Author Jonathan Williams Fictionalizes Mission Trip to Amazon in Jungle Sunrise

Joining us today is Jonathan Williams, author of the Christian adventure novel, Jungle Sunrise. We'll talk to Jonathan about his writing, the inspiration behind his book, and what he's up to next.

Welcome, Jonathan. Can you start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

I served as a missionary with the International Mission Board´s Xtreme Team in the jungles of Peru for two years. It was there, lying under a mosquito net in a hut in the middle of the Amazon Jungle, that I began to write his first novel, Jungle Sunrise.

I live in North Texas with my beautiful wife, Jessica and adorable daughter, Gracie. I am the pastor of Body Life church and serve as the Campus Pastor for Trinity Christian Academy while I pursue my Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Is this your first book or are you multi-published?

Jungle Sunrise is my first novel, published by Nordskog Publishing. The process of getting this first book on the shelves has been a long and rewarding journey.

Do you stick with one genre or do you write in multiple genres?

I enjoy Christian fiction because it allows me to inspire with both creativity and truth. I do, however, also write non-fiction articles that give me the freedom to clearly communicate ideas and stories surrounding my faith.

Tell us a little about your book. What is it about and what inspired you to write it?

Jungle Sunrise follows the life of Jonah Frost, a man who has wasted the best years of his life. Jonah, drowning in depression, alcoholism, and sucidial thoughts, reaches his lowest point before a chance opportunity finds him in the middle of the Amazon Jungle on a dangerous adventure with five strangers. While trying to survive his new environment, Jonah searches for a story worth writing, finding instead, a life worth living. Jungle Sunrise is an inspirational story of a man who discovers a second chance at love, faith, and life.

The inspiration behind the story comes from my time living in the jungle. I was able to see what life in the Amazon does to a man, the changes it brings, and I wanted to paint a picture of this journey.

Were there any special obstacles or challenges you faced during the publishing process?

The publishing process is always a bit overwhelming. I remember reading the odds of securing a literary agent or publisher as a first-time author, and feeling as though I was Waldo trying to be seen in the midst of a crowded picture. Of course, once all the contracts are signed, the immediate challenge that follows is simply patience. Editing, design, marketing, and a host of other tasks take time, but make the final product worth the wait.

Did you write any of yourself into a character or characters in the book?

The protagionist of the story is a writer and one of the other main characters, Memphis Jones, is a missionary in the jungle. I´ve served as a missionary in the jungle and I am a writer, but the similarities do not reach too far beyond that.

What is your favorite part of the book?

I love watching the change that takes place in Jonah. It´s more than just character development, it´s life transformation. There´s a moment in the final third of the novel where the reader can see Jonah´s strength, confidence, and self-awareness in the middle of a jaguar hunt, and I believe that that part of the story always jumps off the page for me.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The best place to buy Jungle Sunrise is at Amazon.com.

Do you have a website or blog?

I have a website with a video trailer of the book, book reviews, endorsements, a brief synopsis and more at www.JungleSunrise.com.

What is up next for you?

I am currently working on my second novel, which follows the heart-breaking and heart-warming stories of the neglected street kids living in the plaza in Cusco, Peru.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for hosting me and Jungle Sunrise today.