Archives for November 2019

It has always been my belief that we need more Christian authors writing thrillers. Back in the 1990s when there were only a handful of big-name thriller authors (Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum come to mind), I remember saying to myself that there have got to be thriller novelists who don’t cuss up a storm on every page, who truly honor God in their real lives, while at the same time write smashing thrillers.

Over the years, a number of inspirational thriller authors tried to fill the void. I’m working on my own series, but it’s a long haul, I admit. We need more Joel Rosenbergs to show the world that you can write thrillers that are fast paced, intriguing, challenging, filled with moral values, and honor God and country. Well, Dony Jay is one such novelist. I can safely say that he is the Vince Flynn of Christian thrillers.

Today I’m privileged to interview this talented Christian author on his writing process and motivation. Without further ado, here are four questions for Dony Jay, the author of  The Warrior Spy and Artifacts of Conspiracy. If you’re new to Dony’s books, the links are provided at the end of this interview.

1. What motivates you to write?

Two things: First, a compulsion. I simply feel that I must write, that I was born to write. When life or work or any number of things intrudes on my writing time, I feel like I’m breathing through a straw. Writing is oxygen for me and in many cases therapy (for my day job, I’m a police detective). The second thing that motivates me to write is reading. I can’t recall how many times I’ve been reading some piece of brilliant prose or a book written by one of my favorite authors that I think to myself that this is why I write. It can be described perhaps as one part challenge (to write something just as good or better than what I’ve read); and another part tribute (an homage to the authors I admire and respect, especially those in the spy thriller genre). All in all, I just don’t know what life would be like if I couldn’t write.

2. What is your life verse and why?

Psalm 118:6 “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

As a cop and a writer, I find solace and confidence in these words. As long as we are doing what God is calling us to do, we should pursue excellence and fear nothing in doing so. And that includes failure. As Christians we should be brave and be bold while trusting that God is in control. No matter what. 

3. How does being a Christian influence your writing?

Being a Christian influences every part of my life. It only makes sense for it to be evident in my writing. As such, you will always find fibers of my faith in my books. Conversely, things you will not find in my writing are vulgarities, coarse language and other gratuitous adult content. Gunfights? Yep. Deception, betrayal and intrigue. Undoubtedly. At the same time, I do my utmost to incorporate elements of hope, forgiveness, faith and charity–Christian themes–in my writing with the aim of not being preachy.

4. What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I write in the spy thriller genre, because it’s hands down my favorite genre to read. I love books that are heavy on globe-trotting intrigue, plots that twist you back and forth and really force you to think. The mystery genre is my second favorite to read. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to write my own mystery series. I’m a big fan of spinoffs and series that intersect, so I would never rule out characters or other bits and pieces of my Warrior Spy series to find their way into other book series I write down the road.