A heartwarming and highly imaginative retelling of St. Paul the Apostle’s story on his earliest life as being Saul of Tarsus. With Lin Wilder’s creativity and an eye for perfection, it will certainly capture the hearts of many readers. This is an ultimate Time Machine; a portal to the past through an exceptional literary work.
Lin Wilder is no beginner to writing at all, in fact, she has authored several books of her own such as the Lindsey McCall medical series, which includes ‘The Fragrance Shed By A Violet,’ ‘Do You Solemnly Swear?’ ‘A Price for Genius’ and ‘Malthus Revisited’. Most recently, she has published ‘I Claudia – A Novel of the Ancient World,’ and ‘My Name is Saul – A Novel of the Ancient World.’ All were highly rated and exceptional.
This story is moving. Does the story evolve during the process of writing; if yes, how so?
Yes, the story always evolves.
One of the biggest challenges in moving from writing nonfiction (where I spent most of my life) to fiction is to cede control to the characters. Doing the research for my stores comes naturally to me because of that background. Since there is so little known about the early life of Saul, there was a lot of creative room.
Upon writing a historical novel that is based on a factual event, what is the most significant thing you discovered?
For me, the relationship between St. Stephen and Saul of Tarsus is probably the most significant. We know Saul consented to the stoning of Stephen. It took very little to imagine a friendship, even fellow students at the Temple. From there, Stephen being the ‘thorn in the side’ of Paul became logical.
Why do you choose St. Paul as your main character? Why not some other Saints like Peter or St. Francis of Assisi?
Many of my books are not my idea. This one was most definitely not. I planned to return to the medical mystery series when My Name is Saul showed up in my head.
How do you come up with the titles of your books?
I’m actually not sure. A mostly intuitive process I think.
Your writing style feels so alive, vivid, and provokes strong emotions. How do you do that?
Thank you. Every author aims to do just that, I trust. I begin by finding all the books and articles that appeal to me. In Saul’s case, I had just published I, Claudia, so the research about ancient Greece, Rome, and Israel was fresh. Of course, that made conceiving Saul’s character easier since I had already immersed myself into those cultures.
Saul became a man I felt I understood since I spent many years as an atheist, agnostic…Although I was not “knocked off” a horse, my conversion felt that dramatic, that life-changing.
I have found these people in ancient cultures fascinating: depth of knowledge, skills, and thought. Many of us are so woefully ignorant of the wisdom of the ancient world. My characters can create a bridge back to those times.
Have any of your books been made into audiobooks? If so, what are the challenges in producing an audiobook?
Yes, Do You Solemnly Swear– A Nation of Law, The Dark Side
Since I was approached by the man who narrated the book, the challenges were minimal.
Saul of Tarsus or St. Paul of the Gentiles, what was your first impression of the man?
Back when I felt nothing but hostility toward all things and people religious, he personified that antipathy.
Why do you think that Saul of Tarsus is “the man for our times”?
I explain in the afterword that he is a man without any doubt: first, the Christians were his enemy. Following conversion, his faith in Christ was unwavering. Two antithetical beliefs. All of us are searching, even those who do not know so.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers?
Yes, The Reluctant Queen-The Story of Esther
Which of your books were the most enjoyable or challenging to write?
Each one of them has been alternately enjoyable and challenging. But I cannot select one or another that fits “the most.”
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