Boomy Tokan "The Unsung Heroes: 7 stories of Amazing Women of The Bible That Rock"
Q) What inspired you to write the book?
A) This book came about after writing "The Bad Girls of The Bible". I was having a discussion with my daughter when she said "why don’t you write about the good girls of the Bible?" So I took up the challenge and several weeks later I had written "Unsung heroes: 7 Stories Of Amazing Women Of The Bible That Rock" I have also written a sequel that should be out by May 2013 called "Stories of Amazing Men of the Bible".
Q)Other than writing what else do you like to do?
A) My time is shared between writing books, Pastoring a local Church and helping Start Up businesses.
Many of the activities in my life lend themselves to writing. I have currently written mostly Christian books but I have also written 5 business books of which 3 have been published (the other 2 will be published by May 2013)
I tend to get a lot of my topics from issues I have helped others deal with, something I have read or a problem GOD used me to solve. That makes the writing process easier!
Q) Are you inspired by people you know for your stories?
A) Absolutely! As I expressed earlier I draw inspiration from the lives of those around me and the challenges they experience.
However my book "The Bad Girls Of The Bible" originated from the HOLY SPIRIT. In other words my muse for this book was God alone; I was driving one day and had stopped at the traffic lights when the LORD downloaded the book into my spirit.
This is not to suggest that my other books are not spirit led (because as children of GOD our actions are always SPIRIT led) it was just an unusual occurrence.
Q) What message were you trying to impart to the reader?
A) In this book my desire was to communicate to the reader that everyone is important in GOD’s plan.
Even when our roles are not in the public eye we are still very important to the final scheme of things. Many women in today’s society sometimes feel unappreciated and unimportant simply because they are not in the lime light. So in this book I highlighted many women that people may not have even known about who saved the nation, turned defeat into a victory and made significant contributions for eternity!
Q) Who is your favourite Author?
A) The two categories I tend to read are Business and Christian literature. For the Christian category I love reading, listening to books and teachings by Andrew Womack, Curry Blake, David Pawson and Arnold Fructenbaum.
Q) What is your favourite book?
A) I was hoping this question would not come up! Perhaps the way I would ask myself this question is – "If I got stuck on a desert Island which book would I want to be with?" The answer for me has to be the Bible!
This is not a cliché answer because, the Bible is the only book I have consistently read on a daily bases for 16 years. Everything I want, would want and could need is all in there. The 2nd book would be Unlocking the Bible by David Pawson. Its historical content and analysis of all the Bible books is superbly detailed. David Pawson has a way of making the Bible come alive!
Q) How old were you when you started writing?
A) I started writing 4 years ago and I will be 50 next year. So I will leave you to do the maths!
Q) Are you planning on writing more books?
A) Most definitely, So far I have written 13 books and within the next 5 years I plan to publish 100 books under my name. This will include co-writes.
Q) When readers criticize your books does it give you pause about writing again or are you encouraged?
A) The very first time I got a 1 Star rating I screamed. The second time was even more ridiculous. It was in one of my business books and the reader complained that I mentioned GOD too much, so he rated me a 1 Star for my efforts to propagate the gospel.
But sometimes I receive very constructive criticism which I learn a lot from, causing me to go back and try to correct some of the problems identified in that book.
I also understand that some writers play the game of giving bad reviews if your book is competing with theirs. To such writers I just laugh because I have no time for such childish stupidity.
All in all criticisms spur me on to be a better writer and to produce books that help my readers!
Q) What advice would you give those trying to write a book?
A) Well I would have to quote the sports brand Nike in saying "Just Do It" because time spent thinking is time wasted not doing! The most essential ingredient for writing a book is discipline and not content. Content will come if you are disciplined to write.
If you are like me then following the rules of writing will not work for you because they state; you start with the introduction, then your chapters and finish with the conclusion. But for many of my books that contain seven chapters or more, I sometimes start in chapter 4 or chapter 3. In other words just start writing, this will enable you to get all your ideas down and then you can rearrange the order and structure of your book later.
