libris_leonis asks me questions!
1. What do you find the hardest part to be of being a Christian in the world you live in?
I love the way you phrase this, because, of course, the world I inhabit, or view, as a cradle Catholic, is a lot different than the world you inhabit, as a new convert to the faith. I think, as a general rule, the most difficult thing about being a Christian is to be tolerant while still valuing and adhering to a code of morality which can seem "prudish" or "unforgiving". I frequently remind myself that Christ dined with prostitutes and tax collectors (yet there is no mention of him fornicating or going around shaking old ladies down for money). So you must walk this line of saying, "Yes, that is okay legally and certainly I can't stop you from doing it; however, and this is not meant to be offensive, that is not okay for me."
Also, I think there's a lot of the Bible which is... grossly misunderstood and misinterpreted by people who will insist on taking it literally. You have to struggle against what mainstream-America thinks Christianity is. Because, I have to tell you -- there are a vast number of people who profess to be Christians, but there are far less who really value the faith and allow it to have a significant effect on their lives.
In short, I think we are all called to be a Paladin (protector of the faith) -- to hold true to what it is which is most important (that Christ, the only son of God, came down from heaven, and by virtue of His love for us, suffered, died, descended to Hell and rose again, simply to save our souls from eternal damnation, and therefore, like His Father, deserves glory and praise forever and ever, Amen), to be tolerant and gracious, and to give until Him all of our praise and elation, all of our sorrows and joys. We should ask the tough questions about sexuality, and life, and death. We should strive to understand. We should embrace doubt as part of having faith but realize that our choice should ultimately always be to extend our trust to God.
The hardest part of being a Christian is doing all of that in the face of... all of this. If that makes sense.
2. What one thing about the world would you change if you could, if you knew there would be no unintended implications to the change?
I'm tempted to just say Africa. And leave it at that, but I don't think that's fair. I would say, I would make it so no one ever has to die of hunger or thirst ever again. Because a life where you don't know if you'll be able to eat the next day is no kind of life at all.
3. In original writing, what is the most important part of your process? What's the least important?
Sitting down and actually writing. No, I'm serious. Writing is a discipline, and it's a muscle, and I firmly believe that if you want to do this successfully (although I have yet to be successful), you've got to hone your skills and exercise those muscles and develop tools to get through rough passages. So, for me. It's really not the editing process or the rewriting process or the planning process, or whatever. It's the actually sitting down, opening up an artery, and pouring your soul onto the page that matters.
Planning is the least important thing I do. Because whatever I say? Probably won't happen in the actual story.
4. In five years' time, where would you ideally wish to be in life? Do you think you will be?
Writing books, at least at night. Working somewhere during the day for human interaction. I'd like to be in a long-term relationship. And I would like to be in a place where I don't have to live paycheck to paycheck.
5. If you could choose to be remembered for only one thing, what one thing would it be?
The thing that makes me proudest is when someone says "I like the way you talk about your faith. I like the way you live it." I would be honored to be remembered for reminding folks that Christianity is supposed to be about turning the other cheek, tolerating the fellow next to you, and loving humanity from birth to death, regardless of who they are or what they believe, or what they've done.