A far-off continent, a remote village, an impossible coincidence… is this what it takes to discover what’s inside a man?Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Katherine Barger's YA dystopian novel, Fortune's Fall, is:
somi19ad@...
Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.
And now let's visit with Mark Medley, author of the contemporary romantic action novel, The Same River Twice, Every Soul Longs for a Father’s Love (Thrive Ministries, May 2020).
Mark Medley is a husband, father, pastor, teacher, author, and recording artist. Native to East Tennessee, USA, Mark works developing leaders in dozens of countries through a cooperative called Thrive Ministries.Mark holds degrees in Electrical Engineering, Studio Music and Jazz, and Theology. He has been on Pastoral staff at Trinity Community Church since 1989, overseeing mission efforts, worship and the arts, discipleship, house churches, leadership development, and teaching in many different capacities.
Mark and his wife, Melissa, are the parents of four awesome children and delight in their grandchildren.
Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.
I worked as an engineer at a nuclear power plant. So if you see a great glow about me, you may think it’s my personality or the Holy Spirit, but it’s probably just radiation!
You actually have a bit of a glow about you in your author pic, Mark. I hope your writing is as illuminating as you are!
Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Same River Twice.
The death of his wife, a painful past, and the promise of bringing hope to a distant people plunges James Merritt into the rhythms of the Tsanga Valley in Central Ghana.
In this tale of fathers and sons, orphans and mentors, James embeds with the Suti tribe on the mighty Volta River and must face his own fears and learn to love and be loved.
The death of his wife, a painful past, and the promise of bringing hope to a distant people plunges James Merritt into the rhythms of the Tsanga Valley in Central Ghana.In this tale of fathers and sons, orphans and mentors, James embeds with the Suti tribe on the mighty Volta River and must face his own fears and learn to love and be loved.
James’s ingenious water invention promises to bring a new quality of life to the Suti. But a volatile land dispute between tribes, a fiery female mission worker, and a shocking revelation from his past will cause the Suti to alter James’s life in more ways than he will alter theirs.
James risks everything to gain redemption from a checkered past and find the true heart of a father. But just as he discovers what to live for, he faces the ultimate question. Is it worth dying for?
Wow, that really sounds like a fascinating read, Mark! What is it about James that will make your readers care about him?
He has suffered much in his life: abandonment from his father, being responsible for his younger siblings when his mother couldn’t cope mentally, rising to a successful career, but now stunned by the premature death of his loving wife to cancer.
James risks everything to gain redemption from a checkered past and find the true heart of a father. But just as he discovers what to live for, he faces the ultimate question. Is it worth dying for?
Wow, that really sounds like a fascinating read, Mark! What is it about James that will make your readers care about him?
He has suffered much in his life: abandonment from his father, being responsible for his younger siblings when his mother couldn’t cope mentally, rising to a successful career, but now stunned by the premature death of his loving wife to cancer.
Through all this, James always tries to do what is right, yet finds himself not knowing what to do. He travels to Africa to bring help to the people of a remote village, but finds that he is the one who is rescued through relationships with an African Chief and a young orphan boy… and through a shocking revelation from his past that calls him to action.
What have you learned about yourself as a result of your writing career?
I’ve learned to trust the life message that God has built into me through the years and to work hard at getting that message out in creative ways. The unique way God has made us, our personalities and abilities and passions, fuses with our experiences and relationships (good and bad) to forge a message that only we can carry to others. For me, that is the most exciting part of the creative process, whether I’m writing a novel, a song or poem, or a sermon. It’s humbling to know that people need to hear what I have to say.
And when you have that attitude, it's rather amazing to look back at things you've written and not remember actually writing them. As if you were truly guided. At least that's what I've experienced on the rare occasion. It's very cool.
What have you learned about yourself as a result of your writing career?
I’ve learned to trust the life message that God has built into me through the years and to work hard at getting that message out in creative ways. The unique way God has made us, our personalities and abilities and passions, fuses with our experiences and relationships (good and bad) to forge a message that only we can carry to others. For me, that is the most exciting part of the creative process, whether I’m writing a novel, a song or poem, or a sermon. It’s humbling to know that people need to hear what I have to say.
