Chris Fabry: Drama

CFBR: First, I'd like to thank you for giving us a chance to talk with you, Chris, I know you are extremely busy.

Chris Fabry: Never too busy to talk with someone about my stories. Thanks for asking.

CFBR: With seventy books under your belt, there is no end to the number of questions we could ask, but we'll narrow it down a bit. Please tell us about your Christy Award winning novel Dogwood.

Chris Fabry: My dream was to write a novel for adults that affected me like the novels I love and have changed me. I had a character in mind from many years ago—a fellow who fell in love with a girl but then went to prison. His love for her endures and he returns with the mission of rescuing her, facing a lot of obstacles along the way. I worked on it in my spare time over a few years and then finally submitted it and Tyndale was the only publisher really interested. I can take you back to the spot on the interstate between Indianapolis and Denver where I received the call saying they wanted to publish it. Very exciting evening.

CFBR: I bet! And that was not the only evening of excitement. Tell us about the events surrounding the Christy awards. You and your family were going through quite a bit of emotional and physical turmoil, do you mind telling us about that?

Chris Fabry: In October of 2008, after years of some pretty severe illnesses, we vacated our home because of a toxic mold exposure. We left everything inside. We put our dogs down. We literally left with the clothes on our backs and became vagabonds. We moved to Tucson to get treatment. It was awful because of all the crushing medical bills and the mortgage and the uncertainty. In July of 2009 when Dogwood won the Christy, it was as if God were saying, “Hang in there. I’m at work here. Just be faithful and take one step at a time.” So it was an emotional moment because I felt God’s encouragement and the good will of a lot of friends and fellow strugglers.

CFBR: I can only imagine the relief you must have felt. What a challenging year. I'm so glad God strengthened you through that-- and you won a Christy to boot! That is quite a prestigious award. Can you tell us a little of what is involved with the Christy? We have many aspiring authors in our readership who would love to know how it works. There are fees and requirements involved, correct? Did your publisher handle all that?

Chris Fabry: Tyndale did handle all of that. There is a fee for each entry and if your title wins there are other fees, I believe. I’m oblivious to most of it. I know there’s a committee that reads and judges. Maybe they just felt sorry for me. But it was a great honor.

CFBR: I have to say, my initial intention was to just focus on Dogwood for this interview, but after reading a blurb on your website, I found myself captivated by the mystery of Junebug. You wrote: "... that story came to me, believe it or not, while watching an old RV chug into our local Walmart parking lot! I had this idea of a little girl stepping out of an RV one morning and walking into the store, only to find a picture of herself on the wall of missing children... and that became the beginning of a story of love and redemption and sacrifice that I truly think you'll enjoy." What more can you tell us about Junebug, without ruining it?

Chris Fabry: Well, what you describe happens on the first page or two. I had a ten year old daughter who I patterned June Bug after, her speech patterns and actions, but as you get to know her, she hasn’t had a normal childhood. She’s grown up traveling the country with her father. But the more you get to know, the more you question if he is her real father. And if not, who is he? What are his intentions and motivations? The interesting thing about the writing process was that while I was writing/editing June Bug was in the middle of our escape from the house. At one point in the novel, June Bug and her dad lose just about everything. I was conducting my radio program from a little pull-along trailer in our front yard because I couldn’t go into the house. It was surreal. But the main point of the story is to figure out June Bug’s identity.

CFBR: How do you develop your characters?

Chris Fabry: I base many of them on people I’ve known or composites of people. Very few can I point to and say, “That is Aunt Wilma.” My mother shows up often. My wife. Obviously some of the male characters are like me or have some of my personality. I try to map out the characters and plot simultaneously so that they’re not only interesting but have something to do, something they want to attain.

CFBR: What are some practical writing tips you would give an aspiring Christian Fiction writer?

Chris Fabry: The best advice is to write every day and read as much as you can. A writer who doesn’t read isn’t a writer. Don’t take no as an answer. Strive to get better. Find a mentor who can help you learn. Listen to editors. Give God whatever gifts you have and ask him to use them. And don’t be averse to doing something that’s not in your sweet spot. If you get a chance to write for the church newsletter, take it. Or a column in a local paper. Or a blog. Just write.

CFBR: What is next on the horizon for you?

Chris Fabry: I’m working on a story now called, Not In The Heart. It’s about a writer/reporter whose son needs a new heart. A man on death row offers his. If the reporter discovers the man is innocent, his son may die. If he covers the truth, an innocent man will die. The main character is not a Christian. I think it’s going to be a riveting story.

CFBR: You have a way of locking in on the interesting hooks. That sounds like another great read in the making. God bless you, Chris. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris Fabry books at Amazon