As for my next novel, one choice is the sequel to The Identity Factor. Another is the sequel to my previous novel, The Second Thirteen. The third is a stand alone story. All three are thrillers and all three are bursting to get out. I wish I could write all three at once! If anyone has a suggestion or feedback, I would love to hear from you!
You just turned “sweet 16” after your successful cancer operation in 1991. Can you tell us what pulled you through during that time, and what message would you like to pass on to other fighters and survivors?
I guess my message would be this: don’t ever give up. Surround yourself with friends and family -- and hope -- and persevere. I had family and friends who loved me through what was a VERY scary time. My face had been deconstructed and then reconstructed in a major way. I was disfigured and people stared. I cannot overstate the value of love and acceptance from family and friends. Miracles also occurred. The cancer had spread but miraculously didn’t come back. Radiation had also cooked parts of my face. My skin should have stayed brown, but it healed. I should have had little or no saliva in my mouth, but I’m back to normal. The doctors couldn’t explain it. Needless to say, I believe in God and I believe in miracles. But I also did my part with permanent lifestyle changes, and to this day I continue to take care of my health. Finally, I had a sense of purpose... that my life was not yet supposed to end.
That enduring belief translates today into my writing. I want my thrillers to be more than pure action and adrenaline. I want to infuse them with something positive and significant. So I sent a review copy to Rabbi David Rosen, Chairman of the IJCIC, the International Jewish Committee that represents world Jewry in its relations with other world religions. He is Director of the Department for Interreligious Affairs and Director of the Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Understanding of the American Jewish Committee, and is an Honorary President of the International Council of Christians and Jews, and an International President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. In November 2005, Rabbi Rosen was named a papal Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for his outstanding contributions to promoting Catholic-Jewish reconciliation. He had this to say: “Dear James. I love a good thriller when I get the opportunity. Your book has a hopeful, reconciliatory subtext. It was a fun read! Thank you! I am sure you have considered this, but I think it would make a very good movie.” As much of the story takes place in the Middle East -- including Jerusalem -- and is built around an ancient stone tablet that makes a declaration about ownership of Palestine, I knew I wanted to handle the scholarship on which it is based -- as well as the action -- in a positive, non-stereotypical manner. Reviews like that give me a measure of hope that at least to a degree, I have succeeded.
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