Bio: Henry’s
novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the
Operation First Novel award sponsored by the Christian Writers Guild and was
published by Tyndale House in January, 2011.
Henry writes in historical, contemporary, and fantasy. In
his stories, he explores the themes of reconciliation and restoration. He seeks
to bring his characters’ adventures to life, to show the
struggles and triumphs over man and nature that helped build strong people.
He is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and
serves as Associate Director of North Texas Christian Writers. Henry regularly
teaches at conferences and workshops, leads writing groups, edits, and mentors
and coaches.
In addition to his writing, Henry treasures working with
other writers and helping them on their own writing journeys.
Publishers Weekly
has tagged him as “one to watch.”
Welcome back, Henry. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
One of my
favorite authors, Elizabeth George, once said, “I write because I was
meant to write, I was called to write, I was told to write. I write because
that’s who I am.”
I write in response to call on me to be a writer. My work
explores the themes of restoration, reconciliation, and redemption. My
characters are all flawed even if they don’t appear that way on the outside. Like
real people, they carry internal wounds that need to be healed. These wounds
affect how they live in my stories, how they deal with conflict and tension,
how they handle relationships, how they face death.
A valuable lesson I learned from James Scott Bell is that my
main characters must face death in some form. It can be physical, professional,
or psychological/spiritual death. To achieve their story goals of the first
paragraph, my characters must overcome challenges that could kill them in some
way.
I want my readers to be entertained by my stories. So I
write the best story I can. And I also want them to be touched by the events
and the emotions my characters experience. In some small way, I hope the
experience of my stories will encourage them in their own lives.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
November 28, 1968. This is the day I married my wife, Linda.
She has been my anchor, my best friend, the person who puts up with all my
quirks and still loves me. No matter how difficult the situation we face, she
provides exactly what I need to come through it successfully.
How has being
published changed your life?
It has made me more aware of responsibilities we novelists
face to tell the best story we possibly can, to explore the human condition by
making our characters as real as possible, to provide the reader with
entertainment but to also encourage the reader, to provide through my
characters hope that the reader can also overcome what seem like insurmountable
obstacles.
What are you reading
right now?
I am currently reading Every
Crooked Path by Steven James.
I just finished Iscariot
by Tosca Lee.
On my reading pile is Deal
Breaker by Harlan Coben.
My Nook and Kindle apps are loaded with authors I really
like and new authors I’m looking to explore.
My tastes are eclectic. There are only a few genres I don’t
enjoy reading.
What is your current
work in progress?
I am writing book three of a fantasy series. Fantasy and
science fiction have long been among my favorite genres to read but I hesitated
to write it until I was challenged by my writing partners. Now I enjoy sitting
down every day with my characters and exploring the story and the story world
they’ve led me into.
In a nutshell:
Lord Fallon, commander of the king’s armies, discovers he is
the father of two children he didn’t know he had.
The dark forces seeking to conquer the land demand the
children and the powers they possess.
Now he must take the children to the one place of safety in
the world and come up with a plan to defeat the evil powers.
What would be your
dream vacation?
A month in Ireland .
Rent a car and explore the land of my ancestors.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I ask myself which story world best fits the story I’m
trying to tell. It can be contemporary Fort
Worth or a small town in the Old West. It can be a
completely invented world. It can be as big as the earth or as small as a
living room.
Then the details of the setting grow out of the story. I let
my characters show me the story world as they live (and die) in it. This makes
the story world more intricate and complex because they know it and they unveil
the nuances I might otherwise miss.
In my Riverbend Saga series, the first book, Journey to Riverbend, and the new
release, Riverbend Justice, best fit in a Western setting. The setting
needed the large spaces and the long travel times to give the story to unfold
to its fullest.
My fantasy series requires a whole new world with unique
geography and governments, conflict brought about by the environment, religious
and political tension, magic, druids, and evil dark forces seeking to take
over.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’ve been blessed to spend quality time with some excellent
writers all of whom poured into me. People like Jerry B. Jenkins, DiAnn Mills,
Brandilyn Collins, Steven James, and James Scott Bell to name a few.
