We ask author Kathy Harris about her novel The Road To Mercy (Abingdon Press): A Christian singer and his wife have to make a hard choice — and a child’s life hangs in the balance.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR BOOK THE ROAD TO MERCY?
I witnessed the aftermath of a plane crash when I was a child. That experience inspired the prologue of the book. From there, I set out to write a contemporary story illustrating how one life—or one seemingly insignificant action—can impact people across generations.
WHEN MAKING UP STORIES, HOW MUCH DO YOU DRAW ON YOUR OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES AND PEOPLE YOU KNOW, VERSUS DRAWING ON RESEARCH ABOUT COMPLETE STRANGERS?
The prologue, as mentioned above. I also drew on personal knowledge of the music industry for many of the settings.
Almost everything else came from in-depth research and imagination, especially the medical aspects of the plot. I was also blessed to have a number of people who were willing to share details from personal experience and/or their expertise.
IN YOUR NEW NOVEL, WHO IS THE CHARACTER IN THIS STORY WHO SURPRISED YOU MOST?
Bethany Harrison, the female protagonist. When I began writing Chapter 5, I realized that Beth had been hiding something from me—and from her family. A secret so repugnant to her that she had tried to forget it.
WHAT DO YOU WANT READERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK?
That God loves them more than they can truly fathom. That He is ready and willing to forgive each of us, even when we can’t forgive ourselves.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
Several, actually! I have a finished first draft for a romantic suspense and a partially completed contemporary romance novella. I’m also working on another women’s fiction manuscript.