Hello Brennan and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about Eden: Biblical Fiction of the World’s First Family!
To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?
I write a subgenre of Christian Historical Fiction called Biblical Fiction. Depending on what you believe, you could consider that an oxymoron or redundant. I write it because I’m obsessed with the Bible. I’m obsessed with the Bible because I love Jesus more than I love breathing. If that frightens you, let this be some small consolation: I at least don’t handle snakes or drink Kool-Aid.
Most of the time.
What inspired you to write Eden?
I always thought the early Genesis stories (Adam and Eve, Noah and the worldwide flood, the tower of Babel and the confusion of the world’s languages) were some of the weirdest stories I’d ever heard. They sounded like great fodder for emotive stories. I didn’t see anyone else writing them in ways I wanted to read (intense, realistic, emotional, lyrical, fast-paced). So, I decided, “Heck, I can do that.” Turns out, it’s a lot harder than it seems.
What research did you undertake when writing Eden?
Mainly, it was intense textual study of the source material (Genesis 1-4), a bajillion commentaries, historical Jewish interpretations contrasted with historical Protestant and Catholic interpretations, blah-blah-blah. Oh, I did also study a lot of early ways people built furnaces, homes, etc.
What would you like readers to take away from reading Eden?
I hope readers enjoy the ride, and walk away deeply moved by Adam and Eve’s lives.
What was your favorite scene to write?
I suppose Adam’s first moments, him realizing his own personhood as God created him from the dust. I felt I had the leeway to write that section more lyrically, and that’s always fun to me.
What was the most difficult scene to write?
The first scene after everything falls apart in the garden of Eden. Showing the shift from moral perfection (complete innocence and lack of malice) to sudden full exposure to the inner drive that pushes everyone toward selfish behavior and evil was tricky.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
About 10 years ago. Writing a book was on my bucket list. So, I decided to do it. That book got published. So, I wrote more. Now here I am. Sounds simple. It was anything but. If I knew the inner turmoil I’d have to face along the way – and how long I’d be hacking away at it all – I don’t know that I would have done it. But I’m glad I stuck it out. Most days.
What does your daily writing routine look like?
I work a full-time job at a non-profit, and have a three-year old daughter and a wife whom I love spending time with. I get up at 5:00am every day, read the Bible and pray for an hour or two, take care of my daughter until I leave for work, then come home, take care of my daughter and be with my wife until my daughter goes to sleep around 8:00, then write until I can’t anymore. If you’re wondering, it’s hard.
What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?
My greatest challenge was something I never expected: the emotional ups and downs. You have to guard yourself against the highs as much as you do the lows, because the highs beget the lows. If you’re in a state of high-stress (excitement actually IS another form of stress) for 14 hours per day, you’re going to crash and feel like a pile of depressed poo soon after. Bib fic is not an easy genre to write, either. Everyone always disagrees with you, no matter what. You get fired at from both the prideful devout, and the people who think your belief is childish. Not exactly friendly territory.
Who are your writing inspirations?
Mostly fantasy writers. Tolkien and Ursula K. Le Guin are two huge ones for me. Then other classic writers like Steinbeck (although he’s a bit dark), Dickens, etc. Although, I don’t like Hemingway (I already know he’s way better than me, so no need to state it). I’ve been inspired by some modern writers like Cormac McCarthy. I don’t know, I read a broad spectrum of genres. I enjoyed Dune, Harry Potter, The Fifth Wave series, the Jack Reacher series, other biblical fiction, some romance like Charles Martin. Right now I’m re-reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and I just started Pat Conroy’s South of Broad. I like good stories that are well wrought and not too message-laden. I don’t like allegory, so The Shack and Pilgrim’s Progress aren’t for me.
What are three things people may not know about you?
1. I was formerly a professional drummer. I’m a bit rusty, but it’s like riding a bike.
2. I was homeschooled and graduated high school at age 16.
3. I absolutely love Hayao Miyazaki’s films (My Neighbor Totoro is a sick-day favorite).
What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?