In the writing world, my first choice would be Orson Scott
Card. I would love the opportunity to discuss the craft with him. Ender’s Game and his Alvin Maker series
are ones that I re-read and learn something new each time. His books on writing
fantasy and science fiction and on character and viewpoint have been major influences.
I would relish the opportunity to discuss all aspects of writing with him.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I enjoy traveling, especially to visit our kids who are
scattered over the eastern half of the country. I also enjoy taking road trips
to explore new places. I’m looking forward to visiting the Grand
Canyon for the first time.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Procrastination and giving in to distractions that keep me
from my work. One of my strategies for overcoming it is to use Writing Blasts.
A writing buddy and I developed this while doing National Write a Novel in a
Month (NANOWRIMO) in 2014. I set a timer for one hour, and I write until the
alarm goes off. Then I give myself 10-15 minutes to do whatever I want. My goal
is to complete three blasts during my morning writing time. When I do, I’ve got
at least 1,800 words.
Another strategy I find very helpful is to restrict my time
on email and social media to three thirty-minute blocks during the day. They
are at 6:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Dorothy Parker is quoted as saying, “If you have any young
friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them
is to present them with copies of The
Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now,
while they’re happy.”
Seriously, the one piece of advice I would give is Never
Stop Learning.
Learn by writing. Write what you want to write. Write in
other areas as well. If you write novels, try short stories and flash fiction.
Write blog posts, articles, devotionals. Trying other genres and forms will
sharpen your skill set.
Learn by reading. Read what you write. Read other genres.
Read bestsellers. Don’t just read to be entertained. Attack the books with
highlighter and pen. Study the books and how the authors did what they did.
What worked for you in their writing and what didn’t? How can you apply this to
your own work? Read books and magazines on the craft.
Learn by connecting with writing partners who will both
challenge and encourage you. My five writing partners have taught me so much
about being a writer and being a person.
Learn by attending conferences, workshops, and seminars. Open
yourself to receiving from the best in the business.
Tell us about the
featured book.
This novel is book two in the Riverbend Sagas series. It
follows Michael Archer and Rachel Stone into a new adventure where they seek to
clear the name of a young man, Ben Carstairs, hung for a murder he didn’t
commit.
It begins with Michael returning to Riverbend with the posse
after failing to save Sam Carstairs from kidnappers.
Michael is wracked by guilt and shame over having killed
again when he thought that aspect of his past was behind him. This threatens
his relationship with Rachel and he decides to leave Riverbend because he is
unworthy of her love.
Sam Carstairs’ dying wish is that Michael clear Ben’s name.
Michael uses this as an excuse to leave Riverbend, leaving only vague promises
to return. Rachel follows him after receiving a vision he is beaten and shot.
Michael with help from friends from the first book enters a
world twisted beyond any he knew in his old life. Corruption, adultery, and
criminals who believe they are above the law lead to more killing and a climax
that threatens both Rachel and Michael.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Monday, June 17, 1878
He
squeezed the trigger. Opened his eyes. Had he said a prayer? Was it granted or
rejected when the kidnapper, Maria, slumped to the ground, dead at his hand?
Why would God listen to the likes
of me?
Michael
Archer’s eyes focused on the flickering campfire, the heat warming his face,
but his mind was back in that valley with its lush grass, gurgling streams and
stench of death.
At the
edge of his consciousness, he knew others moved around the camp, knew two sat
at the fire with him.
“What time
you figure we’ll get in tomorrow?” Jeremiah Turner, awkward in his sling,
poured coffee into his tin cup. He blew across the surface before risking a
tentative sip.
“Late
morning, I expect.” Bill Barkston scooped a spoonful of beans into his mouth.
“Looking forward to seeing my wife and boy.” He looked at the wagon holding
eight shrouded forms downwind from the campfire. “Ain’t looking forward to
bringing sad news, though.”
