Interview with Mike Duran

1.From the outside looking “in”, you’re many things, Mike. You’re a Christian, a husband and father, a former pastor, a writer/author, a construction worker, a film fan. According to you, who is Mike Duran?

Hmm. In a way, I’m still trying to figure that one out. I have a plaque in my house that says, “What we are is God’s gift to us. What we make of ourselves is our gift to God.” Okay, it sounds a little humanistic. But the concept is biblical: God has blessed us with certain talents, opportunities, gifts, and we are responsible to cultivate them. In this sense, we’re all a work in progress, struggling to discern our callings and then growing into them.

My life has taken several unexpected turns. For instance, I never planned on entering the ministry. And while I was there, I never planned on leaving. I didn’t grow up dreaming about construction work, but neither did I pine after a career in writing. So at the moment, I’m trying to figure out the answer to that question myself. Bottom line: God has planted me somewhere and blessed me with specific talents, and I want to be a good steward of those blessings. Where that takes me – and the titles that are attached along the way – are up to God.

2.You’ve had your opinions, frustrations, “beefs” with “Christian fiction” as in CBA fiction. If you had to narrow those down to one main objection, what would it be, and do you think your objection is more a matter of perception or actuality?

That’s pretty easy for me to answer. My biggest problem with Christian Fiction is that it removes Christians from the cultural mainstream. Rather than assimilate into the world like salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16) and influence it from the inside out, we’ve separated ourselves and built our own empire. As a result, secularism has stepped in and filled the vacuum.
This “cultural withdrawal” has a long history. Early fundamentalists came to associate holiness with abstinence from “wordly” pursuits and institutions. Refraining from drinking and dancing, movies and makeup became articles of faith for many believers. By mid-century, Christians became scarce at institutions where, in many cases, they were once prominent. There was a great exodus out of Hollywood, Broadway and Nashville. In a way, the arts were abandoned to the heathen.
But rather than return to the field and patiently sow our seed, we demonized the secular sphere and cordoned our own plot of ground. “Christian art” — film, fiction, literature — has emerged as an “alternative” to worldly art, something we can consume without feeling unholy. Rather than try to compete in the marketplace, we’ve created our own stores, music and lines of clothing; we’ve distanced ourselves from culture and crafted a parallel universe insulated from secular influence or critique.
So you see, my problem with Christian Fiction is not that it’s not good, per se, but that it (perhaps unknowingly) perpetuates an unnatural divide, it separates us from the world we are meant to occupy and creates a kind of echo chamber where we speak to ourselves, write to ourselves, congratulate ourselves, and have little impact on the outside world.

3.On your blog “Decompose” you’ve covered all kinds of topics from politics to futuristic technologies. Your reading and film lists are also diverse. Do you have an absolute favorite genre for reading and writing? How about films?

I intentionally try to keep my reading and film-going experiences broad and feel that, as rule, it’s not healthy to get boxed into certain genres or themes. Because of that, I try to balance my fiction and non-fiction reading, and within those categories, I also try to diversify. The same goes for film. I enjoy slow, artsy movies, but am not averse to an action flick or comedy. And ever since I joined Netflix, I’ve been watching a lot of documentaries. So, yeah, I like to mix it up.

Having said that, I do have some favorites! In both fiction and film, I tend toward the “speculative,” the “fantastic,” the “weird.” For instance, each year I read, The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, edited by Ellen Datlow and Kelly Link. It’s always a great treat and helps me stay up on what’s current in the genre. A lot of my favorite reads have “fantastic” elements to them – The Man Who Was Thursday, Till We Have Faces, Lord of the Rings, The Road, Watership Down, Perelandra. Heck, I grew up reading Ray Bradbury and Richard Matheson, watching The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. So in a way I guess I’ve just returned to my roots. But, bottom line, a well-written, finely-crafted product of any genre will usually capture my attention.

4.Outside of being with family, what are your favorite things to do?

I’ve found that blogging is a great outlet for writing, and something I like doing. It helps me refine my thoughts and develop my chops in the process. I know some writers find it a drain on their time and creativity -- and I’ve definitely had my struggles with it. But for the most part, I enjoy thinking up posts, articulating my ideas, and interacting with readers.

Painting is one of my favorite hobbies, as in the interior decorating kind. In particular, I’m always experimenting with faux techniques. As I’m writing this, my office is torn apart so I can colorwash some walls and conjure some pop art thereon (something I wouldn’t dare do in our living room!). In this vein, I also refinish furniture and am constantly on the lookout for discarded or discount pieces that need some sandpaper, paint and loving care.

Finally, I watch a lot of sports. Having been raised in the L.A. area, I’m a big Lakers and Dodgers fan. (Still waiting for a professional football team!) But, really, I’ll watch just about any form of athletic competition.

5.You’re a wordsmith and a craftsman on your blog and wherever your articles/writing appear. What is the ultimate goal for your writing?

I think that the first task of the Christian artist is excellence. It’s the most basic part of our calling -- the Christian craftsman should do something well. The apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” (Col. 3:23). This means if I’m writing an article for Cat Fancy or The New York Times, it should be, at the least, well-written. Mediocrity sabotages our testimony. In the long run, people are more likely to respect my message if I conduct myself professionally along the way. So I guess the ultimate goal of my writing is simply to do it well.

