Kathi Macias - MY SON, JOHN - Free Book

We've had Kathi with her latest nonfiction book, now we're featuring her just-released novel. Welcome back, Kathi. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think all authors write a part of themselves into each book. I know that’s true of the 21 I’ve published so far, and will no doubt continue to be in the future, whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction. However, in My Son, John, though I’ve never been in the heartbreaking situation our heroine finds herself in, I have had to learn a lot about unconditional love through the lives of my own now-grown children. So, in answer to your question, there’s a lot of “me” in my characters, particularly the main character in this story.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Oh my, I’m so predictable and boring that I’m going to have a tough time coming up with this one. Quirky to me is probably a yawner to most people. My idea of a good time is to sit in a beach chair (preferably in Hawaii), reading someone else’s book and glancing up occasionally to watch the waves roll in and take a sip of something cold. However, I do ride on the back of my husband’s Harley, and my road name is “Easy Writer,” if that counts.

It counts. When did you first discover you were a writer?

I’ve never wanted to be anything else. I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember. My husband still talks about the day when we were walking home from junior high and I told him I was going to be a writer when I grew up. Not so sure I grew up, but here I am—a writer!

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

A good novel, one that unfolds through unforgettable characters, has to be at the top of my list. But I also enjoy good meaty Bible studies and commentaries, particularly if they deal with Hebrew culture, language, and history.

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

I’ve written more than 100 books, actually, most of which have been published. Almost 100 of them, however, were ghostwritten for other people, so most don’t have my name on them. I’ve also written/published 21 of my own, slightly over half of them fiction and two of them for children. My women’s devotional was the bestselling so far, having sold nearly 200,000 copies.

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

I’m fanatically disciplined, to the point that I drive people crazy. I’m up at 4:30 (sometimes earlier), and as soon as my husband is out the door, I take my cup of tea and go off to my quiet place with my Bible and study books and prayer journals. When I emerge an hour or so later, I’m ready to tackle my day.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

That depends a lot on the book. Right now I’m working on a book set in South Africa just prior to the release from prison of Nelson Mandela, so I’m doing a lot of research into the meaning of African names before assigning them. The same holds true any time I’m writing anything historical or set in another culture or time. For My Son, John, which is contemporary, I just picked names I liked that I felt suited the characters’ personalities.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Assuming you’re referring to writing, I’ve won the Silver Angel Award from Excellence in Media; I also won the grand prize in an international writing contest. In addition, I’ve had the honor of working with some wonderful authors, such as the late Chaplain of the United States Senate, Dr. Richard Halverson, Dr. Jack Hayford, and many others.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Egads, that’s a tough one. I suppose the kind of animal I like best—a small, quiet dog (which rules out Jack Russells).

What is your favorite food?

It’s a toss-up between pizzas and donuts. I DO NOT do health food.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Probably because my training is in journalism where writer’s block doesn’t exist, I don’t have problems being able to write on command. However, the biggest challenge for me has been finding the time to write all the many projects that come my way. I’ve had to learn to be careful what I say yes to, and then to plan accordingly, remembering that I’m only required to be faithful to do what I’m called to today.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

On the practical side, keep your day job! It took me quite awhile to get to the place where I was actually operating in the black on a regular basis. On the spiritual side, stay true to God’s calling on your life; don’t let yourself get sidetracked.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

This book has been a long time in the making. I originally wrote it with an entirely different plot, though the theme has always been unconditional love. After not being able to sell it as it was first written, though I tried for years, I offered to change the plot, and voila! Here it is.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m in various places, but my primary site is http://www.kathimacias.com/.

I also serve as spiritual director to Set Free Today ministries, so they can find me there at http://www.setfreetoday.com/. I’m a member of CAN (Christian Authors Network), where I serve as spiritual adviser, and AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), where I serve as membership chair, so I can be found on those sites as well. My weekly devotionals post in Spanish and English every Monday on Crosswalk.com and various other sites as well. A Google search will pull up most of them.

Thank you, Kathi, for spending this time with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of My Son, John. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.