- Thu, Aug 18, 2011
- Writing
A Funny Story about Researching for Courageous (audio)
In this audio clip, Randy Alcorn talks about an experience he had while resarching the police and gang life in Albany, Georgia for the novel Courageous.
Resources: Writing
- Tue, Aug 16, 2011
- Writing
Randy, how do you decide what books to write next? (audio)
In this audio clip, Randy Alcorn answers the question, "How do you decide what books to write next?"
- Wed, Jul 20, 2011
- Randy's Books, Salvation, Writing
Even though you are writing for a Christian audience, how do you craft your message in an attempt to reach non-Christians?
When I wrote Deception, the spiritual themes are interwoven into the central plot, the murder mystery. Ollie’s recognition that everything is not as it appears applies not only to the murder, but to the larger issues of his life.
- Wed, Jul 20, 2011
- Randy's Books, Writing
What first sparked your interest in writing murder mysteries?
I like reading them—particularly the Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout. I love Sherlock Holmes. In fact, every chapter of Deception starts with a great quote from a Holmes story. It was fun matching those with the contents of particular chapters. Many people enjoy murder mysteries, so there’s potential for a wide audience.
- Wed, Jul 20, 2011
- Sexual Purity, Writing
How do you handle writing on purity and other sensitive subjects without being explicit in a way that’s tempting to the reader?
I never create any mental pictures that could tempt, as I have strong convictions against that.
- Wed, Jul 13, 2011
- Christians, Past and Present (By and About), Doctrine and Theology, Writing
You quote from C.S. Lewis often. Do you always agree with him?
Question from a reader:
You quote from C.S. Lewis in your books often. I like Lewis too, but now I'm hearing that he's not biblical. I recently watched an online video that said he was a universalist. What do you think?
- Wed, Apr 13, 2011
- Writing
As you continue to write fiction books, what is your greatest source of inspiration for your writing?
I seek to read and think and use my imagination, and improve my writing skills. I ask God for ideas and help, and I sense Him answering those prayers. Whether we build or draw or fix things or make a home for our families, God wants us to yield our gifts to Him, and depend on Him for the next step, even the next breath. I don't always succeed, but that's what I seek to do in my writing.
- Wed, Apr 13, 2011
- Writing
Do you listen to Christian music for inspiration while writing? If so, who?
I like Chris Tomlin and others, but I often listen to classical music while writing as it fuels the imagination and inspires, while not distracting me with words. When you are writing words you don't want to be hearing them! (I don't, anyway, though some writers are different.)
- Wed, Apr 13, 2011
- Writing
Do you prefer to write books in a series, such as Deadline, Dominion, and Deception, or stand-alone books?
Books in a series and stand-alones each have their advantage. I like the continuity of characters in a series, so you don't have to reinvent every one each time.
- Wed, Apr 13, 2011
- Writing
What was one thing that made writing The Chasm different than writing your other books?
The Chasm is in some ways the most purely imaginative book I've written, yet it has some gritty references to the struggles and dead end streets of this life.