Don’t follow rules just write! Because everyone is different so what works for someone else will not necessarily work for you.
In my opinion many people get put off writing because they think they need to write a book of 150-200 pages long. Thank GOD that is not the case. If you are writing a kindle book you can get away with a 20-30 page book packed with great content.
Finally and most importantly never write FLUFF. Just great content all the time!
John A. Jacobsen "Beginning of the End"
What inspired you to write the book?
I was on vacation with my wife and winding down my ministry work due to health and age, when the Lord spoke to me and said I was to write end-times fiction and He even gave me the opening paragraph. I had felt an earlier urge to write, but I assumed it would be more Bible studies and teaching as I had already been doing (much of which is on my website at lofj.com). Fiction was a surprise direction.
How did you come up with the names of your characters?
I try to be led by the Holy Spirit in all aspects of my writing, including names of characters. I don't do any outlining in advance, but rely each day on Holy Spirit guidance.
Other than writing what else do you like to do?
At home I try to keep my mind stimulated because it helps prevent Alzheimers, which my mother had. So I play online chess, backgammon and other games. I also like to travel in my camper trailer with my wife and two dogs. We recently camped at Lake Mead in Nevada. I also like to four-wheel drive into Arizona's many wilderness areas and hike on a lot of the trails.
Are you inspired by people you know for your stories?
I could not have written The End series of books without the direct experiences I've had in the ministry. While none of the characters specifically reflect a particular person, many are composites of the fine people I've worked with over the years.
What message were you trying to impart to the reader?
I began The End series to emphasize that Christians will go through some of the 7-Year Tribulation and show how different people would handle it. However, as the series grew to seven books, I was able to incorporate a lot of my teaching into the fictional format.
Who is your favorite Author?
I don't have a favorite, but perhaps I've read more of Ted Dekker's books than anyone else.
What is your favorite book?
The Bible, which I've read through many times.
How old were you when you started writing?
I've always liked to write, even when I was getting technical degrees and working at secular jobs. I wrote a few 'practice' novels along the way, but they were during my New Age years and, thankfully, never got published. Several years ago, one of our prayer warriors got a message from the Lord to destroy all those old writings, even the digital copies, which I did.
Are you planning on writing more books?
Yes, I have several more underway.
When readers criticize your book does it give you pause about writing again or are you encouraged?
The mostly positive comments have been very encouraging because I didn't really know how my fictional writing would be received. But the negative comments have also been instructive and helpful.
What advice would you give those trying to write a book?
I strongly encourage Christian authors to be Holy Spirit inspired. Pray for guidance every writing session and pray afterwards for the Lord's approval or disapproval of what you wrote. Always be open to receiving Holy Spirit guidance even when you're not writing. I've received ideas at the oddest times.
Colleen Spiro "Third Floor Window"
What inspired you to write the book?
The sexual abuse crisis had hit the Catholic Church and there was so much ignorance and misunderstandings about child sexual abuse and why victims take so long to come forward, if they ever do. I wanted to educate people as to what it is like to be a child abuse survivor.
Other than writing what else do you like to do?
I love to read. I never have enough books to read. And trips to the beach!
Are you inspired by people you know for your stories?
Usually I write about my relationship with God and my life as a Catholic. And my family.
What message were you trying to impart to the reader?
That God is with us always and He loves us no matter what.
That child abuse survivors do not need to be silent. We do not need to suffer alone. And that those of us who can tell our story, need to tell it so we can heal and help others to heal who cannot speak.
Who is your favorite Author?
Oh that changes from time to time. Right now I would have to say Fr. James Martin. I have read several of his books and love them.
What is your favorite book?
Right now - My Life with the Saints., by Fr. James Martin.
How old were you when you started writing?
About 10 or 11. I have always wanted to be a writer.
Are you planning on writing more books?
Yes. I have written a couple of ebooks about my faith and life with God. And I am thinking of a sequel to this book.
When readers criticize your book does it give you pause about writing again or are you encouraged?
I am pretty sensitive and I try not to be. But either way, good or bad reviews, I won't stop writing. And I won't stop telling my story.