Jeremiah
sat on his haunches. “Yeah. That part’s never easy. Especially this much.” He
nodded across the fire. “How about you, Michael? You looking forward to seeing
Rachel?”
Michael
started as if woken from a dream. His untouched plate of beans and bacon sat
beside him. A stick was in his hand, random drawings in the dirt at his feet. Rachel?
“Yeah. I guess so.” But would she want to see him? Once she knew what he’d
done? He tossed the stick in the fire. “Excuse me.”
He walked
toward the trees where the horses were staked out.
The
conversation behind him followed the still night air. Jeremiah’s deep voice was
soft and low. “He’s sure carrying a burden. Too heavy for one man, but he won’t
share it with anyone.”
“Reckon he
will when he’s ready. If it don’t crush him first.” Bill’s spoon scraped the
bottom of his tin plate.
Michael
stepped into the shadows of the trees, grateful to be away from the prying
questions, the watchful, accusing eyes. His horse, Buddy, whinnied softly.
Michael stroked the animal’s neck and buried his face in the mane. He waited.
The tears
wouldn’t come. That well dried up during the days of the journey back, getting
the wagon from the way station, retrieving the bodies of Vernon Phelps and his
posse group. The lump in his chest grew heavier, the grief and shame pressed
against him, his spirit bending, yielding, ready to break.
A twig
snapped. Michael froze. Maybe whoever it was wouldn’t see him.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Henry, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will want to get ahold of a copy.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the Ebook. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
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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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20 comments:
A new author to me & a Western! ! Loved the review, the book sounds like a book I'd enjoy!
Deanna in Nebraska
dkstevensneAToutlook(dot)COM
This sounds so exciting! It's been FOREVER since I've read a good western! I can't wait to read this!
J.C. -Indiana-
Thank you, Deanna and J.C.
The book was a joy to write and I hope you both enjoy it.
Westerns always remind me of my daddy. He loved to read them and watch them.
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Connie. Sounds like your dad and I have a lot in common. It's hard to find anything better than a good Western to read or watch.
Blessings and Merry Christmas.
I'm excited to see book 2 coming out, I've been keeping an eye out for it. I loved book one , easily deserves a 5 star rating. Looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks for a great interview Lena and sharing the good news.
Wishing you and yours A Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Ingrid. I hope you enjoy book 2 as much as you did book 1.
Merry Christmas.
This sounds like a great series. Loved the first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Thank you, Mary. It's been an interesting series to write. My characters have taught me a lot.
Merry Christmas.
Nice interview. Sounds like a great series. North Platte Nebraska
Thank you for stopping by, Kim.
Merry Christmas.
I enjoy reading about authors that are new to me. Lena, thanks for the great job you do of bringing so many of them to our attention. This sounds like a great book in a very interesting series. I truly enjoy Western stories - can't get enough of them. I need to find the first book to read and hope I win this one. Merry Christmas!
Edward A in VA
I enjoyed reading about a new author.
Merry Christmas from South Carolina
Hi BJM. Thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas.
Hi Edward. Thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas. The first book is probably available in your local library. I will be reissuing it with a new cover early in 2016.
I really enjoyed the interview. The first page of your book was very interesting. I'd love to win a copy. Merry Christmas!
Brenda in VA
Merry Christmas, Brenda.
I live in Oklahoma! Where it is 70 degrees in December. I enjoy reading western. I grew up watching them all day on Saturdays.
Thank you, Karen. I grew up watching Westerns all the time too. Saturday nights, my Dad and I would watch Gunsmoke and Have Gun Will Travel. My favorite TV channel now is Encore Westerns.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Love that Dorothy Parker quote. I don't read many books written by men (probably because my favorite genre is romance and there aren't many men writing in that) but this book looks like it would be a good read.
Pam in OH
Hi Pam,
I appreciate your comment.
I hope you get to read Riverbend Justice. There is a strong romance thread through it I think you will appreciate.
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