I love both types of Dan's books. Welcome back, Dan. Tell
us a little about yourself and your background.
Well, let’s see…I’ve been married for 40 years to the only
woman I’ve ever loved. We have 2 grown children, both married, and 3
grandchildren. Way back in high school, I thought I would be writing novels for
a living. Life took me in a different direction. I wound up experiencing a call
to ministry and, after years of study and preparation, became a pastor at age
28. I pastored the same church for the next 25 years, but never lost my love of
fiction (although I only read novels, didn’t write a thing). Around year 22, I
began writing a Christmas novel, called The
Unfinished Gift. It’s a long story, but that novel became the catalyst for
an eventual shift over the next few years from pastoring to writing fulltime. I
“made the leap” in 2010 and now, with my newest novel, have written 18 novels.
How did you become
interested in writing?
It happened in 11th Grade. After almost flunking Chemistry,
I took a semester of creative writing and discovered, not only did I really
like it, but I was pretty good at it. Every paper I turned in got an A+. After
the class was over, the teacher pulled me aside and said I was one of the most
gifted writers she’d ever had. Then she added, “You could be a writer if you
wanted to.”
What compelled you to
write a book on this subject?
Unintended Consequences is actually Book 3 in my Jack Turner
Suspense series. What compelled me to write it? Keeping the series going,
because I love writing it. It’s got all the things I love in a book series. Not
just as a writer but as a reader, too. Great characters, a multi-layered plot
that combines history with the present, romance, unexpected surprises, and a decades-old
family mystery.
What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? Unlike my more inspirational novels (the ones I’m probably better known for writing), this series doesn’t really have a strong spiritual theme. I’d put it more under the heading of good, clean Christian entertainment. I love reading suspense/thriller stories but secular books in this genre, though often having great plots, also have immoral bedroom scenes and main characters who swear a lot. I wanted to write similar exciting stories but put credible, likable Christian characters in the lead roles.
Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?
Maybe in an indirect way. Because the main characters are
credible believers, I’m sure people can learn lessons from the way they handle
the various levels of adversity they encounter throughout the story. Plus,
since I write relationally-driven books, there is a lot of give-and-take on the
relational side of things, as well.
How does the book
intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?
I’m not sure it does, except in a general way. That is, to
write stories that, while entertaining, also encouraged clear Biblical values.
Do you have a
favorite Scripture verse?
That’s a hard one. I’d feel more comfortable saying, I have
a hundred favorites. Or else, several favorite verses for different situations.
When you are not
writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?
I like reading. We love spending time with our kids and
grandkids. Since we live in Florida ,
we really enjoy going to the beach. Recently, my wife and I are taking up metal
detecting as a hobby.
As we close, is there
anything else you would like to add?
Two things that I’d like my readers to know (and future
readers). First, even though Unintended Consequences is Book 3 of
a suspense series, I write all my series-novels so they can be easily read as a
stand-alone (don’t have to be read in order). And second, I really do enjoy
writing both kinds of books, suspense and inspirational (my more
“Nicholas-Sparks type” books). I plan to keep writing both, going forward. In
fact, I’m now going to start researching Book 3 in my Forever Home series (the
one where Rescuing Finley is Book 1).
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
Probably the easiest way is to go to my homepage at www.danwalshbooks.com. There you’ll
find buttons to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. They can
also sign up to get my Newsletter. I don’t send many out, but I always let my
Newsletter friends get the latest updates on new books or great book deals. People
can also email me at dwalsh@danwalshbooks.com.
Thank you, Dan, for sharing this book with us.
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