Author on Author - Kristina Schram on Craig Alexander

Good Thursday fans,

Another Thursday means another Author on Author session where this week Kristina Schram gets the low-down on Craig Alexander.

Kristina Schram: How much do you relate to your main character, Aaron Henderson, in The Nineveh Project? In a related question, how much does your daily life and your personal experiences influence your writing?

Craig Alexander: As you know first novels are usually the most personal. So, I relate heavily to Aaron Henderson. Basically he is a much better and braver version of me with a lot more hair... Craig 2.0. In my youth I struggled with my faith and belief in human nature, just as he did. Also, by some strange coincidence, we are the same rank in our respective martial arts.

As you can see from the answer above, I draw heavily from my daily life and personal experiences in my writing. I believe that utilizing your own personal experience and worldview adds depth to your characters and stories. I write Christian Fiction, but to be honest I don't read much of it any more. So much of the genre is too syrupy and preachy. I don't think people want a sermon when they read a novel. I think they want to have fun. So that's what I tried to do, write something entertaining with a positive message.

KS: I see that you play basketball. What position? Are you any good? Could I take you in a game of one on one (I’m 5’5”, and you can’t use your karate skills to defeat me)?

CA: Kristina, I played competitive basketball for a very long time. I was a forward in high school and college. I like to believe I'm pretty good. As a matter of fact, the older I get, the better I used to be. I'm 6'3" and can still get over the rim at age 41. But, I think the spunk factor would definitely be in your favor. So, I wouldn't bet against you.

KS: If you could ask Tolkien a question, what would you ask him? How about C.S. Lewis?

CA: What did you think of the movies? No really, that's a tough one. If I could ask him just one question, I guess it would be: Where did you get your inspiration for The Hobbit, the novel that started it all? (Although fantasy creatures and books abound today, in Tolkien's time no one had written stories like his)

For CS Lewis I would ask: Your contemporaries and even your friend and mentor JRR Tolkien criticized The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and tried to dissuade you from publishing it. What made you believe so strongly in the story? (Thanks for not listening to them by the way)

If I was allowed a follow-up question: Did you in your wildest imagination ever think that your books would have such profound and long lasting influence and success?

KS: What do you have in the works for future books/projects?

CA: My latest novel, The Assassin's Case, just came out. I have a children's book coming out in the fall that I both wrote and illustrated called, Where are you God? This story is based on a something my little girl said after Sunday school when she was five. She asked me if I knew that God was a tiny little man about two inches tall living in her heart. Then tears came to her eyes and she asked me if it would hurt if He tried to get out. I mean, how sweet is that? I just had to write about it. Right now I am deciding what to write next. I have two partially written manuscripts and several ideas. Mr. Spielberg, which idea would you be interested in?

KS: What advice would you give future writers of the world?

CA: Don't worry about the success (or failure) of your writing. If you love to write. Write. The rest will come. Every writer had to start somewhere. Consider finishing a book success enough. I know I did. It's a tough task and not everyone can do it. But, once you get something on paper, get an unbiased opinion, learn everything you can about the craft of writing and the industry. If you read my first draft of The Nineveh Project, and you can't so don't ask, it was awful. Even so, my mother thought it was the greatest thing she had ever read. That's why you need an unbiased opinion!


Another superb set of q&a's! Fun, yet digging questions with great honest answers. We are coming down to the wire though folks, only one week left. Is there something you would like to see our authors take part in? We want to satisfy our fans "need to be in the know" about their favorite author so send us your ideas.

Thanks for tuning in, see you next week!