Welcome, book lovers! Some of you may know I’m a big fan of biblical fiction (Truth-filled fiction about characters or events from the Bible), so it will come as no surprise to know that I’m SUPER excited to have Mesu Andrews visiting on my blog today. Her newest release Of Fire and Lions released at the beginning of this month, and I’ll give you one guess which biblical character it’s about! (You can also find my review here.)
About the Author
Mesu Andrews is the Christy Award winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and has received numerous accolades for her other novels including Love Amid the Ashes, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, and Miriam. Her deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Many of her faithful readers are members of her launch team—Mesu’s Biblical Fiction Fans (BFFs)—and offer their time and service to promote God’s word through story. Andrews lives in North Carolina with her husband Roy and enjoys spending time with her growing tribe of grandchildren. For more information, visit www.mesuandrews.com.
Connect with Mesu
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Interview
Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Mesu! Like Julie Andrews, I always like to start at the beginning, so what inspired you to begin writing biblical fiction?
I didn’t read an entire novel until I was thirty-eight years old. Crazy, isn’t it? I was too busy studying my Bible. I LOVE God’s Word, and until 2002, I was a passionate Bible teacher and speaker. I went to my first writer’s conference in 2001, attempting to publish a Bible study on Solomon’s Song of Songs. An editor there suggested if I planned to write fiction, the least I should do was read a little of it. LOL! So I picked up The Red Tent. Yikes! I loved the authentic Jewish history but hated what it did to the Truth of Scripture. At the time, there was very little Christian biblical fiction around.
My health took a dive in July of 2002, and writing replaced my busy speaking schedule. I continued my efforts to publish non-fiction but didn’t have a large enough platform to be taken seriously. My best friend said, “Why not write your studies in story form?” I was appalled. I was a serious Bible teacher. Why “waste” time writing fiction? “Oh forgive me,” she said with that best-friend cynicism. “I forgot you were a better teacher than Jesus.”
OUCH! That not-so-gentle reminder was the kick-in-the-pants I needed to get serious about learning the art of teaching through parables. My passion is to write fiction that entices the reader to delve more deeply into the Truth of God’s Word. The best compliment I EVER receive is that those who read my books run directly to their Bibles after (or before) reading the last page of my novel.
"My passion is to write fiction that entices the reader to delve more deeply into the Truth of God's Word."
I’ll put my hand up to being someone who constantly goes back to the Bible after reading biblical fiction. It always amazes me that, no matter how many times I’ve read the Bible or a particular book of the Bible, I STILL find myself saying, “Is that really in the Bible?!” Admittedly, it happens less frequently now, but one of my favourite Derek Prince quotes is, “If you’ve never been surprised by the Bible, you haven’t read enough of it.” Lol!
There’s a lot to research when you’re writing biblical fiction. Where does that fit into your writing process?
The amount of research I do before writing depends on how quickly my deadline is approaching! In a perfect world, however, I like to do at least 2-3 solid months of research before beginning to write. Since I’ve now researched most of the biblical eras (Patriarchs, Exodus, Kings, and Exile), my research time is a little bit less on the generalized topics. There’s always more to learn though, and digging into the ancient texts is my favorite part!
I find a lot of my minor characters in rabbinic history and the world history surrounding Israel. The Egyptian research for the Treasures of the Nile series was fascinating as was the information I discovered on Babylon and Persia for Of Fire and Lions. I hated history while in school, but the stuff I learn while writing my books is different. It’s MY story. It’s YOUR story. It’s HIS-story…his-tory. How cool, huh? Every recorded event fits together somehow with the single story of God’s Word—leading to the moment in time when we will ALL meet Him face-to-face…
Putting biblical events in the overall context of general history can present a lot of challenges. What are those challenges and how do you overcome them?
Trying to place biblical events into the context of general history would be challenging indeed. That’s why I sort of go about it the opposite way. Let’s use biblical events as the solid and immovable foundation. The Bible is Truth. Absolute. Undeniable. Unchangeable. I then use historical events as building blocks on that foundation to create a story.
And you’re right. It’s still challenging, because—believe it or not—the historical “facts” are what contradict more than anything! Experts and scholars have a dickens of a time agreeing on anything! So I read and read and research and research until I find a “golden thread” of agreement to weave into my building blocks on those biblical Truths. Then I sprinkle in creative fiction like mortar to hold fact and Truth together in one, continuous and (hopefully) believable story.
