Monday, August 16, 2010

Michael Sullivan's "Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness"


We're happy to have Michael Sullivan with us today talking about his book, Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness. To learn more about Michael and his book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
There is a great deal of autobiographical material in the story. I actually had a dream back in May of 2007. I was in the streets of First Century Jerusalem and it was Palm Sunday. I knew then I wanted to send my characters back to the last week of Christ’s life.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I first started writing the core of this story when I was homeless, back in 1983-84. I was riding the E-train (NYC subway line) at night. To keep myself awake at night, I wrote many of the autobiographical material now featured in the book. Two decades would pass before I became serious about attempting to write the novel. Necessary Heartbreak was first self-published two years ago. Simon & Schuster liked the story enough to offer me a contract. I added over 100 pages to the story for the S&S edition. Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness will also come out in a mass market edition next April. Currently, my agent, Irene Webb, is pitching the story to four movie producers.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m not sure there’s anything that would be surprising. In this particular story, I’ve incorporated many of my likes and dislikes into the main character. I’ve taken a very deep, emotional and honest look at myself too, using the bluntness as the core of the main character’s personality.
However, I do like to cook. I enjoy seeing my children eat a great meal. I wish I could work someday in Disney World. I love to see children smile. And I hope someday to take up ballroom dancing.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
It’s the sequel to Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness. The title of the story is called The Greatest Christmas Ever.
5) Parting comments?
Enjoy today. It’s our greatest unopened gift. It may sound corny, but ultimately it’s the absolute truth. Unwrap your gift today. Absorb the beauty of God’s world. Make it even more beautiful with your smile and your strength.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Whentimeforgets.com

60 comments:

  1. Great interview, Mike. I read Necessary Heartbreak and thoroughly enjoyed it, so much fodder for discussion. After hearing the backstory of how this story came to be, I read it again, and even the second time around, it was truly inspiring.

    Please don't put my name in the draw, as I already have a copy and have purchased other copies as gift, as I would like a new reader to enjoy the prize.

    Selena

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  2. Great interview! I have read this book and it is awesome...Thank you Mike!!
    Please do not include me in the entry...all should read this book!
    Maureen

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  3. Thanks Selena for your support. :) I'm happy you enjoyed it.

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  4. This sounds very interesting! I would love to win a copy of this book. Then, when I would finish reading, I would donate it to our Missionary Kid school where other missionaries would have the privilege of reading it.

    Great interview. And great blog.

    Thanks!

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  5. I'd love to win a copy of Necessary Heartbreak. Thanks for the opportunity. I put my email address in the box to get your blog. Thanks.

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  6. Hmm, what an interesting book. I have not read your book as of yet, however, I will be looking to purchase it. Good luck for your future sales and many more books to come, I hope.

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  7. This sounds promising and encouraging that he was able to overcome his homeless state and write such a book. I am interested in reading such a book on faith and forgiveness since I am facing the tests of faith in my current situation...

    adriennaturner@earthlink.net.

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  8. I like to read autobiographies because they seem more real than fiction. It must have taken a lot of courage to write your own story.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. I would love a copy since it has been so highly recommended!! Have a good one!! LOL :)

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  10. Great interview.. I went to check this book out and would love to read it. I only wish I could get my oldest daughter to read it. She lives on the streets and I have tried to get her off. I'm always looking for stories to give me strengh to cope. This book sounds like a great one.
    Thank you for all you do to help lift spirits

    Heidi
    heidijohnjeff@verizon.net

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  11. This sounds like a soul-searching novel. Please enter me. desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  12. Wow, Michael, this sounds like a very interesting book!

    Sarah
    sarahsantanablogs@gmail.com

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  13. Heidi, my heartfelt thoughts are with you today. How old is your daughter? Not that age really matters when one is homeless. HUGS.

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  14. Thank you Maureen for taking the time to read my story! :)

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  15. Thanks Carol and Carmen for your kind words. Telling my story actually allowed me to heal emotionally and release a great deal of bitterness and anger. :) So it was a very rewarding experience.

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  16. Thanks April for the support. I really do appreciate it and don't take lightly the time and effort associated with reading a novel.

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  17. Enjoyed reading the interview. I read the part about you being homeless twice and wondered if that was really you or something from the book. If I read it right and it's you, I'm fascinated by how someone goes from homeless to a book published by S&S...that's gotta be a journey worth sharing!Like the movie "Pursuit of Happinees." Good luck with a movie deal. Would love to have a copy of the book.

