Thursday, September 14, 2017

A place to discuss "FLEE" [Spoiler Alert!]

Hi all. So I've gotten quite a few messages from readers asking if there's a place to discuss the latest book. I know that many of you have already finished it and have questions, or things you'd like to discuss with other readers.

So, feel free to leave comments on this post regarding the latest book. We're entering spoiler territory here, so if you haven't yet finished the book, I'd recommend holding off until you're done. If you have finished and would like to talk about it, add a comment to this post.

I'm always open to feedback, and constructive criticisms help me grow as an author. So if you've spotted any errors in the book, or found things you don't like, you're welcome to comment on these as well. If I have an explanation, I'll provide it as a reply. Thanks!

28 comments:

  1. Bro. Jonathan, just completed Flee. Loved it!!! Two questions...is Flee running parallel with Critical Times, or are the similarities coincidental? Secondly, how did the "hired help" know correct congregation # for the Palo Alto congregation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't say the stories run parallel, but the similarities aren't pure coincidence, either. While writing "Critical Times", the idea for the "FLEE" series was born. Basically, "FLEE" takes the idea of mass evacuations present in "Critical Times" to a new level. In answer to your second question, Thiago was able to determine an appropriate congregation number by spying on the boarding process the day before.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  2. iPhone X release 2017. Not as far as predicted. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have purchased all 4 of your books and not 1 of them has ever disappointed! You are a talented writer! Flee is absolutely riveting!!! I have to be honest, when I received the book from amazon and saw "BOOK ONE" printed in the front, I didn't know if I should pout or jump for joy... I chose to jump for joy! Because now I have more exciting books to look forward to! When I got Critical Times and saw nothing else on your blog, I wondered if any more would come. You wrote on your blog that you didn't know if you should " be flattered or pressured" that your fans read it so quickly... I say BE FLATTERED, be very flattered! I couldn't put it down and my spouse (who is not easily entertained) hasn't been able to put it down tonight! Thanks so much for providing these fictional creative writings that keeps me and my family away from reading other recreational stuff that always has "something" questionable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel,
      Glad you've enjoyed them so far. I'll do my best not to disappoint with Book 2!

      Delete
  4. Well, Just finished the book flee and really enjoyed it. The next is stay.. Yikes!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So...I hope Joyce doesn't come back and everyone is gone. I know she cares about Claire, but when the branch says 'don't leave', that's what they meant. No exceptions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I do understand but she acted believing she was doing the right thing even when ordered not to leave by her husband and authorities, but it's scary because she willingly helped Claire even if it caused her life and knowing Claire might be contagious.. Am sure the writer has a more better view to this

      Delete
    2. I too purchased the book and was so excited to have something clean to read. The writing really puts me into the mind of what it could be like at the end. We were putting off finishing our go back, this spurred me to get ours finished. Great Job!

      Delete
    3. (1 Samuel 15:22, 23) Samuel then said: “Does Jehovah take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, and to pay attention than the fat of rams; 23 for rebelliousness is the same as the sin of divination, and pushing ahead presumptuously the same as using magical power and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he has rejected you from being king.”

      R.I.P. Joyce? ;A;

      Delete
    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  6. Regarding the afterword of the book, I double checked the w08 4/1 p.31 and I see nothing indicating that all of Jehovah's people will be gathered together during Armageddon. Same with the earlier articles in that WT, it only mentions "the kings of the earth and their armies" gathered together. I'm confused. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008250

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the point of the article is that it is unlikely that we will be together for the last moments of this system, and that Armageddon won't be held in one particular place, but rather will take place all over the world. My premise for this book goes in the other direction, hence the disclaimer in the afterword.

      Delete
    2. I finally figured out the reason why it appeared so confusing... I was simply misunderstanding the way you wrote the sentence. I need to slow down when reading and give my brain more time to grok. x_x

      I apologize, I don't mean to imply there's anything wrong with the premise or the way you wrote it. I just finished reading Critical Times -> All Things New -> The Unrighteous -> Flee 1 back to back and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, despite the fact that I normally loathe extensive reading.

      I struggle with cognitive and mental disorders that make it very difficult for me to meditate on scriptural principles and to see myself in paradise. For me, your stories serve as illustrations similar to what Jesus and our overseers would use in teaching. It truly helps that I can feel emotionally connected to your characters, thank you so much. I am looking forward to any future novels you write, even hundreds of years from now.