Some readers are wary of biblical fiction because it mixes fiction with the accounts we find in the Bible. What would you say to someone who shares that concern but would like to understand your perspective on writing Biblical fiction?
I’d say if those folks are reading their Bibles and spending time studying the context and culture of both Old Testament and New to grasp the full meaning of each Book, chapter, and verse—then I applaud their diligence. They wouldn’t need to read biblical fiction to gain deeper understanding of the stories, prophecies, and poetry. Most people, however, don’t have the time, resources, or training to do such in-depth study of God’s Word and find themselves confused rather than inspired or educated when they open the most important Book they’ll ever read.
My novels are NEVER meant to be read instead of God’s Word but rather as a bridge to carry readers to a better understanding of the biblical context. The most common response I receive from readers is, “I’ll never read the Book of [Daniel, Isaiah, Job] the same again.” Reading a well-written biblical novel is like putting on reading glasses in order to read your Bible. Colors become brighter. Locations have meaning. And biblical characters begin to breathe.
"My novels are NEVER meant to be read instead of God’s Word but rather as a bridge to carry readers to a better understanding of the biblical context."
That’s what I love most about biblical fiction!
In your newest release, Of Fire and Lions, you’ve written the majority of the story from the perspective of Daniel’s wife—someone who is never mentioned in the Scriptures. How did you come to create her character, and what were the challenges involved in writing her?
Though my books wouldn’t fall into the romance category, I like to include a little romance in every story. When I first considered writing Daniel, the initial research said he and his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were likely made eunuchs when taken captive to Babylon. Bummer. There went my romance thread. 🙂
I wrote Isaiah’s Daughter but couldn’t get Daniel off my mind. I dove into research a little deeper and discovered the Hebrew word cariyc, translated eunuch, can also mean chief official as in Genesis to describe Potiphar, Pharaoh’s Captain of the Guard. Potiphar was married, so he was obviously not a eunuch (as I was interpreting the word). Daniel suddenly became the most eligible bachelor in the Old Testament, and I had the hero for my next biblical novel!
My first challenge in writing Daniel’s wife was wondering if readers would accept a wife for one of the greatest heroes of the faith. Would it humanize him too much? Knock him off his pedestal? Then I wondered if she should be Babylonian or Hebrew? Sinner or saint? Loveable or someone we’d loved to hate? In the end, I think she was a little of all those things and, hopefully, a woman everyone could relate to in some way.
Daniel’s life spans many years, so when it comes to writing a book that covers a significant part of his life, there are obviously a lot of gaps to fill in. How do you go about doing that?
I think the long story-span was the most difficult aspect of writing this book. There was SOOOOO much material to cover, and I wanted to do it well. But there weren’t enough pages! LOL! (As it was, I went over my contracted word count!)
I tried to write the story in time-slip. Even got a few pointers from my dear friend Melanie Dobson, who is the time-slip guru among Christian authors. Honestly, I just couldn’t pull it off—don’t have the skills yet. I’m a relatively new writer, having only been writing fiction since 2008. I’m learning new things with each book, so maybe someday I’ll try the time-slip thing again.
Of Fire and Lions made use of “extended flashbacks,” which was the only way I covered the huge time skips of Daniel’s seventy-year captivity. The book begins when Daniel is quite elderly. A few chapters later, we flash back to the year he was taken captive. The back-and-forth continues until the flashbacks meet the present and the story then progresses forward. It seemed to work, but my poor editor must have eaten several bottles of antacids.
"Reading a well-written biblical novel is like putting on reading glasses in order to read your Bible. Colors become brighter. Locations have meaning. And biblical characters begin to breathe."
You’ve published eight full length books so far. Which biblical character has been the toughest to write?
Isaiah was hard (in Isaiah’s Daughter) because I wasn’t quite sure how to introduce some of his harsh prophecies. In several scenes, I had him walk into a room, shout doom, and slam the door on his way out. My editor asked if he had Tourette’s. Poor Isaiah. We smoothed him out and made him a little more loveable. 🙂
My ninth rough draft is now with my editor—Isaiah’s Legacy, the sequel to Isaiah’s Daughter. It continues Queen Hephzibah’s story with the birth of her son, King Manasseh. I think Manasseh may win the toughest-character-to-write award. He’s the wickedest king to ever rule God’s people—yet provides the most amazing prodigal story in Scripture. I literally wrote the last several chapters on my knees, worshiping and sobbing as I wrote. I’ve never experienced anything like it. But YIKES! There’s a whole lot of bad before we get to the good.
