Interview with Jordyn Redwood, author of Proof
Our guest today is Jordyn Redwood, author of Proof. Jordyn has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. She is a member of both the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Christian Fiction Writers association. This is her first novel. Jordyn has graciously given me a copy of Proof, which one subscriber to this newsletter will win.
JO: You are a critical care nurse by day, novelist by night. Has one role influenced the other? If yes, how so?
JORDYN: Each career definitely influences the other. Nursing gives me first hand experiences from which to develop plots for my novels--in fact a patient experience I had directly influenced the killer's method in Poison, the second book in the Bloodline Trilogy. Working with people at some of the worst moments of their lives gives a very realistic point for drawing characters and how they react in stressful situations. Writing gives me an outlet to release the emotions I have from work onto paper.
JO: You've been helping other authors write medically accurate fiction through your blog Redwood's Medical Edge for a while. What made you decide to write a novel yourself and why blog in this particular area?
JORDYN: My dreams of writing a novel came before the blog--ever since I could write sentences I've been writing stories. When it became that time in the pursuit of publication to think about my online presence and blogging--I wanted to do something unique (doesn't everyone?) There were plenty of marvelous authors blogging about the writing craft, writing life, Christian life and I didn't feel like I could offer anything new. What I found myself doing naturally was answering medical questions for other writers. From this the blog idea was born. A quick search at the time and I didn't find anyone else blogging in that area--though I have found a few now.
JO: The antagonist you've created in Proof possesses a secret that most cannot understand. Does the secret give him power? Or are his maniacal actions provoked by something else? How dangerous is power when it's left in the hands of someone who cannot control it?
JORDYN: Wow, these are excellent questions. Can a secret give you power? Yes, absolutely. Particularly if you know how to wield it as a weapon--which the villain does in Proof. Are his actions provoked by something else? This can delve into a discussion on a whole other level. Is evil born or is it created from the environment of which the child is raised? In Proof, the evilness of the villain does stem from childhood--was created in a sense. But, was there a seed already there and in the right environment--it grew into what the villain became? I think in real life, we can see that power can be very dangerous in the hands of someone who maybe can control it but wants to abuse it--doesn't want to live peacefully. Isn't this the basis for many wars? I want to have what I want and I'll force my will about it onto others.
JO: Your protagonist isn't exactly innocent as she seeks her own version of justice. Where is the line of good and evil in your characters?
JORDYN: The line of good and evil for my characters is positioned from where their moral center is. Lilly is not a believer. Not only does she question the existence of God but the goodness of such a being. I think this is where ethics are individually influenced by. For instance, there is the law if man is punishable by man and then the moral code of God for which we are held responsible--as a Christian believes. In Proof, I try to show a difference between the actions of these two viewpoints. Lilly, as an unbeliever, chooses to do some things that a believer would not. However, as she journeys toward a position of faith--does this influence her decision making? You'll have to read to find out...
JO: Law enforcement officials typically see DNA as conclusive proof (pun-intended) that will hold up in a court of law. Your book suggests that human methods of proving guilt may not be as irrefutable as we all thought. Is this a topic of concern for our justice system? Or is it merely just a good story for a novel?
JORDYN: I do think this should be an area of concern for law enforcement that the DNA picture may not always be so clear. In the research I did for Proof, the potential for the DNA mystery to occur is said to increase with the use of in vitro fertilization. If we think about how many pregnancies start this way in this day and age--there could be a small percentage of criminals that have this genetic anomaly. Unfortunately, it's a known unknown--as Rumsfeld would say. I may have to amend that--it's likely not on the forefront of a police investigator's mind. They'll read the DNA results as they stand. So, maybe it is an unknown how many potential criminals have this but it is medically/statistically possible that there would be some.
JO: Evil, the struggle for power, and the shortcomings of our judicial system make your novel a page turner for every reader, not just the faith-based community. How important is it for Christian authors to write about themes that affect us all? Is it more difficult to make your writing authentic for both audiences?
JORDYN: I think Christian authors will naturally write about themes that affect us all--just from a Christian worldview. I know I can't help it personally as my worldview is the root of my viewpoints and how I relate so my writing draws from this.
JO: I think the challenge for a Christian author is to write authentically of the themes that affect humanity as a whole but offer an alternative to the thought of "well, that's just how it is." Why is it that way? Why are there war, famine, disease, divorce, murder and mayhem? What does it stem from? Is there evil...I mean true evil? Where did it come from? If there is evil...is there goodness...true goodness in its purest form? Is that God?
JORDYN: I think the ultimate challenge falls to Christian publishers to allow these stories--grittier, life struggling stories to be seen by readers. Thankfully, this is happening more and more.
JO: Where can our audience find out more about you and your books?
JORDYN: I can be found at www.jordynredwood.com or e-mail me at jredwood1@gmail.com. My medical blog for writers is at www.redwoodsmedicaledge.com.
Thank you, Jordyn, for this interesting interview and spending time with my readers. Your book is a page-turner. Can't wait for your next novel, Poison. Thanks again for the copy of Proof that one of my subscribers will win.
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