I conducted this interview on 05/12/19 in another blog, now defunct.
Today, I have novelist, Fayla Ott, as my guest in an interview about her new novella, It Came Upon a Midnight. Earlier this year, I reviewed this and my review can be found here.
This is the second offering I have reviewed of Fayla's (the first being Afflicted) and they are well worth the read. I have found they do what Christian fiction should do, that is, entertain, uplift, educate (equip), draw both Christian and non-Christian closer to God.
So let's dive in and see what Fayla has to say about her new novella!
Before we begin, what is It Came Upon A Midnight about?
Another spiritual warfare plays out in this novella written by Fayla Ott, author of AFFLICTED.
Christmas has come early for Avery when she gets a job at a tourist home in the small town of Herald, Ms. For years, she has heard the stories about the haunted house and the ghostly statue on the property. At first, she disregards them as urban legends until she comes face to face with spiritual forces that threaten not only her job, but her life.
Now, let me introduce Fayla Ott!
Fayla, welcome and thanks for stopping by! It is my pleasure to host you here today and discuss your new novella, It Came Upon A Midnight.
Fist up, Tell us about your journey to becoming an author.
Thanks, Peter, for inviting me to talk about my new novella!
Since before I could read, I have been drawn to books and stories. I would look at the picture books and make up my own stories to go with the pictures. Throughout my childhood, I would often hide in a closet or a corner somewhere with a book. I started writing stories, poems, songs, and essays when I was really young. I dreamed of being a novelist, but it didn’t seem practical so I pursued a different path. However, during my college years, God revealed to me that He wanted me to write for Him. I’ve been pursuing it since.
What inspired you to create It Came Upon A Midnight story?
A few weeks ago my son challenged me to write a short story with the same premise as my previous book Afflicted. He has been reading Edgar Allen Poe and asked me to do something similar. Since I have a fascination for ghost stories, I decided to go in that direction. Unfortunately, most ghost stories are misleading in today’s culture. Often, ghosts are depicted as being souls who have unfinished business, and their spirits are left here on earth until their issues are resolved. Also, accounts of “real life” ghost stories from witnesses sometimes claim that it is their relative trying to connect with them or watch over them. I believe that these spirits are demons posing as people from the dead and that Satan uses this deception and trickery to fool people about the afterlife, and also to distract them from the truth. I wrote this story to bring awareness to Satan’s lies. It is loosely based on an actual “ghost story” from my hometown of Kosciusko, Ms.
What was the hardest part of writing It Came Upon A Midnight?
Since it is a short novella story, there was a challenge to ensure a complete story despite the brevity. I’ve read some novellas where I felt the story plot lacked depth, and I didn’t necessarily connect with the main character(s). My consistent hope is that my readers never leave a book feeling deprived of essential story elements.
How long did it take you to write this novella?
Believe it or not, the majority of the actual writing process took place in about two days. However, I did some “mind planning” prior to sitting down at my laptop.
Why do you write in the genre of spiritual warfare?
Spiritual Warfare is an ever-present issue in our world. The Bible is clear we need to be aware and on guard to defend against Satan’s evil tactics. Sadly, many want to avoid this topic because they feel it is unpleasant and it doesn’t line up with the story of God’s goodness. In fact, it is the opposite. This is why Jesus came to die. He offers the world freedom from the reality of spiritual darkness. We need to share His light in the darkness. Every day people are dealing with these ugly realities. It is our responsibility to share His hope.
What type of author are you? Novelists tend to use one of the following methods:
-Plotter: by extensively plotting it out, -Pantser: as it came to you (that you write by the seat of your pants) Or was it a bit of both?
I am definitely a pantser. There’s a thrill of discovery as I write this way. I have found that completely plotting out a novel bores me before I even start and I lose interest. Obviously, I have a general premise when I begin, but discovering the story as I go keeps the passion alive. Like my readers, I want to see what happens as the story unfolds.
You state at the end of the novel,
“This short novella is loosely based on one of my hometowns, Kosciusko, Ms. In that town, the Kelly house and the Kelly statue have been the subjects of urban legends for years. As a kid, it was fun to tell the stories and scare one another. Visiting the graveyard at night gave us a thrill and added to our childhood adventures.“
Can you tell us a bit more about these urban adventures you have heard of Kosciusko?