And when you have that attitude, it's rather amazing to look back at things you've written and not remember actually writing them. As if you were truly guided. At least that's what I've experienced on the rare occasion. It's very cool.
What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This book is brilliant historical fiction based on the events of the battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Shaara writes beautifully of the internal struggles of the major players on both sides of the war. His character development is captivating. The reader comes to love every major character, whether you agree with that character or not.
It's been years since I read that book, but I totally agree. Excellent writing.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This book is brilliant historical fiction based on the events of the battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Shaara writes beautifully of the internal struggles of the major players on both sides of the war. His character development is captivating. The reader comes to love every major character, whether you agree with that character or not.
It's been years since I read that book, but I totally agree. Excellent writing.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on creating non-fiction materials that will be used to foster, enlighten and encourage church leaders in many countries of the world. I am also developing the framework on a book on spiritual disciplines.
Where else can readers find you online?
They can go to my website, www.markmedley.org, for more information about my international ministry to leaders.
They also can go to my amazon author page at www.amazon.com/author/mark-medley
and to Facebook: Mark Medley
Twitter: @markmedley_
Instagram: markmedley_
The book can be purchased online via the following button:
Readers, you can read a sample of the books HERE by clicking on Look Inside.
Finally, Mark, what question would you like to ask my readers?
What are you doing to actively pour your knowledge and experiences into the next generation?
Thank you, Mark, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Mark has offered to give away a free copy of his book. To enter, click on the word "comments" below to reach the comments page, and leave your answer and your email in answer to Mark's above question. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.
Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.
Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.
Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE
I am currently working on creating non-fiction materials that will be used to foster, enlighten and encourage church leaders in many countries of the world. I am also developing the framework on a book on spiritual disciplines.
Where else can readers find you online?
They can go to my website, www.markmedley.org, for more information about my international ministry to leaders.
They also can go to my amazon author page at www.amazon.com/author/mark-medley
and to Facebook: Mark Medley
Twitter: @markmedley_
Instagram: markmedley_
The book can be purchased online via the following button:
Readers, you can read a sample of the books HERE by clicking on Look Inside.
Finally, Mark, what question would you like to ask my readers?
What are you doing to actively pour your knowledge and experiences into the next generation?
Thank you, Mark, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Mark has offered to give away a free copy of his book. To enter, click on the word "comments" below to reach the comments page, and leave your answer and your email in answer to Mark's above question. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.
Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.
Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.
Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE
3 comments:
Mark and Trish, thank you for a great interview. I would love to read
The Same River Twice.
As a new Tennessean myself, I was intrigued that you were from east Tennessee. I'm learning to love my new state, especially since my two young grandsons are here. And that leads to your question: my husband and I moved from our beloved Virginia home so that we could invest our time and presence with the grands. Enter Covid, I have have become the teaching assistant for the kindergartner's distance learning. I've put aside writing and greatly reduced the amount of editing I'm doing to help my son and d-i-love raise their little boys with grandparents nearby. Deepening relationships with these two little guys is the most important thing right now.
Ah, Vie, thank you for providing MY answer to Mark's question! I did a similar thing as you did, moving from MY beloved Virginia home (oh, how I miss it--but not the cold) to California to be with my kids and grandkids. I am also the teaching assistant, lol, to my granddaughter. I tested on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as "ENFJ, The Teacher," but I truly loathe teaching! So my teaching assistance is more sacrificial giving than might be suspected.
It's rather impossible to get to the writing after dealing all day with the Common Core view of life (oy!), so I'm like you in that as well, Vie. Still, my granddaughter and I are getting closer and closer every day, and I'm so glad to be here, able to enjoy her and impart any wisdom and appreciation of God and life that I can!
What a noble thing you are doing, Vie. I consider time invested in our sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters and even mentees to be the greatest thing we will leave on this earth after we are gone. Those kinds of relationships are webbed throughout my book. I have been on pastoral staff at our church since 1989. In all those years I've never heard anyone say, "The one thing I regret is that I spent too much time with my family." In fact, it's most always the other way around. Interesting that you are in Tennessee. I have lived in the Knoxville are most of my life. Love it here.
Post a Comment