Fan questions answered...

1) How did you come up with all the details?
2) At first my heart sunk at the simple sentence structure and I wondered whether it was written for children or teenagers. Was it? ...And then as I went on I smiled and thought 'This is one clever lady!' sliding these very clever, profound truths and thought provoking ideas in here under the cloak of a simplicity. 

Answer: <Spoiler Alerts -read Meek and Tiny Garden before reading the following answers to fan questions.>

I'll answer question 2 first. 

Why thank you. I like being called 'a clever lady.' It makes me smile. But in truth I wrote as I write. Perhaps I am simple and the truth is simple. So together Meek is a simple story of the simple truth. Simple is a good word. It's reminds me of childhood, gardens, adventures in the woods, a bookshelf filled with books. Simplicity brings to mind minimalism. 

However, one of my influences is C.S. Lewis and his writing is rich and bold. There's so much to chew on and discover in each sentence. The only thing simple in his writing is the truth -which shines through and the perpetual cup of tea I imagine that he drank as he wrote all of his works.

I'd like to say that as I wrote each character I prayed over who they are and what they think and where they go. Why do they do what they do? I wanted characters who represent the many types of christians we see everyday. There are the Ben's lost in our own knowledge of God but lacking in the relationship. We expect that pastors are faultless. I have known many pastors who left their flock to find themselves. Utterly sad -for their churches and for their personal lives as they drift along trying to find who they are if not with a church. I love the character of Ben. Originally Jordan was to be the main character. But she moved on as young people do to find their way with the Lord. Ben was too interesting to me. I couldn't help but develop his character. He came to life for me in 2012. But the richer development of his character came as I wrote Tiny Garden. As a child he sought others approval. He was lonely. He longed to be friends with Em and Petals because he was alone. This is where his sin nature continues into Meek. He wasn't raptured because he sought the praise and admiration of his church -not of his Lord. Simply put, he had no relationship with the Lord.

On to other characters. There are the Abigails who seek out power over others to feel power within and doing so lose everything in the end. As it all burns away into nothing at judgement. She welcomed the demons and evil. I have met many people who do this. I feel such sorrow for them.

Then there's the plain-Jane angels who are strangers we meet. They know, love and worship our Lord. So when we greet and love them with the agape kind of love of Jesus -we honor and glorify our Father. But how many times do we miss that event -a life time event- to meet and love an angel of the Lord? Just like Bethany in the book. Our sins revolve around us. Selfishness is a sin that gobbles up who we are in Christ...or who we could be if only we would come to him and develop our relationship with him...and then stay in relationship with him. 

There's Annie who in Tiny Garden was nicknamed Em. She chose to be unequally yoked with a nonbeliever and faces Tribulation. She is a good person. How many times have I heard the argument that a good person goes to heaven. Good on our own merit is nothing without Christ. When we are changed through the holy spirit and develop a relationship with the Lord the good becomes meaningful. It's our works -we will be judged on these works. Did we obey the Lord? Did we do the works he led us to do? Our blessings -rewards in heaven- come from these acts of goodness. 

Annie and Jordan are new believers. They are trying to find God. They are starting their relationship with the Lord. That's where many new christians find themselves. 

The book represents a time, place and people who can live in God's provision and under his protection -or not. But the vibe -if you will- is one of the experience that I have had living in the Lord's provision and protection. It's a unique place to be -in the midst of the worldly evil that surrounds us like a cloud of poison. 

Question 1:
I read the Bible and CNN and have counseled people for over 25 years. The details of the persecution and problems are real to all of us. I developed the characters and they do the most likely thing that characters do -they are who they are and do what they do -based on their beliefs and values. I have said before that I am a detail oriented person. I love the minutia of living. It's intriguing to me. Well this is enough for today. 

More details to come in future blog entries...to my fans...I love answering all your questions!

If you have read this entire entry I want to say, thank you. God loves you and has great plans for you. Be blessed.