Inspiration and a Closer Look at the Magi with Lana Christian

Welcome (or welcome back) to the Diamond Mine. I am so excited to introduce you to Lana Christian today. Lana's debut novel is about the Magi who traveled from Persia to Jerusalem in search of a star. I had the absolute privilege of reading New Star early as one of the editors, and there is such a powerful moment in this story that I will never be able to hear the story of the magi again without remembering this moment through the eyes of this author's magi.

About Lana Christian

Twenty years ago, a man said my writing was a sword and to keep wielding it. That comment galvanized why I write. Words can change the world—especially when applied for good.

I’ve seen that firsthand. As a master’s level counselor. As a clinician and educator. As a writer in multiple sectors of business, healthcare, and ministry.

For the past nineteen years, I’ve been a freelance medical writer by day and a faith-based writer by night.

Writing is an adventure—much like hiking, my favorite hobby. Often humbling, always exciting. You’re never the same afterwards. In one way or another, you go beyond what you were before. Like when I made it to Peyto Lake—a glacier-fed lake in Banff, Canada (photo at the top of this screen). I pray the same happens when you read my books.

Ever think about who and what shaped your approach to the world?

MY WHO: My dad, a mechanical engineer, seemed to be able to do anything by just figuring it out. He ignited my inquisitive mind—often to my mom’s chagrin. My aunt wrote children’s books for Simon & Schuster. My seventh-grade science teacher opened my eyes to the wonders of the universe.

MY WHAT: I survived a nearly fatal case of Lyme disease. At my sickest, my husband left me. Homebound, my only way to earn a living was to write—and figure out how to rise above the odds stacked against me.

When I was ready to give up, God called me to embrace life—not death. It gave me a new boldness. Like me (all of 5 ft. 1 in.) calling out a career CrossFit guy when he parked his truck in a handicapped spot at Kmart.

I’m living a life of faith. Sometimes stumbling through it but still moving forward. That resonates through my books. I’d love for you to join me in the adventure.

My friend, God loves us as we are, but He also loves us enough to not leave us where we are. He wants us to GO BEYOND what we can imagine for ourselves.

That’s my life theme. I pray you’ll experience it in my books. Will you step into the adventure with me? Enjoy what you discover and GO BEYOND!

Follow Lana Christian: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook

The Interview

Suzie: Welcome, Lana, and thank you for joining us today. Let's get started with a couple of warm-up questions (the first one is a bit of a literal warm-up question). What is your favorite warm winter drink?

Lana: Hot chai tea with a splash of almond milk.

Suzie: Yum. I love a good chai tea. Perfect drink for when the temperature drops.

What are three books on your tbr pile right now?

Lana: DiAnn Mills’s Lethal Standoff

Amanda Barratt’s The Warsaw Sisters

Naomi Craig’s The Weary World Rejoices

Tracy Higley’s Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time

Anne Graham Lotz’s The Daniel Prayer

Suzie: I've read the first two books on your list, and the others sound good. I've added them to my tbr too. Let's move into writing now. Where is your favorite place to write? Why?

Lana: In quiet. I get so laser focused when I write that I often don’t hear my timer on my stove. (I can’t just casually listen to music while I write. I have too many years of piano and vocal training under my belt. I do listen to music when I take a break from writing.)

  

Suzie: I'm the same (can't listen when I'm writing/working but listen to it when I am taking a break). 

Who makes up your writing tribe? 

Lana: I have circles of wonderful authors: the ACFW chapter I’m a member of, fellow Scrivenings authors, several private author Facebook pages, and authors I’ve connected with through writing courses and Twitter. I also have amazing, supportive high school friends. (Our high school class has a very active private Facebook page.) Finally, I have awesome church friends and prayer warriors.

Suzie: You have a lot of terrific support in your writing journey. Now I'd like to talk about your book.

What inspired you to write New Star?

Lana: A live Nativity. On December 17, 2017. I was home, sick, watching Shadow Mountain Community Church’s Sunday service online, which included a 17-minute live Nativity with incredible music. It was like God shined a spotlight on every part of the scene, starting with the star, and whispered, “There’s a story to tell here.” New Star is dedicated to everyone who made that live Nativity possible.

Suzie: What a beautiful inspiration. You took on a lot with a piece of a story that is so well-known.

What was the hardest part of writing New Star?

Lana: For me, the hardest part is making sure I understand why characters do what they do. For example, history and the Bible tell us Herod the Great changed his will right before he died so his son Antipas wouldn’t succeed him as king. Why did he do that? How did that affect Antipas and all his decisions after that?  History and the Bible only hint at the “why,” so I have to crawl around inside their heads to figure out their motivations. In that regard, I may do as much “noodling” as I do writing. But when I get the motivations right, truly authentic scenes start to write themselves.

Suzie: You gave each of your characters realistic and believable motivations in the book.

What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

Lana: (1) The Wise Men were real people who risked much and paid a high price for what they did in searching for Jesus. 

(2) Our belief will cost us something, but the reward is much greater than any price we pay. 

(3) God is big enough to handle all our questions.

(4) There is absolute Truth. His name is Jesus.

Overall, I hope that gives people hope!

Suzie: As someone who has read your story, I believe you've successfully delivered that message.

Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

Lana: New Star is the first installment in my series, The Magi’s Encounters. That series comprises four books, so I’ll be turning in a manuscript every January for the next three years. In addition, I have several devotional books in various stages of development, a historical fiction novel and a contemporary retelling of a biblical story in early stages of drafting.

 

Suzie: I am looking forward to catching up with Akilah and the others in the next book.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

Lana: Isaiah 64:3-4 has been my go-to ever since starting my writing journey with New Star. I paraphrased the verses like this: 

EXPECT the impossible. 

CELEBRATE the unseen. 

And PRAISE God for it! 

I printed that as big as I could and taped that where I could see it all the time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed through, claimed, and trusted those words from Isaiah.

 

Suzie: I love your paraphrase. What a wonderful reminder for each of us every day. I want to end with this question: How can we pray for you?

Lana: Pray that God would use New Star in ways I can’t imagine (see Isaiah 64:3-4). Pray that readers would find the book a safe place to explore their questions about God and finish the book with a new appreciation for the Wise Men—and for the Bible. I would love for a reader say, “This prompted me to crack open a Bible.” Also, please pray that I would keep writing even when I’m discouraged about it. God has a plan; I need to put in the sweat equity, co-create with Him, then watch Him do what only He can.

Suzie: Amen. 

Thank you so much for spending some time with us this week, Lana. It was a pleasure learning more about you, your inspiration, and what's to come.

About New Star

AKILAH, a highly respected priest-scholar in the Lower Council of Magi society, considers all his astronomy discoveries well-deserved stepping-stones to a more fulfilling life. But the appearance of a new star challenges his priorities. As Persia totters on the brink of an undesirable king coming to power, Akilah declines an Upper Council position that could turn the tide. Instead, he studies an elusive star that doesn’t appear in any almanac or other writings. Except Jewish.

 

His research makes him a target of Persia’s religious and govern-mental conflicts. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah into circumstances beyond his imagining, he realizes his knowledge of Jesus could destroy Magi society, its influence on Persia’s government, and Persia’s official religion. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound to his cousin in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost is worth the risk.

Amazon | Scrivenings Press | Goodreads

Giveaway

One of our readers will win an e-book copy of New Star to one of you. Giveaway ends Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST. Enter here or below.

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