Francine Rivers's Blog, page 29
September 27, 2012
Original Ending
**SPOILER ALERT**
In the original manuscript of A Voice in the Wind which was intended to be a stand-alone title, I had Hadassah die in the arena. It was my first novel in which I was writing blatantly as a Christian and not doing an allegory (Redeeming Love).
September 25, 2012
Julia, the girl we love to hate.
** SPOILER ALERT**
Each character in A Voice in the Wind represents a different way of thinking, during Roman times, but also during ours. Marcus was an Epicurean. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die! Julia went one step further and was a Hedonist, devoted to pleasure and self-gratification as a way of life, not counting the cost until she thinks it’s too late. Julia was an “it’s all about ME” girl.
September 22, 2012
Book Covers
A Voice in the Wind has had four covers over the last twenty years. The first depicted characters Atretes, Hadassah and Marcus. The second was dark blue and had a faint shadow of Roman columns behind the large print title. The third is maroon and black with Hadassah praying in the center. The last cover, and my personal favorite (painted by Robert Papp), has Hadassah standing before the arena. She is beautiful.
September 17, 2012
Movie Dreaming
It is unlikely A Voice in the Wind will ever be made into a movie, but it’s still fun to dream. I’ve come up with various lists over the years of who would play which role. Someone asked me this question the other day and off I went again into my movie-casting dream world of actors who might play the leads. Here is today’s list:
Hadassah – Emmy Rossum
Marcus – Chris Pine
Atretes – Chris Hemsworth
Julia – Mila Kunis
Music by Hans Zimmer or James Horner.
September 14, 2012
Phoebe and Women Like Her
Phoebe is one of my favorite characters from A Voice in the Wind. In the beginning, she is a pagan woman who has faith in her household gods. But her heart and mind are open and she observes Hadassah who lives out a life of faith in Jesus. Phoebe becomes a believer. As she was in the beginning, she is still a woman who loves her family and grows increasingly concerned over their choices in life. As her health deteriorates, her reliance on Jesus becomes stronger. She is dedicated to prayer and a quiet, though powerful influence in the lives of her
September 7, 2012
Still Asking Questions
One of the questions recently sent to me is whether I still write novels focused on answering questions of faith, and if I’d answer old questions in a new way. Yummy food for thought.
A Voice in the Wind, for example, was focused on answering “How do I live out my faith in Jesus in front of family members and friends who don’t even want to hear the name of Jesus – unless they’re using it in a curse?” Hadassah was the primary character living out the answer through the story. Would I write the same story in a different way today?
September 4, 2012
A Voice in the Wind 20th Anniversary
We never know what God will do. When I became a Christian, I couldn’t write. Nothing made sense or seemed worthwhile. After working hard to build a career, I came to an insurmountable wall. “All is vanity,” as Solomon said and I knew that to be true. It wasn’t until I gave up trying to do what I wanted that God opened my eyes through the Hosea story and nudged me (strongly!) to write Redeeming Love. That book became a defining moment in my life.
August 25, 2012
Movie Mishap
My daughter and I get together for lunch/dinner and a movie as often as we can. So much depends on what’s in the theater, and our differing tastes. The last movie we saw together was “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” which we both loved. She suggested “Hope Springs” this time, and I jumped at the idea. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones are both awesome actors. Steve Carell? It’s bound to be a hoot!
August 19, 2012
Simple Answer to Big Question
I’ve yet to hear any politician give a simple, straight-forward, truthful solution to our current economic problems. Both sides promise the moon and deliver dust. Everything focuses on what is best for the party rather than what is best for our nation.
Please take two minutes to watch this:
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EW5IdwltaAc?rel=0
In the words of John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
August 10, 2012
Church and AA
Having known and loved several alcoholics over the years, I have on occasion attended AA meetings in order to understand and empathize with those suffering. Although I don’t drink, everything I heard was applicable. I felt connected.
