Sunday, December 6, 2009

John L. Owens' THE NINTH GENERATION


We're happy to have John L. Owens with us. Click on the photo to the left to visit his website. Read on to learn more about John and his book...

1) How did this story come to you?
The story slowly unfolded while cleaning the acrylics of our family-owned tanning salon. My wife and I took turns running it. Between customers, it was a great escape to delve into the setting of The Ninth Generation and to ponder the dialogue that might have taken place between Noah’s father, Lameck, at 112 and Enoch, at 364 years of age. The time period before the flood had fascinated me and there were mysteries that I longed to solve. I had also prayed for something that would help our 18-yr-old adopted son to obtain a Biblical world view. An adventurous, fast-moving novel with some clean romance seemed in order.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had followed the advice of David Morrell, author of First Blood, who said to writers, “Your goal should be to write something that’s important to you, not to the critics.” And while I had utilized the editorial arm of The Christian Writers Guild, the final novel was a difficult sell to a regular publisher – most prefer a New Testament time period. I had also taken a position on Genesis 6:4 – the angelic / human view – that may have been uncomfortable to some. So, with prayerful consideration and some advertising – publishing experience, I decided to go with a reputable pod Christian publisher (Xulon). If it was meant to multiply, perhaps it would. At least I had something to give my son and, interestingly by request, to the mothers of his friends.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I passed out once when asked to speak in public. / God used a witch to open my eyes to the reality of the demonic (she was delivered and saved). / I served as academic dean to the first above-ground pastoral training school in the former USSR.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on a field manual on spiritual warfare – Positioned for Victory (non-fiction), while thinking about another more contemporary fictional novel that might parallel The Ninth Generation – Jesus prophesied that the last days will compare to the days of Noah.

5) Parting comments?
For those who have ever wondered what it was like living among the centenarians, and would like to preview a well-researched, imaginative novel, please visit my book site.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.TheNinthGeneration.com – contains links to blog and podcasts

12 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. The story sounds fascinating and the journey to getting it published will be worth it. I love forward to reading the book and have it on my "can't wait to read" book list.

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  3. Sounds like an interesting read about interactions between humans and angels. Reading about how others perceive angels is fascinating to me.

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  4. Sounds like a very interesting read. Revealing the demonic makes us aware that there is a two-way battle going on, but God wins! Please enter me. Thank you.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  5. Can Canadians enter? If so, count me in :) - sounds up my alley!

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  6. Great interview - thanks for sharing. The book sounds good and I look forward to reading it!

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  7. Great interview! Please count me in for the drawing! I subscribe to you blog!

    mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

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  8. Great interviw, i am not sure I would like to face a witch. I would like to be in the drawing.

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  9. I like the subtitle--Conquering the Giants. We could all use a little help with that! Sounds like a fascinating read. Interesting how the idea unfolded while cleaning acrylics in a tanning salon!

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  10. ROBERT D WILSON woodnames at hotmail dot comDecember 11, 2009 at 11:21 AM

    Sounds like a very interesting story that I would love to read. Great interview as well. Please enter me in the contest.

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  11. good interview...I hope I win..phdclark@swbell.net

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  12. I love reading these kind of stories. Extremely well done, John! :D

    Kaylin McFarren
    FLAHERTY'S CROSSING
    Champagne Books, February 2010
    http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com

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