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  18. What an interesting story he has behind the writing of his book. I have always wanted to
    go back to the time of Jesus and would love
    to read this book...Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  19. Wow - sounds really interesting.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  20. Yes. I spent three weeks riding the E train in NYC in December of 1983-Jan. 84, until an aunt and uncle rescued me.
    It was a long journey. I revisited the story many times over the past two decades. But when one raises a family, it's hard to find the appropriate amount of writing time to tackle such a project.
    I've grown to respect authors much more over the past few years :)

    I finally revisited the project after I had a dream, I was on the streets of First Century Jersualem. I knew then I wanted to send my characters back in time to experience some of history's most intriguing and incredible moments.

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  21. Michael, you gave quite an interesting interview and I commend you for surviving the streets in the way you did. It is so awesome how and who God uses to further his glory. I want to read your book, it sounds wonderful...wow..a dream you had. I've never had a dream that made enough sense to write a novel about!! I'm definitely missing something. K.Dawn, please enter me in the giveaway and I always appreciate the opportunity to win a great book.

    Loving Thru Jesus,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  22. Sounds like a great book; please enter me! Thanks!!!
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

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  23. thnx really appreciate ur works and ur success
    i really adore this type of novel and like the writer too
    keep going
    i really respect it

    I'd love to win a copy of Necessary Heartbreak

    lanastar_2010@hotmail.com

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  24. Great book and interview. I have a review posted on my blog. This is a book you don't want to miss! Barb

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  25. This is a great book and interview. I have a review of it posted on my blog. You don't want to miss this book! Barb

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  26. I would love to win a copy of your book. Always looking for soulful stories.

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  27. I started the book journey back in 1983 while riding the subway for three weeks, mostly at night. Usually, during the day, I got off and tried to find a job. There's a scene in the book that describes the main character washing his hair in the toilet to avoid friends seeing him in his situation. So, most of the flashbacks are autobiographical.
    I was rescued off the train. Well, actually, I called my aunt and uncle and told them of my plight. They first agreed but my father heard of this help coming my way and ripped into my aunt and uncle.
    So I went back on the train.
    Until I couldn't exist anymore emotionally. I called my aunt and uncle and told them, it's getting dangerous. I need help. They gave it to me, but hiding me from my father if he came over.
    I got a real job them. LOL.
    I got married.
    We had two kids.
    We have spent a lot of time raising them.
    Now, I have more time to dedicate to writing extensively.

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  28. Forgiveness is one of my favorite themes. I'm looking forward to reading!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  29. Barb, it's the first one I think I've had where I'm wasn't falling :) It took me only two decades to find the remaining part of the plot. :)

    Many thanks for the comments. I'll do my best to get more books. I really appreciate the support.

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  30. Well, I've never been homeless, but... I had lost my job and paid my bills with my savings. then I begged my brother for $50.00 grocery $ for my birthday. I didnt have ANY $ after paying my bills. He ended up sending me $100.00, which I set aside for groceries. I washed my clothes in the bathtub (that is a CHORE!). and I ran some christian friends back in forth in my car and they put some gas in my tank. that gas is what I used to drive around to look for jobs. didnt know if i was going to be evicted or not -- ended up happy because I found a job in the nick of time!

    I have never been homeless before! I would LOVE to win the book, and I LOVE real life stories -- sounds very inspiring!!!

    Chris
    Christieredbird@hotmail.com

    I wish you the BEST

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  31. I would love to win the book. So sorry you were homeless.

    Am already a subscriber!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  32. sign me up for contest karen k521@msn.com

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  33. Hi Mike... Thank you SO much for thinking of us Aussies! We (and yes, I speak on behalf of the WHOLE country lol) really appreciate it when we are included in the amazing american authors giveaways!

    I would REALLY love your novel! You are such a beautiful person, and I would just simply love to read your work! That, and the fact you can't get it in Aussie Land!

    Take Care,

    ~Dani

    TheDragonflyCottage@hotmail.com

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  34. Would really love to read this book!!! As a book seller for over 30 years, I truly miss being able to see and read so many of the books! This book sounds very, very good!
    grammylulu@aol.com

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  35. I enjoyed reading the interview. This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  36. Thank you for the wonderful comments and the interest. I believe the second book, The Greatest Christmas, produces an even better story. But authors are supposed to think this way, right? :)

    I'll do my best to get as many books possible. :) And thank you for the comments regarding how the book was published. It was a long journey, a healing process for myself. Perhaps someday my father and I will have a heart to heart talk.

