Posted on January 20, 2012 - by Dawn Ford
Author Interview With Jill Williamson
It is my distinct honor to talk with one of my new favorite Christian Science Fiction writers, Jill Williamson and share her with my inksper friends.
Jill, tell me a little about yourself and how you came to be a writer.
I grew up in Alaska with no electricity. My biggest dream was to get to the lower 38 and experience “real life.” Thankfully I found God in college before I got into too much trouble. I was very talented at making my own clothes and my dream was to be a fashion designer, so I eventually went to New York City for a year to finish that degree. We moved to Los Angeles because my husband wanted to work in the movie industry. It didn’t take long for our hearts to change. Those industries just didn’t fit our personalities. Plus we wanted to start a family and both Hollywood and the fashion industry aren’t the most family-friendly industries.
So my husband went back to school to become a youth pastor. I stayed home with the kids. After reading some of the teen novels the girls in my youth group were reading, I decided to write a teen novel for Christian teens. I got hooked on writing my spy kids story. So hooked that I had to put the dreaded thing down and write something different. So I did. Then I wrote something else. Then something else.
In your Darkness Series you created a whole different reality. Is it harder to create your own world or is it harder to have to keep within the confines of a reality where you could get the details wrong at some point in the story?
It depends on the genre. But usually for me, it’s much harder to write within the confines of reality because of all those necessary details. The science part, especially. If I’m writing science fiction, or dealing with an element of science in a contemporary fantasy story, it’s really hard for me to research all that. I’d much rather draw a map and create my own world and its own rules. *grin*
What inspired you for your current novel, “Replication: The Jason Experiment”, to write about clones?
I was riding in a car through upstate New York with my sister. We were going
to pick apples. We passed endless amounts of ranches, orchards, and farms. It got me thinking. What if there was a farm where they grew people? Clones. It could be called Jason Farms. And that’s where the idea for the story came from. I wanted to explore how the world might treat cloned humans. Would they have the same rights as the rest of us? And what would their existence say about a creator God?
Did you consider cloning to be a hot-button topic and one that may not be accepted by your religious audience?
Not at all. I just thought it was a fun story idea. And many of my critique partners—and my husband too—said it was their favorite of the books I’d written to date. And it was the easiest sale I’d ever had. But as the book neared its release date, I heard from some of my Blood of Kings fans who were a bit worried about this cloning story. The phrases “creeps me out” and “I don’t think I’ll like a story about clones” were mentioned more than once. And then I got a couple almost-offended reviews from magazines, and it suddenly occurred to me that some people might see this as a political story, which I never intended it to be.
You write Christian Science Fiction. How do you set out to put a message in your story that touches readers but that doesn’t preach to them in a way to turn them off to the message?
I never set out to put any message in my books. I just write the stories as they come and try to be true to the characters’ journeys. In the Blood of Kings trilogy, Achan needed to have an encounter with the One God, so I showed that the best way I could. And in Replication, Abby was a strong Christian—the kind of kid who actually tries to live out what she believes. So, I felt that the faith issues that arose between Martyr and Abby were naturally the things that would have come up in real life, the way they might in youth group one Wednesday night.
I can understand why non-Christians don’t understand that and that some might think I put those scenes in on purpose to meet some secret agenda, but I didn’t. It’s always been one of my pet peeves when a character gets saved in a book one because it never seems very realistic to me. In my own life, I was around Christians for eight years before I made the decision to follow Christ. But Martyr was different. So, I guess the answer to this question is that I try to be true to who my characters are, the story they are living through, and where they story needs to go to reach an ending.
We writer’s seem to get inspired by the strangest details. What was one of the strangest things that you experienced which brought forth an idea for a novel?
I distinctly remember where I got the idea for every story I’ve written, and most of those ideas were inspired by pretty ordinary things. I suppose that seeing the partially burned tree when I was on a walk with my son was a pretty small detail that inspired an entire trilogy. Luke and I had stopped our walk to look at a house that had burned down. And there was a tree in the yard that was partially charred and mostly still alive and leafy green. I remember running home (pushing the stroller ahead of me) and Photoshopping that tree. Once I had the image of a half-dead/half-living tree, I started brainstorming a story to go with it, which became the Blood of Kings trilogy.
What do you have next on your drawing board that you can share with us today?
I’m very blessed to be working on a few things. Marcher Lord Press bought my teen spy kids series (the first book I wrote!). The Mission League is a series of four books that follow one young man’s experiences with a spy organization that fights evil. The first book, The New Recruit, is scheduled to release in the fall of 2012. I’m so excited!
