Author Wes Moore spend over a year carving out The Maker. Here he answers some of the most common questions he's been asked about this powerful story and the process for bringing it to life.

 

How long did it take to write the story?

The concept took me about five months to develop, between May and October of 2009. I've included some of my original notes for you to read.

After the concept was developed, it took another five or six months to actually write the manuscript, from October through around February or March of 2010.

The writing process for me started with an overall sketch of the plot and the major scenes. When I started to write, however, I still had a lot of things to figure out. I would write a paragraph and then reseach clothing types or building designs--whatever specific item I needed at that time.

 

Why did you write The Maker?

I wrote The Maker for several reasons. First, I wanted to have a tool to give my friends who didn't believe. Throughout my life as a Christian, I've wanted to engage others and see them believe in Jesus of Nazareth. But they always had questions about the Bible, or God, or other religions. I knew I had to give them good answers to see them believe.

So I would go research the answer and share it with my friend. Often I would give them a book to read (like Lee Strobel's, The Case for Christ). But they never seemed to want to read a non-fiction. However, so many of them were reading novels, fiction. So I thought might be more likely to read something if  I could put answers in a powerful, captivating story.

That's where the overall concept of an apologetics novel like The Maker came from.

The second reason I wrote The Maker was because I wanted to connect with people who had suffered like I have. I've experienced a lot of deep emotional pain in my life, and I wanted to create characters who could reflect that, and with who the audience could relate.

 

What gave you the inspiration for the story itself?

I wanted a storyline with as broad an audience as possible. As I said in an earlier answer, my main goal was to have a book I could give my lost friends; so I needed something with broad appeal.

I started to think about things we're all afraid of, things we all care about. In our day, most Americans are concerned about the future of our nation. They fear what's going on at the highest levels. And for good reason.

From that central fear, the storyline eventually developed. What would happen if we got what we wanted: God completely out of public life, a One World government, and so on? (Read the first notes I ever took on The Maker by clicking the image to the right.)

But I must also acknowledge the direction and creativity of God in this process. Sometimes He gives me thoughts and ideas so fast, it's like a brain dump from heaven. I sought him with every story decision and begged Him to turn this narrative into more than a simple story. I believe He answered that prayer.

 

What's your favorite character in The Maker?

There are two. First, of course, Adrien because he reflects so much of my own struggle. I contemplated suicide when I was sixteen. I know what it's like to be dark and depressed...for years.

A friend of mine asked me where I did my research for Adrien's depression. He said his wife was a nurse. After she read The Maker she commented about how accurate Adrien's depression symptoms were. They were 'text book,' according to her.

My answer? I didn't do any research. It's all right out of my own experience!

My second favorite character is Damien, believe it or not. I like him because he's reached a life crisis point. His entire life philosophy has just had a train wreck and he's struggling inside with a choice about the kind of person he's going to be.

I love this struggle because we all face it. And I hope many more will face it through reading The Maker.

What was the hardest part about writing this story?

The hardest part was keeping up with all the details. In a complex story like this, you have to remember every detail that has come before. If you say such-and-such a character has dark brown eyes in one place, you can't give him hazel eyes in another.

Now, that might sound easy to do, but remember there are dozens of characters spread over 80,000 words! So editing and constant reviews are critical.

Did you know the end of the story when you started writing?

Yes, I knew the big picture of how it would end. Maybe other people can figure it out as they go along, but I can't.

Your driving towards the end the entire book. Everything builds up to that. You have to have the end to write.

But again, I didn't have all the details worked out. I had to meditate a lot at the end of the story, and pray often for guidance. The person I described at the climax of the story is too important to be flippant about.

What does it take to be a writer?

That's a hard question to ask because I'm still shocked that I am a writer. I never saw myself doing this. I wasn't very good at English in school. And while I thought about writing non-fiction from time to time, I never thought of writing a novel.

But if I had to offer any ideas, I would say first you've got to have something to say or a story to tell. What have you experienced or what do you think that people might want to hear about? What wisdom have you gained from which others could benefit?

Do you have a story in your head, something that will impact people, move people, or enterain people?

If you do, then you can be a writer.

 

Can you recommend any resources to learn to become a writer?

Again, I'm learning as I go as well, but here are a few resources in my library that have helped me immensely.

• Writing Fiction: A Guide to the Narrative Craft, fourth edition, by Janet Burroway. Great book for novel writing.
• On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction, by William Zinsser. Another great tool for novel writing.
• The Art of Styling Sentences, fourth edition, by Ann Longknife and K. D. Sullivan. Writing good sentences.
• Essentails of English, by Vincent F. Hooper, Cedric Gale, Foote, and Benjamin W. Griffith. Grammar, punctuation, etc.
• The Elements of Style, fourth edition, by William Strunk, Jr. Grammar, punctuation, etc.