A guest interview by Mitchell S Karnes
One of my favorite parts about being an author is sitting down with my readers and discussing my books. I start the discussion by saying, “Ask me anything.” Many times, the group sits there quietly, expecting me to give some inspirational monologue, but I’m patient. I’d rather not limit the scope of the questions. It truly pays off, and I’m asked all sorts of questions ranging from my origin and inspiration as an author to personal struggles. One of the most intriguing questions so far was, “If you could be any of your characters, who would you be?” They’re all a part of me and I’m a part of them. You think that’s a cop-out? So be it. It’s true.
I dreamed of being a famous, best-selling author since sixth grade. I’m still dreaming of that. One day, it will come true. Until then, I’ll keep improving my craft and enjoying the process. It wasn’t always that way though. I started college at Southern Illinois University with the expectation of becoming a corporate lawyer and part-time writer. I majored in pre-law and minored in creative writing. I gave up on the idea of being a lawyer, realizing I wasn’t cut out for the job. I did, however, hang on to the dream of being a writer. I thought I was the next O. Henry because I imagined these incredible, shocking endings. Two of my writing professors quickly put me in my place.
One said, “Nice ending, Mitchell. Where’s the story?” It hurt even though it was true. I’d rushed to the end without taking the time to develop the story or its characters. Another said, “Mitchell, you don’t want to write; you want to have written.” Ouch! It took me years to understand what he meant. It took me even longer to grow to the stage where I truly loved to create and write. Hopefully, I’ll stay in that stage. Why should I expect my readers to love the story when I didn’t? I realized I was doing the same thing with my education. I enrolled in majors that might make me rich without taking the time to ask myself if I was interested in the subject. Long story short, I have a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Arts in Christian Education, a Master of Education, and a Master of Arts in Counseling. I still use all the information and skills.
“What is your writing style, and how do you create a story from nothing?” I am a plotter/planner who gives himself the grace of inspiration and alteration. I’m a visual learner, so when an idea comes to me it is triggered by some tangible object or person. Then, something magical happens, and the story unfolds before my inner eyes like a movie. Of course, the plot and characters evolve as I put the ideas to paper, but the general plot line usually remains the same.
In my current series, The Abbey Rhodes Mysteries, began with an image and a question. As a pastor I walked through the pews on a Monday morning, collecting trash. I looked up and saw the baptistery. In a flash, I envisioned a dead pastor floating in the water. Why have such a morbid image? I was pondering retirement due to health challenges and wondering what would happen in an older, traditional church if a young, vibrant, and visionary pastor followed my tenure there. Water Grave was born. A young pastor is discovered dead in the bottom of the church’s baptistery and Homicide Detective Abbey Rhodes must investigate the one place she swore never to return . . . church.
My favorite line from Water Grave serves as the series’ theme: “Own the truth, or the truth will own you.” Abbey has a dark, hidden past that comes crashing down upon her. This is her personal story, and each case triggers a specific part of her past that she must either take ownership of, or allow the guilt, shame, and fear of her experiences continue to own her. I hope readers will identify with Abbey and accept the challenge to own their past mistakes and move forward. I had to come to grips with my past and my trauma of two bouts with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I am not the young, vibrant person I once was, but I am no less important to the Kingdom of God and His plan for my life. I still have value. Writing is my journey, not my destination. I hope and pray that something I write will move, inspire, and challenge someone else to accept what was and strive for what might be.
I hope this answered a few of your questions. If you have more, go to my website and ask. I would love to address them.
More about Mitchell:
He is first and foremost, a Christian and he owes his life to God. He is also a husband, father, grandfather, author, minister, teacher, administrative assistant, counselor, etc. The proverbial Jack of All Trades. He has four degrees (BA, MA, MACE, and MEd) which have led to him becoming an astute observer of life and people. The more he learns, the more he realizes he doesn’t know, but he will continue to pursue knowledge and wisdom all the days of his life.