And I am writing a new series for Zonderkidz that is scheduled to release in 2013 with the first book tentatively titled Captives. Here is the gist of that story: In a dystopian future, most the population is infected with a plague. The only exceptions are those who live outside the city walls. A mutation in the plague sends city enforcers looking for uninfected nationals in an effort to purge the disease from future generations. When enforcers raid Levi’s village, they take his fiancé into the city and hold her captive in the Highland Harem. Levi launches a one-man war against the city in an attempt to free his loved ones from his village before it’s too late.
How do you view the future of the Christian Speculative Genre?
I see a bright future for the genre. There are a lot of houses looking for Christian speculative fiction. So I think that there is a huge market out there and publishers are willing to give it a try. I also see many writers getting caught up in ebooks and self-publishing. And while I’m not opposed to self-publishing on a case-by-case basis, most writers are not born marketers or businessmen. Being a self-published author is really tough, and many who go this route may get discouraged.
And one other thing I’ve noticed: critics can be hard on Christian spec fiction. It’s not politically correct to write books with Christian themes, and some reviewers get downright angry when they encounter them. As a result, I’ve seen a few authors tempted to write their next spec fiction books with allegories that can cross over into the general market. It’s difficult to continually create books you know some people will despise. So in that regard, the Christian speculative fiction may continually be a challenge to the author’s heart. Christian authors need to arm themselves with a Galatians 1:10 mentality. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Jill’s newest release, Replication, is an amazing speculative story about a secret cloning laboratory and the one clone, Martyr, who simply wants to see the sky before he fulfills his life’s purpose before he expires and the girl helps save him. Jill’s refreshing tale of an innocent mind opening up to the knowledge of God and what real purpose and sacrifice looks like will touch your hearts. I highly recommend it for teens and adults alike.
Thank you, Jill for a wonderful interview and a great read!
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January 20, 2012
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Kav said:
How exciting to ‘discover’ you, Jill!!!! And thanks for the intro, Dawn. Great interview by the way.
Jill, I love how you have remained true to your faith while writing from your heart! Kudos to you for doing that. And that Galatians scripture — we would all do well to remember that whatever we are working at!
I’m an elementary school librarian and always on the look out for good science fiction. It’s the one genre really hard to find for youth and YA. There’s lots of fantasy out there but not as many science fiction. Maybe that’s where the term speculative fiction came about, kind of lumping fantasy and sci-fi together.
Anyhow — Jill or Dawn — can either of you tell me if any of Jill’s books are suitable for students in grade five and six? Or are they intended for higher grades? In any case, I’ll definitely recommend them to my friends who run libraries at the junior high and high school levels.
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January 20, 2012
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Brenda Anderson said:
Hi Jill – So glad you stopped by today. (Excellent interview, Dawn!)
I’m in awe of science fiction and fantasy writers. To me, the thought of creating complete worlds is daunting.
My teenagers–all fans of sci-fi, fantasy, & spec fiction–complain about the miniscule teen section at our local Christian bookstore. Thank you for giving them (and we adults) another option!
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January 20, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
Hi Jill. Nice to meet you. Christian science fiction is so popular and you really seem to have a knack for telling an exciting story. Teens just thrive on them! Keep up the good work and thanks for joining us today.
Great interview, Dawn!
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January 20, 2012
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Lorna said:
Good morning, Jill! Dawn is always singing the praises of your books. I loved hearing the story of your publishing journey.
If you stop by, I was wondering what books you read a teen. Did you always turn toward sci fi and fantasy? If so, who were you favoritie authors?
Dawn, great interview. Thank you for introducing Jill to us.
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January 20, 2012
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Regina Merrick said:
What a great interview! Thanks for bringing Jill along, Dawn!
Jill, I remember reading in another interview your story of the tree, and it fascinated me. I have a 17-year-old daughter who loves futuristic, dystopian, etc., and I’m forwarding the link to this interview to her! Thanks for sharing!!
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January 20, 2012
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Stephanie Ludwig said:
Hi Jill and Dawn! Great interview. I must admit, sci-fi and fantasy are not my cup of tea, but your books sound very interesting, and I’d love to give them a read. Like Lorna, I’m curious of whether that has been a genre you’ve always been attracted to.
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Good morning ladies!!! Thanks for all of the compliments. I’m a slow starter today, so I’ll start at the top and go down.
Kav,
I believe the Darkness series Jill did would be perfect for that age. This book had a few older tones, I would save it for at least 7-8th grade because of that. But that’s just my opinion.
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Brenda,
I am a little biased also because so many of the fantasy and Sci Fi Christian writer’s are guys. I have to applaud Jill for being both female and a Speculative writer.
