Spotlight shines on Donald Parker

I would like to introduce Donald Parker he has written several books and is a member of ACFW. After working for 25 years in IT work he got the bug to write and it has not stopped since. Without further delay let's get to know more about Donald Parker.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Flew half way round the world to get married to someone I had never met in person and who spoke very little English.

Wow that is pretty crazy!

What is the best gift you have given?

Blood. I've donated more than 22 gallons over my lifetime. Hopefully that sacrifice has had has an impact on some lives.

That is an amazing gift. One that saves so many people.

Who is the most important influence in your life besides God?

Right now it is my new pastor. I've only been fellowshipping at his church for a month and my life has already been altered because of him.

Let’s pretend money is not a factor, if you could go anywhere is the world where would you go?

I'd love to get away to a beautiful lake where I could pull in fish as fast as I could bait my hook. My next choice would be an annual trip to the Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference.

I am with you about the conference.

What book are you reading now? What books are found lying around your home?

I never have a book in progress. Usually five is the minimum. Right now, I am reading three books about evolution, one about atheism, a book of short stories named Forever Friends which contains my first published short story, a couple of Christian apologetics books. Also I'm reading the manuscript for a book I'm going to publish at Sword of the Spirit Publishing. I only read fiction written by my friends at this point. I just finished Havah by Tosca Lee and It's Not About Me by Michelle Sutton.

I loved Havah and It's not about Me. Two wonderful books.

What is your favorite children’s book? Where the Red Fern Grows

If your book was being discussed at a book club what do you think the focus of the discussion would be on? The characters and the theological questions posed by the characters search for the truth.

I love old black and white movies and the old musicals. What is your all time favorite movie? It used to be It's A Wonderful Life. I think another Black and White by Frank Capra called Mr. Smith Goes to Washington might be my new favorite. Short Circuit is up there too.

What would you like your readers to say about your writing? God is speaking through his novels.

What are your dreams of 2009? What do you hope to accomplish this year? I try not to have personal dreams. God's goals are my goals. I have about twenty plots waiting to be developed into a book or a script which I'd love to start knocking out. So, Lord willing and the tributary doesn't ascend, I'd finish three more books this year. All three are in various stages of incompletion.

My ultimate goal is to get involved in television and movies. My style of writing lends itself better to spoken dialogue, and the current preference of the society is to eschew the more work-intensive effort of reading in favor of the almost instant entertainment of video. If I can penetrate that arena, I’ll be able to reach more people with my messages.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not slaving over the computer creating another wonderful novel?

Before I starting writing I had some hobbies. Now I mostly fantasize about them in my books. I love to play tennis, jog, hike, watch college football, read, talk about deep subjects, cycle long distances (30 miles), fish, sing in a choir, act in dramas, participate in organizations such as Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, etc, and donate blood.

What is your favorite verse from the Bible?

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

If you're not bursting at the seams with the passion to write or have been given a directive from God to write - stay out of the fray. It's a jungle out there. The faint hearted will never succeed, and the frustration level is overwhelming. On the other hand, if either of the two necessary criteria are present, then never give up.

What do you want your readers to take away from your novel?

Godly wisdom. All of my books are written to promote understanding of God and his desires for his children, including truly living the abundant life. I try to make my books entertaining so that the lesson is served with the spices of humor and romance.

From Donald Parker's blog:

Jeremy has studied the theory of evolution and its inherent weaknesses. His conclusion is that the world itself is a testimony to the existence of a creator. He decides to throw himself into studying religion to find out if he can determine who that creator might be and what such a powerful entity desires of him. His motivation is strong due to his love for Maria, who introduced him to Christianity, but Jeremy won't sacrifice truth even for the love of his life. He must find satisfactory answers to all of his inquiries, in order to pave the way to a mutually dedicated relationship based on common ideals

If you are interested in learning more about Donald Parker please visit his website here

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