I met Julie at Mt. Hermon writer’s conference last year, and she is as sweet as the chocolate brownies she writes about so vividly. So I’m delighted to chat with her today about her debut novel.

(That’s Julie and her mom in the photo on their visits to California bookstores – where they spotted a display of Renovating Becky Miller with Chocolate Beach – our two new novels.)

Hi, Julie!
Thanks for visiting my corner of the blogosphere and letting me kick off my snow boots and dig my toes into the sandy beaches of your world. ☺You’ve done a lot of writing, but this is your debut novel. What has been the most surprising discovery about the process and experience of coming out with your first novel?

Julie says: Hi Sharon! Okay, one of the most surprising discoveries about this process is that I could finish an entire book. LOL! Seriously, about 2/3 of the way through I found so many pieces strewn about that I worried I wouldn’t be able to bind them together into something presentable. Thanks to God I did ☺ As far as its release, I thought it would come out and I’d be too busy writing the next one to be that involved. What planet was I on? So I guess you could say I was surprised by how busy I’ve been letting people know that my baby has arrived.

How about you Sharon? With a second book out (Renovating Becky Miller), what have you done differently, if anything, from the first go at it?

Sharon says: I’ve watched other authors a LOT this year – viewing all the options for ways that writers are involved in their book’s releases. I have friends who want to put every ounce of energy into writing, so they purposefully don’t pursue book signings, visiting stores, arranging interviews, etc. I have other friends who invest huge amounts of time in speaking to various groups, traveling, seeking media exposure. I’ve tested the waters – organized book launch events, participated in multi-author signings, spoken to groups of various sizes and types, participated in blog tours, produce a monthly ezine (folks can sign up for it on the “contact Sharon” page of my website) and have done numerous media interviews.

I enjoy people. I love to answer questions and interact and chat about the themes of the books. I like knowing that I’m doing my part to support my publishing house in getting the word out. But on the other hand, those efforts DO drain my energy sometimes. So, I’m still grappling with finding the right balance and protecting my writing time and energy. Ultimately, I feel like my calling is to produce the best, carefully crafted stories I can. So if speaking, traveling, interviewing, etc., keeps me from that, then I’m heading the wrong direction.

Now, let me ask you about your wonderful character. I enjoyed getting to know Bri, because she felt like a different end of the spectrum from Becky Miller. Becky is incredibly driven and guilt-ridden. Bri may struggle with guilt or worry about her marriage, her parenting, her faith walk…BUT she has a deep ability to kick back and enjoy beach time. I think Becky needs to spend some time in flip-flops watching the dolphins with Bri. Do you have Bri’s carefree sensibilities? What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of her approach to life?

Julie says: I want to have Bri’s carefree sensibilities! When people began to suggest that this book was autobiographical, my 12 year old daughter said, “That’s not true, Mom! It says that Bri’s ‘laid-back’.” LOL Thanks kid! Bri’s strength is in her deep love for her family, and her desire to have a normal life, and yes, her pursuit of everyday kick-back moments. Her weakness, though, is in avoidance. She avoids what may be the truth, makes assumptions and ends up making questionable fixes. (Oh my.)

Becky Miller has a bit of a fixing problem herself, doesn’t she Sharon? ☺ Can you relate (I know I can)? On the flipside, what strengths really shine in Becky?

Sharon says: Oh, yeah. As I read about Bri hiring a designer to re-do her beach-side home, I thought of Becky’s efforts to remodel an old farm house….all while trying to fix problems at her church, with her friends, and most of all in the lives of her family. Men have the reputation of liking to solve and fix things – but we women are right in there, too. Yep, I relate to both our characters’ efforts to make things better—which sometimes goes cattywhampus.

As far as Becky’s strengths, she has a deep faith, a good-hearted desire to help others, and a lively imagination. And although she may charge ahead in the wrong direction sometimes, when God gets her attention, she’s willing to listen and change course.

Now, to change the subject, I have to comment on your awesome characterizations. I stuck a post-it in Chocolate Beach as I was reading this line:

“His mother shook my hand—or rather, she shook my fingertips. For someone with the reputation of a cutthroat, Mona’s handshake lacked finality. Maybe the weight of her diamond-studded tennis bracelet weighed her arm down.”

I adored that. A couple lines and we learn SO much.

Did you always love to write? And what are a few of your favorite recent reads?

