Q: What made you decide to write Christian fiction?
A: I actually set out to write a book of Bible lessons for an adult Sunday school class I was teaching. I found myself adding to the Bible stories things that I thought might have, or should have, happened. It eventually occurred to me that God might not appreciate my editing of his work. That's when I concluded that a novel might be a better vehicle for what I was trying to do.

Q: What lessons did you learn through the course of writing your books?
A: I learned three primary lessons: (1) I should never be afraid to fail for Christ. The book business is tough and every writer experiences plenty of rejection. As long as my purpose was to glorify Christ, I decided that the possibility of failure was something I could leave for God to deal with. (Fortunately, my books have done very well.) (2) I should never try to face temptation alone. One of the main characters in Something That Lasts makes the mistake of thinking he can handle temptation on his own. It's better to admit to God that we're not strong enough, and rely on his strength. (3) I should never get discouraged when I get discouraged in my faith. Even Elijah, one of the greatest prophets in the Bible, got discouraged. Sometimes we will, also. Perseverance, not perfection, is the key. That’s a point that comes through in my books.

Q: In Double Cross and Forsaken, you choose to tell the story through the eyes of a non-believer, or at least a tepid believer. Why?
A: I try to be careful not to write preachy Christian fiction. I think that can come off as boring to believers and unreadable to non-believers. I’m not trying to administer an evangelical bludgeoning. I want to write page-turning stories that will stimulate thought on important issues of faith. So I try to weave Christian themes and discussions seamlessly into the plot.

Q: Forsaken involves an obvious dilemma of faith. But what is the point you were trying to get across by presenting that dilemma?
A: I would say that if there is one central point of faith in Forsaken, it is that God will use even our poor or questionable decisions for good if we let him.

Q: In Double Cross, Taylor and her mother are reunited after twenty years, but their relationship falls far short of what Taylor had imagined. What was your point in painting such a troubled mother-daughter relationship?
A: Taylor may not get what she wants from her mother, but she learns some important lessons about forgiveness and grace. Those lessons are worth the rough ride, I think.

Q: Will Taylor Pasbury make it all the way back to God?
A: We’ll have to pull for her. Taylor has a good heart, but she’s had a hard life, and faith is not an easy thing for her. She has to have help to find her way.

Q: In all of your books you address the issue of forgiveness --- what it is and what it's not. Why?
A: People have a natural need to forgive, because it is impossible to move on without forgiving. In Something That Lasts, one of the characters makes the point that forgiveness can't be earned, it's a gift. The same basic point is made in a different way in Forsaken and Double Cross. In each book the central characters have to learn to forgive themselves as well as seek God’s forgiveness. God’s forgiveness comes much more quickly.

Q: From Something That Lasts, it is apparent that you are passionate about the way the topic of adultery is currently being handled by Hollywood and the popular press. Tell us what you think is happening.
A: I believe very strongly in marriage. We guys don't say that enough. Hollywood and the popular press often treat marriage like an entertaining diversion that can be tossed away at the first sign of inconvenience. I wanted to paint a picture of the high price that families, and particularly children, pay when a marriage is tossed away. On the other hand, I wanted to focus on the upbeat reality that --- in faith and in love --- those who persevere receive the reward.

Q: In Something That Lasts, the Parst family is forced to deal with the sudden loss of a family member and the intense grief that naturally follows. Is there a message in the book that you believe will appeal, in particular, to those who grieve?
A: Yes. As Christians we know that people who die go to a better place. I wanted to paint a mental picture for people of what that place might be like. I think that when people can picture something like that in a concrete way, it provides much more comfort.

Q: What is your next book about?
A: It's another Taylor Pasbury novel, and this one will be a techno thriller. It will take the reader on a hair-raising ride along the boundary between science and religion.

Q: As a full-time attorney, when do you find time to write?
A: Actually, that’s the biggest problem I face. Believe me, I don’t have a lot of free time. When I’m not spending time with my family, I’m sitting in front of a computer screen. It’s amazing how much time a person can free up, though, if he just turns off the television.