fiction fridays: interview w/ novelist eddie snipes

Hey Readers!!

The winner of a copy of one Stephen Bly novel is :

SHIRLEY STRAIT

Congratulations Shirley!

I’ll contact you via email for your mailing info.

Today is the last day to enter for a chance to win a copy of Louise Gouge’s “At the Captain’s Command” Leave a comment on her interview for a chance to win.

And now, the interview with Eddie…

I’m excited about having novelist Eddie Snipes with us today. Eddie’s latest novel I Called Him Dancer is out now!

Welcome to The Literary Mama Eddie. Tell our readers a little about yourself.

Those who knew me in my earlier years would have picked me as the least likely person to become a writer. My teachers would have laughed at the idea. In fact, one time my teacher came to visit my house. I’m certain it was to tell my mother how well I was doing. When I answered the door, my teacher said, “Eddie, is your mother home.”

“She ain’t here,” I said.

“Ain’t? Did you say ain’t?” My teacher dropped her hands on her hips and said, “Eddie! Where’s your Grammar?”

I shrugged at the odd question and said, “She ain’t here neither.”

In 1998 something changed. Me. My life had a dramatic transformation and I became very active in ministry. Prison ministry was my focus and when prisoners began asking for reading material from our lessons, I decided to write things out. The task that I hated for so many years didn’t seem quite so bad now that I had something to say.

My writing started off as a chore. A pleasant chore, but I still wrote based on necessity and not desire. Over the years, a deep love for writing grew in my heart, and now I look for opportunities to write because I truly enjoy it. For the last two years I’ve put a strong focus on connecting with other writers and in January of 2011, I began serving as president of the Christian Authors Guild.

What is I Called Him Dancer about?

For a moment, Michael danced on top of the world, but one bad choice turned his life upside down. The once promising Broadway star now washes windows for tips and lives among the homeless. When his former dance partner recognizes him behind the fray of whiskers, shame drives him away from her. Angry at God and the world, the Dancer refuses to allow anyone into his life. When everything is stripped away, three things remain: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

I Called Him Dancer is a story about how one woman’s enduring faith and unconditional love drives her to reach out to a homeless man who has given up on life.

Where did you get the idea for this story?

In 2009, two song writers named Tralena Walker and Tom Webster visited the Atlanta Writers Club. They were scheduled to speak at the second hour of our meeting. I almost didn’t stay since I had no interest in song writing. I headed down the hall after the first session ended, but when I reached for the door, I had the strange urge to stay. At the end of their presentation, Tralena performed a song titled, Dancer, and then said, “I’ve been trying to find someone to write about this song. I think it would make a great novel.”

Until then, I was a passive spectator, but her words made my head explode. Embarrassed by the loud pop, I quickly scooped up the pieces and reassembled my head and discovered that the book was mixed into my brain matter. The whole story hit me at once. I met with them and we worked together shaping the story into what it is today.

What do you enjoy most about writing fiction?

Until a few years ago, I only wrote non-fiction. On a whim, I entered a flash fiction contest and discovered a whole new world of writing. Non-fiction writing is also uplifting for me, but mentally taxing. I have to analyze the information, write with accuracy, and take information from many sources to compile them into an easy to read format that hopefully will educate. After a few hours of non-fiction, my mind feels exhausted.

Fiction is the opposite for me. When I’m really into the story, I have written for 14 hours without stopping. Okay, I did stop for a bathroom break and a bite to eat, but not much more. I found myself wanting to get right back in there and write some more. With fiction writing, I enter the world of the plot, follow the story and characters, and then write what I see. Until it’s time to edit, I don’t have to figure anything out. Just see and write. Instead of feeling taxed, I feel excited and alive. Why, it’s better than TV.

Do you have any hobbies?

I used to swat gnats with a sledgehammer, but my wife downgraded me to a smaller tool and put wood in front of me. Now I just build things out of wood. I’ve won 12 ribbons in my wood working. I also like to vegetable garden. Nothing like fresh organic veggies on the table.

Do you have any other books coming up in the future?

I am currently working on a non-fiction book called Simple Faith. It’s a book about taking the biblical concepts our faith is founded upon, and explaining them in a way that inspires and shows the simplicity of the gospel. The Apostle Paul once said, “I fear that your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Many Christians think the Bible is filled with complicated theological ideas. This book seeks to show that knowing God is simple, inspiring, and a joyful journey.

I have another full length manuscript finished (if you can consider a first draft finished). Also, I have three other manuscripts in various phases of construction. I have the overall ideas for each of these books. Since I forget things, when I see a scene, I write it out and save it for future use.

How can readers get in touch with you?

You can flash a light on the clouds that says, ‘Free chicken fingers,’ and I’ll play Batman music and come running. Some people prefer the simpler route of connecting with me on Twitter @eddiesnipes. My facebook username is eddiesnipes. It might seem like a strange coincidence, but my LinkedIn name is also eddiesnipes. Even more crazy is my website: http://www.eddiesnipes.com. On each of these, I just closed my eyes and typed out random letters. I might have peeked on a few letters.

Thanks for stopping by to visit to Eddie!

 You can get Eddie’s novel I Called Him Dancer at http://www.amazon.com/Called-Him-Dancer-Edward-Snipes/dp/0983224706/