In addition to Samson, you’ve written a number of other novelizations based on films. How did your experience writing Samson compare with those projects?
I have a lot of fun doing the novelizations. Each one has come with its own joys and obstacles. Writing the death crawl scene from Facing the Giants made me weep. I laughed out loud while working on October Baby, having fun with one of the sidekicks in the story.
With Samson, I had maybe the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book. I loved the research, the characters. And c’mon, how can you not have fun writing about one of the biggest mess-ups in the Bible? That’s someone I can relate to.
You’ve also written several original novels. How does the process of writing novelizations compare with your experiences writing your own stories?
I’ve written nine novels, five novelizations, two novellas, and a nonfiction book. Writing my own novels is like birthing and raising my own children. It’s a complete joy, but it brings deeper aggravation too. I want them to behave and live up to their potential.
Writing a novelization is a collaboration with someone else, essentially taking their child and raising it to adulthood. I come to love that child as my own. But my responsibility is to the screenwriter, recognizing that I am not the birth parent. I am there to nurture and encourage this story, helping it reach more people. I don’t have to be the disciplinarian, if that makes sense.
Both processes are rewarding in their own ways.
What do you hope readers will take away after reading this novelization of Samson?
I want parents to be encouraged that God is never done with their children; He will continue working in and through them, even after you watch them stumble. I want men to be challenged to reach out to others, avoid temptation, and not let ego and pride trip them up. I want women to realize how important they are in the lives of husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and sons.
The words and choices we all make, each day, lead step by step toward or away from what God desires for us. Of course, in the process of taking all that in, I hope readers have a blast tearing through the pages of fast-paced story.
Visit Eric Wilson’s author page here:
https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/eric-wilson
Samson
Novelization by Eric Wilson
Pure Flix Books / Charisma House
The original superhero movie based on the story of Samson and Delilah
He has many names. Lion tamer. Fox catcher. Man killer. Each with its measure of glory and shame. But for this young Hebrew with a supernatural gift of strength, there is more to the story. Samson has a God-given destiny to defend his people form the oppressive Philistine empire. After experiencing tragedy at the hands of a cruel Philistine prince, he strives to fulfill his calling only to fall victim to his own desires.
As Samson draws close to a Philistine temptress with a secret, this man of unbeatable strength drifts away from his destiny. Then an act of betrayal costs him everything. At his weakest Samson must rely on God in one last effort to avenge his people.
In this novelization of the major motion picture, Samson draws you deeper into one of the most famous biblical stories of the Old Testament. Experience the legacy of Samson and Delilah in a way you never have before.