Paul H. Boge
Paul Boge wrote the story "Blind Date" on page 44 of Hot Apple Cider. Although "Blind Date" tells the story of a young woman who is afraid she may never meet "Mr. Right," the lesson she learns is of value for anyone.
Paul H. Boge is the author of The Chicago Healer, The Cities of Fortune, and Father to the Fatherless: The Charles Mulli Story. His latest book is The Urban Saint: The Harry Lehotsky Story which tells the true story of an inner city pastor who risked everything to bring hope to addicts, homeless and the poor in Winnipeg’s tough West End neighbourhood.
An ardent film fan, Paul is also the writer/director/producer of the feature film Among Thieves, which investigates one of the key reasons for the war in Iraq that was strangely not discussed by the main stream media.
Paul is an engineer who works as a capital project manager. He preaches at various churches and cherishes his relationship with Jesus Christ. He is huge fan of his nieces and nephew. He lives wherever his work or research for future novels and films take him. Currently he lives in East St. Paul, Manitoba just outside of Winnipeg. And yes, he still clings to the hope that the Winnipeg Jets hockey club will someday return.
Hot Apple Cider came together in a rather unusual way. What made you want to have your work in it?
I was interested and honoured to be a part of what other Canadian authors were doing. It’s a unique project that gives us a chance to connect with a wide variety of readers.
This book is 100% Canadian. Canadian authors, publisher, printer—everything. Is that important to you?
Absolutely. There are many great Canadian screenwriters and novelists. I think it’s important especially for young writers to realize that talent pool that comes from our country that can be exported to the rest of the world.
In her foreword for Hot Apple Cider, Janette Oke mentions that writers are often asked, “Why do you write?” How do you respond to that question?
I write because I can’t not write.
Your short story, “Blind Date,” is told from the point of view of a young woman who seems rather panicky about finding the right man. How did you come to write this story?
There is a growing segment of the population in their twenties and thirties that are single and wondering about the role God plays in connecting them with the love of their life. I fit this particular demographic and so I was curious about exploring the connection between human free will and God’s providence.
Can you tell us a little about your work as an engineer and how you manage to fit writing into your schedule?
I work as a capital project manager for mines. I help to ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget to help a mine run safely and efficiently. I’m single so evenings and weekends are great opportunities to write. I especially appreciate the ability to work both sides of my brain. I think that’s what makes it possible.
Paul, you’re a very versatile writer. For starters, you have two novels, The Chicago Healer and The Cities of Fortune. Can you tell us a little about how you got the ideas for these books and how they are connected?
I know it’s cliché, but I really did get the idea from God. I was very interested in healing and so the idea came to me in a praise and worship session about a pharmaceutical executive with no ties to God who encounters Him in a Chinese prison and who receives the gift of healing. In other words, how would someone react to God’s gift of healing if they didn’t come from any preconceived notions about healing from a particular church? How would that look?
The Cities of Fortune followed The Chicago Healer because I thought it was important to investigate the question about whether miracles are random or not. Why is it that some people pray and don’t get healed, while others don’t pray and do get healed? Also, what role do pharmaceuticals play in healing? These aren’t easy answers, so I thought that investigating them would help people like me who were struggling with the questions.
What was your reaction when you won the first Castle Quay Best New Canadian Author Award in 2004, for The Chicago Healer?
Stunned. I mean, every prospective author writes away for years wondering, ‘when will my book get published.’ I was sitting in a construction trailer in Thompson, Manitoba when I got the news. They say life comes down to moments, much like the way a hockey game comes down to the goals scored. For me, one of those moments was getting picked by Castle Quay.
You also have a nonfiction book that is doing very well. How did you come to write Father to the Fatherless: The Charles Mulli Story?
I think the best stories are the ones that pick you. After finishing the project in Thompson I went to Africa for 3 months to teach at an orphanage in Kenya that was started by Charles Mulli. His life is beyond description. Abused child. Abandoned. Works his way out of poverty. Becomes a multimillionaire and then gives it all away to rescue street children. I mean, you couldn’t invent a story as good as that. I met him and after our second meeting, he asked me to write his biography. Which is so strange, because the thought never occurred to me. I told him I would pray about it because I really thought God should have gotten someone better to write the story. The book is doing well. But that is because God is using the book to show us about his character through Charles Mulli. I still can’t believe that I got the chance to write that story.
