My latest interview is with Stephen, who is from Tennessee, and it’s a joy to share his work and passion for giving back through his books. This is his fourth appearance on my blog, and I know you’re going to enjoy this one. Here’s the link to our first chat together: firstinterview.
Introducing Stephen again…
Welcome back to the blog, Stephen! A couple of wonderful things have happened in your life since we last spoke. You are now a father to Carson Bo, and I imagine you and your wife are just enjoying being parents. You also have another book out: Demons Know My Name. So, tell me what you’re loving about your life right now!
Life has definitely been a little crazy lately! Carson Bo is almost 16 months old, and he’s absolutely precious. Having the opportunity to be on summer break and be at home with him has been really special. (We don’t always sleep a lot, so 5:00 am has become my new normal!)
And yes, the release of Demons Know My Name! I intentionally wanted to release the book before the school year ended, so the summer break has allowed me more time to hit the ground running with promoting the book.
It’s been busy, but it’s been beautiful, and I’m grateful for this current season of life!
Besides being an author, you’re a middle school social studies teacher. I think you’ve been teaching for 15 years now? Does teaching help you as a writer, and vice versa?
Yes, this will be my 15th year as a teacher! My favorite genre to read and write in is young adult, so teaching middle school has definitely helped me with my writing career. Being around students every day has kept my mind fresh concerning the influences teenagers face, allowed me to gain inspiration from the relationships I’ve developed, and better understand the culture of what it’s like to grow up as a young adult in this day and age. (One of the main characters in my novel, The Space Between Fire and Ashes, is based on the life experiences of a former student, so I definitely draw inspiration from the things I see, hear, and learn.)
I’ve also found that my interest in reading and writing is often a common interest with many of my students, so several have bought my books and constantly want to discuss literature, which is very cool.
What inspired you to write Demons Know My Name?
A few years ago, we were hanging out with one of our best friends. She was talking about how her grandmother was a God-fearing lady who always strived to live with a genuine and pure heart. Our friend mentioned that one time, in the midst of a conversation about living out your faith, her grandmother remarked, “But do the demons know your name?”
That simple line birthed an idea in me that I didn’t know would take root at the time. As I looked at areas I had failed to take my faith seriously in my own life as well as the culture of “Christian” youth in today’s society, I was convicted to write this book as a wake-up call for believers to take their faith more seriously.
In your description of your book on your website, it says, “Demons Know My Name is a rally cry for teenagers to elevate their faith and awaken a newfound sense of what it means to become a serious threat to the enemy.” In two to four sentences, how can teenagers elevate their faith?
I believe teenagers can elevate their faith by first analyzing themselves to see which areas of their lives are not aligned with the cause of Christ. Then, they need to be proactive in defining their image in Christ, discovering the purpose they were created for, and developing strategies to engage the enemy every day. (All of these are areas the book explores.)
If someone isn’t a Christian, how can they apply this book to their life? Because no matter what you believe, I think we all have an enemy to some degree. Sometimes the enemy is the one we see in the mirror: ourselves. Would you agree?
I’ll say that the book is targeted for teenagers (and people in general) who profess to be a Christian. So if a person doesn’t consider themselves to be a Christian, they need to read the book with the understanding of who the target audience is. (It will help add context to the principles and viewpoints expressed in the book.) But yes, no matter what background you have, I believe we all have areas we need to grow, develop, and “demons” we fight.
The book expresses areas of self-growth, personal development, and inspires intentional living. So even if someone isn’t a Christian, then I would hope they could still take points away from the book about living a genuine life, discovering your purpose and how to apply it in your life every day, and create mindsets and habits that will lead to a life of significance and fulfillment.
I believe Demons Know My Name is your fourth book. I admire how you donate royalties from your books. Are you supporting a specific cause with this one?
So a portion of the royalties from my books are reinvested into two organizations: Compassion First – an organization that fights sex trafficking and supports sex trafficking survivors in Indonesia, and Long Arm Malawi – an organization that supports vulnerable and orphaned children in the heart of Africa.
I’ve had a great relationship with both of these organizations, and it’s been such a joy to partner alongside them in the amazing work they are doing!
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what message would you want to convey to millions? What would it say and why?
I believe my purpose is to instill value into people; the phrase that popped into my mind when I read that question is, “You are worth so much more than you choose to settle for.” I believe the potential of our purpose is so far beyond anything we can comprehend, but often we settle for things that are temporary and trivial. My prayer is that people awaken to the life they were created to live.
Stephen, this is one of my favorite parts of the chat. Tell me three fun facts about you currently going on in your life.
This is one of the parts I find the most fun to read about other people, yet one of the most difficult ones to think up myself! Three things right now…
- I wrote a children’s book a month ago dedicated to a close friend who just had her first baby. I gifted her the book, although I’ll probably never actually publish it for the world to see.
- I am currently editing a nonfiction book that a close friend wrote. It’s the first time I have ever been paid to do an editing job before.
- No one knows this (although I’ll probably have made the announcement by the time this interview comes out), but I have created a profile online for a website called Talkadot. It’s a platform where any church, organization, or business can find and hire a public speaker that fits their needs. I’m seeking speaking engagements along with publishing books, so I’m hoping this new venture will help create some momentum for me in that area.
You know I love ending my chats with a motivating quote. Do you have a favorite quote or saying that has inspired and motivated you in your life that you can share with my readers?
I love the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
Life isn’t about wealth, fame, or popularity; it’s about leaving the world a better place by investing in people in a positive way. That’s what I hope to do, and it’s my prayer for everyone else as well.
Thank you for reading my chat with Stephen! Check out his work and links are below.