For Julie’s answer – and the rest of our conversation – click to her blog to continue! 🙂

Thank you to everyone who left comments for my interview with Jeff Gerke, creator of WhereTheMapEnds website. As promised, I drew a name from all who posted, and the winner of Jeff’s character-creation system is:

Jill Nelson!

Congratulations!

Today I’m interrupting my Around the World Virtual Book Tour (for Renovating Becky Miller) and am delighted to share a recent interview with Jeff Gerke about his website, WhereTheMapEnds, and his thoughts about the fantasy genre for Christian authors. After you read Jeff’s thoughts, feel free to explore other CSFF Blog Tour sites listed in the far right column. You can also scroll down to my earlier post to see the places I’ve been visiting all month on my current book tour.

Sharon: Hi, Jeff!
Welcome to my blog.
I’ve told many people about your heroic work in championing The Restorer. You talked me into telling you about it, when I was starting to feel that fantasy was considered an ugly stepchild in the Christian publishing family. I know you’ve written and edited other genres, but why do you have a special soft spot for fantasy, and why do you believe it can be a particularly powerful way to tell our stories of faith?

Jeff: First, I should say that I’m not sure you were wrong that fantasy is sometimes considered the ugly stepchild in Christian publishing. All the speculative genres, really, might fall into that category. I’ve recently done a series on this very topic in my Fiction Writing Tip of the Week column (see Tips 16-18 ) Tip #18 mentions even mentions you and The Restorer.

Sharon: Cool! Let me interrupt to say that I’ve been following your tips as you’ve posted them and they are awesome. I had the blessing of getting editorial input from you on the Restorer, and I think it’s wonderful that you are making your insights available to EVERYONE on your site,WhereTheMapEnds.

Now, on with your answers:

Jeff: As I said in the interview on CSFF Blog Tour ,

I think epic fantasy may be the perfect storytelling vehicle for dialoguing about Christianity in fiction.

In fantasy you’re talking about the battle between Good and Evil, so you’re already in the theologian’s backyard. In fantasy you often have supernatural beings or events imposing themselves into the natural world. Funny, that kind of sounds like Christianity, too.

For whatever reason, fantasy just feels like the ideal lab bench for exploring ultimate issues like truth, love, loyalty, corruption, and heroism. Fantasy feels like a parable (another staple of Christian thought), a means of removing a topic out of the “real” world to isolate it and examine it in the light.

Sharon: Exactly! Fantasy isn’t about what is “unreal” so much as looking at reality and truth from different angles or in unusual settings – to get even deeper insights.

You helped my “I can die happy when this story is told” book go to print, but I know you’ve also got a very special writing project in the works. Tell us about it.

Jeff: The book of my heart, my magnum opus, is an epic fantasy geared for
non-Christians. My theory is that virtually all people would respond to the intrinsic qualities of Christianity if only it could be stripped of its trigger words and stained glass language. The goal of this novel–beyond just telling a ripping good tale–is to show Christianity in its purest form.

Sharon: You just said something key. You want your story to convey the truth of God’s love and plan BUT you are also telling a “ripping good tale.” Can you give us a few examples of favorite recent CSFF books that balance this well? Strong themes without being didactic? And don’t forget to mention the books you midwifed at Strang. 🙂

Jeff: I’ve had the great blessing of being able to bring some fabulous Christian
speculative fiction to publication–when I was part of the launch of Realms
at Strang Communications and then over the fiction line at NavPress.

Don’t make me choose between my children, now. All four novels we launched
Realms with were fantastic in their own right. I do think one in particular
did a good job of specifically what you’re asking about: strong Christian
themes without being didactic. The other three would be ones I would mention
in place of this one if the question had been different, but here goes.

I think “The Personifid Project” by R. E. Bartlett got closest to what
you’re describing. This wonderful SF thriller is set in a future in which
technology has reached the point where you can transfer your consciousness
to an artificial body (a personifid) and thus live forever.

Just by that premise you’re automatically grappling with issues of life,
eternity, playing God, free will, fear of death, and more–all territory in
which the Christian novelist is quite at home. Without having to hit anyone
over the head with Christianity, the issues are there, organic to the story.

The author’s sequel, The Personifid Invsion, brings in spiritual warfare and
is also quite cool.

A novel I acquired at NavPress is another good example. Tosca Lee’s
fantastic “Demon: A Memoir” is the tale of a book editor who is accosted by
a demon in human form. The demon proceeds to lead the editor on a
fascinating quest through just about every theological topic you could think
of–but through the eyes of a not-quite-trustworthy narrator.

