John M Wills
Healer is a heart-warming tale about a teenager who has been dealt a very difficult hand, but who makes the best of what little he has. Billy Anderson is a young man who relies heavily on his faith to guide and support him. One day he receives a supernatural gift—The Gift of Healing. What happens to him, and to those around him, will fascinate and endear readers to this wonderful teenager.
I’ve had very positive response from readers thus far. St. Mary’s Catholic Church book club has made it their choice for the month of November. Also, I am going to be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Council of Catholic Women.
How challenging was it to write from the point of view of sixteen year old?
It wasn’t difficult for me since I have a teenaged grandson named Colin (incidentally, Colin appears on the cover of Healer). At 16, Colin is a typical boy who’s involved in sports and video games. I take him to many of his hockey games and so I listen to he and his friends as they discuss things. I did have Colin review the Healer manuscript to ensure the dialogue was correct.
What can you tell us about the character of Billy?
Billy is somewhat of an anomaly in today’s society. His birth defect has caused him humiliation and embarrassment, and made him the victim of bullies at school. The loss of his parents would normally traumatize a child, yet Billy handles all of these challenges quite stoically, relying on his faith to guide him.
The book has been compared to It’s a Wonderful Life so how does this make you feel?
That type of comparison can only warm my heart and cause me to be extremely grateful. That iconic tale is a generational favourite, one that I’ve watched repeatedly since my childhood. Now I share that movie with my grandchildren. I heard from a publisher that this story can also be a young adult selection.
What made you want to write a coming of age story?
Two reasons: first, I believe there aren’t enough stories about the goodness in youngsters. We see and hear so much about the bad things that happen that in paints all teens in a very poor light. Second, as I read about Christ and his apostles in the Bible and their ability to heal those with physical infirmities, I wondered how such a power might be viewed in contemporary times.
Why do readers care so much about your characters?
Perhaps it’s because the characters are so life-like. Healer has a powerful protagonist in Billy Anderson, who other than his special gift of healing, is ordinary in every other way. His friends at school are everyday kids as well—they’re all characters that readers can identify with.
You have had some really positive feedback for the book- so how much do you value this response?
Naturally, positive feedback fuels my energy to write my next novel and affirms that I am on the right track with my projects.
What is next for you?
I’m presently writing a novel about a troubled marriage, a topic I think many people are familiar with, and one that has touched many families. I also continue to work as a freelance writer. I have a monthly column on Officer.com, and I write scripts for a video production company in Atlanta. I also write book reviews for the New York Journal of Books.