Please tell us about your most Recent Book
It’s titled Army of God and it’s set against the backdrop of the account of Noah’s Ark as told in the book of Genesis. It tells the story of how the animals of the ark rose up to defend it against the army of a revenge-seeking enemy. The story is told through the eyes of two people, Noah (good) and a man named Shechem (condemned), whose lives are inexorably entwined. It attempts to bring to life the characters of the period in a suspense-filled, action-packed adventure. And yet it is more than just an action thriller. Army of God is a character study of the eight people chosen by God for salvation aboard the ark, and the ruthless leaders of those condemned to destruction. And the animals . . . they are more than just cargo.
Why do you write what you do?
I was strongly influenced by the writing of Jerry B. Jenkins, whom I consider to be a mentor. His Left Behind series of end times novels got me hooked on the idea of writing Christian fiction. In my case, however, I chose to concentrate on one of the most beloved stories of the Old Testament, Noah’s Ark. I had wanted to tell a story about how the animals defended the ark for over ten years before ever writing my first scene.
What are you currently working on?
It’s an apocalyptic thriller that asks the question: What if you woke up one day and found that all the many blessings we take for granted (blue skies, birds, flowers, fresh air, mobility, unlimited food, etc.) suddenly began to disappear one by one over the course of a year?
How does your work differ from other work in its genre?
Having written just the one novel, that’s hard to pinpoint. I would say that of all the stories that have been written with Noah’s Ark as the backdrop, mine is the first to treat the animals as more than just passengers called to salvation aboard the great ship. They are, in fact, protagonists.
How does your writing process work?
As a first time novelist, I found it helpful to work with an outline. This is especially true since my story had multiple subplots. When I’m writing, I usually put in a full day (8 or more hours), locking myself in my office, or, if I’m on the road, in the quiet room of a public library. I’ve even gone out and written in the car if I have trouble finding solitude. Many times, especially if I’m on a roll, I’ll return to the office and continue writing until eight or nine o’clock at night. Because I have back issues, I alternate between sitting and standing with the use of an adjustable desk.
Dennis Bailey is a retired police detective, sex crimes investigator, and devoted researcher of the Word of God. His experience in the criminal justice system gives him a unique insight into the workings of the perverse criminal mind. Combined with his investigative and analytical skills, he uses this knowledge to search the Scriptures for personalities from which to create unforgettable characters and storylines.
