I plan to be writing suspense for a very long time, Lord willing!
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