MIKE DELLOSSO is the author of numerous novels and short stories. He recently released his latest book, Fearless. He is also a popular conference teacher, speaker, and writing coach. Mike lives in southern Pennsylvania with his wife and four daughters. ACFW Journal Extra: Fear’s Name: Creston Mapes
Editor’s note: In the July 2013 issue of ACFW Journal, author Mike Dellosso chatted with fellow author Creston Mapes about his writing journey—the latest step of which is his new book Fear Has A Name, releasing this month from David C Cook. Here is more of that conversation.
Why did you decide to write fiction in addition to your freelance work?
Mapes: I did not become a Christian until I was about 28. Prior to that, I had lived a life quite opposite to that of a Christian. I had seen and done a lot of things that were extremely ungodly, things I regret, but that are part of my past.
After becoming a Christian, I realized I wanted to use my creativity and writing skills to share God’s transforming power with the world through story. Since I had experienced so much drinking, drugging, carousing, and getting into trouble I figured I could write about such things with realism.
How have you grown as a writer? As a person?
Mapes: I think the evangelism in my books now arises more from the grassroots of the story. I would love for this new series to “crossover” in a big way into the ABA.
Each book along the way has specifically reflected where I am spiritually. As Christians we have dry times and thrilling times and those feelings and struggles and triumphs are lived out through my characters.
As an artist, I feel the quality is really coming now, again, because I’ve had great teachers/editors. Frankly, I am ready for a bestseller and a blockbuster series. If readers give this new book one page, one minute, I think we will have them hooked.
How do you know you’re called to write?
Mapes: It’s something I haven’t been able to quit, even with my heavy workload. I will point out, however, that I try my best not to let it interfere with my family. But even keeping the specific hours I do, it’s still difficult to get out of your mind sometimes. I often think about my stories even when I’m not working.
I’ll keep writing as long as the calling is still there. And I still believe God is going to open the floodgates. I say that because I believe in the quality of the stories. They are unique. They are thrilling. And God has given them to me to write. And I fully expect Him to make them bestsellers.