Featured Interview With Bobbie Ann Cole
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My first book was “She Does Not Fear the Snow,” my story of coming to faith in a Jerusalem church where, as a Jew, I thought I wasn’t supposed to be. It was a Munce 2012 prizewinner and became an Amazon #1 bestseller. I came to faith in the Land of Israel and was blessed with a new husband of faith, like biblical Ruth. The title is inspired by Proverbs 31, a line from the description of the attributes of a good woman. It seemed an especially good fit for my title because my husband is a Canadian: actually, though, it’s a bit of a fib. I am afraid of the snow.
After we were married, we lived in Israel for 2 years. We now divide our time between Canada and my native England.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wrote my first story at age 6 on the back of a school report card that I still have. It was Hansel and Gretel. When the children left a breadcrumb trail “it didn’t go cwit the way they had inspecte,” I wrote. “The birds et all the crums up.”
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I think I may have created a new genre: investigative memoir. This is the genre I attribute to “Love Triangles, Discovering Jesus the Jew in Today’s Israel” because interviews make it as much a reflection of my interests as of my story.
I have discerned strands of investigative memoir in Susan Orlean’s “The Orchid Thief”. My approach to creative non-fiction has been inspired by Laura Hillenbrand’s “Seabiscuit” and my favorite memoir is Derek Prince’s “Appointment in Jerusalem”.
This does not exclude Daphne du Maurier from being my favorite all-time writer. She has a wonderful way of creating atmosphere.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Love Triangles, Discovering Jesus the Jew in Today’s Israel” is kind of a sequel to “She Does Not Fear the Snow” since it deals with the two years Butch, my husband, and I spent in Israel, following our marriage. It was a time full of joys in meeting Jesus in every stunning landscape but also challenges, since Israel and its people do not like Jews who believe in Jesus.
It was on my heart to write about our time in Israel for several years before understanding what kind of a story I needed to tell. In the end I have blended memoir, history, Scripture and investigative journalism into an account of what it felt like to be living in God’s Holy Land.
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