    If you're interested in the publishing process too, feel free to ask any questions. I utilized the internet to find my agent so techonology helped me along the way.

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  37. Thanks Brenda. But looking back on it has helped transform me into a better person. I have more compassion and understanding.

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  38. Wouldn't Michael's story make a wonderful movie?! We never get enough reminders to be forgiving of others. I would really like to read this book...and see the movie. Thank you for offering a copy for giveaway. It would be an honor to win this book. Thank you for the chance.

    Grace & Peace in Jesus,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  39. Thanks Barb :) Hopefully my agent will locate a producer who feels the same way. Thanks for your support.

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  40. Mike, I look forward to reading your book. It sounds like a story of triumph. God promises over and over to always be with us even in the depths. Knowing that, I tell myself go forth and conquer through His power. It sounds as if that is what you did.

    Put my name in the draw, please.

    A J Hawke
    ajhawkeauthor at aol dot com

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  41. Thanks AJ for the kind words and support. I see you are an author too. Please let me know about your work as well.

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  42. Good Morning I am glad we met on facebook. Your book sounds like it will be very interesting. Praying you sell a lot of them. God bless you

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  43. well i would like to read it

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  44. I look forward to reading this book. It also sounds like one that would be a great gift for other family members and friends. I have read bits & pieces from your website but this if the first info I've read that you spent some time homeless...on the street. Interesting. My son, at one time was homeless. It was called necessary heartbreak. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your book! My email address is lesiadobo@gmail.com
    Lesia

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  45. Wow, Michael, this sounds like a book I'd like to read, pass around and possibly purchase copies for those, like me, who enjoy keeping great books on hand.

    Karlene Jacobsen
    southpawscribbler@gmail.com

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  46. looks like a wonderful book! kjillosborne@comcast.net

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  47. I would LOVE to read that! Put me in the pot!

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  48. If you haven't heard from me, head over to whentimeforgets.com and send me your email through the contact form. Many thanks for the comments and the support! It really does mean alot to me.

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  49. Lesia,
    very sorry to hear about your son's previous situation. I did incorporate some of the situations I faced when I was homeless in Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness.
    This allowed me a chance to heal and reflect on it. I hope your son is doing well today. Please let me know. HUGS.

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  50. I don't think I signed up for this one. Thanks

    gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

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  51. Thanks Maureen for the kind words! Sorry I missed your post earlier.

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  52. Many thanks to everyone for leaving a comment. I also want to express my gratitude to K. Dawn Byrd for helping me promote Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness."

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  53. Michael, I'm not sure if your still watching this post but I will try to find you.
    My daughter is 30 this year. She has 4 children that she doesnt have and the drugs are more important. I receive your package yesterday.. Thank you so much...I have her youngest child and 2 middle are with their father and the oldest is with her father but he is not much better. I have been fighting for her all her life ( the oldest girl) and she to can't seem to want to floow the rules. Not that they are hard normal parent things, do your homework, stay in after 9pm. but she saw to much when she was young and I don't know how to get through to her either. I don't want to se her go down the same path as her parents. The other three are great. I'm now raising a 4 yr old but I have had him since he was 6 mons old. I also had all of them at one time but the middle father stepped up and became a great dad to them. Wow I think this is the first I have talked to anyone about this. The tears don't want to stop. Maybe thats a good thing.
    Thanks so much Just knowing you have friends out there helps.
    Heidi

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  54. Thanks Heidi. I got your email too. Will be in touch. HUGS.

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  55. I've sent you a note via email. Please stay strong. We can get through this. You and your family are in my prayers this evening. HUGS.

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  56. HELLO I GUESS ITS GREAT BOOK, N NEVER READ IT BUT FROM THE TITLE, I WAS INTERESTED, BUT IM IN INDONESIA N HOPE I COULD BUY THIS BOOK TO SOMEONE AS A GIFT...

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  57. I will check to see if it's available there. Thanks for asking.

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  58. A new book by a new author - one of my favorite things to do

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  59. I can't believe this was eight years ago!

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