A short time ago, I was contacted about a novelization of a movie that was released back in February based on the Biblical account of Samson. I was minimally familiar with the movie, but I wasn’t aware of the fact that Eric Wilson had published a companion novel to accompany the movie. While I have not completed my reading of this book as of yet, I have been quite impressed with the style, historicity, and insights penned by Eric Wilson. In anticipation of the movie’s DVD/Digital release on May 15th, I decided it was high time to post my interview with this dynamic author.

RH: Why did you decide to become a writer?

EW: The arts have a way of not only speaking to the head, but of also speaking to the heart, which is where our beliefs take on shape and passion. As a kid, I was inspired and challenged by great books, everything from Winnie the Pooh to Lord of the Flies, and that made me want to write.

How did being a “missionary kid” affect and shape you as a person?

First, I was exposed to so many different people, foods, cultures, clothing, music, etc, and this gave me a broad worldview. God reveals truth through all sorts of things, in often unexpected ways, and I saw that firsthand. I also watched the way my parents loved others unconditionally, instead of judging by outward appearance. That had a profound effect on me and gave me a deep empathy while writing my characters.

What was your earliest published work? Please tell us a little about it and what inspired it?

I had a travel article published in 1987, followed by others, and I wrote for my college newspaper. My first published novel, though, was in 2004. It deals with a husband who is completely blind to his wife’s feelings, and when she prays: “Please God, open his eyes!” her husband’s eyes are opened to see how he has hurt her with his words and deeds. He sees these things in symbolic ways, but he thinks they are real, and he comes under police investigation when his wife goes missing. The book is titled, Dark to Mortal Eyes.

How different is it writing novelizations of movies as opposed to original stories?

The novelizations are a collaborative process, in which I hope to breathe fresh ideas, scenes, and subplots into the story while giving reverence to the original screenplay. It’s a highwire act, but it is so much fun helping others’ ideas grow into deeper, broader stories. Writing my own books feels more like birthing biological children, going through every stage of their development. It’s fulfilling, but much more draining.

One of your most recent books is Samson: Chosen, Betrayed, Redeemed (which is also a movie). What kind of research/preparation did you do in writing this novelization?

First and foremost, I read the account in Judges chapters 13-16, and I did hundreds of pages of research on the biblical themes, setting, food, housing, and of course, the Philistines. It was important to get the details right, but not to burden the readers with too much information. I also prayed daily that God would use these words to touch men and women, young and old.

It seems like Samson and Delilah are still well-known in the secular world. How challenging was it to debunk some of the myths that may exist from the Biblical text?

I am actually surprised at how few people under age thirty have any knowledge of Samson or Delilah. I approached the story as though my readers had never heard this before, wanting to give them an active, fast-paced account, which also delved into the motives of the characters. I didn’t want to rewrite the story, but to explore the daily decisions that led to the large successes and failures we read about in those four chapters. I hope long-time Bible readers will be challenged in new ways, and that those who are completely unfamiliar with the story will be inspired to read more of God’s Word.

When writing a book based on Biblical historical figures, how do you go about “filling in the blanks” (the things the Bible doesn’t tell us)?

I believe the Bible is more than myth and legend, but full of actual historical characters, so I approached these characters as real-life, flesh-and-blood people, just like us. As I dove into the thoughts of Samson, his decisions made more sense. As I thought about what would motivate Delilah to betray her lover, the choices I made in the story seemed natural. The more the novel unfolded, the more obvious those filling-in-the-blanks moments seemed, but even so, some of the characters’ choices surprised even me. Just when we think we know how someone will respond in a situation, they surprise us. The same with my characters in a story.

Why will Christians enjoy this book? Why will non-Christians enjoy this book?

I believe the book should be enjoyed first as a fun, fast-paced read, set in a fascinating historical period. The struggles of daily survival were so visceral, and this creates tension for the characters even in everyday tasks. Whether Christian or non-Christian, readers can find elements of themselves in these characters–the desire to do something great, the fear of that responsibility and potential, the sense of failure and disappointment we all deal with, the loss of loved ones, and the hope of finding love in the midst of it all. Samson is a cautionary tale, but it is also inspiring to know that God is never finished with us. No matter how far we stray, or how much we refuse to follow or believe in Him, He is still there, ready to answer and have a relationship with us once we call on Him. Samson, even after all his missteps, calls on God in prison and is answered in one last epic moment.

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

I sure hope there will be more books coming soon. I’ve sent out a proposal for a WWII thriller, and I have dozens of ideas for other novels, as well as non-fiction works. It’s all a matter of the right opportunities opening up, and knowing how to navigate the struggling book market.

As your Christian faith is central to what you write, how do you go about weaving that into your stories regardless of the content?

As I referenced earlier, God’s truth is revealed through all sorts of things. The power of love and forgiveness, the impact of undeserved mercy and deep relationship, these are things we all long for. I don’t like throwing out easy answers, because life hasn’t worked that way for me, and it doesn’t for most people. It cheapens what Jesus did for us when we try to gloss over the very hardships and sins He died to deal with. Whether I have overtly Christian characters in a story or write about non-believers struggling with many of the same issues, I hope the glimmers of God’s truth shine through by the end.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to read, of course. My wife and I like playing Dominion together, taking hikes, watching movies. I love soccer and basketball. I love traveling, whether it’s a weekend trip to Chattanooga or a month-long-trip overseas. And these days, it’s a treat to hang out with my four-year-old grandson. His enthusiasm and curiosity are infectious.

I appreciate the acumen, candor, and enthusiasm Eric shared concerning writing and his personal faith in our recent interview. Christian authors often flood the marketplace, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish those who write in such a way to motivate people towards faith and those who utilize the Christian moniker as a marketing tool. Thankfully, Eric is one whose authenticity and commitment shine through in every interview he gives as well as each book he writes. I am thoroughly relishing this book based on the life of Samson, and I would highly recommend it to any and all people who are interested in reading a well-written historical narrative set against the reality of faith in God during a period in which times were challenging, hope was fleeting, but a faithful but flawed “hero” was raised up. I would invite you to check out all the links below and consider purchasing the book and/or pre-ordering the movie. In a world where a vast array of Christian media exists, it is refreshing to see an author and a movie who seek to inspire Christians with a beloved story told in an entertaining, uplifting style.

FOLLOW ERIC

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FOLLOW SAMSON

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Movie Website

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