Nobody's author, Creston Mapes dropped by dregs to share a bit about life and writing.
Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?
The guy from Randall Arthur's books (Wisdom Hunter, Brotherhood of Betrayal, and Jordan's Crossing)...because I have struggled with legalis, fought it in the church, and can't stand it. Jesus hated it when the scribes and pharisees added man-made traditions on to His Word. Have you guys read these books? They're old, but great. Go get em! (Thank me later, Randall).
If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?
"What's it like in the after-life, Dad?"
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
Not so strange, but I add 2-5 loose sentences at the end of the day which tell where the story will go the next day. That way, I get busy right off the bat the next morning, and don't just sit there and stare at a blank screen.
If you could change something in any novel, what would you change about it and why?
All of the above! Plus, flying..... Also,
In my new book, in the author letter at the back, there is a typo. I would change it from "blook" to "book!" I would also include people I forgot to mention in the acknowledgments.
What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day? Which one do you aspire to be?
Good day=yellow...............Bad day=gray...............Aspire to be=rainbow
Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.
"Coffee, coffee, coffee!" Jack Lemon said this in the movie, The Apartment. My Dad used to say it all the time. Now my wife and I do the same!
If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be?
Contemporary. Not necessarily suspense, but possibly suspense. It takes an ordinary circumstance and turns it upside down with intrigue. You "MUST" know what happens next!
What period of history intrigues you the most?
The fifties. It seemed innocent and fun.
What would you write if there were no rules or barriers? (epic novels about characters in the Bible, poetry, greeting cards, plays, movies, instruction manuals, etc.)
Fiction with a strong Christian message, but fiction that is completely true and real and genuine, even if that means being graphic in nature, including with language. Although, if I could do this, I don't know if I would want to, because I care a lot about what my children think of my stories.
What makes you feel alive?
Driving down the road with the windows down and the music up......Rough housing with my kids.....Holding hands with my wife on a date.....worshipping in spirit and truth.
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
Over time, God, keeps bringing it up periodically until it is undeniable and unavoidable.
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
An Elizabeth Musser book I haven't read yet (I've read and enjoyed The Swan House and Searching for Eternity).......My wife.......Trail mix.
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
The Pacific Northwest....Portland, Seattle.....I've always had a yearning to get out there, but never have. I love the rain and changing weather. I love the looks of the lush greenery in and around those cities, the surrounding landscape, nearby mountains and water....Very romantic appeal.
Favorite season and why?
Here in Atlanta I love fall, winter, and spring. Just not summer. Anything but summer. ...Way too humid.
Favorite book setting and why?
My own books, Dark Star and Full Tilt, because they were set "on the road" with a rock superstar, which I felt was completely intriguing.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
I received this note today. It's letters like these that mean the world to me, because I got into fiction writing to touch lives and draw people closer to Christ. So, when it's working, it's glorious:
"Well I just finished reading Dark Star and I have to say this is probably my favorite book besides the Bible of course. You did a great job sir. Thank you for having such a sensitive heart towards the Lord. This book has truly inspired me to live a better life for the Lord and has made me understand the importance of prayer."---from an 18-year-old in Little Rock who is joining the Navy.
What criticism has cut the deepest and why?
One amazon reviewer said the main character in DARK STAR--rocker Everett Lester--was unrealistic. It wasn't signed by Mic Jagger or Steven Tyler, but apparently the guy knows more than I do about living the rock lifestyle!
Hey, when we get a bad review, at least we can say we're in the arena playing the game, rather than sitting on the sidelines critiquing it!
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
Take my family to the beach. Spend time with my mom and brother and sister.
What is your favorite word?
"Impossible."
What word annoys you more than any other?
When someone says, "It's 'awfully' nice outside."
Superhero you most admire and why?
I loved the old Batman , because he gave me something to look forward to when I got home from school when I was a kid.
Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?
To fly, of course. But I don't do this because....well, see my answer next question.
Anything you'd do but don't because of fear of pain? What is it? Ex. Bungee jumping, sky diving, running with scissors.
...uh, see above answer.
Favorite chore
Cooking dinner.
Societal pet peeve…sound off.
Some criminals get off the hook too easy. Others get too stiff a penalty.
Thanks for dropping by, Creston, and Dregites. Have a great weekend.
