Welcome back, Davis . Why did you become
an author?
I came to faith at age twenty-eight. I started writing two
weeks later. I had never picked up a pen before to write more than a business
report – I was working as a business consultant based in Germany at the time.
I wrote for nine years and finished seven books before my
first was accepted for publication. All through that while, no matter how hard
it was to hold onto the dream, I remained convinced that the writing was both a
calling and a gift.
It took me eight
years to sell my first manuscript. If you weren’t an author, what would be your
dream job?
There is no other dream job I would seek. I want to simply
extend my reach within this profession. Nowadays I also lecture in creative
writing, both at seminars around the globe and at Oxford University .
This year I have also been contracted to write two feature film screenplays.
And I am the
screenwriter for a Christian feature film. If you could have lived at another
time in history, what would it be and why?
Sorry. The question does not touch me. My internal realms
fuel a great many new vistas, both in the here and now and further afield. Next
year, for example, I am publishing both a new fantasty and a new science
fiction series (under the pen-name Thomas Locke). The other times and places
are here with me now.
What place in the United States
have you not visited that you would like to?
That is very interesting indeed. I left the US at
age 20, and have lived most of my life since overseas. I know Europe
far better than I do my own homeland. I would love to travel more. The
Northwest in particular interests me.
How about a foreign
country you hope to visit?
I have lived in eleven different countries and worked in
over forty. The question for me is, what is my favorite area. There are two. For
cities, it would be my adopted home town of Oxford . For regions, it would be the Basque
coast of France .
Home to some of the world's biggest waves, which makes for an amazing mix with
the French-Basque culture.
What lesson has the
Lord taught you recently?
Beautiful question. The topic of this recent book, The
Turning, is “listening to God.” This has played a role in my spiritual
walk since the very early days. It is one thing to “live” it. But another thing
entirely to teach. In conjunction to the book's release I did a forty-lesson
radio project with Moody (available free as podcasts, downloadable from my
website, TheTurningBook.com) and a forty-lesson guided introduction to the
discipline of listening (also available for free on the website). A great and
taxing and enormous gift to me personally. I hope it proves the same to others.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Five different people, in different congregations, and
different cities, and different cultures, all have been studying a lesson plan
about listening to God. And to their astonishment, God communicates with them. In
each case, the communication comes in the form of a request, or an invitation
if you will. God asks them to turn away from the normal course of their lives,
and do something that would be impossible unless they relied fully on him and
trusted him to see them through.
Take the main character as an example. While in university,
John Jacobs was a rising star of the Ohio
State football team. But
one night he goes out with buddies, gets drunk, starts a bar fight, and winds
up going to jail on felonious assault charges. John has spent the forty years
since that point carrying the burden of that youthful mistake. When the story
opens, John’s nephew is being released from jail. For the second time. During
Danny’s first stint, he found Christ and turned his life around, only to get
out, go back on drugs, and rob John’s own home. In John’s case, the request is
for John to be there when Danny emerges from prison that very afternoon.
All five of these people assume the request from God, this
turning, is all there is. But in fact what really happens is, God has a major
challenge he intends to put before them. But first he had to unite them as listeners.
As people willing to follow his guidance. Whatever that requires. Wherever God
might take them.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Turning - Christianbook.com
The Turning - Amazon
The Turning - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
One of my FAVORITE authors! His characters are very real, and there is always so much depth to his stories, with the security that Christian values will win out.
ReplyDeleteSounds good!!!!
ReplyDeleteIndiana
Great interview with one of my favorite authors. Thank you both.
ReplyDeleteTennessee
Thank you for a great interview and bringing this book to my attention.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Backus, TX
I agree, this does sound very interesting.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I've been privileged to attend two of Mr. Bunn's seminars and have pages of notes, which I refer to when plotting out my books.
ReplyDeleteI have also read and enjoyed several of his novels and would love to receive a copy of "The Turning."
Thanks for an interesting interview.
oops!
ReplyDeleteForgot to tell you which state I reside in. Pennsylvania.
I always love Davis's novels, and this one sounds like a life changer. Thanks for having him on your blog, and for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteMarianne
Alberta
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond Bryant
Conway, SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
What an interesting concept to write about. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book to see how the story plays out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new-to-me author and now I'm intrigued. Ü
Cindi Altman from Pennsylvania
Thanks for the interesting interview. Mr. Bunn's books are very popular with our church library readers.
ReplyDeleteJulie (WI)
Sounds like a very interesting book!
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
I've been wanting to read this one! I live in Sacramento, CA!!
ReplyDeleteHaving only a week ago attended workshops with Davis Bunn in beautiful Oxford and Cambridge and been really inspired by his words I am excited to read more of his books!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview :). I live in QLD, Australia.
Thank you, Lena for the interesting interview with my favorite author! Looking forward to reading this book ... Missouri
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteOla from Traphill NC
I haven't read anything you have written yet but I am looking forward to soon! (Idaho)
ReplyDeleteI am on my 25th Davis Bunn Book. No other author has sent me scrambling to learn more history, or 'google' places and historical events. Or given more spiritual encouragement.
ReplyDeleteShirley Craig
FL
Would love to win anything written by Davis Bunn! I'm in Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteLove Davis Bunn books!!
ReplyDeleteKim,
Bear Creek, NC
Boy this subject hits home. I have been walking through surrender and my family has had many struggles this year but surrendering to Almighty God, Jehovah Rapha, Elohim, Redeemer, my Savior . . . He is present and gives me peace. I will go to the website to listen to the podcasts. Thanks for the giveaway. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteAdding to my must-read list! Indiana
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ReplyDeleteI would love to win your book Davis. Bet it will be good. Also interested in your downloadable devotions. Thanks for the give-away. Maxie,
from Texas
T. Davis Bunn is also read in the Netherlands, both in English and translated into Dutch. Great author and happy to see that his works are spreading over the world.
ReplyDeleteThe Netherlands/Europe
I'm a fan of Davis Bunn! (ID)
ReplyDelete