The Moving Word

Sharing my life as a writer, bookworm, & Fibromyalgia sufferer

Archive for the category “Interviews”

09 Nov 2010
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Interview with Novelist Douglas Kashorek

In Churches of Christ, I had never heard of a man who had a novel published. I am working on one, and didn’t expect I was the only one. I was happy to be led to Douglas Kashorek, who has his first novel coming out soon.

I contacted him and I am honored to have the opportunity to interview him. For a biography and to purchase his book, I direct you to his website. Thanks, Douglas for your cooperation!

1. How did you get started as a writer?

Even as a child, I would write little stories.  It wasn’t until I was an exchange student in Japan at seventeen that I began to write seriously.  After graduation from high school, I got a B.A. in English/Education 7-12 and was exposed to great works and teachers who helped shape my writing.  I especially grew in my Biblical literature class.

2. What is your mission as a writer?

Glorifying God through showing how He can work in people’s lives if only they would choose Him has been my Colossians 3:17 mission.  Kin of Cain, which is book one of The Chronicles of Nod, East of Eden, has an anti-heroine everywoman who struggles against a life seemingly laid out for her and chooses sin and death though she could have chosen life all along.

3. How important is writing to you?

Writing is life; it reaches into the deepest places of who we are and reveals that which God only knows.  Through writing we even can surprise ourselves.

4. Did you have storytellers when you were growing up that influenced you?

In an airport bookstore when I was thirteen and not yet a Christian, I picked up a copy of Terry Brooks’ Sword of Shannara and was hooked on fantasy from then on.  Stephen R. Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle introduced me to the power of historical fiction.  And, John Gardener’s Grendel fascinated me with the perspective of Beowulf’s monster.

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Fiction, Interviews, Writer, Writing and tagged , , ,
30 Sep 2010
5 Comments

Interview with Writer J. Randal Matheny

In my interviews with writers, bloggers and novelists, we turn next to one of my dearest friends, J. Randal Matheny. He is the editor of  Forthright Magazine, where I serve as Managing Editor. Randal is the editor of the Brotherhood News and The Christian Hub. He also works with Barbara Oliver to operate Forthright Press.

Randal is originally from Arkansas but has served as a missionary to Brazil for the past 25 years. He  is a talented writer and editor and I hope you will find his interview enlightening.

1. How did you get started as a writer?

When I was born, my first words were, “Write this down!” I can’t remember when I wasn’t writing. I used to write silly stuff, like Weird Al, and before I realized it was marketable, I’d already destroyed it. There went my fortune. Poetry and I go far back, as well. As far as published materials, I started writing bulletin articles back in the late 70s, early 80s, and one of those I sent to the Gospel Advocate, which published it, much to my surprise and motivation.

2. What is your mission as a writer?
Aside from objectives of individual pieces, my mission is the same as my ministry: to move people in God’s direction, either by inches or leaps. That involves information, showing the right path, and motivation, feeding people reasons to move their feet.

3. How important is writing to you?
It’s in the blood. No write, no live. When we first moved to Brazil for a church-planting effort, writing took a backseat. But not for long. Even in my adopted Portuguese language, writing occupies a central place in my work.

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Bible, Interviews, Writing and tagged , , ,
13 Sep 2010
3 Comments

Sandi Rog Receives Great News

One of our author interviews was with Sandi Rog. Her book comes out November 1st and is available for pre-order. She recently was honored to be the book of the month for January, 2011, by the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Month Club. We rejoice with her success.

Katt Anderson shares her thoughts on Sandi’s success.

Posted by Richard Mansel in Christian Fiction, Fiction, Interviews, Writing and tagged , , ,
07 Sep 2010

Interview with Blogger Cindy Colley

Cindy Colley is one of the most popular women writers in Churches of Christ. Her website, Bless Your Heart, is one for your bookmarks.  Thanks, Cindy, for your work. All of Cindy’s family are writers. Check out their published works.

1. You have a blog. Tell us about it.

It’s called Bless Your Heart and contains entertaining spiritual issues and ideas that affect women. My readership and responses keep me humble and busy!

2. How did you get started as a writer?

Well, I began more as a teacher than a writer. The first book I published was written when I was twenty-three years old. I was teaching a teen girls’ class at the East Hill Church of Christ in Pulaski,Tennessee, where my husband, Glenn, was serving as the preacher. Writing my own material for that class, I soon began making copies of what I had written for use in various forums. Later, as the demand became obvious for the material, I went to a printer and purchased 500 copies of that little work. Shortly thereafter, Publishing Designs approached me and the rest is history. That first book was originally called Crown of Creation and is now the first in a series by that name.