As I stated, the Kelly house and the Kelly statue in the City Cemetery of Kosciusko, Ms. have been the subject of many urban legends. Some were pretty outlandish, such as Laura Kelly having killed all of her children. Some stories even tell of the statue turning on its pedestal, and the eyes actually weeping. As teens, we loved to get a group together to ride to the cemetery to scare the new kid in town, or even just go for fun on Halloween night. I have to admit the statue is creepy enough during the daytime, and in the night, it is a haunting sight and feeling to stare into her eyes, which do look as if they’re following you around everywhere.
In this novella, you have Avery, a Christian, developing a relationship with Sam, a non-believer. What was your rationale for this depiction when the Word instructs Christians to not be unequally yoked to unbelievers?
I actually wanted to use this relationship to show the different measures Satan will use to distract us from our purpose in Christ. Obviously, Avery and Sam aren’t equally yoked, and Avery should avoid getting involved. Satan uses her craving for love and acceptance to distract her from Christ, and he does so through Sam’s attention to her. However, this relationship also shows that God can work despite our mishandling of our life choices. His mercy is great, and Avery has people who care about her and pray for her and Sam. No matter what Satan throws at us, God offers a way to freedom.
In the short discourse below about ghosts versus demons, why do you think some Christians and even Ministers don’t want to talk about demons but have no problem believing in ghosts?“ Why do you think people find it easier to believe in ghosts but harder to believe in demons?
“You’re serious, aren’t you? You really believe demons act like ghosts?” “Yes. I think it’s rare, but obviously something evil happened here to invite demonic activity. Demons can take the form of humans to fool people into believing in things which deter them from the truth.” “We’ve never talked about this at my church. I wonder why.” “People do not like to talk about it. I guess we have to be careful, though. We need to be aware of them, but we shouldn’t obsess over their presence. We have to focus on the presence of Christ instead.”
I believe people are afraid of this topic. As stated above, the idea of ghosts is acceptable because people like the idea of their loved ones remaining or visiting. It is a liked concept. The concept of demons isn’t a nicely packaged one. Evil is real, and reality is often ignored because it is scary or unpleasant.
Your last sentence in that excerpt, We have to focus on the presence of Christ instead, is very important and one that holds the key to everything in the Christian life. That is something that is also sometimes missing in Churches and Christians can easily lose sight of. This is one principle of spiritual warfare. Your thoughts on this?
It is essential in all things that we focus on Christ. While I believe we are to be aware of Satan and his demons, we cannot lose ourselves in a fascination with evil. This is a dangerous practice. The only way to keep ourselves in His protection is to focus solely on the presence of Christ, which we do by staying in His Word. It is our defence against the dark forces of the world. Jesus himself spoke the Word of God when He fought Satan (Luke 4:1-13).
Too many times we can focus on knowing too much about how our enemy works and not enough on how to focus on Christ instead. This could almost be a tactic of the enemy or be used by them to derail our relationship with Christ. Your thoughts again?
As stated above, it can be dangerous to put too much emphasis on our enemy. The emphasis should be placed on Jesus, following His example of how he guarded himself against Satan, which is using God’s Word to fight. Satan would love nothing more than to distract us from Jesus. He has always wanted to be God. Focusing on Satan more than God puts us in a vulnerable position to be used for the wrong purpose. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t understand how our enemy works, but that we should protect ourselves by keeping God first.
You portray one of the demons as getting bolder in his interaction with the main character in this novel. Did you portray this because that is what you perceive satan is doing in reality?
Yes, I do believe he is getting bolder. While I believe evil has always existed, I also believe evil is more prominent today. Our modern world lends itself to an increasing amount of evil images, propaganda, and discourse. Because of modern media, we have easy access to all of the above on a more regular basis. Scripture tells us that what we put in our minds will be manifested in our actions. People already have a sin nature, but when it is fed with evil things, it breeds and multiplies. Also, we are seeing less man-made consequences too much of the evil happening in our society so people are more prone to commit more evil acts. Especially when some of those evil acts are labelled good. Therefore, Satan is fooled into thinking he will win. His boldness is a result of the confidence he reaps from the prominent evil in the world.
