With The Deceived being both an edgy mystery-love story and not your typical Christian book, Tomm A. Boyer is asked many questions about his well-praised novel that has his readers wanting answers and more. So, we asked the questions and now you got the answers. Responses have been provided by Author Tomm A. Boyer:
“So, Why Did You Write The Deceived?”
“The concept story of The Deceived was an idea that I had for many years. Then one year while I was doing real estate consulting and had a little extra time, the character Joshua and the mystery of the church fires developed more and more, so much that I had to put my thoughts on paper. I really could not sleep at night until I started writing.”
“How Long Did it Take to Write This Novel?”
“When I thought of the story, I would hear this one song in my head, “I Exalt Thee” by Phil Driscoll, which we sung in church all the time, especially at conventions. One day, I heard the song on the radio while driving and I told myself not to wait anymore. That night I started writing and four months later I had written over 300 pages!”
How Did You Come Up With The Title; and Was it Your First Choice?”
“I grew up in church and attended many services, Sunday school classes, and other Christian functions. I had many great pastors, teachers and mentors. But as I got older and read more and more, I encountered a few “major” things that were contradictions to what I was taught. I felt “deceived”. Most things in life are not what they appear. We see things, believe things, and assume things based on the limited information we have. Our lives, what we learn, and what we experience is no different. Therefore, I tried to incorporate that into the novel.”
“What Has Been The Biggest Compliment Given to You about Your Book?”
“That the mystery is so unique and enjoyable to all types of readers, regardless of one’s religion. One person said, ‘…Christian or not, it’s just a good mystery book!’ Others mentioned how it made them view God and their own life differently.
“What Made You Cross into Some Very Supernatural Situations?”
“How can we talk about God without going Supernatural? Jesus was very supernatural; and in John 14:12, he told us that we would be able to do even ‘greater works’ than him.
“How Do You Respond to the Criticism That a Few of Your Characters Aren’t Exactly Christ-like?”
“I wrote this book based on what I know is real life people in real life situations. Joshua, and some of the other characters, are young, not perfect, make mistakes, leaning the truth as they go…just like all of us.”
“What Do You Like Best about Your Novel?”
“Two things. The involvement of the local police and ATF and mysterious love-story. Both add so much flavor to the story.”
“Umm…where’s Joshua’s father?”
“You have wait on “The Deceived II” to find that out.”
“Really?! Well…We Can’t Wait; and Happy Writing!”
-Lighthouse Manuscripts