Brian and Wayne Rossiter have been with Athanatos since 2016.
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*Author Interview*
Q1: Why do you write?
The simplest and most honest answer to this question is that I write because I have to write. It is in my nature to constantly work through ideas—whether that be of the philosophical, theological, biblical, etc., nature—and to communicate those ideas openly. If I keep my thoughts to myself, then of what use can I be to others? On the other hand, I do write for very personal reasons. If not for the ability to put my thoughts onto paper, I would feel an utter sense of internal claustrophobia: a conscious gnawing that cannot otherwise be alleviated. Writing is the ultimate outlet for the beliefs I cherish and all things that work to shape my worldview.
Q2: How would you describe your writing method?
First, I would say that I am not typically a “brainstormer” (though perhaps I ought to be). When I approach a topic, I tend to start right in on it, tunneling away at the most critical aspects of the topic. After I have finished with the essentials, I will then begin to go back and build layers of depth and detail. I would think of this as adding musculature and tissue to the skeleton. Being that I operate this way, it is not at all uncommon for me to copy/paste large portions of the text into different locations as I go. Essentially, I am not overly teleological in my writing; often, some the main purposes are only visible after the product has been completed. At times, this creates havoc in my writing, requiring me to do more editing than I would prefer. But the freedom this approach allows me typically results in a much more satisfying finished product.
Q3: How would you respond to the classic question, “Is there Christian art, or artists who are Christians?”
I get the sense that this question may set up a false dichotomy: a “one or the other” proposition that need not be so. On the other hand, it may simply be a distinction without a difference. To the Christian, all pursuits that are pure, true, and worthy of our time would be part of God’s work and God’s kingdom. Art is no different. That being said, it seems quite natural to say that both propositions are true. There is such a thing as Christian art as a category (art that is pure, true, and worthy God’s kingdom), and there are artists who are Christians (the ones doing such work).
Q4: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?
With Mind Over Matter being my first published work (though I have others prepared for publishing), I’m perhaps not fully equipped to provide others with many deeply profound insights into the process. There are certainly a couple of suggestions I can offer though. The first is that simply getting a book published should never be an author’s goal. There are a variety of ways to publish a book, and simply having a manuscript go into print will ultimately be unsatisfying. The purpose of a book is to get it in print, get it pressed, get it into the hands of other people, and make a difference in people’s lives. Getting a book printed is not a huge accomplishment in this day and age: making it a useful tool in God’s Kingdom is. Second, I would tell others not to become deflated if they are unable to quickly find a publisher or if they do not see the type of success they would want right out of the gate. Becoming successful is a building process, so don’t get discouraged. Rather, do as much networking as you can and exhaust all of your resources in order to get your book/s in the hands of those who may be able to help you.
Q5: Which of your creations has brought you the most joy?
To this point, I would say that Mind Over Matter has brought me the most joy. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that the book is a finished product. It is in its completed form, and it’s available for purchase and distribution. The second reason is a more personal one. Mind Over Matter is the product of two heads rather than one. My brother, Wayne Rossiter, and I created this book together. In a sense, the book is also a testament to the close friendship we share. For that reason alone the book is very special to me.
Q6: Which has brought you the most heartache?
The creation I have spent by far the most time on (called The Death Myth) is the creation that has also brought me the most heartache. The Death Myth is my most cherished document in terms of the number of hours I have spent producing it, and I feel that its topic (the appropriate way for Christians to view the afterlife) is as important as any out there. The heartache comes from the uncertainty of knowing what the future holds for the document. Will it get published? Will anyone care if/when it does? Though I have spent more time studying the subjects involved within the Death Myth than anything else, I cannot help but wonder how many will share my enthusiasm for the issue. Perhaps there will be many. Perhaps there will be very few.
Q7: Is there anything you’d like to say?
Being a Christian author is a tremendous blessing, and also a tremendous responsibility. It is our duty to check our egos at the door, making sure that our efforts to write come from a genuine desire to serve God and to serve others. Every effort made for self-exaltation will ultimately fail, if not during this age then certainly in the age to come.