Wow. I can’t wait to read that one!
What are some of your favourite resources for digging deeper into the Bible?
I could mention dozens of research resources, but I’ve named those in other interviews. I’d like to mention three favourites I currently use for my personal quiet time with the Lord. A friend recently suggested the NKJV Cultural Background Study Bible (Zondervan). I’m LOVING the cultural study notes and learning so much!
I also enjoy The Bible Project videos. The Bible Project provides theologically sound, UH-MAZING quality videos (all for FREE), ranging from concise overviews of Books of the Bible to brief synopses for many of complex concepts in Scripture (i.e. the Law, Grace, Redemption).
The third personal resource I love is YouVersion Bible App. The app has all sorts of “plans” that include Bible studies and topical studies that can be done individually, or you can invite friends to join you. I’m reading through the Bible this year with a group of 100+ friends…It’s like a small group on your phone! There is a companion study for Of Fire and Lions called, Daniel: 7 Lessons From Babylon, that you can find on the Bible App too—ALL FOR FREE!
I definitely second The Bible Project. Their videos are fantastic—and my kids love them too! Thanks again for chatting with me today, Mesu. <3
Readers, don’t forget to check out Of Fire and Lions below and enter the giveaway!
About the Book
Title: Of Fire and Lions
Author: Mesu Andrews
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Publisher: Waterbrook
Release date: 5 March 2019
Pages: 400
PURCHASE AT
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iTunes | Koorong
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Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she’d perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Now, as Daniel’s wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she’s safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear–until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar’s palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili’s tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?
Ultimately, Yahweh’s sovereign hand guides Jerusalem’s captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.
Giveaway
Mesu is very kindly giving away a copy of Of Fire and Lions to one of my readers—and the giveaway is open anywhere Book Depository delivers to, or the winner can choose eBook if they would prefer. Comment below and tell me who one of your favourite biblical characters is and why, then enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on 31 March 2019. For full terms and conditions, see Disclaimers & Privacy Policy.
Paul is one of my favorite characters. His boldness and conviction are so inspiring. I have also loved Esther, probably for the same reasons!
I’d love to be just like Daniel because of his great integrity and devotion to God.
My favorite bible character Daniel. As a young person of faith myself, I have always found it particularly helpful to have Daniel as an example of a faithful person of God because when he was first brought into Exile, he was a young person and may not have have the life experiences other Biblical characters have had such as Moses, Abraham and Noah.
I love Daniel’s story as although he was a young person and in exile, he still knew all of the Lord’s commands and kept them, even when it would have been very easy to walk away. Daniel was intentional in his faith and was a witness to those around him and that is how I would love to be.
Mary is my favorite because she accepted God’s will for her to be Jesus’ mother and be pregnant without first being married. Amazing woman to me always.
Jonathan has always been one of my favorite characters…why, I don’t know! And another would be Hezekiah. I just love his story.
King David is one of my favorite characters because of his heart for worship.
Yes. And I’ve always loved that he was so human as well. It’s reassuring to hear him described as a man after God’s own heart in spite of the mistakes he made.
I’ve always been fascinated with Esther. She was always so strong and faithful. I mean she’s one of two women in the Bible who got their own book!
Esther has always been a favourite of mine, too.
Daniel. I love his lifelong commitment to living for God
Yes! And in the face of such pressure to bow to other Gods (or people!) too.
Noah is one of my favorites. He is the exemplary hero and leader of Christian faith. He never doubted God’s word even when he was laughed at by his neighbors. His reward for his unwavering faith was of course being responsible for repopulating the Earth. To build the Ark by hand was a massive undertaking and the only way anyone could pull that off is to do so with God’s oversight. It’s a reminder that we can do anything when we put our faith in God to carry out His plan for us.
I love Peter! So bold at times and then failing miserably at others, Peter keeps on to preach the Gospel.
My favorite Bible character is Ruth. Her faith in our God she had only heard about and her willingness to follow him is just beautiful and I want to be like that.
Ruth,because of loyalty and devotion.
Daniel is probably one of my favourites. I’m a Bible storyteller and have told the 6 chapters of narrative often and also preached on this. I’d love to read a novel about him.
So many Biblical characters I love…and I love how Biblical fiction brings them to life.
I think my favorite character is Esther.