Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My family immigrated from English in the 1650’s to Virginia and from Germany in the 1900’s before settling in Oklahoma. I grew up in small town America in the 1970’s and 80’s before attending the University of Oklahoma where I studied English Literature and History. I went on to receive a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling.
My wife and I met at OU and married in 1994. We moved overseas with our first child in 2000 and lived in Istanbul for 19 years until the government of Turkey gave me a permanent entry ban in 2020. During the Covid lockdown I finished my first book, “Seeing God: For Who He Really Is”, which was published in September of 2020.
We moved back overseas in January of 2021 to the island of Cyprus, where I continue to write and be involved in Christian ministry. We have 3 children, one of whom still lives with us and 2 who are pursuing their studies back in the United States. “My determined purpose is to know God” and He is the center of my life. Every day lived for Him is a great day!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Danger of Being Alone Together: Essays on Technology and Truth” was written during the last 2 years of the Covid-19 Pandemic. During this time, we have relied on technology to keep us connected to our world, whether it be work, school or even church and yet the limits of technology still creates barriers, even while it connects us.
This book is a collection of short essays that discuss the challenges of our modern world and is designed to help believers understand those challenges and deal with them effectively.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can write in many different circumstances, but when I have to buckle down and meet a deadline, nothing fuels my writing like listening to instrumental guitar music. My favorite album for this is “Beyond Nature” by Phil Keaggy.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a lifelong reader, there are too many influences to share, so I will limit myself to just a few.
C.S. Lewis – the breadth of his writing is a great influence, with his focus on thinking deeply about many different things and expressing his thoughts both creatively and for a general audience. There are many great Christian thinkers, but few who can express those thoughts in such an accessible form.
J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit was the first great book I remember reading and The Lord of the Rings fueled my childhood imagination. These are one of the only series of books, outside of the Bible that I have reread multiple times.
The Body – Chuck Colson – This book expanded my understanding of the Body of Christ. It cast a vision for the work of God in the world that stuck with me and led me to pursue following Him wherever He might lead to be a part of His work.
Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby – Find where God is at work and join Him is a principle that every Christian should practice.
Neal Stephenson – He writes beautiful, descriptive, imaginative worlds into being and is able to create characters who live in those worlds in a way real people can relate to.
Douglas Adams – Gave me an appreciation for British humor and a love of the absurd in science fiction. Also introduced me to the joy of interconnectedness, which probably contributed to my appreciation of Seinfeld.
Gregory McDonald – His Fletch series was the first character that I was ever addicted to reading about. Fletch was someone who could bend the rules to the narrative in a way that always worked out.
Christian biographies – I recommend any believer pick up the habit of reading these. Some of my favorites: “Daws”, “Surprised by Joy”, and “Bonhoeffer “.
What are you working on now?
A work of fiction that deals with a possible near future and a work of historical fiction that follows the immigration of families to the United States that mirrors my own families. These should be published in 2022.
Coming in 2023, a sequel to “Seeing God”, which deals with the communal aspect of our pursuit of knowing Him and living together as His children.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media and newsletters are the best way to stay in touch with your fans. Kindlepreneur offers wonderful insights for writers and publishers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Books don’t write themselves. You need to develop a daily discipline of writing. Hold yourself accountable to producing a volume of writing. Spend time editing when you are in a focused mood, but make yourself write even when you don’t feel like it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start each day with a quiet time alone with God, reading His Word and in prayer. End each day with a good work of Fiction, leaving behind the cares of this world.
What are you reading now?
Dominion by Tom Holland
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keeping up with regular articles for my website, but writing more fiction.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Can the LOTR Trilogy be one?
The Bible is the only book that I would have to have, but the Lord of the Rings and Mere Christianity would be a blessing on top of that.
Author Websites and Profiles
Chad Hensley Website
Chad Hensley Amazon Profile
Chad Hensley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
It sounds like you are busy in His work and word…. Merry Christmas to you and your family.