1. What inspired you to write this story?
Writing novels was never on my radar. I would probably be well advised not to admit that I’ve never been an avid reader. But I do like to write, and I have a passion for seeing others benefit from knowing God and the principles for living He’s given us. They make such a difference in a person’s life. I’ve discovered writing fiction is a wonderful way to convey truth. Here’s how it came about.
My wife, Debbie, and I had much to share after God brought us together in marriage at age 52 and blessed us with miles of bicycle adventures across America. We did so through a memoir, Two Are Better, and a travel devotional, Wheels of Wisdom. The events surrounding one of the lessons in Wheels of Wisdom had a profound effect on me. We’d met a man at a restaurant in Richland, Oregon, who was railing against Christianity. Even after including his story in our devotional, the thought nagged at me: What made him so angry? And what happened to him as he traveled across America on his recumbent bicycle, riding alongside tractor trailers, camping in the wild, and trying to outpace dogs in pursuit of him?
I wrote a short story to find out. Editors who reviewed it encouraged me to expand it into a novel. Five years later, I published The Persistent Road. It was received better than I expected, so with no shortage of spiritual truth to convey, I continued the journey of two characters from book one of the Bicycle Adventure Series, giving birth to The Road Unveiled. I’m happy to report that I now read more fiction to improve my writing skills.
2. What was the most challenging aspect of writing this story?
Without a doubt, it was writing from a female perspective as a male author. There are certain things only women can fully understand. And they react differently than men do when confronted with challenges or matters of the heart. I felt like I was wandering on foreign turf with certain scenes in The Road Unveiled. Thank goodness for two female editors and a wife who is an avid reader and understands the craft of writing.
3. What was the easiest aspect of writing this story?
They may not be the easiest to write, but the scenes filled with intense emotion are easier to do well because I spend more time on them. Other scenes that are more transitional or provide backstory, I find harder to hone. Knowing how much to cut from those scenes is a challenge. How much does the reader really need to know or want to read before moving to the more engaging content?
The writing part, in general, is easier than struggling through the many possible avenues to market the finished product. I consider marketing integral to writing a novel because, without it, you’ll have no readers. And is there really a story if no one reads it?
4. How did you incorporate Christian themes into your story?
I chose characters with the attributes needed to convey the faith elements. Some of those characters had a deficiency in understanding spiritual matters; others were already in ministry. Everyone comes at life—and faith—from a unique perspective. Having multiple perspectives and placing characters in situations of moral conflict presented opportunities to convey Christian themes organically. When relatable characters confront morality in their decisions or behaviors, readers can work through the spiritual dynamics as the characters do.
5. What is the significance of the setting you chose for the story?
The setting in The Road Unveiled functions as another character. Describing it well is crucial to conveying the challenges facing Lauren and Doug as they journey by bicycle. And mind you, the setting keeps on moving! We’re talking the Great American West, from southwest Montana, through Yellowstone, the barren landscapes of Wyoming, and onto the bountiful plains of South Dakota. It’s rugged country with mountains to climb and many miles between services. Long-haul truckers speeding their big rigs to meet delivery deadlines, rubbernecking tourists steering oversized RVs, and motorcycle gangsters en route to Sturgis—one of the largest outdoor parties in America—command space on the highways and in overnight accommodations. And wild animals roam the surroundings for something to eat.
Giveaway: Tim is giving away a $75 Amazon gift card and the two novels in the Bicycle Adventure series. To enter, click on the below link:
https://gleam.io/nJ2bn/the-road-unveiled-celebration-tour-giveaway
Sounds intriguing
Thanks for sharing, the book sounds great.
Cindi Knowles