      If I can give any constructive criticism, it would only be to try and paraphrase or reference scriptures more often. Particularly with the Elders' speech, such as before what happened to Ben... if they had said something along the lines of "Remember the wife of Lot." (Luke 17:31, 32) or "Stop seeking such things... I will grant you your life as a spoil." (Jeremiah 45:2-5), it's impact would have held far more weight. It almost came across as comical to me since the Elders themselves were about to assist him, which didn't resonate with my feelings or scriptural principles. Don't be afraid to aim for the heart, brother.

      Delete
    3. Thank you for taking the time to comment, and thanks for reading!

      As for your suggestion about including references, I've heard this input before from other readers, but I will likely not include scriptural references in future books. This is because I do not wish to present my work as anything beyond fictional literature. While there may be lessons to be learned from the characters and their decisions, I do not want to be mistaken for someone attempting to dispense spiritual food, something I am not qualified to do.

      Of course, this can be a difficult balance to strike, since my novels are centered on spiritual topics. So, at times, I allow characters to quote from scripture or from our publications, though this is done naturally through the course of dialogue (spoken or internal). However, to include scriptural citations in the narrative portions of the text would be–in my mind, at least–an overstepping of boundaries.

      Delete
    4. I didn't mean to imply using direct citations in the book including (scripture links in parenthesis) like the ones I wrote in my previous post, I included those for the sake of readers on this forum, discussing the book.

      I meant to imply quoting scriptural principles through character dialogue, such as what I wrote in "quotations", as you say. I am overly obsessive when writing, but it doesn't help me to get my intended point across, I'm sorry. :<

      Some of the situations, such as arguments or counsel, felt 'wrong' to me with the lack of direction to the scriptures, particularly when it came to the Elders. Remember too, that this is just the opinion of a random aspie babbling his opinion on the internet. :> Please forgive me if I have said anything to offend, I understand your reasoning and have no wish to go against your conscience in such matters.

      (James 3:1, 2) Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 2 For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle also his whole body.

      You still have all of my agape. <3

      Delete
    5. Thanks for your response, and I am in no way offended! I always appreciate feedback, whether it is regarding some typo I may have missed, some other technical element of the writing, or some spiritual aspect of the book.

      Regarding the way the elders act in the book, there are a few things to keep in mind here. Most importantly, the elders in the book (as in real life) are imperfect. Peter, while relatively experienced, is still learning. Ted is impulsive. Jack tends to be anxious. Marcus is the most mature of the lot, but he doesn’t want to be babied and fretted over (a common trait in older ones). These are human flaws that all of us (appointment men included) struggle with.

      Additionally, the characters react to their situations in ways that I thought I might react. If I were really on the side of the road after an earthquake and saw one of our brothers trying to unload his car, what would I do? Even if the situation seemed rather dangerous, what would be my gut reaction? To call out and warn him or step in and assist? In the height of the moment, I could see myself doing both, and so the characters do both. There is some indecision in their immediate reaction because I’m fairly certain that I would be facing some indecision in that crucial moment myself.

      Delete
  7. I agree with how you wrote it. When conversing amongst jws, quoted scriptures just flow automatically. I think it takes away from the story if you include bible references.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Brother Jonathan,
    Thank you for your Books! I read all the others and I thought I could just keep up while you released the chapters of Flee. It was so riveting that I purchased the ebook! (Which as a pioneer on a limited budget was hard to justify, but I'm grateful for what you do!)I look forward to reading the next books you publish. It really is nice to read clean literature that is about Jehovah's people. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi,
    I enjoyed reading your novels, and was wondering whether you are planning to write additional novels after finishing the Flee series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that's the plan. I currently have three projects waiting in the wings after the Flee series. Circumstances permitting, they'll all be released within the next few years.

      Delete
  10. Flee had me on the edge of my seat!! I'm so happy there are books that JW's can read happily! The part that had me so shocked was the possible contamination breach with Claire's sickness! My mouth was wide open!!!!! WOW and a second evacuation.... WOW! amazing book!! 5/5!! Patiently impatiently waiting for book 2!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So you killed Ben and that made me sad. I need you to explain yourself so I feel better

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In a word, I'd say I was aiming for realism. Ben made a decision that cost him his life. In instances of natural disasters, sadly sometimes our friends make similar decisions (not to evacuate, or neglecting to heed certain warnings). In extreme instances, it can cost them their lives. When it really comes down to it, it's often a choice between material things and obedience, a lesson that it typified by Ben's example. It's sad and maybe even a little horrific, but not, I believe, too much of a stretch of the imagination.

      Delete
  12. My imagination concerning our near future is on fire now as never before...thank you so much for that my brother��

    ReplyDelete