Got wonderfully sidetracked from writing the novel the last couple weeks with a producer who asked me to turn my book, Blood of Heaven, into a screenplay. The hitch...instead of the usual 6-8 weeks I take to write a screenplay, he needed it in 12 days. It's been a long time since I worked that hard, quitting only when my eyes got to aching too bad, letting my beard grow almost as long as my lawn, and only managing to get into one fight with my wife from the stress and strain. By the way when I finished, the first thing I did was shave, get a hair cut and, yes, mow the lawn. ...and take my wife out to dinner.
The story is a powerful one where they find a couple drops of Christ's blood, genetically introduce it into a human to see what will happen. The fact that the human is a multiple murderer makes it a little more interesting.
It was also interesting to go back and look at work several years old and see how I could improve and tighten it. I've probably mentioned this before, but the best thing about writing is you never get it down. If you're serious about the craft you just keep learning and learning.
As a side note, I actually had the idea for Blood of Heaven before Jurassic Park, but couldn't sell the novel 'till the movie made a big splash. Then everybody thought it was a rip off and said, "Oh, yeah, just like Jurassic Park." Sigh...
When the book came out it was on the best selling list a year and a half, but nobody in Hollyweird would consider it because it mentioned Christ. My favorite story was an Academy Award winning actor whose people loved the story, but just had one problem... "What can we use instead of Christ's blood?" Double sigh...
Now, of course, after The Passion, lots of folks are getting on the band wagon with small productions, including the purchase of some of my own, smaller stuff for which I'm grateful. Still, what excites me about this project is they're talking major budget and contacting major stars...including my favorite actress.
In any case, it's one of my favorite books (I think there may be a sample at www.Billmyers.com) and I surely hope it flies. In the mean time, it's back to my current work and the terror of that empty screen.
Blessings,
Bill
www.Billmyers.com
9 comments on Blood of Heaven
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Very cool news. I remember that story about the actor you mentioned, too. That sort of turned out rather ironic, eh? Considering....
In any event, I thought it would tickle you to know I shared Blood of Heaven with my neighbor across the street who is into Steven King novels. He brought it back the next day. "Oh, sorry... couldn't get into it?" I asked. "Actually, I couldn't put it down. Do you have the next one?" he asked.
I'd love to see this movie!
I saw on bn.com (barnes and nobles) a book titled "The Voice" authored by Bill Myers. Is that yours? I don't see it listed on your website. Thanks.
Yup, that's me. The Voice won't be coming out 'till April so we're putting it on my web site as we speak. The book (and it's sequel) are a bit of a departure for me . . . a bit more action and a bit more fun, while still stirring up some of our stereotypes about the eternal. Thanks for asking! Bill Myers www.Billmyers.com
Bill,
I am writing this here because it looks like you checked it a few days ago and so I am hoping you will see this comment as well. There are a lot of things I could say to you but I think I will be brief.
Thank You. those are two simple words that we often hear and don't mean much, but I really can't think of any words more apropriate. When I discovered your work for adults, at first I was a little trepidatious. I have worked in Christian bookstores and know that sometimes putting the word "Christian" before fiction means that the author didn't feel they could make it outside our ghetto. But your work. It was everything I had ever prayed Christian fiction could be. A good story, that kept me interested, and everytime I felt I had a deeper understanding of The Word and The Writer. There have been times in my life when God felt distant and church felt awkward, but your novels felt warm and comforting, reminding me of a God of mercy and grace, that loves me for what he Has done, not what I do. you have encouraged me and brought me closer to my savior. It is not because I think you are the most talented man on the face of the earth, but simply because you are humble enough to let God speak through you. For that, I thank you. You are an inspiration as to what a Christian artist should be.
I look forward to reading your newer works, and to picking up some of your stuff for my kids.
Jeff Couch
Dear Jeff:
Your words mean a great, great deal to me right now. I'm going through some soul searching wondering if my stuff is doing any good, why it hasn't caught on like others, and I'm even starting to send out my resume for "real" jobs. Then along comes a word like yours that gently nudges me out of my self-pity and encourages me to get back to what I'm supposed to do. So, to reuse those same two words with as much meaning as you used them to me... thank you. Your post is some cool, cool water is some very parched times.
Bill Myers
www.Billmyers.com
Where to start. Just read you comment about "wondering if my stuff is doing any good" well I can tell you this ..... yes you are making a difference. I just completed the Blood of Heaven Trilogy and to be exact I am on the 3rd time reading Fire of Heaven. What a phenominal piece of work that has really challenged me in my own life. I came across Threshold by accident in the grocery store and I can tell you it was no accident. The Lord brought me to your work for a reason so please keep being diligent in the works of the Lord because He is using you more than you will ever know. I am only now staring to grasp the Love of My Lord that you write about in your stories. Thank You.
Wow, Kim, I should whine more often. Seriously, I do appreciate yours and Jeff's comments very, very much. I think for all of us, it's important to know our service isn't in vain (and it's so easy to get tricked into thinking it is). That's probably why Jimmy Stewart's, It's a Wonderful Life, rings such a chord in so many hearts. In any case, I do greatly appreciate your comments and thank you.
bill
www.Billmyers.com
Dear Bill,
I read "Blood Of Heaven", and am now reading "The Seeing". You've got the best bead on the mysteries of marriage I've ever seen. What a wonderful representation of Christ's bride in the "Blood Of Heaven". It revealed (to me) another aspect of our relationship with Him.
About your "My Life As A ..." - I have never seen writing like that before, the level of creativity involved in maintaining the level intensity of style. Astonishing. Hard for an adult to read, and my child loves all the books.
I probably would have sent this as an email, but your link doesn"t like macs.
Dear Agnes
Yes, the "My Life as..." kids series is exhausting to write -- so much goofy energy and comedy that at the end of each day I feel like I've spent eight hours on an amusement park ride. But for whatever reason the kids seem to enjoy it (at 2 million copies it's sold more than any of my adult books) and they're getting the message in each story -- you know those radical concepts like, tell the truth, honor your parents, don't cheat, etc. It's also good getting e-mails of thanks from parents saying, "Finally my boy is reading." But, for what it's worth, my favorite kids books (which probably explains why they sell the least) is a fantasy series called, Imager Chronicles -- The Portal, The Experiment, The Whirlwind, and The Tablet -- which presents the Christian journey in allegory (from seeker of God to friend) without ever using a Christian phrase.
Sorry about the Mac problem. We're working on the website in preperation for the release of The Voice next month and I'm betting someone pushed the wrong button.
Thanks for writing,
bill
www.Billmyers.com