I felt that at the end of the novella, there were hints of a sequel. What does happen to Sam and Avery? What happens to Sonnellion and Belias? What happens with Avery’s being reunited with her foster parents? I felt these pilot arcs were left hanging somewhat. I would love to see this novella have its continuation. Have you any plans for this?
I left things a bit open because I wanted the reader to think about the choices Avery is making at the end. What could this mean for her? What could this mean for Sam? Sometimes questions are a good thing because life isn’t always full of satisfactory answers, but we can trust in the One who knows the answers to all life’s questions. That being said, I have thought of writing a sequel. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
What biblical themes or message(s) have you incorporated in the novel or based the novel on?
The main theme is not to trust in ourselves. We cannot trust in our feelings of fear, inadequacy, doubt and insecurities, personal longings, or even what we see. We must trust in God alone. Only then can we know truth.
What authors have influenced your writing and/or in this genre?
I know it sounds cliché by now, but Frank Peretti influenced me the most in writing this particular genre. When I first read This Present Darkness at age 19, I had never read anything like that before. His novel caused a stirring in me that I needed to change my perspective on how I live my daily walk in Christ. I knew then that I wanted to write to inspire people in the same way.
Who became your favourite character and why?
Although she is a minor character, I think Lisa is my favorite. Her friendship is a source of strength for Avery and shows how we can influence the lives of others just by being there for them. That is no small thing.
What take-home message do you want readers to embrace from this novella?
I’d like readers to understand the reality of evil influence in the world and on a personal level, but at the same time understand and accept the magnitude of God’s grace and love, which is superior to any darkness this world faces. I would also want them to embrace the importance of God’s Word in their daily lives.
Apart from It Came Upon A Midnight, what other works in progress do you have?
I’m an eclectic writer, so my next full-length novel is a southern fiction novel which will release in the spring. The subject is child abuse, with the theme of forgiveness. It is set in the Mississippi Delta region where I spent my childhood. I do have plans to write more in this genre, though, and readers can expect another offering later next year.
Any closing comments?
I’d like to encourage readers to support Christian authors who are writing things outside the popular niche. Romance novels are still the leading genre in the Christian market. Because of this, Christian readers tend to be a specific type of reader. There are many readers who’d prefer different genres, but they now have an aversion to Christian books due to the idea that it is all “fluff and rainbows” fiction. There’s nothing wrong with readers who prefer this type of fiction, but there are many Christian readers out there who don’t so they primarily read secular fiction. They stay away from the Christian market because they think they can’t find a genre they’d enjoy. This has been rapidly changing. I encourage Christian readers to revisit the Christian market. They might be surprised to find themselves new fans of several Christian authors.
Fayla, this has been a great interview! Your insights into spiritual warfare have been such a great encouragement to myself and I am sure those reading this. You are welcome here any time to discuss any other novel, especially your new releases!
If this interview has piqued your interest in It Came Upon A Midnight and Afflicted, click on the book covers below:
Readers and reviews are an author’s best asset, so I encourage any reader, to consider reading It came Upon A Midnight and Afflicted and submit a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (or any other social media you subscribe to). Reviews help promote an author’s novel to potential readers and encourage the author to keep writing. Reviews also help get the author’s message (and God’s message) to the reader, whether Christian or not, who may need encouragement and support in their lives while being entertained by the story.
About the Fayla Ott:
Fayla is married and has two boys. She lives in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. When she is not writing, she is homeschooling her sons and helping her husband with his martial arts school. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, hiking, singing in her church choir, playing piano and guitar, and spending time with her family. She enjoys the adventures of travelling, too, and does so any chance she gets. Fayla’s desire for her writing is that it draws others closer to Jesus Christ and that she can worship Him through her stories. If you’d like to contact Fayla, email her at faylaott@gmail.com, or follow her on Facebook and/or Amazon. You can also visit her website at www.faylalindseyott.com.
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