Stephen is giving away a copy of a book to one lucky person who comments on this blog post between now and Thursday, April 7th. For a chance to win, you must comment on this blog post with your email address. To prevent trollers from accessing your address leave it in this format: yourname(at)email(dot)com
If you prefer not to leave your email but still want to participate, email me at preslaysa(dot)c(dot)williams(at)gmail(dot)com any time between April 1-7th.
Winners will be announced on April 15th.
Now, for the interview…
Today’s author interview on The Literary Mama is with Stephen Bly. Stephen is a Christy award winning novelist. He has authored and co-authored over one hundred books with his wife, Janet. His latest novel Throw The Devil Off The Train will be released in May. I’m pleased to welcome Stephen to The Literary Mama.
Stephen, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with The Literary Mama. Tell us a bit about yourself.
After several decades working family farms and ranches in central California, I’ve been a pastor for over 30 years. My wife and I mentor writers for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She & I met in high school and have been married almost 48 years. We live in north-central at 4,000 ft. elevation on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. I collect and restore antique Winchesters; love history of all eras, especially the Old West; and play a par game of golf. Our three sons and their families live down the mountain in Lewiston, Idaho. We have three grandchildren with one on the way, and one great-granchild.
Where did you get the inspiration for Throw The Devil Off The Train?
I don’t have a clue. Sometimes plot ideas seem to fall out of the sky for me. When I find one I like, I pick it up and run with it, to see where it leads. This one is a road story inside a train headed west. The grandeur of the West from a train window. The very slow journey, compared to modern transportation.
I tossed two cats into a burlap bag, then watched to see how they’d survive. . .or not. After a few gouges and bites between Catherine Draper and Race Hillyard, I could see the trail and markings of their story.
What theme did you explore while writing Throw The Devil Off The Train? What do you hope readers walk away with knowing?
The main theme: that people are much more complex than first meetings reveal. . .the hurts and pains, the victories and defeats of the past form a part in acts and responses in challenging situations. Readers should be reaffirmed about God’s grace in imperfect people’s lives. He can work out all the complications and bad breaks to a good end.
How did you manage to author so many novels?!
High motivation, for one thing, to get all the story ideas rumbling around in my mind out and developed. Then we packed up from a busy life in southern California to a slower and cheaper lifestyle here in Idaho. Also, self-discipline. I plodded at the computer a certain amount of hours every day. My prime working hours are usually in the early morning. Of course, I work long hours into the evening when a deadline looms. I also believe the help and support of my wife’s feedback and editing skills went a long way to helping me produce publishable works and get them ready for an editor on time.
Do you have any other projects in the works?
I’ve just signed a contract to do a novel featuring one of my favorite characters, Stuart Brannon, from one of my earliest projects, The Stuart Brannon Series. The former lawman and rancher will be older in 1905 when he’s asked by his friends, Lord & Lady Fletcher, to be one of the celebrities for their Oregon coastal charity golf tournament. The working title is Stuart Brannon’s Last Shot.
How can readers get in touch with you?
They can e-mail at StephenandJanetBly@connectwireless.us or send me a letter at P. O. Box 157, Winchester, ID 83555
They can also get more info about us and our books at our website or blog: http://BlyBooks.com or http://BlyBooks.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for chatting with us today Stephen.
You can order Throw The Devil Off The Train through Amazon or http://BlyBooks.com/store.htm
Stephen is giving away a copy of a book to one lucky person who comments on this blog post between now and Thursday, April 7th. For a chance to win, you must comment on this blog post with your email address. To prevent trollers from accessing your address leave it in this format: yourname(at)email(dot)com
If you prefer not to leave your email but still want to participate, email me at preslaysa(dot)c(dot)williams(at)gmail(dot)com any time between April 1-7th.
Winners will be announced on April 15th.
This sounds like it is a very interesting book. I have always like Westerns and in a Christian novel is an extra bonus.
Oh! I would LOVE to win a book. I love to read and am so excited at the thought of adding this BOOK to my growing COLLECTION.
Many, Many and More Thanks! 🙂
Sounds exciting!:)
liz.m.moberg(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview from an amazing and highly motivated man. I like the sound of this book!
carlagade [at] gmail [dot] com
Stephen Bly is one of my favorite authors and I’ve read all but a handful of his adult fiction titles. I’m really looking forward to reading this one as well.
Blessings…and thanks for the chance to win.
eviesmommo at yahoo dot com
One of my favorite writers. I’d love to read his newest book. 🙂
When you said, “…to get all the story ideas rumbling around in my mind out and developed”…I can imagine Paul felt the same way trying to write all those letters to the churches! In fact, I think you and Paul share the same main idea, and inspiration, for your writings. Well done!
I love the themes in Steve’s books because they all point to the grace of God. We aren’t perfect, but God turns the problems in our past into blessings in our future–all for His glory.
Stuart Brannon is no exception. We can learn spiritual lessons from him too. He one of my favorite people and I can’t wait to see what he is doing next.
jlarsen24(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this! Thanks for the chance 🙂
Molly AT reviewsbymolly DOT com
I love Stephen’s books and can’t wait to read this one.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
Just got Stephen and his wife Janet for my mentors in my writing course…can’t wait to read one of his books.
worshipdude(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve enjoyed every one of your books I’ve read, Stephen. I’m so excited to discover from this interview that you & your wife now live near some of the dearest friends I have…in the Lewiston/Kendrick area.
I go to Lewiston every Christmas season & play the piano for my friends’ church there…the Christmas cantata. It intrigues me that, just maybe, I’ve met some of your children, grandchildren…who knows?…when I’ve been in Lewiston each Christmas. Then I ALWAYS have to get what I call my “Kendrick fix” each visit…2 or 3 days at least in the lovely little burgh of Kendrick, ID.
Maybe when I come this Christmas, I could work out some way to meet you & your wife. That would be AWESOME!
You all are in my prayers as you go through the chemo journey. Thanks for writing, Stephen. We all have benefited incredibly by your gift! God bless you richly with His love & your health!
Kathy(at)zinkkez(dot)hotmail(dot)com
Love ur books and this one sounds great
Would love a chance to win a copy of your book.
bamaani/at/aol/dot/com
My husband and I have read all your books we can get our hands on. We appreciate you and Janet so much! God bless you and yours.
rustylaviolette (at) hughes (dot) net
It’s refreshing to “hear” an author say he has no idea where a book idea came from. Thanks, Steve, for being an example in humility.
janalynvoigt(at)gmail(dot)com
I really enjoyed reading Stephen’s interview. I would love to be entered to win a copy of the book. My dad was a western fan and we spent many many hours watching Bonanza and Ponderosa and Randolph Scott and John Wayne. 🙂
This was a wonderful interview with one of my favorite authors. Can’t wait to read the book.
beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Preslaysa: Thanks again for the opportunity to be featured on your blog. I enjoyed much reading all the comments too. Congrats to the winner!
On the trail,
Steve
http://BlyBooks.com