Your Subtitle text
Above The Fold - March 29, 2010
Insightful, Thought-Provoking Author
And Christian Activist
Donald James Parker is a 1968 graduate of Madison Central High School in Madison, South Dakota. He graduated from Dakota State University in Madison in 1972 with a degree in secondary education, and after moving to Washington State in 1981, he studied computer programming and turned his writing efforts to software. After twenty-five years of IT work, Donald's passion for writing flared up again, and the doctors couldn't do anything to cure it; the outcome is a five-book series involving two generations of the Masterson family. If demand warrants, the series will expand as the future unfolds.
To learn more about Donald, visit his website at:
BOOK VIDEO TRAILERS:
Love Waits
(Donald James Parker)
Homeless Like Me
(Donald James Parker)
Love Waits
(Donald James Parker)
Homeless Like Me
(Donald James Parker)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Donald James Parker (Homeless Like Me, Love Waits)
Apex Reviews: Donald, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to sharing more about your books with our readers.
The topic of teen sexuality is probably more popular - and controversial - now than ever before. Is this what inspired you to write Love Waits?
Donald James Parker: In 2006, I was awakened at exactly two A.M. I had the sensation I had either heard a voice telling me to write a book about evolution or had dreamed that I had. I went back to sleep. The next morning I remembered that experience and said to God, “Lord, did you ask me to write a book about evolution last night?” As clear as if the voice had been audible, I heard these words streak through my brain, “And when you're done with that, I want you to go after Harry Potter and the sexual revolution." Both Love Waits and Homeless Like Me were written to attack the sexual revolution. I always stress chastity in all of my books, but Love Waits was written to showcase it.
AR: In the face of a preponderance of temptation from greater society, what's your personal opinion on how teens can learn to postpone sexual activity?
DJP: This is a tough one. I think it starts with the parents. They need to endow their children with a knowledge of sexual matters which allows them to see that sex is not something designed to be enjoyed casually. They need to understand that misuse of their body will cheapen the act of sex to the point that it no longer satisfies as it was designed. After the parents have laid the foundation, other influences need to reinforce the concept. We can't divorce the sexual activity with the environment foisted upon our children by Hollywood and book publishers. It is critical that people avoid the negative influence but they must fill themselves with the positive influences as well. It's like eating. If you eat only junk food, you will be unhealthy. If you get rid of the junk food but don't replace it with healthy food, you'll starve. I'm hoping my books will provide kids with food for thought and formation of ideals. Peer pressure can be good - when it reinforces Godly values.
AR: Despite the abundance of peer pressure that surrounds her, Cheri remains committed to her vow of chastity. Where do her strength and resolve come from?
DJP: I gave them to her. :) In reality, how would a girl like Cherie develop such strength? Only one answer - God.
AR: When she shares her feelings for Duke with her father, why does he react so strongly?
DJP: Dads are very protective of their daughters. In a way there is a jealousy factor. Every loving father at some time has to release his daughter to her boyfriend/husband. Men seem to understand how destructive and demeaning sexual activity is outside of marriage. They will normally do anything then can to keep their daughter from being taken advantage of. Unfortunately boys seem to be taught a double standard making it seem that it's ok for boys to score. That double standard is a source of our problem.
AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?
DJP: The most valuable thing you possess is your love. When you discount the beauty of sex and disassociate it from love, you waste an opportunity to discover a wonderful treasure that God has given you. As one virgin told a heckler, I can become like you whenever I want, but you can never become like me. Ironically I somewhat refute that argument by suggesting that if a girl becomes born again, she regains the sexual purity she had before her sexual encounters.
AR: We noticed that Homeless Like Me is patterned after the classic novel Black Like Me. What inspired you to capture the spirit of that well-renowned work?
DJP: I'm not sure. I guess because of what the character was doing to get the material for his breakout novel. The similarity just seemed to be compelling to me.
AR: Likewise, what inspires Brian to want to portray the realities of homeless life?
DJP: His original motives are selfish. It was all about him and his success in the literary world. It was imperative that he come to a realization that the world did not revolve around him and that there are ways of living our lives that brings success and satisfaction without recognition and notoriety.
AR: Throughout the course of the tale, you capture Brian's spiritual and emotional transformation quite vividly. Was that a difficult task to accomplish?
DJP: I was not aware that I did it vividly. I have to attribute that to my ghost writer - the Holy Ghost. I just type and the characters take on life by themselves.
AR: What's the central theme that you'd like readers to take away from the story?
DJP: This one has a couple of different potential themes. I'd say the overriding theme is that apart form God there is no real success in life.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publishing company, Sword Of The Spirit.
DJP: Here is a blurb from a review who is not Christian:
"The mission of Sword of the Spirit Publishing is, according to their website: to distribute uplifting, inspirational, exhortational and challenging literature, both fiction and nonfiction, that will help non-believers understand and embrace Jesus and solidify the faith of the believers and aid them in the quest to live a Godly lifestyle."
I think this book meets that mission with (spiritual) guns blazing through this interesting and compelling story.
AR: You are quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about your other writings.
DJP: Most of my work is controversial. I feel called to defend the Christian worldview against all challengers and use my books as a platform to wage cultural warfare (in a loving manner). I have labeled my work as a new genre: culture clash faction (faction because I include many real arguments, people in the news, book names, web URL's, etc., so there is an element of fact to go along with what I hope is a page turning story with characters that steal your heart).
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
DJP: I am working on two books right now. One is an anti-vampire book which will include some jabs at Harry Potter (to fulfill another aspect of the commisison I received in 2006). The other will be a powerful book about revival coming to an Indian reservation. I hope to have both out before the end of 2009. It will be a race against time. My next book will be a fictional account of the devil and his battle of deception against the human race. It will be like the Screwtape Letters on steroids (I hope).
