Q And A With Emily Owen

Q And A With Emily Owen, Author Of The Power Of Seven

How did you become involved with the theme involving the powers of the number seven in the bible, and how did you decide this to be the topic of your new book?

I remember learning about the significance of numbers in the Bible when I was a child. So, when I wrote the first bit of what became The Power of Seven, about Jesus saying ‘Father, forgive them’, I knew it was part of a wider ‘seven’. After exploring the other sayings from the cross, I looked at another ‘seven’ (creation), and so on.

I’ve never been a numbers-for-the sake-of-it person, but I am fascinated by what lies behind each ‘seven’ in the Bible.

You have written several books. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between them?

I’ve never thought about that before. I think they are connected by style and spirituality. With my 30 Days Series, after reading one, most people do want to read another…and another! Having said that, each book can, and does, stand alone.

You have a unique, poetic writing style and way of reflecting on the Bible. How did you discover this as your writing style, and how do you think it helps your readers follow the topics you write about in your books?

I’m not sure how to answer that. I think the style discovered me! It’s always been my style, right back to my first book. I like to make my writing accessible, so I try and keep it simple. I’d prefer it to lead people to reach for their Bible rather than for a dictionary. A key thing for me is to communicate. And for the book to contain more than is written on the page, by which I mean that life/attitude/thinking is changed through what’s being read.

You use the imagined voice of God in this book – to powerful effect – why did you decide to do this? And was it a scary thing to write in God’s ‘voice’?

It has been said that the Bible is God’s letter to us. Taking that premise, he’s speaking through it. So, what’s he saying? Drawing on his character, as revealed in the Bible, I think we can learn to hear his voice behind the words we read. In my own experience, the closer I am to him, the more I learn to recognise his voice. What I’ve done in The Power of Seven, is simply share the voice I’m learning to know.

Was it scary? I feel as though I should say yes! But actually, no, it wasn’t. I found it beautiful.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating The Power of Seven?

That godliness is a very difficult concept to grasp. I’m not surprised by that in itself, but I’d never tried to define it before. What does it actually mean?

How did you feel when you were writing The Power of Seven? How do you feel about it now?

I enjoyed writing it. I love using illustrations from life to illuminate the Bible, and that’s what I did in The Power of Seven. This is my first book which has so overtly woven my personal experiences (good and bad) together with reflections on the Bible. Obviously, my memoir, ‘Still Emily’, contains personal stories, but this is the first devotional book that includes more of ‘me’.

I’m not sure how to answer the question of how I feel about it now. I’m delighted with the cover! And I’m excited to see the idea behind the book become reality. I’m looking forward to people reading it, and I pray they’ll grow in their relationship with God.

Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice? If so, what does it mean to you?

In as much as I always ask God to guide my writing, yes, it’s a spiritual practice. Particularly with devotional writing, such as The Power of Seven, it is such a privilege to ‘need’ to draw as close to God’s heart as I can as I write. Writing articles which are not directly Christian I find less of a spiritual practice – I still ask God to help me with them, though.

What did you enjoy most about writing The Power of Seven?

Maybe the section on Revelation Letters at the end. I enjoyed making them personal and ‘real’, to hopefully help us better or differently engage with them. Or Psalm 23. It’s so familiar and it was enriching to look at it in a new way. Or… Can I just say all of it?!

Who did you write The Power of Seven for?

Men, women, young, old....in fact, anyone who picks it up. Within that, probably primarily Christians. To encourage people as they walk with God – and who doesn’t need a bit of encouragement now and then? It would be suited to individual reading and would also work well as a basis for group discussions.

What do you hope readers will get out of reading The Power of Seven?

Affirmation of God’s presence with them. Gentle challenging in their walk with him. Reassurance of his love for them. A renewed sense of hope. All or none of the above, and much more; overall, I hope and pray that readers will get whatever God wants them to get.

You have just won The Association of Christian Writers Award for Contribution to Christian Publishing, That is quite an honour - how did that feel?

The Association of Christian Writers (ACW) has many gifted and talented members, which only serves to increase the honour of receiving the ACW Award for Contribution to Christian Publishing. I was humbled and overwhelmed (and maybe a little gobsmacked!) to have my ministry affirmed in this way, and was delighted to accept the award.

The Power of Seven by Emily Owen is due for release on 18th October 2018 and is available to pre-order today.