CKN Christian Publishing is proud to bring on new and seasoned authors alike whenever we can. Samantha Adkins is no exception. She enjoys reading and writing in a variety of genres. Her writing is inspired by the works of Jane Austen, Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), Judy Blume, Louise Penny, Roald Dahl, Bodie Thoene, and Lois Lowry. Her novels, After His Heart and Not As They Appear are classic Biblical tales in modern settings.
CKN: Did you always know you wanted to write?
Samantha Adkins: I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I don’t think I considered it a career until grade 5 when we wrote an autobiography as a school assignment. That’s when I decided to be a writer.
CKN: Between having two children and being a teacher when do you find the time to write?
SA: I started writing more seriously after my daughter was born. I needed some adult time, so when she would nap, I would write. Now that my kids are older, our days are less predictable, so I fit it in whenever I can. Even fifteen minutes is better than nothing.
CKN: Do your friends and family ever read your books? What do they think?
SA: My parents and sister are usually my first readers. They are always supportive, but also offer good suggestions. My parents have a much better understanding of grammar than I do! I also have some good writer friends who read parts or all of my books and give me great feedback.
CKN: What’s the last book you read?
SA: I just finished Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese. It was our latest book club pick. It’s amazing.
CKN: What do you spend more time on, plotting or the actual writing?
SA: Definitely writing. Plotting comes to me when I go for a walk, do dishes or vacuum the floor. It’s not usually a conscious effort.
CKN: After His Heart is a little different from your other books, how do you feel about the release coming up?
SA: After His Heart is a bit darker, I would say. I was hoping to have a publisher for this book because of this. It is still a retelling of a story, which I have done before, but there are more serious themes. I’m excited about it coming out. I hope people enjoy this book.
CKN: How did you get the idea for After His Heart, do you know a David King?
SA: Our church at the time was going through a series on the Psalms. I’ve always loved the Psalms and found King David a fascinating character in the Bible. How could he both be “a man after God’s own heart”, yet commit such great sins? I was intrigued by this idea and wondered how his story would look today. I know people who have parts of David King and can see parts of him in myself. I’ve never known someone who is as famous as he becomes, but I imagine it would change anyone.
CKN: Reading After His Heart I couldn’t decide if I was supposed to hate or love David King, what are your thoughts on that?
SA: I always loved King David in the Bible and I loved him in this book, but I understand that a lot of people do not love him. I leave it up to the reader. I think it depends on your background and ability to relate to him.
CKN: Do you think the story would be different if it was all from David King’s point of view?
SA: I think so. In some ways, the reader hardly knows David in this book. You only see him through the eyes of the women who love and/or hate him. It was sometimes a limiting experience, but I hope readers find it as compelling as I did.
CKN: Which of your books has been your biggest labor of love thus far?
SA: All of my books come out of love. Expectations gave me the most joy to write. Other books have been more difficult, though still very enjoyable. I find, as I get older, it is more difficult to keep details in mind. I write myself more notes to remember names, places, and other details.
CKN: Are you working on anything right now?
SA: Yes, I am working on a novel inspired by my Grandmother teaching in a one-room school house during the Depression. I am letting it rest for a bit and am working on another Jane Austen-inspired piece as a bit of a “break”. It was also supposed to be a short story, but is getting longer. . .