INTERVIEW: with Brian Reaves, Spring 2006

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Brian: What made you decide to become a writer?

Eric: I was an oddball kid. I was always creating spy clubs and writing stories. I even had a short stint as a superhero that involved a towel wrapped around my neck and landed me in a police car at eleven years old. Thankfully, over time, my love of imagination and adventure found more mature outlets. Now I'm a well-mannered, erudite, literary snob.

You have an interesting story about how your first novel got picked up. What happened?

After completing Dark to Mortal Eyes, I tried all the traditional avenues. I sent out proposals and sample chapters; I met with an agent after a writers' workshop; I rubbed shoulders with famous authors at their book signings.

Nothing happened. Like the solid believer I am, I questioned God's sovereignty, His love, and His plan for my life. In other words, I was the stereotypical artist basket case.

Then, I received an email from an agent. He'd read some of my reviews on Amazon.com, and he thought I wrote well, with insight regarding fiction. He'd seen in my profile that I was working on a novel and wondered if he could have a look. Of course, I thought this guy must be a scam artist, so I Googled him, asked around -- and found out he'd discovered Frank Peretti!

Two months later he agreed to represent me. Eight months later I got a two-book contract.

What is your writing schedule like? From first sentence to final draft, how long does it take you to finish a novel?

I wrote Dark to Mortal Eyes over a period of two years, Expiration Date in six months, and The Best of Evil in less than twelve weeks. My discipline muscles seem to be getting stronger.

Discipline is key for me, since the words don't appear by themselves. I've had to change things around many times, while still trying to maintain some consistency in the writing schedule... Late at night. Early in the morning. At the library. In half-hour shifts. Parked at Kroger, with my laptop plugged into a light pole. Twenty-one straight hours after work. Whatever it takes.

Having a support system is another key. My wife has sacrificed many "things" so that I can pursue my dream. She likes to say: "I didn't marry him for the money, but that's what I'm sticking around for." No wonder we're still together after sixteen years. Seriously, she's an awesome friend and partner.

How did you come up with the amazing concept of "The Senses Series" of Dark to Mortal Eyes and Expiration Date?

Each novel in the series explores one of the five senses opened up in a supernatural way. I believe this earth is caught in a tension between heaven and hell. We're physical beings with spiritual needs. We're created in God's image, yet with sinful natures. With this in mind, I decided to write a series that showed that inner struggle in unique ways, through characters with real-life flaws and questions.

For Expiration Date, the idea came in a flash. One day I was serving a customer, and the next he was gone. He died of old age, but I still wondered if I could've done anything to save him had I known ahead of time. As I contemplated this idea, I turned and saw the expiration date on a milk container. Voila! What if individual people had expiration dates? What if I could determine that date by a touch of the skin? The story was born.

You've set up some interesting chains of events throughout both novels. When will we be seeing the rest of the stories and how they turn out?

The next story in the "Senses Series" follows the sense of taste. An overweight lady is sitting at a Chinese buffet when her cell phone rings. "Gluttons will go to hell," the caller tells her. "Get out of your seat, walk out the door, and start jogging. Don't stop until I call back." Click. The woman's unnerved, but continues eating a minute later. The phone rings again, the caller says, "You took too long. Hell's fire is that much closer." And the buffet explodes into flame. The story will continue some threads from the previous books, while exploring the life-or-death conflict between this woman and her unknown nemesis.

I do hope the series will continue next year. It's the publisher's decision at this point; they've decided to go ahead with the Aramis Black mystery series first. The Best of Evil will be released September 19 of this year.

What's your next novel about?

The Best of Evil follows a character named Aramis Black. As a child, he watched his mother die. In the years following, he wore his worldview on his arms in tattoos: Live by the Sword and Die by the Sword. Now, after a close call with death, Aramis decides to straighten his life around and moves in with his brother. The only problem? His mother's secrets begin creeping back into their lives, putting to the test Aramis' newfound commitment to godliness and peace. Can he truly be free from his past? Or will a centuries-old treasure destroy him and all that he's known about his family? The title comes from Romans 12:21, which says "Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."

You once mentioned the possibility of a Christian vampire type novel. Can you explain that thought and the inspiration behind it?

I've been to Romania a number of times, smuggling Bibles in the early eighties before the fall of Communism. I've seen the way life can be sucked out of people by ideologies, sin, and daily struggle. It's a very spiritual theme.

