Sunday, November 26, 2006

J. N. Graham

I met Jesse online through American Christian Fiction Writers. I'm happy to introduce her to you.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think a little bit of me goes into every character I write. Truly, it’s unavoidable for me. In that same thread however, sometimes my characters are what I wish I could be. I’m very comfortable infusing novels with characters shaped by my own strengths and weaknesses. That said, I’m constantly surprised that the characters in each book stand on their own and have vastly differing and unique personalities.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

(Chuckling here) For about three years I had bright blue hair that hung down to my waist. On a whim I died it that way one day and liked it so much that it stayed lagoon blue for quite a long time! During that period of my life I had the wonderful opportunity to use this as a witnessing tool, believe it or not. You’d be surprised the doors that this opened for me, allowing me to share God’s love with people on the fringes of society who always started conversations with “Hey, cool hair!”

And that's what we want to do, reach everyone for the Lord, especially the disenfranchised. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In college. I was really struggling with what God wanted from my life. I remember getting up out of bed late one night, scrambling for paper and a pencil so I could jot down a story that had just come to me. When I put down the last word suddenly I realized that this was it.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love Christian fiction (of course!), but also enjoy biographies and books on archeological studies. I’ve also been known to enjoy a good Michael Crichton or Nicholas Sparks novel from time to time.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

A Rose from the Ashes, The Prairies Call Your Name, Captainess, Malika’s War, and my first novel, Finding Mann.


How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Making a very conscious effort to slow down is key. I know that sometimes this is easier said than done, but you’d be surprised how much you can actually cut out of your schedule if you really wanted to. One way to cut back on being crazy busy is to learn the proper use of the word no.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I keep a file of last and first names that I’ve heard or seen somewhere, and tuck that away for later reference. I also love to find out what their meanings are, because although a reader may never know what the name means and how it relates to the theme of my novel, I will.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

While being a novelist is incredibly rewarding, nothing quite compares to starting every day with your sweetheart! Marrying my husband and having a Christ-centered marriage is my proudest achievement.

Even after forty-two years with mine, I have to agree. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

No animal on earth lives better than our 4-year-old Labrador retriever. I would definitely want to be her!

What is your favorite food?

Have you had the Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup with garlic breadsticks? No? Then you have not truly lived, my friend.

Yes, those bread sticks are the best in the world. If I really need a treat, I order a dish of their alfredo sauce to dip them in.

Thank you, Jesse, for giving us a glimpse into your life. Readers, be sure and leave a comment for a chance to win A Rose From the Ashes.

11 comments:

Sheryl said...

Thank you Jesse and Lena for a wonderful & informative interview.

I read the review & synopsis of A Rose from the Ashes on Amazon and it sounds terrific. I'd love to be entered in the contest to win a copy.

Blessings,
Sheryl

Anonymous said...

Great interview, Lena and Jesse. I'd love to be entered for a chance to win A Rose From The Ashes!

Rachel

Jennifer Y. said...

Great interview! The book sounds really good.

Anonymous said...

Great interview. Thank you.

I like her idea about keeping an idea with names. I think I'm going to use that idea for my writing.

Caitlyn said...

It's good to see other Christian writers out there. I'm English and I am always being told "Christianity doesn't sell" and such stuff.
I write mostly plays, and mostly Christian plays. They're performed by our Church group. Two made it to the publisher's. We did Pilgrim's Progress, a story that has people queuing round the block to see it. And yet the publisher said there would be no interest in it. It heartens me to see others being encouraged instead of discouraged

Anonymous said...

It was such a joy to read these comments! Thank you to everyone who stopped by Lena's blog to check out her interview with me. And thanks especially to Lena. Lena writes some pretty fantastic books, and if you haven't had a chance to read any of them you are missing out! For those who may have wondered, all of my novels are available at online booksellers such as Amazon. To Hillary: Sometimes what 'sells' and what doesn't really have nothing to do with what God wants. If you feel Him tugging at your heart to write Christian material, then that is what you MUST do. Continue to learn more each day and hone your craft, yet at the same time be tenacious, fearless and persistent. There will always be naysayers...but the Lord's desire for your talents is what really matters. Be encouraged!

Have a blessed Holiday season!

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Thank you, Jesse. I really enjoyed interviewing you.

Anonymous said...

I love looking at name meanings as well. As a substitute teacher at several different schools, I get to hear lots of different names and keep a blank book in my purse to write down especially striking ones. Thanks for the interview, and I'll have to be looking for A Rose from the Ashes (though I'd love to win it!).
Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Great Interview! Sounds like a great book.

Anonymous said...

I love to read these interviews, Lena. And after reading this one, I'd be thrilled to win a copy of her book!

Anonymous said...

Jesse, I read a description of your book, and I'd love to read it. Also, congratulations on the blue hair! It's amazing how God so often uses something that many church people would look down on.

Carole