Q: The concept of the world changes brought on by World War III and the tsunami that you present at the start of SOON leaves readers with a lot of food for thought. It seems to me that you like writing a bold concept like this, which grasps your readers' attention right at the start of the book and immediately transports them from their "safe" world to another place. Am I right about this?
A: Yes. Of course, that's not unique to me. It should be the goal of every novelist.
Q: Many --- if not most --- wars have been fought over religious beliefs. Why do you think religion has been so divisive?
A: I fear it's because religion is man's attempt to reach God, and when he feels he has succeeded, he cannot abide anyone else's claim to have done the same. In my opinion, Jesus is God's attempt to reach man. But while I believe Jesus is the way to God, it makes no sense to hate people who disagree.
Q: Once again with Paul Stepola in SOON we have a man whose marriage has deteriorated, much like Rafe's in Left Behind. Is there a reason why you chose this theme again?
A: Such tragedy occurs daily, especially among people without faith. Of course, bad marriages are so pervasive that they have invaded the faith community too. Broken relationships are a source of heavy heartbreak that seem to affect every family. That I have enjoyed an idyllic marriage for nearly 33 years also makes the other side of that an interesting topic to explore.
Q: Your books lack a lot of description and your dialogue is spare. Tell us why you feel so bly about this style of writing.
A: Actually SOON has more than the Left Behind series, but I really believe less is more. The theater of the mind is impossible to compete with, and I like the idea that with a few suggestions, each reader forms in his or her own mind what a character or a place looks like. As for dialogue, I think it keeps things moving to cut to the chase.
Q: Your faith is so deep. Is it difficult for you to write about nonbelievers and make them real to readers?
A: I hope not. I try to put myself in their place, imagine myself responding to someone of any other faith entirely. And I try to remember the kinds of responses I have received to "God talk" over the years. The uninitiated have real questions and valid concerns over how the things of God appear to them.
Q: Left Behind is such a successful series. You have written other books since you started the series, but none like SOON. What were your thoughts as you started a new series on your own?
A: How much I wished I had the world's leading prophecy expert on the other end of the phone. :) But Dr. LaHaye is there again for my current project (GLORIOUS APPEARING, book 12 in the Left Behind series). But it was fun, in a tightrope walking sort of way. I love inventing worlds and characters and settings and scenarios.
Q: You did an extensive tour for SOON. What did you hear from readers while you were on the road?
A: It's always great to meet readers, as writing is a very lonely profession and you like to have an idea who's on the other side of the page. They are most kind, saying wonderful things about Left Behind, asking when the next one is coming, and sharing their enthusiasm over what they know about SOON so far.
Q: Can you share anything about the second book in the trilogy and does this trilogy have a name? When can readers expect to see the next book?
A: We're assuming it will become known as the Soon series. The next book is due to Tyndale in February to be released approximately 9 months after the release of SOON, which was September 16th. The third book will be another 9 months out. In book 2 we'll resolve some of the mysteries from book 1, including what happened to the letter Paul had discovered (from his father), Jae's motivations for what appears to be a reconciliation attempt, etc. Of course, the entire underground is in grave danger because of what has happened at the end of book 1.
Q: When you write the final cliffhanger of each book, do you immediately write the next chapter and "hold it back?"
A: Never have.
Q: You have said that it takes you six weeks to write a Left Behind book. Is the same true with the books in this trilogy? When you write have you already thought through your concepts with an outline, or do you always start from scratch?
A: The first book of a new series takes longer, as I'm establishing characters and settings and the overall thrust. SOON was the first novel where I used a rough outline. Usually I have characters and an idea and write as a process of discovery. Like working without a net.
Q: How do you feel about winding down the Left Behind series, with the last book being published in March? A twelve-book series over 8 years was a huge undertaking. Would you ever want to do a project like that again?
A: If I did, it would only be because the preceding books were phenomenally successful --- so yes, sure I would. I can't imagine that happening twice in a lifetime. Books that do a tenth of what Left Behind has done are smashing successes. [A prequel and final sequel are also planned in the Left Behind series, so I am by no means finished when book 12 is done.]
Q: When you started Left Behind, did you ever foresee it becoming such a giant success, or were you taken by surprise?
A: Oh, sure, I thought it would sell 60 million. :) Not! I am still astounded. More every day.
Q: What do you think fueled that success?
A: The great writing. Kidding. In truth, I think whether people would call it this or not, there is a God-hunger in society. People buy books by the Pope, the Dali Lama, the Eastern mystics, the inner-healing gurus. People are looking for something beyond themselves, and when they hear of fiction based on Bible prophecy, it fuels that hunger. They read out of curiosity, and then, if the fiction works fundamentally, they get hooked.
Thanks for your interest.
Excerpted from Riven © Copyright 2008 by Jerry. B. Jenkins. Reprinted with permission by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
• Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.
top of the page
