Thursday, April 25, 2019

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Allen Steadham

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Allen Steadham


Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on the release of your novel Mindfire. What was your inspiration for the story?

Allen: Thank you! I took story elements and characters from the superhero team comic series I’d written and drawn from age ten until my thirties and made revisions to update it for the present day as well as to assure that this was a Christian novel. Those revisions included adding new characters and story elements.

LM: The age old question for writers – are you a planner or a “pantster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

Allen: I’m a little of both. I think some planning is essential, but I only make a very loose outline for the beginning, middle and end. I love the adventure of writing and responding to the Lord’s inspirations. It makes for amazing surprises sometimes!

LM: The bio on your website talks about your creation of comics during your early career and your transition into writing novels. How difficult it is to describe (write) fantasy elements of the story rather than draw them?

Allen: I had gotten used to scripting my comics by the time I got to making webcomics, but scripting and drawing are very different from painting word pictures. I had to relearn how to write, in a sense, but I loved the challenge. Now that I write more than I draw, it’s become a lot easier to take what I see in my head and put it to words. That’s what I used to do with art.

LM: In addition to writing, you are part of a band. How do you balance the creative aspects of your life?

Allen: A lot of my life is about creativity. I listen to music when I write. I’ve been playing electric bass guitar and singing since I was a teen. My wife and I wrote songs when we were dating and engaged, then after we married and started a family. We’ve been in the same band (First Light) since 1997, practicing and performing regularly.

To me, the tie-in is the Lord. I write for Him. I play my instrument for Him. I sing for Him. It’s all to His honor and glory. That’s what provides the balance and the reward for all efforts made.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Allen:
Favorite childhood book: Old Yeller. My first tear-jerker.
Favorite food: My wife’s Japanese-style Katsu Don (breaded and fried pork cutlet) in Tonkatsu Sauce with sticky rice
Favorite vacation place: Corpus Christi, TX

LM: What is your next project?

Allen: A science-fantasy trilogy. The first book, Jordan’s World, will be released this Summer from Ambassador International. It’s about a young woman who is abducted to an Earth-like world and stranded there with her mother. They are taken in by a friendly tribe of natives, but they have to adapt and basically start over. The book shows that God reigns over the whole universe and He can reach us no matter where we are.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Allen: My website: https://www.allensteadham.com

Book Blurb:

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

Leia Hamilton can move things and set them on fire with her mind. Leia's father and step-mother tried to hide their past: a time when they were part of a team of superheroes. But despite being disbanded for over twenty years following a series of tragedies, their problems were passed to their children, and Leia finds that her future collides with their past.

In the the diverse world of human and superhuman, heroes and villains, friends and enemies, some of Leia's choices have terrible consequences. For Leia, this leads to a personal crossroads and a search for redemption.

Not your normal superhero novel, Mindfire isn't about secret identities, costumes, or evil plots endangering the world. Instead, self-discovery and adaptation are at the forefront as the reader follows the lives of the characters who are unafraid to show love and explore spirituality.

Can redemption and renewed grace weather the flames of absolute power and superhuman strength?



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