What advice would you give those trying to write a book?
Don’t give up. Write something every day. Write until you know you are done. Have others read your book and give you feedback. Tell your story. Be true to yourself.
Darrell Case "Out of Darkness"
What inspired you to write the book?
So many people today even Christians are walking around in darkness. Satan has blinded their eyes to the light of God’s word and the joy of serving him.
How did you come up with the names of your characters?
King David was one of the greatest heroes of the Bible. As a young man he fought against Goliath and stayed true to God. As he grew older he wandered into sin yet God didn’t give up on him, he brought him back and actually said, “David was a man after his own heart.’
Other than writing what else do you like to do?
Gardening, especially working with roses.
Are you inspired by people you know for your stories?
With the nature of my work, being a missionary to prisoners I see so many of them who accept Christ as their savior and then go on to do great things for him.
What message were you trying to impart to the reader?
That God’s love is all engrossing and his love is all encompassing.
Who is your favorite Author?
Frank Perretti
What is your favorite book?
The Bible of course and `Piercing the Darkness’
How old were you when you started writing?
49, I had just returned from the Ukraine where the team saw over 4,000 accept Jesus Christ as their savior.
Are you planning on writing more books?
Yes, `Slaugh, Demon of the night.’ About a serial killer of children and Antoine the demon who possesses him. Andrew and Antoine were angels in heaven before the rebellion. Andrew chose to be faithful to The Lord. Antoine fought by Satan’s side. These two who were best friends are now enemies. The book will be published later this year
When readers criticize your book does it give you pause about writing again or are you encouraged?
Of course like every writer, I like good reviews when I receive a bad one, if possible I like to contact the person and unless they specify find out what they felt was wrong with the book. In this manner I can improve my writing so all reviews good or bad are important to me.
What advice would you give those trying to write a book?
Don’t give up; rejections are a way of life. Some of the best authors have been rejected hundreds of times, yet have gone on to become famous. If you think it’s bad for an author to receive a rejection, think of the agents or publishers who have rejected such authors as John Grisham, Louie L’Amour and James Michener and others.
Mary Findley "The Baron's Ring"
What inspired you to write the book?
I wanted to write about a very good, even seemingly "perfect" man, but one who God puts in the position of having to admit that he still must need to do some growing and preparation before he can do what he knows God has called him to do. I also wanted to portray a female character who is sweet but strong, able to channel her "spunk" and her childlike loyalty and love into an ability to help and guide the man God gives her.
How did you come up with the names of your characters?
Tristan is a brave knight in classic literature. Dunstan (which partly rhymes so it makes sense for a brother) was a "bad guy" in Silas Marner. Mayra was a sweet hispanic lady I worked with.
Other than writing what else do you like to do?
We travel the country in out truck and I take photographs. I also like to design costumes and puppets, and make decorative crafts.
Are you inspired by people you know for your stories?
My husband inspires me for my male characters. He has a never-say-die attitude toward doing what's right and getting things accomplished.
What message were you trying to impart to the reader?
Even a good guy is still going to go through pain, tragedy, and hardships in life. it doesn't mean God doesn't care or doesn't love him. Hard times prepare us for closer fellowship and greater service.
Who is your favorite Author?
"Charles Dickens"
What is your favorite book?
"Tale of Two Cities
How old were you when you started writing? Junior High
Are you planning on writing more books?
I am working on a series about classic literary characters with a "steampunk" theme, like "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", but with a Christian emphasis.The first book, "A Dodge, a Twist, and a Tobacconist", is out, and the second, "The 'Prentices, the Puppets, and the Pirates", is almost completed and should be out by May.
When readers criticize your book does it give you pause about writing again or are you encouraged?
I am glad people are reading my books, and I try to apply what I can to improve.
What advice would you give those trying to write a book?
Read a lot of the genre you want to write, good books that will teach you vocabulary, style, and how to write good descriptions and plots. Make your book the best it can be and learn how to market. You are the only one with enough passion and belief in what you wrote to make people want it. http://elkjerkyforthesoul.wordpress.com