Yesterday's interview continued...
How have the things you’ve learned impacted your life today?
I’m still learning, I have to admit; my skull’s kind of thick. I find myself getting amped up about the book--wanting to do anything and everything I can to help make sure it’s a success--and then my wife reminds me: “You’re not in control of all that. God is.” She’s a smart one, that wife of mine. So the short answer is, I still struggle with wanting to control everything myself. But God, and my wife, keep reminding me that’s just not the case. And when I sit down to think about it, and really accept it, that’s very freeing. It can be terrifying, wanting to have total control yourself, and realizing there’s no possible way you can do it all.
What was the best advice ever given to you... The Worst?
Best advice: just write, and let the rest of the stuff fall into place. That always has been, and always will be, true.
The worst advice, to tell the truth, is just about anything that tells me “how” to write. How I write will naturally be different from how you write, and how everyone else writes. Part of our responsibility, as writers, is to discover what works best for us. Sure, it’s great to read books on craft and such; the danger comes, though, when those books begin to get quoted as authoritative sources on “the way” to write. There is no one way.
Is there a life lesson you would like people who read your book to know before they read your book?
After? Oooh, before and after life lessons. I have my thoughts on what the book really means, but I hate to say, “this is what I was trying to tell you.” I think a book can mean something slightly different to each and every person, so I’ll leave the “after” part alone. Before anyone reads the book, though, I’d offer the simple thought that a ray of light shines brightest in the darkest spots. That, to me, is the power and wonder of redemption.
Tony, thank you so much for the sheer pleasure of reading your book and thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!
And thank YOU, Gina, for such thoughtful comments about the book--and questions that are just as thoughtful.
Look for Waking Lazarus in your favorite Christian bookstore or go to Amazon.com and order it today. You will be delighted!
Tony is offering you a chance to be a part of his next book. Be a Volunteer Book Publicist, win a share of royalties or a role in my next novel: www.tlhines.com/otherside.html
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