The first book in the "Jerusalem's Undead" series will be called Field of Blood. It will be set in the present, but dealing with the Akeldama, the "Field of Blood" where Judas Iscariot died and was buried. While being allegorical, as most vampire stories are, it would be a visceral, spine-tingling tale. I think it can reach many people outside of the Christian market, and for that reason I'll probably pursue publication outside as well.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

The fame, the fortune... oh, yes, and these fibs I've learned to tell.

Truthfully, I love hearing from readers who are encouraged by the realistic struggles of the characters in my stories. We're all human. Weak and sinful. If God can use my books to bring that struggle into the light, He then has a chance to work healing and cleansing. I know that I need it on a daily basis.

How do you write? Are you an "outlined, every step planned out before it's taken" kind of writer, or the more spontaneous "let's see where this story goes" author?

I start with a concept, both tangible and spiritual. I throw in some character conflicts and a bit of historical intrigue. Then, with great pomp and circumstance, I plant my butt in a chair and start typing. The spontaneity of the process is half the fun to me. I often reach the end of my own chapters, surprised by what's gone on.

What do you see as the biggest shortcoming of the Christian Fiction market today?

A lack of honesty.

While there are some great writers portraying real-life issues in their stories (Lisa Samson, Brad Whittington, Randy Singer, Cindy Martinusen, to name a few), these aren't the books that readers are buying in large numbers. In my view, the buying market reflects American Christianity at large. Instead of being prepared to face the realities of life, we've focused on being protected from them.

Until we learn to be honest about our own failures with each other, we'll have a rough time getting the ear of nonbelievers. They know it's rough out there and they're not fooled by our piety. When they see someone who trips and falls but keeps getting back up, it gets their attention. "You question, but you still believe," one man told me. "That seems like real faith." My response to that: "If Jesus is the Answer, why are we afraid of the questions."

On the other hand, what do you like about where it's come from to where it is today? Do you think it's grown a lot with authors like Ted Dekker and yourself writing stories that "push the boundaries" of accepted fiction?

I've been criticized for using the word "freakin'." I've been attacked for mentioning two gay characters, although nothing about their behavior was described or highlighted. I wonder, on a deep philosophical level, if I'm spending my energy in the right market. I want to reach nonbelievers, bottom line. This is a serious inner dialogue I've been having, asking the Lord for His direction.

Again, I think there are many writers and editors who are ready for the real thing. They want quality stories. Ted Dekker and Brandilyn Collins are in the minority whose books portray harsh realities while still finding large numbers of readers. They deserve the audience they've found, and I hope those readers tell others who'll help broaden the base for this market.

In your opinion, the top three Christian novels published in the past five years would be...?

In the general market, I loved John Dalton's Heaven Lake, David Maine's The Preservationist, and River Jordan's The Messenger of Magnolia Street. Each book deals with flawed central characters who find hope and redemption.

In the Christian market, I loved Dale Cramer's Bad Ground, James Byron Huggins' Rora, and Athol Dickson's River Rising. Each one has memorable protagonists and unforgettable settings.

Who are your favorite writers, and who influences your writing the most?

That's a tough one. As a kid, I was influenced most by C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. Later, I would say Robert Ludlum's The Gemini Contenders and John LeCarre's The Little Drummer Girl. In the past few years, I've been influenced by Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies, Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, as well as James Lee Burke's Jolie Blon's Bounce and Harlan Coben's Gone for Good.

My list of favorite writers would include those mentioned, as well as many others, such as: Dale Cramer, Dean Koontz, Brad Whittington, Ted Dekker, Daniel Silva, Sigmund Brouwer, Ray Bradbury, Melanie Wells, Rick Bragg... oh, the list could go on and on.

What advice would you give new writers or someone toying with the idea of a novel now?

Writing novels isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a marathon run, fueled by the joy of creativity and ideas. If you have some, put them onto paper. Read novels. Read books on the craft of writing fiction. Go to writers' conferences and book conventions. Be open to criticism, but never give up.

I believe we have a whole generation of storytellers -- filmmakers, actors, musicians, novelists, etc. -- about to burst onto the scene with Godly truths portrayed in believable ways. If you're one of them, keep at it.

Anything else you'd like to add?

No more pretending. We've been given the mind of Christ, as believers, but if we hide the junk that floats around up there, we'll stay clogged and ineffectual. Jesus knows our shortcomings, yet still fills us with gifts and dreams. Take it a step at a time. If He can use a flawed person such as me, He can do the same with you.