More chat between Dave and Brad

Dave:  I regret not having these chats with you a long time ago, Brad.  You are helping me think     through how I create characters  .Do you think Stella would have appreciated talking over how I portrayed her?

Brad:  Actually I thought you were accurate and fair.  Of course, I don't know how Stella  feels.  I think she would be delighted with the way she shined in the second novel, Persuasive Proof.

Dave:  She was a model wife and mother.  How's that for transformation?  She was the one who came up with the idea to do your wedding all over again.

Brad:  Right.  I consider myself a fortunate man.  You couldn't have given me a more wonderful wife.  And that little Gerald.  He is going to be a delightful young man to raise...Unless you had other plans for him.

Dave:  Well, we'll have to wait to see how he turns out.  He certainly is blessed with two loving parents.  I'd say he has a pretty good chance of being a young man you should be proud of.

Brad:  You have treated Stella and me fairly.  I'm confident that Gerald is going to turn out all right. 

Chat between the author and the protagonist

Author:  Brad, your Cardinals had a pretty good year in '74.  Were you always a Red Bird fan?
Protagonist:  Oh yeah. My Dad took me to my first game when I was only 5 years old.  Our whole family watched every game we could on our little black and white TV.  Where ever we went in the car we listened to Harry Carey on the radio.
A:  You had some exciting moments listening to the games during your travels.  It must have been a huge disappointment when they didn't win the National League pennant after leading the league most of the season.
P:  Well, if I had been sitting in Mabel Henry's living room listening to the games, it would have been worse.  But since I was so excited about getting Stella back, the Cardinal's loss of that last game was not nearly so important as getting my family back together.
A:  That was exciting to write about.  My adrenalin is still running in high gear.  What an amazing God we worship and serve!
P:  That is for sure!  I cannot believe the transformation that I experienced.  Imagine God moving up to the top of my life!  I had Him lower than the old St. Louis Browns in my book.  And then, to see how Stella's life turned around.  That was special!  God is good!

The Author and the Protagonist Continued

Author:  Brad, I'm also wondering which audience you would prefer.  I've tried to target guys between 18 and 30 but I'm told that they don't read novels.  Do you have any suggestions?

Brad: Thanks for asking.  Since I am in that category myself, I think that's a pretty good group to hear my story.  I personally prefer non-fiction but since I'm limited to being a part of your imagination, I guess I will have to settle for whoever you can convince to read your book.  By the way, who is reading your books?

Dave:   Well, uh, I have a few friends that have read them.  Most of them are my age.  At least they seem to appreciate the book.  I think they try to affirm me as a writer and they applaud the story of your faithfulness to Stella and how that all turned out.

Brad: I would agree to that.  I am happy with the way both books have turned out.  I couldn't have laid it out better myself.

Dave: Thanks.  I still hope that the message will be heard and received by young guys who are considering marriage but have a negative or nieve concept of what a Christian marriage should look like.

Brad: That's certainly the perspective that I had.  I'm amazed at the way you described me beyond my distorted view of  married life. The determination that you wrote about was way beyond anything I had ever heard of.or observed.

Dave:  You can thank the Lord for that.  If it hadn't been for Hosea the prophet in the Old Testament I would never have gotten the idea for the book.  Of course, behind the whole story is God's faithfulness toward each of us.  He is the One who originated the whole idea of marriage and the standard of faithfulness to our vows.

Brad:  I can sure testify to the amazing grace that I experienced in the story is worth shouting about.  I definitely hope my peers will read and listen. 
 

The Author and the Protagonist

Author: "Brad, I owe you an apology."

Protagonist: "You do? Why is that?"

A:  "I've featured you in two novels now without ever consulting you about how I have described you nor have I given you the opportunity to correct the words I have put in your mouth."

P:  "I guess I never realized that I had any choice.  Do you really care what I think?"

A:  "I do care.  I mean, I want you to be pleased with the character traits I have assigned to you.  I've tried to make you look good.  You are a regular guy but I want you to be a cut above the run-of-the-mill masculine, self-absorbed husband and father."

P:  "Well, I do appreciate that.  My humble opinion is that you have over done it sometimes."

A:  "Really?  Can you give me an example?"

P:  "Yeah.  That scene where you had me in a compromising situation with Geraldine Steckler.  You know.  There we were secluded in my car in the midst of a downpour.  She was soaking wet.  Wow!  She's a knockout and so available.  My testosterone level was at the boiling point.  What would any healthy male deprived of the companionship of his wife do in such a situation?  The self-control you gave me was incredible."

A:  "Well, I knew that one moment of indiscretion on your part would have ended your tenure as an elementary school principle.  I couldn't allow that.  It would have ruined the rest of the novel."

P:  "You're right, as usual.  Author's prerogative."

Check out this list of connections you might have with my novel The Pursuit

1. Have you ever lived in Iowa?  (Sorry to bring back the memories.)
2. Are you a twenties something male?
3. Do you like the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team?
4. Are you an elementary school teacher or administrator?
5. Have you ever owned a Ford Thunderbird?
6. Have you ever forgiven someone who abandoned you?
7. Has someone close to you ever been abducted?
8. Are you a recently born again Christian dealing with marital or vocational issues?

Enjoy the read.  You just may find other ways you can identify with this story inspired by God's unconditional love for each of us.

Where to find Persistent Pursuit and Persasive Proof

Paperback copies of Persistent Pursuit and Persuasive Proof may be acquired at the following bookstores:

Bible Super Store
Fort Collins, Colorado

Probasco's
Loveland, Colorado

Show Who You Are
Outlet Mall
Loveland, Colorado

Salt and Light
8th Street and Van Buren
Loveland, Colorado

Grace Place
Berthoud, Colorado

Off the Shelf
LifeBridge Church
Longmont, Colorado



eBooks are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris.com