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
DJP: www.donaldjamesparker.com
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
DJP: Email to scaramouche9999@yahoo.com
AR:Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
DJP: Just a big thanks to Apex Reviews. Your work has surpassed all of my expectations for affordable reviews.
AR: Thanks again, Donald, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Click Here To Learn More About Donald James Parker
Apex Reviews: Donald, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to sharing more about your books with our readers.
The topic of teen sexuality is probably more popular - and controversial - now than ever before. Is this what inspired you to write Love Waits?
Donald James Parker: In 2006, I was awakened at exactly two A.M. I had the sensation I had either heard a voice telling me to write a book about evolution or had dreamed that I had. I went back to sleep. The next morning I remembered that experience and said to God, “Lord, did you ask me to write a book about evolution last night?” As clear as if the voice had been audible, I heard these words streak through my brain, “And when you're done with that, I want you to go after Harry Potter and the sexual revolution." Both Love Waits and Homeless Like Me were written to attack the sexual revolution. I always stress chastity in all of my books, but Love Waits was written to showcase it.
AR: In the face of a preponderance of temptation from greater society, what's your personal opinion on how teens can learn to postpone sexual activity?
DJP: This is a tough one. I think it starts with the parents. They need to endow their children with a knowledge of sexual matters which allows them to see that sex is not something designed to be enjoyed casually. They need to understand that misuse of their body will cheapen the act of sex to the point that it no longer satisfies as it was designed. After the parents have laid the foundation, other influences need to reinforce the concept. We can't divorce the sexual activity with the environment foisted upon our children by Hollywood and book publishers. It is critical that people avoid the negative influence but they must fill themselves with the positive influences as well. It's like eating. If you eat only junk food, you will be unhealthy. If you get rid of the junk food but don't replace it with healthy food, you'll starve. I'm hoping my books will provide kids with food for thought and formation of ideals. Peer pressure can be good - when it reinforces Godly values.
AR: Despite the abundance of peer pressure that surrounds her, Cheri remains committed to her vow of chastity. Where do her strength and resolve come from?
DJP: I gave them to her. :) In reality, how would a girl like Cherie develop such strength? Only one answer - God.
AR: When she shares her feelings for Duke with her father, why does he react so strongly?
DJP: Dads are very protective of their daughters. In a way there is a jealousy factor. Every loving father at some time has to release his daughter to her boyfriend/husband. Men seem to understand how destructive and demeaning sexual activity is outside of marriage. They will normally do anything then can to keep their daughter from being taken advantage of. Unfortunately boys seem to be taught a double standard making it seem that it's ok for boys to score. That double standard is a source of our problem.
AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?
DJP: The most valuable thing you possess is your love. When you discount the beauty of sex and disassociate it from love, you waste an opportunity to discover a wonderful treasure that God has given you. As one virgin told a heckler, I can become like you whenever I want, but you can never become like me. Ironically I somewhat refute that argument by suggesting that if a girl becomes born again, she regains the sexual purity she had before her sexual encounters.
AR: We noticed that Homeless Like Me is patterned after the classic novel Black Like Me. What inspired you to capture the spirit of that well-renowned work?
DJP: I'm not sure. I guess because of what the character was doing to get the material for his breakout novel. The similarity just seemed to be compelling to me.
AR: Likewise, what inspires Brian to want to portray the realities of homeless life?
DJP: His original motives are selfish. It was all about him and his success in the literary world. It was imperative that he come to a realization that the world did not revolve around him and that there are ways of living our lives that brings success and satisfaction without recognition and notoriety.
AR: Throughout the course of the tale, you capture Brian's spiritual and emotional transformation quite vividly. Was that a difficult task to accomplish?
DJP: I was not aware that I did it vividly. I have to attribute that to my ghost writer - the Holy Ghost. I just type and the characters take on life by themselves.
AR: What's the central theme that you'd like readers to take away from the story?
DJP: This one has a couple of different potential themes. I'd say the overriding theme is that apart form God there is no real success in life.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publishing company, Sword Of The Spirit.
DJP: Here is a blurb from a review who is not Christian:
"The mission of Sword of the Spirit Publishing is, according to their website: to distribute uplifting, inspirational, exhortational and challenging literature, both fiction and nonfiction, that will help non-believers understand and embrace Jesus and solidify the faith of the believers and aid them in the quest to live a Godly lifestyle."
I think this book meets that mission with (spiritual) guns blazing through this interesting and compelling story.
AR: You are quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about your other writings.
DJP: Most of my work is controversial. I feel called to defend the Christian worldview against all challengers and use my books as a platform to wage cultural warfare (in a loving manner). I have labeled my work as a new genre: culture clash faction (faction because I include many real arguments, people in the news, book names, web URL's, etc., so there is an element of fact to go along with what I hope is a page turning story with characters that steal your heart).
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
DJP: I am working on two books right now. One is an anti-vampire book which will include some jabs at Harry Potter (to fulfill another aspect of the commisison I received in 2006). The other will be a powerful book about revival coming to an Indian reservation. I hope to have both out before the end of 2009. It will be a race against time. My next book will be a fictional account of the devil and his battle of deception against the human race. It will be like the Screwtape Letters on steroids (I hope).
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
DJP: www.donaldjamesparker.com
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
DJP: Email to scaramouche9999@yahoo.com
AR:Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
DJP: Just a big thanks to Apex Reviews. Your work has surpassed all of my expectations for affordable reviews.
AR: Thanks again, Donald, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!