Writer’s Desk with M.D. House
In late 2020, M.D. House semi-retired from a successful career in the Corporate world. He enjoyed his time there and still consults part-time, but being able to pursue his passion for creative writing has been a blessing.
Many years ago, while writing on a very limited basis, he came within a hair’s breadth of getting a science fiction novel published. Since embarking on my new journey with much more time and focus, he has published that (very long) book and a sequel, along with six religious historical fiction novels (which were a surprise to me). M.D. House has gotten award recognition, including a Chaucer Award finalist nod for The Barabbas Legacy, along with a favorable review from Kirkus for The Servant of Helaman, a spy thriller.
M.D. House’s schedule is filled with new projects, including his first fantasy novel, provisionally titled Crossroads of Sundering Memory, the sequel to The Servant of Helaman, and a pair of screenplays. The third volume of the Patriot Star sci-fi series will be on the docket soon as well.
You can learn more about M.D., including interviews with people like Eric Metaxas, Tricia Goyer, and Dr. Paul Reeves, at mdhouselive.com.
Connect with M.D. House on his website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Bookbub, LinkedIn, and sign up for his newsletter here.
More about Sophia
After her miraculous rescue by the angel Raphael, Sophia, daughter of Barabbas and Chanah, sets out with the former slave Onesimus to find the elusive and itinerant apostle John. Once they find him, an unexpected trip outside the Roman empire into the mysterious northern nation of Sarmatia expands her understanding of God’s global efforts to gather his children to their Savior.
It also reveals in starker detail the pernicious, pervasive attempts by the adversary to disrupt the work and turn the children of God toward evil and superstition. Pride is her own weakness, and she must learn how to temper and control it, so that her mind might be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What surprises await her as she travels great distances with the Lord’s beloved apostle to spread the message of the gospel? How differently does God see her life than what she has assumed? What will happen to the growing church’s relationship with Rome when Emperor Vespasian dies and his sons pick up the mantle? And how does John continue to have so much energy and faith?
Scroll below to see how you can win one of ten copies of Sophia!
Q&A with M.D. House
TG: What is your writing process like?
MDH: I’m more a planner than a pantser, but I tend to throw plenty of wrenches into my own plans, which is always fun/challenging.
TG: What is your writing Kryptonite?
MDH: Distractions, of course, but also finding enough time to read; any good writer has to continue to read other good books.
TG: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
MDH: Don’t worry about something not being “perfect,” which is unachievable by us mortals, anyway. The famous line “Fear is the mind-killer” from Dune has application here; perfectionism manifests itself largely through fear.
TG: What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
MDH: Good editors – they are so, so useful.
TG: What did you edit out of Sophia?
MDH: A few things from the original outline, but nothing from any of the drafts. That was astounding. The first draft came out cleaner than anything I’ve ever written. I’m trusting that’s a good sign. 😊
TG: What is the most difficult thing about being an author?
MDH: Not being “predictable”
TG: As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot?
MDH: Eagle
TG: Which book that you’ve written is your favorite?
MDH: Sophia is the new favorite, though it’s not far ahead of Kindred Star (Book 2 of the Patriot Star series), which is a reflection of my sci-fi roots.
TG: Which of your books was the most fun to write?
MDH: It’s hard to say, but probably Pillars of Barabbas. I needed to get into the mind of Paul and tell portions of the story from his perspective. The research and study in the NT to prepare for that was incredibly valuable all by itself. The interactions with Emperor Nero were also so much fun to envision and then capture on the page. Really fascinating to think about. I’m also somewhat of a politics nerd, and the early saints had to deal with politics just like we do.
TG: Which was the most difficult — and why?
MDH: It’s one that hasn’t come out yet. I’ve completed four drafts of my first fantasy novel. I love it, and it’s shaping up well, but there’s still more work to do. I really want to make an impact with it.
TG: If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
MDH: Well, it’s a toss-up between “Thank you!” and “I’m so sorry.” 😊
TG: What is coming up next for you?
MDH: I’ve started to visit some shows this year (see the pic from July 3-4 – you can spy the cover of Sophia I was teasing), which I thought I wouldn’t enjoy. It turns out I do because I’ve gotten enough people to come up and talk to me (which I love – I’m definitely a talker). I’m also working on a pair of sequels, plus the aforementioned fantasy novel, and two screenplays (in concert with professional screenwriters).
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Don’t Miss My Conversation with M.D. House (click the graphic below to watch!)
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In this poignant capstone to the trilogy, the man called Barabbas—infamous former thief, murderer and prisoner turned Christian—and his wife Chanah continue their mission of spreading the gospel across the known world as cauldrons of political and military chaos boil across the Roman Empire. Nero is increasingly erratic, and it’s only a matter of time before the sharp knives of imperial politics finish him off. Various successors vie for position. Who will strike first, and who will come out on top?
