About Our Author

Dr. Robert Mansfield studied engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned his BA at Houghton College, his MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary, and this PhD at Michigan State University. He has been a pastor, teacher, and counselor. Dr. Mansfield has published magazine articles, newspaper columns, and journal articles and has also lectured and held workshops on marriage and family. He is a member of the Oxford Society of Scholars.
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This interview offers some insight into Dr. Mansfield's writing style and what he hopes to accomplish through his writing.

Dr. Mansfield, how would you describe your writing style?

Sometimes planned, as in a technical article . . . but sometimes unplanned. In my novels, the story often seems to tell itself. I wondered what authors meant by that until it happened to me. I start out in a certain direction, and suddenly the characters launch out into a different direction and I flow with them. It’s a bit eerie, but I often have the sense that God is directing me. 

How is your work different from other contemporary Christian literature?

Of course, I haven’t read them all, but I'd have to say that I have often been disappointed because they make life too neat . . .the Christians are always the good guys and the non-Christians the bad guys - that isn’t real life. Also, the characters seem to always have exciting salvation experiences with everything working out well in the end. That isn’t real life, either. I show the weaknesses and strengths of people regardless of their religious status and try to make them close to life as most of us experience it, including pain and the death of loved ones. Most importantly, I try to adhere to a Biblical worldview that doesn't white-wash sin and its consequences, and I try to bring glory to God . . . not man.

Where do you get your story ideas?

(laughing) Very often from what I have personally experienced, or things my children or grandchildren have said or done.

Do You Get Into Your Own Stories?

Oh sure. I laugh at funny things and find myself weeping when my characters are hurting. I live alongside them. To a writer, the people he or she creates are very real, otherwise they are merely stick figures with no emotions. Is it humble to say I like what I write? Well, honestly, I usually do. If I dislike it, it either gets tossed or re-written. I have others read the work, and get their opinion. If they don't react well, out it goes.