If the reader accepts the premise–Dinner with a Perfect Demon, you might
say–then for 250 pages she’s going to be grappling with spiritual issues.
And it’s all quite natural and built into the story.

At the risk of sounding like I’m trying to get in good with the teacher, I’d
have to say that your Restorer trilogy, Sharon, is another good example of
this. Without any overt discussion about Christianity, you lead us on a tale
of high adventure all with biblical underpinnings and that discussion of
Good and Evil that comes as part of the package when you write fantasy.

I’d like to think that my own epic fantasy, mentioned above, will do this as
well.

Sharon: Thanks for steering us to some of your favorite non-didactic spec fiction, and thanks for the kind words about The Restorer. 🙂 You also have a comprehensive list of Christian-authored spec fiction of all categories at Where the Map Ends. When you launched your site, I was amazed at how many terrific books have been published in this genre. Some of the titles take a little more effort to find — they may not be featured front and center in your local Christian bookstore. But your links will guide readers to where they can be ordered online. This is of my favorite pages on WhereTheMapEnds!

Jeff, you’ve compiled amazing interviews with top CBA authors, tips for writers, information for readers searching for more spec-fic, as well as the resources of your editorial services, and some other elements that are just plain fun. What is coming up for future development on your site? What are your dreams for the site? What can visitors watch for?

Jeff: I have three goals for WhereTheMapEnds. First, I’d like it to be one of the
first sites people mention when the topic of Christian speculative fiction
comes up. I’d like them to say, “Oh, well, if you like Christian fantasy,
you’ve GOT to get over to WhereTheMapEnds.com to see what’s out there and to
read the interviews.”

Second, I want it to continue becoming known as a place where aspiring
novelists, especially those aspiring to write Christian speculative fiction,
come to learn their craft and find tools to help them do the thing they most
love to do. I love teaching people about this crazy craft and every teacher
craves interested pupils.

Between the tips on fiction writing, the articles about what goes on inside
Christian publishing companies, my various products and links to help
novelists better create amazing speculative fiction, and the editorial
services I offer, I think I’ve got something for every Christian speculative
novelist. I’m also toying with the idea of doing a collaborate story project
on the site, but haven’t figured out how (or if) to do that yet.

Third, my ultimate goal is to become an independent publisher of original
Christian speculative novels. On the site there is a link to Marcher Lord
Press (http://www.wherethemapends.com/marcherlord/marcherlord.htm). This is
my dream.

So much wonderful Christian speculative fiction does not get published
because of the factors I cover in Tips 16-18 on the site. That’s a shame. On
the whole, the Christian fiction publishing industry is set up to service a
certain demographic, one that does not typically like speculative fiction.
For years I worked within the system to expand the boundaries of what
fiction we could publish. Now I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps we need to
find a new way altogether.

Marcher Lord Press would be a small, POD (print-on-demand) publishing
company that would sell original Christian speculative novels directly to
the consumer. That’s another reason I’d like WhereTheMapEnds to become
popular–because when I have original novels to sell, fans of
WhereTheMapEnds will be the ideal audience.

Most marketing done by Christian publishers (or anyone, for that matter)
involves finding where the target audience is and letting them know about a
product they might like. What if I could do that differently? What if
WhereTheMapEnds was where the target audience already was and I could just
let them know about the new novels they’d like? Instead of going out to find
them, they’ve found me.

While that’s my long-term goal, it’s not my only goal. Marcher Lord Press
may never happen, and that’s okay. My other two goals will remain in effect.
Marcher Lord Press is a dream of mine, one that would allow me to publish
those novelists who for years I’ve had to reject. It would also allow me to
have a place to publish my own epic fantasy, since I’m pretty sure neither
Christian nor secular publishers would like it–but fans of Christian
speculative fiction would love it (I hope!).

But whether that day comes or not, I’m loving what we’re doing at
WhereTheMapEnds.

Jeff

Sharon: Thanks so much, Jeff!

I have great news, blog-readers. Jeff is offering an awesome prize. I’ll draw a name from everyone who posts a comment to this blog entry, and the winner will receive a FREE GIFT of Jeff’s “Character Creation for the Plot-First Novelist” system (a $28 value). So chime in with our thoughts, and tell your friends!
And be sure to scroll down to see my itinerary as I continue my virtual book-tour around the world all month for RENOVATING BECKY MILLER.
Blessings, Sharon