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Posted by Richard Mansel in Blogs, Interviews, Writing and tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment
02 Sep 2010
7 Comments

Interview with Richard Mansel

I have been interviewing writers, novelists and bloggers. I thought, why would I ask them to do what I am not willing to do? So, I am combining some questions from several of their interviews and interviewing myself.

My purpose is to share my thoughts on writing, so my readers can become more familiar with me. Hopefully, along the way, the readers of this interview will learn some things to help them grow as a writer.

It was a very interesting exercise that I recommend.

1. How did you get started as a writer?

In the fourth grade, I began writing short stories and sharing them with friends. When the sixth grade came along, Mrs. Pierce, allowed me to read my stories to the class. The students requested their favorites and I read them with immense pride.

I continued to write through the years, but I was less serious. When I began preaching, my writing became more important. I wrote religious articles and had some published. One day I submitted an article to Forthright Magazine and they published it and then another. I was asked to be a columnist and over 300 articles later, I am very honored to be a columnist and Managing Editor.

I am humbled that my articles have appeared in several publications, newspapers and websites. I have been privileged to produce chapters in ten books and to be the author of The  Most Important  Question, a book on the plan and purpose of salvation.

All of this and more, hearkens back to a teacher allowing a shy, gangly boy to read his stories to his class. If only she knew.

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Writing, Christian Fiction, Forthright, Reading, Non-fiction, Editing, Interviews, Fiction, Twitter, Mission and tagged , , , , , , , ,
27 Aug 2010
4 Comments

Interview with Novelist Janet Lee Barton

Janet Lee Barton has authored several books and she has a new one coming in October called Brides of Arkansas by Barbour Publishing. I am honored to be able to include her interview in our series.

1. Tell us about your books.

I write both Christian contemporary and historical romance. My newest release will be in October and it is a 3 in 1 of my historical Arkansas series, taking place in Eureka Springs and Hot Springs Arkansas in the late 1800s. I have just finished the first book in my historical Oklahoma series about the land run to Guthrie.

2. How long have you been writing? What led you to fiction?

I’ve been published for 10 years–writing for longer than that. I have always liked reading fiction, but I love when it reflects life from a Christian world view. I want my characters to grow and change as their relationship with the Lord does–like we do when we are striving to live the life He wants us to live.

3. What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a writer?

My weakness is probably grammar. No matter how often I study it, I still get mixed up on comma usage, etc. And I made very good grades in English. But, now I know why we had to take English every year in school. Its the only way to remember it all.

I think my strength is in my characters. I’ve been told they seem very real. And I’ve been told I write children very well.

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Bible, Books, Christian Fiction, Interviews, Writing and tagged , , ,
23 Aug 2010
13 Comments

Interview with Novelist Tina Rae Collins

Our latest interview is with Tina Rae Collins, author of several books. We are honored to have such an experienced author with us today. I hope you enjoy her thoughts.

1. Tell us about your books.

My favorite books are my youth novels. The setting is eastern Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains in the mid-’50s and early ’60s. I have long loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and decided that my youth books would make a good story if I presented it the way she presented hers. After all, I began my schooling in a one-room school with a pot-bellied stove. We used an outhouse and drank water at school that we carried in buckets from a mountain stream.

I wanted to write books that would entertain, but I also felt that if God had given me a talent to write, then I must use that talent to glorify Him. So all my books gently teach moral lessons. Emily, my main character (who, of course, portrays me in the books) is inquisitive and adventurous. She gets herself into some messes but always learns an important truth in the end. I have published three books in this series and the fourth should be published shortly. I am now offering a special price for the set of four on my website.

Besides these books I have published six others–two poetry books, a fable about chickens that I co-authored with James Johnson, a novel about my divorce, a non-fiction book for pre-teens about growing up in the Lord, and a book for women on being the glory of man. All these books are available on my website.

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Books, Christian Fiction, Interviews, Writer, Writing and tagged , , ,
20 Aug 2010
3 Comments

Interview with Novelist D.H. Parker

D.H. Parker is a friend of mine and a good writer. She has had six books published and has some interesting thoughts on writing. I am so impressed with the quality of these interviews.

1. Tell us about your books.

My published books fall into two categories.  CONSTANCY’S WALTZ, DARK DIAMOND REEL, and FIDDLER’S LAMENT are the first three books in my Fiddling With Murder cozy mystery series.  Some of the characters in them are Christians.  Neither they nor I make any apology for that.

The three “fairy-tale mystery” books include plenty of mystery for their normal, everyday characters to solve, but in solving them, they run into things they’d always thought of as belonging to folklore or fantasy.  SONG OF HEALING is a stand-alone.  DONOVAN’S DREAM is remotely connected with my latest book, THE CAMERON CONNECTION.  HEALING and DREAM are labeled romances, but if the books were movies, the romance would be G-rated.  TCC is labeled “young adult”.  It’s also suitable for all ages.