6.Some of us tend to scale down our dreams as we get older—at least I certainly have. If you could have a “dream come true”, what would it be?

Aside from inheriting an atoll in the Bahamas? My dreams have always been pretty simple. I was raised in an alcoholic home and, as a result, I had a very troubled childhood that included truancy, drug problems, jail time, and a devastating car accident. Even more was my existential despair. The fact that I now have a beautiful wife of 20-plus years, four terrific kids, one grandson, a stable job, and remain relatively healthy is, in many ways, a dream come true. Nicole, I would have never imagined I’d make it this far! So at the risk of sounding totally clichéd, I can’t think of a bigger “dream come true” than what I’m living.

7.Can you pin down the one or two things which confirmed to you that you are a writer?

One would be the degree to which I fuss over words. I am such a nit-picker! I hear about those programs for writing novels in 90 days and just cringe. I cannot fathom, in my wildest dreams, how someone could do that. I’m a firm believer that quality stuff takes time. I mean, Leonardo da Vinci did not paint the Mona Lisa in 90 days (it was more like four years). Perhaps that’s why I’m the king of overkill. Okay, so maybe I’m trying to justify my obsession. But I just can’t imagine someone fussing over words the way I do without having some type of writerly calling.

Second would be the confirmation from my peers. When I was shopping for an agent, I remember the frustration of receiving one rejection after another. I still recall the day I opened an email from Janet Grant, of Books and Such, saying that she loved my stuff. I just sat there with my wife at my side and wept. The confirmation of other writers, agents and publishers -- that people actually read my blog, leave comments, take interest in my ideas and stories – is mind-blowing, and something I really cherish.

8.How many Christian writers’ conferences have you been to and what are your thoughts concerning them?

I've only been to two, so I’m probably not the best person to ask. Networking seems to be an important part of the conference experience. When I attended the ACFW conference in Dallas several years ago, I met some wonderful people – Mike Snyder, Gina Holmes, Mark Bertrand, Jeanne Damoff, Dave Long, Andy Meisenheimer, Becky Miller, Michelle Pendergrass, Mary Demuth, Bryan Davis, Ane Mulligan, and lots of others. It really put a face on the business and was a lot of fun!

The downside of the conference, for me, was not being a big PR guy. My one editor appointment was a disaster. I was nervous, fumbling, sweating. I felt like such a loser. As the conference progressed, I got more comfortable. But it was funny to see the extent people go to get an agent or editor’s attention. I started feeling less embarrassed for myself after I saw writers horning in on conversations and sucking up to “important” people. Maybe it’s part of the business – I don’t know.

Anyway, it’s personally left me kind of conflicted. Meeting other writers, reps, and industry insiders, is a great reason to attend a writers’ conference. But getting into the PR gig is another story.

9.If you could ask one question to a specific publisher, what would it be and who would you ask?

When I first started writing seriously (about four years ago), I joined a critique group. There was a great emphasis placed upon learning “the rules.” I really applied myself to their application – show don’t tell, limit passives, avoid too much backstory, etc. I really dug in! But the more I read, the more it seemed published authors either didn’t know or didn’t apply “the rules.” It was disheartening. So one question I’d have would be: How important are the writing rules to publication? And do writer’s circles tend to over-emphasize the implementation of these rules as a means toward publication?

Another question that interests me is – and this would be directed toward Christian publishers – is why they don’t publish more sci-fi / spec-fic / fantasy titles. Barnes and Nobles has three aisles worth! But the Christian book store is lucky to have three shelves of speculative fiction. Why is this? If the argument is that it doesn’t sell, then how come it’s so popular in contemporary culture? And if indeed Christians aren’t buying “Christian fantasy / sci-fi,” why is this? Is the religious genre inferior to the secular? Or is Christian Fiction so tilted toward women that speculative titles just can’t find a target audience?

I want to thank Mike Duran for taking the time to answer these questions. As you can read, the guy is articulate, thoughtful, and insightful. It’s been a pleasure, Mike. In my opinion we’ll be seeing one of his novels produced and in book form before too long.

Find Mike here: http://mikeduran.com/.

Father, you know Mike well. You made him who he is with all of his gifts and talents. You called him out to be your own. Continue to bless his life as he serves you in all the ways you’ve ordained just for him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Comments

[dayle]

I'm not sure if Christians left Hollywood or if Hollywood left Christianity.

There has been a major shift in this country toward secularism post 1960 and it may be more of a case of market forces and hidden agenda by the powers that be pushing Christians out rather than a willful withdrawal.

2. At a conference, I once picked up a book that a editor had on his table, opened it up, and asked why he allowed the forbidden name tags (he quipped, he retorted, etc.) when all the books and speakers tell us not to do it. His response: We don't really care about all that. Go figure.

[Nicole]

I didn't get a chance to discuss the answers to these questions with Mike, Dayle, but I tend to agree with you concerning Hollywood evicting Christians, their ideas, and their influences.

It's like what my husband and I experienced on the racetrack after we got saved. Our friends of many years slipped away--their choice, not ours. We weren't trying to "make" them accept Jesus, and we didn't push discussing the changes. We just weren't drinkin' and druggin' anymore, etc.

And I also agree that the "rule" you spoke of is another one of those which only matters when a beginner overuses the tags, so they make it a guideline but teach it as law. It's subjective.

[Nicole]

Just a test . . .