Interview: The Author of "Fireproof"

Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you a brief interview with Eric Wilson, author of the NY Times best-selling book, Fireproof.

How would you describe yourself?
I'm an inquisitive, stubborn, outgoing, but often reclusive person who loves Jesus, loves books, and absolutely adores my wife. I've written eight published novels, and hope to write fifty more.

What’s the book about?
Fireproof is the story of a fire captain and his wife who are facing divorce after seven years of marriage. As their relationship is about to go up in smoke (bad pun, I know), the captain's father challenges him to love his wife for forty more days, applying each day a lesson learned from a handwritten journal. While still facing fires and danger, the captain realizes that being a hero to the world is sometimes easier than being a hero to your own wife.

Why'd you do it?

I'd already worked with the Kendricks on the novelizations of their two previous movies. It's been a great working relationship, with lots of fun and creativity. I admire the goals they have, wanting to encourage and inspire, while telling stories that point to Christ. That is in line with my goals as an author, although my personal style is usually aimed at those on the fringes of faith.

Tell us about the writing journey that has led you here.
I've wanted to be a writer since childhood. Along the way, I've traveled, youth pastored, been married eighteen years, and raised two teen daughters. I'd started doubting my "dream" would ever come true, but my wife's encouragement never flagged--even during some very rough financial times. Without her, I don't think I would've come this far.

Give us an “inside” story on the book—something we might enjoy knowing.

I had an arsonist subplot that we ended up taking out (because most other fireman story's already have one). Some of the books went to press, though, with a newspaper clipping at the end of chapter two that was related to that subplot. It shouldn't have been there, but I forgot to weed that one out. If you have one of those copies of the book, it might be worth something some day. lol

What do you consider the most difficult part of writing? What was the hardest thing on this project?

The most difficult thing is tuning out all the distractions, from the phone, to the latest TV show, to the friends having a BBQ, to the discouragement of a bad review or low sales... All those things have to be pushed aside to plant my butt in the chair and write. Some days it feels like pulling teeth. Some days it feels like I'm bleeding out my heart to get words on the page. The hardest thing on this project was the timeframe. I've written a half-million words in the last two years, and I was running dry. This book was written in six weeks. That was exhausting.

Got any advice for writers?

I've said it many times. Stop talking about writing, stop spending hours blogging and dreaming, and DO it. If you don't complete a novel, you'll never be published, no matter how talented you are. In my opinion, the best book to help hone your craft for publication is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Easy to read. Practical. Invaluable.

Name a couple of your favorite fiction writers and why.

Oh, I love so many books. I'm a big fan of James Lee Burke, because he mixes the grittiness of life with the poetic beauty of literature and nature. I like Dean Koontz's prose. Harlan Coben is a master of plotting and twists. I'm impressed by Khaled Hosseini's two books, both masterful novels. I could go on for hours about all the novelists I enjoy reading.

Come back tomorrow to find out more about the book that's foremost on Eric's mind these days (hint: it's not Fireproof).