A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD PAUL EVANS

Q: Grace takes place during the darkest days of the Cuban missile crisis. What led you to set the novel during that turbulent era of American history?

A: I initially chose the era because it was a time when society had still not accepted the existence of child abuse and, historically, there were thousands of youth in America roaming the streets. I chose the October of the Cuban Missile Crisis because I wanted to show the contrast of global destruction juxtaposed against the destruction of an individual life. As someone once said, “If the entire universe should explode, the moon and stars disappear and the earth collapse on itself, you still only die once.”

Q: How do the characters and plots you explore in your novels germinate?

A: First, the characters. With the exception of Richard in The Christmas Box, Eric, the novel’s male protagonist, is probably more like me (as a boy) than any character I’ve ever created. Grace’s character just came to me–a beautiful, strong yet damaged female character who is, like all my favorite characters, a study in contradictions. She is smarter and more mature than Eric, but beholden to Eric for his goodness.
I’m not sure where the plot came from. I started out writing a story about a wealthy man who takes a bet to live homeless for a month and I ended up with Grace. I’m always amazed at the inspiration that comes to me.

Q: Grace’s character remains elusive in the novel, though we get a glimpse of her innermost thoughts in her diary excerpts. Was it your intent that she remains something of a mystery to your readers?

A: I chose to keep Grace somewhat mysterious for the sake of the book’s climax. The twists near the end have surprised most of my early readers. Also, the story is told from Eric’s perspective for obvious reasons—Grace isn’t around at the end to tell her story. I included Grace’s diary to get some insight into her experience that wouldn’t happen otherwise in a novel written in first person.

Q: Why did you decide to allude only indirectly to Grace’s abuse?

A: Again, I wanted to lead the reader into her story. It would have weakened the impact to begin by laying out her whole experience. Also, this is told from Eric’s point of view. As he learns more about Grace he grows and matures. In this way the reader, and Eric, have the same experience. (Though I expect my readers are much more likely to figure things out in advance.) The reading experience is like turning the burner on full and watching the water start to boil.

Q: If Grace were made into a movie, as several of your novels have been, what actors could you happily envision playing the roles of the protagonists?

A: I’m a huge Dakota Fanning fan, so I would cast her—though she’d have to age up to the role. I’m not sure who the boy would be, though Haley Joel Osment would be good if he’s not too old by now. I could see Mary Steenburgen as the mother.

Q: To what extent do you set out consciously to examine or explore religious themes in your novels?

A: At one time in my career Barnes and Noble bookstores categorized my books as religious fiction. Though I am active in the LDS faith, I am fascinated by all religions and have studied many of them. I find myself seeking out the commonalities of our different religious experiences with hopes of encouraging, through my writings, the most hopeful, loving and redemptive qualities in all of us.

Q: In your experience, how do readers who are not religious respond to your work?

A: Quite well, actually. I don’t remember ever receiving a negative letter from someone in that regard. (Although I have received letters from people angry that I don’t promote a certain religion.) I’ve never been accused of promoting a religious agenda. They usually say things like, “though Evans is obviously a Christian, he doesn’t flog you with it…”

Q: Who are some of the authors you most admire and why?

A: That depends if you mean as writers or people. In terms of writers, I tend to read more non-fiction than fiction and I love the works of Marianne Williamson (brilliant), the late M. Scott Peck, and one of my new favorites, Erik Larsen.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced in narrating Grace from the perspective of an adult looking back on his experiences as a fourteen-year-old?

A: It was a little tricky, as Eric the boy was frightfully naïve and I had to be careful not to allow him knowledge he wasn’t ready for. I just put myself in his shoes. I guess I haven’t lost the inner child. ;-).

Q: Can you discuss in a bit of detail the Christmas Box House International, its aims, and your involvement?

A: I am the founder and Chairman of the Christmas Box International. Our original goal was to build emergency shelters to help abused and neglected children. We’ve done well in that regard and to date we’ve housed nearly 20,000 abused children. Our goals have taken an ambitious leap this year as we launch the Christmas Box initiative, our objective being to give aid to every youth in America transitioning out of foster care. The statistics on these youth are appalling and I believe we can help these youth break the cycle of poverty and abuse and live productive, happy lives.