I’m super excited about this post because I’m bringing you my first author interview with Rob Seabrook today. His book, Beneath the Tamarisk Tree is the story of the penitent thief and what his life may have looked like before he hung on the cross next to Christ. I read and reviewed his book last year, and you can read that review on Instagram. Rob is giving away 5 copies of his book during his blog tour, so make sure you read until the end to find out how to enter. Let’s get to the interview!
Me: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take you to write your first novel?
Rob: I would say from an early age that I have always enjoyed reading and had an inclination to write. I had always had the feeling that there was a book in me somewhere. I did have the idea for a children’s book a few years ago, but it was only met with a half-hearted attempt to write it.
But when the idea for Beneath the Tamarisk Tree began to take hold, I decided this was the time. It took me about a year to get the book to a point where the manuscript was worth sending to potential publishers, and from there, about six months before I had the finished copy in my hand.
Me: Amazing! Your book is a fictional take on the Penitent Thief. Tell me what inspired you to write this man’s story and how you came up with the idea.
Rob: I was attending an event in the UK called New Wine, which is a week of teaching, meetings, seminars, and worship times. We were camping in a tent, and after an uncomfortable night, I woke one morning thinking about the Easter story, the thief on the cross, and began to ponder his story. I can remember feeling quite excited about it, so I decided to skip a meeting, grab a notepad and pen from the bookshop, and sat down with a coffee to start writing. Some of those very early scribblings still form the basis for chapter one of the book.
Me: When I read the book, I was impressed with its historical detail. What kind of research did you do when writing it? What was the most interesting or strange fact you learned about this time period while researching?
Rob: I did as much research as I could, although there is not much available about the life of the poor and destitute in first-century Jerusalem, perhaps because literacy rates in that group were almost non-existent. There was much more about Roman life at the time, and city maps gave me a good idea of how things may have been. It was then a process of applying some imagination to the situation.
One interesting fact that has stuck with me is that the life average expectancy for men at that time was about 30 years, perhaps due to the high infant mortality rate. So aged over 30, Jesus may already have been considered quite old when he began His ministry. It also led me to think that the thieves who were crucified next to Him may have been quite young men, as their chances of survival on the streets or in a life of crime may have been fairly poor.
Me: Let’s change gears a little bit. For my readers who aren’t also writers, can you describe your writing process for us?
Rob: I found that whilst I was writing, I would jump around the story as and when ideas came to me. That could be a single word, a phrase or a piece of dialogue, or even whole new scenes that would form in my mind. My memory is poor, so I would write notes on whatever was to hand and then later type them up. It meant that I could be writing a scene in one chapter, then jumping around somewhere else to drop in another sentence or phrase.
One thing I found very useful is that I would start each session by reading back and editing what I wrote in the previous session. For me, it allowed me to critically edit as I went along.
Me: How interesting! What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?
Rob: Sometimes I feel that when I am writing, my favorite part is the research, and when I am researching, my favorite bit is the writing! I do enjoy the writing and get a thrill from transferring something from my imagination to paper that someone then enjoys.
Me: What’s the most challenging part about writing your genre?
Rob: Biblical fiction seems to come with a responsibility that I had not foreseen, and I always had the verses from the Bible echoing around my head about how we should not add or take away anything from the Word. I felt the responsibility to present the theology correctly, to not lead anyone astray from the foundation of the Bible. It was a risk to include dialogue from Jesus, and I took great efforts to ensure they did not cause any upset or mislead.
But what Biblical fiction is very good at is bringing context to the Bible narrative. Often, due to the generations that have passed since it was written, Bible stories can seem strange or difficult to understand without knowing the context in which they were written. Biblical fiction can help to bring that context to life, building images of the cultures and times that can heighten our understanding.
Me: What has been the most exciting part of your publication journey so far?
Rob: Actually having a published book in my hand was such a thrill, but I did write it with a purpose – not just to make me feel good. I wanted to use it to be able to communicate something of the love of God, something of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, to let people know that whatever their circumstances, while you are alive, it is never too late to be saved.
I have recently heard of two or three people who have been given the book as an introduction to Jesus and have then gone on to make a commitment to follow Him, which is such an encouragement.
Me: Here are a couple of questions just for fun! What is your favorite book of the Bible? Why is it your favorite?
Rob: That is a very difficult question…like trying to decide on which of your children is your favorite! I find the Psalms inspiring, as poetry is a genre that I admire so much–being able to refine language that has such a powerful and beautiful message.
Me: Who is your favorite Bible character?
Rob: After Jesus, of course, I have always been a fan of the Apostle Peter. He is quite a different character to me, but I love his direct approach and his enthusiasm, sometimes inappropriate. But he is real, with faults, and even though he is broken after he denies Jesus, he is humbled, he hangs on to the love of Jesus and becomes a mighty, Spirit-filled, dynamic leader of the church.
Me: One last question before you go. Can you tell us if you’re working on any new projects?
Rob: I have been spending a year or so researching another book, not Biblical fiction, but still Christian fiction. I have a story in mind that will show something of how we can see God in His creation. How a young man comes to faith through his fascination with nature, realizing there is a Creator behind the creation. I should really have begun writing by now, but I am prone to procrastination!
Thanks for spending time with me and my readers, Rob! You can find his book, Beneath the Tamarisk Tree, on Amazon. If you would like to enter to win a copy, head over to Rob’s website to sign up for his newsletter. All new subscribers from now until February 15 will be entered to win. Physical copies for UK residents only.
Rob lives and works in Devon, England, and is married to Gemma, with three grown-up children. As foster carers, together they have gained insight into the impact of trauma on children and how there is always room for second chances. Beneath the Tamarisk Tree is his first novel.
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