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Shari, Thanks!!!
Lorna, You’re probably tired of listening to me talk about Jill’s books. I can’t wait for her next ones.
Regina, I love dystopian also!! But you knew that already. It will be awesome when Jill’s comes out.
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Stephanie,
In another interview (not mine with Jill) she talked about reading pretty much the same stuff we did growing up-The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia. I”m so thankful for books like The Hobbit and the Narnia books because they really opened up the way for the rest of us who have come later. And they are still being read today by our kids. It’s amazing to think how some books stand the test of time like that.
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January 20, 2012
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Sandra Orchard said:
What a fascinating interview! I’m forwarding it to a few friends who are writing spec. I love Jill’s candidness. But no electricity in Alaska?! Guess I’ll cross it off my 25th anniversary vacation wish list.
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Hi Sandra, thanks for stopping by today. No electricity kind of makes us grimace now days, doesn’t it? I have other friends who live in Alaska, though, and swear they will never move back. I’m sure it is as beautiful as they say it is.
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Thanks, Kav!
I agree with what Dawn said about the book’s age group. I did read it aloud to my son, who’s in 4th grade, and he liked the story. But I did have to stop and explain some things about the science and I glossed over one kiss.
I really appreciate your willingness to tell other librarians about the book!
God bless!
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Brenda,
That’s so funny. To me it’s more daunting to write books in this world! I think I may have said that in the interview, though… I have an over-active imagination, I guess.
Please do tell your local Christian bookstore about Replication the next time you’re in there. Even though I’ve done the fantasy trilogy with Marcher Lord Press, I’m a new bookstore author. So many of them might not be aware of my book.
I love that your kids love spec fiction, too. Tell them I say “Hi!” And “Have fun reading whatever you’re reading!”
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Thanks so much, Shari!
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Lorna,
I did not read much spec fiction as a teen. I was addicted to Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. I read every one of them. And I also read all the Little House books. I remember reading the Hobbit at a young age. We didn’t have electricity when I was little. And for my ninth birthday, my parents rented a TV/VCR and all three Star Wars movies, and we watched them together. My parents hadn’t seen them either. It was the most amazing night! I think that’s where my love of “other worlds” was born.
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Regina-
Yes, seeing that tree, that was a fun day.
I’m working on a dystopian right now! (Did I say that in the interview?)
*scrolls back* Yep, I said it! LOL Sorry…
Tell your daughter she likes cool books!
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Hey, Stephanie!
Well, if you decide to give my books a try, I recommend trying Replication first, since it reads more like a mystery/suspense novel. Like I told, Lorna, I didn’t start out reading spec fiction, but as a writer, I’ve almost always written spec fiction. The first story I wrote was a Christian spy kids series (the one Marcher Lord Press is going to publish soon), but I created this secret organization that serves God—and there’s my spec fiction angle. Plus that one has a hint of supernatural in it.
I did write one book that I love about an Inupiat girl who moves from the Alaskan bush to live in Wasilla with her aunt so that she can go to school. It’s a really sweet story, but is a middle grade girl book. So… for now I can’t try to publish that one since I’m wearing my YA spec fiction writer hat. Someday maybe. I really liked that story.
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Thanks, Dawn, for the interview and answering all the questions! And for the lovely compliments. I appreciate you!
Everyone, Dawn’s writing is awesome, too. Someday I’ll get to read her whole story as a book on my shelf.
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Jill Williamson said:
Sandra-
There is plenty of electricity in Alaska. In fact, when I was in school, all my friends lived in houses with running water and electricity. But the road we lived on didn’t have it, and we couldn’t afford to put in ten electricity poles. But over the years, so many people have moved up there, my parents have electricity now. They got it about five years ago!
So you’re safe for a vacation.
Jill
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Jill,
That’s so sweet. I can’t believe you remembered critiquing my manuscript. Gods will.
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
And thanks again for doing the interview, Jill. It was great fun!
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January 20, 2012
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Linda Fulkerson said:
Of all my favorite authors, I’ve probably told more of my friends about Jill’s books than anyone else’s! I loved, loved, loved the Darkness series and look forward to reading your new book!
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January 20, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Hey Linda, I haven’t gotten through all the Darkness series yet. You’ll love Replication!
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January 20, 2012
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Kari said:
I also have to admit that Science Fiction is not a genre that I have read a whole lot of…having said that, Replication sounds like a great book, I am looking forward to reading it!
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January 20, 2012
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Marianne said:
Although i don’t enjoy sci-fi or futuristic spec fiction,i did enjoy the interview and learning about Jill. Thanks for a fantastic post, ladies