All of the books are contemporary, and all of them except HEALING are set in the Missouri Ozarks–in a fictionalized version of the places I knew from birth.  If you would like to read excerpts, and in the case of THE CAMERON CONNECTION, the whole first chapter, click on the “excerpt” or “read more” button under each book cover.

The books are available in trade paperback and e-book formats (including Kindle-compatible MobiPocket) from the publisher, Wings.

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Books, Interviews, Writer, Writing and tagged , , , , , ,
19 Aug 2010
5 Comments

Interview with Novelist Wilburta Arrowood

After our successful interview with Sandi Rog, we turn to another experienced novelist, Wilburta Arrowood.  I appreciate her taking the time to share her insight into the writing profession.

1. Tell us about your books.

I have two novels out: For the Love of a Child, which is a story of anger, bitterness, revenge and redemption. It is a novel, however, the story contains the plan of salvation and many have found it a useful tool to reach folks who will not accept a bible study but will “read a good book.”

The second novel is For the Love of Money, a sequel to For the Love of a Child, and deals with a man trying to support his family via gambling. Many Christians get sucked into that vortex and I pray this story gives them some hope of getting back to God and his grace.

I also write short stories for Christian Woman magazine and other magazines now and then.

2. How long have you been writing?

I wrote in grade school, but I became “serious” about my writing about 25 years ago. I began researching “how to” write and joined a local writer’s group to learn the basics of commercial writing.

What led you to fiction?

One of the first things I learned was, “Write what you enjoy reading.” I love good fiction, and at the time I started writing seriously, there was very little Christian fiction available. I wanted to help fill that void, since I knew many other women were seeking clean inspirational stories as well.


Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Books, Interviews, Writer, Writing
17 Aug 2010
14 Comments

Interview with Novelist Sandi Rog

I will be doing a series of interviews with novelists in the Church of Christ.  I appreciate Sandi’s excellent answers. Please check out her books.

Many may not be aware of Christian fiction. The genre is growing rapidly with men and women. I don’t know of any man in Churches of Christ who has a novel published. I hope to be there one day.

I admire these ladies and their fortitude to finish their work and endure the arduous process of getting their novel to market.

They work tirelessly to write and market their work. I hope you will read their thoughts, and buy their books and check out the field of Christian fiction. Just about every genre is represented in the field.  So, start exploring. I have some links on this site to Christian fiction resources.

1. Tell us about your books.

I have a few, but I’d much rather talk about THE MASTER’S WALL since it releases through DeWard Publishing this November.

THE MASTER’S WALL is a historical novel that takes place in a villa outside of ancient Rome. Here’s a blurb:

He fights for his freedom. She fights for her life. Together, they fight for each other.

After watching Roman soldiers drag his parents away to their death, David, a young Hebrew, is sold and enslaved to serve at a villa outside of Rome. As David trains to become a skilled fighter, he works hard to please his master and hopes to earn his freedom. However, an opportunity to escape tempts him with its whispering call. Freedom beckons, but invisible chains hold him captive to the master’s granddaughter, an innocent girl with a fiery spirit. David vows to protect Alethea from his master, the murderous patriarch, and contrives a daring plan-sacrifice his own life to save hers.

Here’s what people are saying about it:

Can I just say “Wow!”? Or maybe “Stunning!”? I love stories set in the first century, and The Master’s Wall ranks as one of the best I’ve read to date. The characters are exactly what a reader wants-full of spirit, full of fire, full of temper that leads them into trouble . . . and faith that helps them through it. The setting is so richly portrayed that you’ll feel like you’ve donned a toga and are wandering through the villa.

Sandi Rog uses these gripping characters and stunning setting to execute a plot that will keep you guessing and dreaming and yearning along with Alethea and David. The Master’s Wall is so enthralling that it even haunted my dreams when I put it down halfway through-and you can bet I finished it the next day!

There’s so much I loved about it-the brutal reality of slavery depicted. The sweet hope of a girl whose innocence has been marred by tragedy. The enduring faith of a boy who determines to spread the Gospel, even in captivity. And when the depravity of man butts against the perfect will of God, you can bet there’s going to be a lot of conflict to keep those pages turning!

For lovers of Biblical and first century fiction, you will not want to miss this one! And for those unfamiliar with the genre but interested in history, pick up The Master’s Wall for a trip to Ancient Rome that will make it feel like home. This is one I’m going to be recommending to everyone I know.

—Roseanna M. White, author of A Stray Drop of Blood

Read more…

Posted by Richard Mansel in Books, Christian Fiction, Interviews, Writer, Writing and tagged , , , , ,

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