The Goings on and Work of Sam Mahlstadt

I was able to catch ND Wilson, author of Note From The Tilt-A-Whirl, which I reviewed recently, for a quick interview.

The writing was often very lyrical when dealing with creation, did the content dictate the style?

Yes it did. But it wasn’t the only factor. I would say that the content combined with our default view of said content dictated the style. As western Christians we have some real mental callouses developed in certain areas (defenses against seeing things as they are). I tried to write around those callouses (or rip right through them when I could). So, when dealing with some of the things we would normally dismiss as humdrum or dull or tacky, you can expect me to wax poetic. When dealing with some rather more transcendent and metaphysical issues, you’ll find clipped and blunt communication. The goal is always to get the reader to blink and then see what has often been hidden in plain sight.

You make several references to mythology and philosophy, how much of a role have these each had in shaping the way you view your faith?

There’s a lot to navigate here. Mythology and philosophy (as they are typically understood) are to my faith what sogged and floppy green beans are to an otherwise excellent meal–less than unnecessary. The smell of Fall has shaped my faith more than they have. But the story of Christianity isn’t just mythology, it’s The Mythology–the story bones upon which all else hangs. And the Christian life isn’t meant to be dotted with the occasionally philosophical (and ponderous) moment. The Christian life is meant to be Philosophia–a true love for and pursuit of wisdom. Even understood this way, they don’t really shape how I view my faith–my faith shapes how I view them. Faith provides new eyes. New eyes see a new world (and all the strange creatures therein, including philosophy).

How was the writing process different for writing this book than the children’s material you have written?

Pretty much in every way. The most notable difference was in how personal it was. Writing kid lit is terrific. You get to be a cook in a kitchen, well hidden behind swinging doors, but listening to the woops and hollers as the dishes make their way to the table. Writing Tilt was mechanically similar (sitting at a desk, typing), but much different in delivery. My own life, thoughts, and personality were far more directly part of the product. I hadn’t stayed back in the kitchen. Sending the book out into the great, wide, Christian world felt a little bit like streaking through a megachurch. A very new and not altogether pleasant sensation.

If you could bring back one dead philosopher to have a one-on-one conversation with, who would it be?

Don’t bring any of them back. Let sleeping dogs and philosophers lie. But if I could chat with anyone where they are now, it would be Camus. Primarily for narrative reasons. Since I believe his life of despair ended in faith, it would be a startling privilege to see true joy and peace in a French Existentialist–like looking up at the moon to see it suddenly lush with forests and warm seas.

Thank you to N.D. Wilson for taking the time out to field my questions! If you haven’t checked out his book, I promise it is worth the read! Go read and enjoy.