Finally, you’ve been very involved in a feature film Among Thieves. I believe you wrote and directed it. Were you also the producer? Can you tell us something about the film, your involvement, and the differences between writing a novel and a screenplay?
Among Thieves was a dream come true. Since I was a teenager I have wanted to write/direct a feature film. I produced it along side Tim Horch and Chris Radtke of FireGate Films. Among Thieves tells the story of three friends who reunite and uncover one of the key, hidden reasons for the War in Iraq. For example, in the fall of 2000 Saddam Hussein switched his oil sales from dollars to euros, but the mainstream media never picked up on this. What is even stranger is that after the US led invasion, oil sales in Iraq reverted back to the dollar. These are facts and yet no one is willing to talk about them. Why not? This really gripped me and so we made the movie to help the public understand one of the key reasons for the war.
I think that screenwriting helped me tremendously in being a novelist. Screenwriting is brilliant for efficiency, structure, keeping things visual, etc. The best novels are really movies in book format. The building blocks between script and a novel are very similar for me. Essentially, a novel takes the form of a screenplay and adds what the audience would be seeing in the theatre. But there are differences. In a screenplay you are suggesting a blue print for a director, actor, producer, set designer, musicians and numerous other people to follow. You’re one person among a sea of talented people. In novel writing, it’s much smaller. You’re responsible for all those components and then you work together with the editor to create a final product. So in a novel you have make sure you have enough detail to let people follow the ‘movie in the book.’
I’m assuming you get feedback from a lot of people because of the nature of your work, and feedback is great for the author or the screenwriter. But I’m wondering if you’ve learned anything from your readers (or viewers) that you could share with us?
Don Bastian once said at The Word Guild's Wrie! Canada conference that “that which is most personal is usually that which is most universal.” I never forgot that. Typically, the best feedback people give is that they connected with the characters. Characters help us to vicariously experience life in someone else’s world so that we can better examine our own. So being honest and helping the audience to identify with a character is key.
Aside from “Blind Date,” is there a particular piece or thought in Hot Apple Cider that stood out for you?
Yes. Bonnie Grove. "The Stuckville Café." Simply brilliant.
A lot of people want to share their stories in order to help others. What advice do you have for someone who wants to write but doesn’t know how to begin?
There are two things. The first is to build a critical mass of knowledge about how books are written. That can come through course work, lots and lots of reading and of course writing. Why do the books you read interest you? What is it about them that makes you want to keep reading? The next thing, and in my opinion the absolute most important, is to pray and fast your lungs out. You and I don’t have the power to impact anyone. Jesus said: apart from me you can do nothing. That has to be clear in your mind. We have zero ability to significantly influence anyone. However, this is exactly what Jesus is willing to do if you plead for His insight.
Read lots. Learn lots. Write until you can’t think of another word to say. And pray like you’ve never prayed before.
Oh, and one other thing. Don’t give up. God gives the talent. Giving up is not an option to those who have been given this particular talent. We have to use it. No joke, I got turned down 236 times on other material. Then I wrote The Chicago Healer and it won Best New Canadian Author.
Are you working on something else now?
Yes. I have the privilege of writing a true story called The Urban Saint: The Harry Lehotsky Story. He was a teenager who overdosed on drugs in New York and nearly died. He told God that if he rescued him he would do anything He asked. Harry became a minister and moved into Winnipeg’s most notorious crime areas. He set up a church with his family and confronted drug dealers while helping the poor, the destitute and the homeless. An amazing man who showed that there is nothing more rewarding than following the call of Christ on your life.
What is your prayer for the readers of Hot Apple Cider?
That people will see that Jesus is real. He is a real God who helps real people in real situations. Part of the challenge in our culture is showing people that Jesus identifies with us and is a very real help in times of trouble. You can see in each of the writers that Christ has made a real difference in our lives. Hopefully, that will encourage others to trust in Him alone as well.
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