Monday, June 27, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Throw the Devil Off the Train

Welcome back to Writing for Christ Stephen Bly, I am excited to have you here for a second time. J

What has changed in your writing life since you were last here? 

The biggest change is that I have to do my writing from a hospital bed. Have been in the hospital more days than not since February, due to complications of prostate cancer. Just completed 6,000 words on my next novel, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

You mean besides my recent release, Throw The Devil Off The Train? Other than that novel, I haven’t been reading fiction in recent days, but my wife has been reading aloud 365 Daily Fascinating Facts of Faith: The Who, What, When and Where of Christianity by Barbour Publishing. Our daughter-in-law gave it to us for our long hospital hours and we’ve truly treasured it. 

Do you have favorite authors?

There are many. I learned character development from John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy. I learned to write action scenes from writers such as C. S. Forester, Louis L’Amour and Dashiell Hammett. C. S. Lewis and Joseph Bailey inspired me in writing from a Christian worldview. William Saroyan’s writing encouraged me to forget the formulas and do it my way.
  

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers? 

I love getting into the zone of my characters, seeing them come alive in my mind and watch what they say and do. It’s my privilege to get it all down as quick as I can before they move on. 

I also enjoy contact with folks who know my characters almost as well as I do, who also consider them as friends. That’s a great delight for me. 

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? J 

I’ve written in my bunkhouse, out in the woods while camping, and while all alone in motel rooms. As I mentioned before, I’m now confined to a hospital bed where I’m poked and prodded, tossed and turned by a myriad of nurses, night and day. This is not my favorite or chosen environment, however, it helps me to know that I can write anywhere, under any conditions.  


Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time? 

I once had to write a complete 75,000 word novel, from beginning to end, in three weeks. . .due to circumstances that got out of my control. I did get it done, so I know I can do it. But I prefer two months at least.  

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Stephen's latest novel, Throw the Devil off the Train.

Please leave an email address. If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win!

For extra entries:~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber



Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on July 8th.

**ATTENTION!!**
Stephen Bly passed away earlier this month from his battle with cancer. This interview was scheduled BEFORE this happened and he will be greatly missed. I grew up reading his YA titles and my sister after me. The CBA and Christian readers have lost a great writer. PLEASE keep his wife and family in your prayers and if you wish to leave a comment for them, you can visit his obituary on his blog: http://blybooks.blogspot.com/  

34 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me in contest. Sounds like a really good read. Tore923@aol.com

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  2. Would love to win this for my husband. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

    msudawgtoo at comsouth dot net

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  3. I know what those long hospital stays are like. My son is a cancer survivor. Good to stay busy.

    I'm a follower and subscriber.

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo .com

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  4. Hi Casey,

    I don't want to be a party-pooper here but I just thought you may want to mention that this author passed away on June 9th. The interview might be all the more poignant if readers know this and that this is his last book.

    Sounds like a lovely man - and a true writer up to the very end.

    Sue

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  5. Sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  6. I am a subscriber ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  7. Public follower on Google Friend Connect ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  8. I have not heard of this author and the fact that he recently died makes me want to read it. The title is catching. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  9. So good to see Stephen Bly honored here, Casey. I have so many of his historicals and love every one of them. I am so sorry that Janet is without him but know he received a "well done" as he was such a faithful servant. Prior to publication, I wrote to him (he was just next door in Idaho) and he sent me the most heartfelt letter back. I still have it:) He'll be missed by many.

    Please don't enter me in the drawing. Just wanted to pay tribute to what a hero he was to me at a critical time.

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  10. I've read several Stephen Bly books and was saddened to learn a week or so ago that he had died. I've read several reviews of "Throw the Devil off the Train" and would love to win it.
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  11. Thanks for the interview with Stephen Bly. I'm glad he was able to do this interview before he passed. I would like to be entered to win a copy of "Throw the Devil off the Train."
    Thanks.
    I am a subscriber to your blog by e-mail.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  12. I'm also a follower of your blog.
    Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  13. thanks for the interview and giveaway love to win this book


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  14. follower


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  15. subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  16. So sorry to hear we have lost another great Christian author. I have not read any of Stephen's books but I have this one on my Wish List. Thanks for the great interview.
    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  17. I am an old GFC Follower

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  18. I am an old email subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  19. My sympathies are with his family. He was an amazing voice in Christian Western Fiction. He will be missed. Great interview.

    Thanks Casey.

    Please enter me

    I'm a follower

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  20. It's sad that Stephen has passed as we have lost a great Christian voice, but he is with our wonderful Lord now and for that we can rejoice.

    Please don't enter me into the contest. I actually won a copy on Stephen's blog six days before he passed. It is at the top of my TBR pile.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  21. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This sounds like a great book. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. Casey,

    This is a beautiful tribute to him. I have never read his books but he has been so influential in the Christian writing community.

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  23. Thank you for the giveaway
    Follow on GFC
    subscribe to blog in reader
    jenhedger at hotmail dot com

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  24. Casey: Thank you for posting this feature. Will be glad to send the winner Stephen's new book. Appreciate all the comments...and prayers.
    Blessings,
    Janet

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  25. I would love to read this book.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  26. I am a follower.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  27. I am a subscriber.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/comm

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  28. I actually won this book on another blog on May 18th but never received it so I am entering to win this time. My FIL is a huge fan of Mr Bly and I would love to give him the book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    homesteading{at]charter[dot]net

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  29. I'm a follower.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  30. I have enjoyed many of Stephen Bly's books and so has my husband. My dad died in May from cancer. It's sad that Stephen passed away but he's in a better place. I know my dad is, too. I would love to win his book especially since there won't be any more coming from him.

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  31. Please enter me in this contest I just discovered his books and what a shame he is gone.

    Lisa
    sugarplumtree032000@yahoo.com

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  32. Stephen and Janet were my mentors with the first Christian writing course I took. I am so sorry to hear of this loss, he and his wife are great inspiration. I would love to win this final book. My heart is breaking that I didn't know sooner because with their guidance and inspiration my first published book came out this March titled THe Cancer Prayer Book, a book of conversations with God during diagnosis and treatment of cancer. So ironic.

    Blessings and sympathies to the family. A great loss.

    Warmly,
    Terri Forehand
    terri.forehand@gmail.com

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  33. My sympathies are with his family so sorry to hear he has passed away.
    vrtheriot@gmail.com

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  34. I am a gfc follower.
    vrtheriot@gmail.com

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Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)