I love getting to write about themes and stories that matter deeply to me, and that have profoundly impacted my life. It’s very personal. I don’t write this because I chose it as a favorite genre. I write it because it chose me. Because of the way my life has unfolded.
What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?
Ancient history. The older and the more mysterious, the better. I’ve got multiple books on ancient Egypt, ancient Babylonia, ancient China, etc. Good stuff.
What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
Be with my daughter, hang out with my wife (aka my best friend), play/listen to music, and (don’t tell anyone) play games on my Nintendo Switch.
Lastly, what are you working on next?
A book about Abram. It will span his time in Egypt weathering the famine, and end after the battle of the kings, when Melchizedek blesses Abram after he saves Lot and the kings of Soddom and Gomorrah. This series might end up being 9 – 10 books long. I’m going chronologically through all of Genesis, showing the failures of the patriarchs contrasted with God’s mercy and faithfulness. We praise Adam, Noah, Abram, etc., but the Bible doesn’t always paint a pretty picture of them. I wanted to explore their full humanity in these stories, and the timelessness of the themes that have made these stories relevant and resonant for millennia.
Thank you for this wonderful interview, Brennan! I've lately become addicted to our Nintendo Switch too :) We bought the new Animal Crossing game for our kids but I've taken it over now. HA!
Eden by Brennan McPherson
Publication Date: April 1, 2020
McPherson Publishing
eBook & Paperback; 332 Pages
Genre: Biblical/Historical
“You want me to tell of how I broke the world.”
It’s the year 641 since humanity was formed in Eden, and after Eve passes away, Adam is the only man left on earth who remembers everything from the beginning of the world.
When Enoch, God’s newly appointed prophet, decides to collect the stories of the faithful from previous generations, he finds Adam in desperate need to confess the dark secrets he’s held onto for too long.
Beside a slowly burning bonfire in the dead of night, Adam tells his story in searing detail. From the beginning of everything, to how he broke the world, shattered Eve’s heart, and watched his family crumble.
Will Enoch uncover what led so many of Adam’s children away from God? And will Adam find the redemption and forgiveness he longs for?
Praise for previous work by Brennan McPherson
“Brilliant, erudite, breathtaking.” – Tosca Lee, NYT best-selling author“I think we’ll be hearing more of Brennan and his stories.” – Charles Martin, NYT best-selling author
“A soul-searching, heart-rending, deeply satisfying story.” – Mesu Andrews, ECPA Book of the Year award-winning author of Love Amid Ashes
“How do you take a centuries-old story and put a new spin on it, inviting readers into an evocative world they thought they already knew? Brennan McPherson figured out the way. Flood will entertain you, yes, but also take you deep into your soul and make you ponder both the vastness and the intimacy of God.” – James L. Rubart, Christy Book of the Year award-winning author of The Five Times I Met Myself
About the Author
Brennan McPherson writes epic biblical fiction with an imaginative twist. With heart-pounding plots and lyrical prose, McPherson crafts a different sort of biblical fiction for readers who like to be challenged to think.
Website | Goodreads
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, April 6Review at YA, It's Lit
Review at History + Fiction + Adirondack Spirit
Tuesday, April 7
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Wednesday, April 8
Review at Jessica Belmont
Review at McCombs on Main
Thursday, April 9
Review at The Nerdy Bookworm
Friday, April 10
Review at NurseBookie
Saturday, April 11
Feature at What Is That Book About
Interview at Passages to the Past
Sunday, April 12
Review at Tales from the Book Dragon
Monday, April 13
Review at Historical Graffiti
Tuesday, April 14
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks
Wednesday, April 15
Review at Books and Zebras
Thursday, April 16
Review at The Caffeinated Bibliophile
Giveaway
To celebrate the publication of Eden, Brennan is offering a paperback copy of every book published by McPherson Publishing (with the exception of EDEN), including the 3 Psalm Series novella books, one by Mesu Andrews, one by Carole Towriss, one by me; a copy of FLOOD: The Story of Noah and the Family Who Raised Him and BABEL: The Story of the Tower and the Rebellion of Man; and a non-fiction book The Simple Gospel and How it Works in Us.Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on April 16th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Eden Blog Tour
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