More Than a Story
An Author Interview with Cami Tapley, Gibraltar
By Lisa M. Hendey
With the publication of her first novel, Gibraltar, author Cami Tapley has gone beyond the telling of a good story. Although the book is not overtly Christian, Tapley draws on her own spirituality and family resources to share a yarn that is at once enticing and inspirational. Gibraltar moves beyond today’s all too formulaic “chick lit” genre to share a story of family relationships, of intrigue, and ultimately of the true meaning of love.
In the book, which Tapley self-published under the banner of Lindenville Publishing, the reader meets the Borderline family through the narration of eighteen year old Clary. This young woman, in concert with her father and paternal grandfather, seems to live somewhere off the beaten path. Her home, Gibraltar, appears inspired by Tapley’s own home turf in Prince Edward Island, Canada. This picturesque backdrop is the setting for a tale of twisted interactions and a web of lies that is ultimately and lovingly unwoven through Tapley’s lovely talent for storytelling and dialogue.
Gibraltar is one of those highly readable books - once you’ve become involved in the storyline (which happens quickly), you won’t want to put this book down. When you reach the end, you’ll find yourself wanting more from these characters and the world of Gibraltar. The good news for new Tapley fans like me is that this book is the first in a planned series.
Cami Tapley, author of Gibraltar, shared the following on her book, her writing and her faith.
Q: Please tell our readers a bit about yourself and your family.
A: My husband, Russ, and I were raised in a Protestant denomination, and met at the church we both attended as youth. We shared a faith in Christ that grew us toward marriage and prepared us for our special family. Our first child, Kindle, was born with a rare genetic deformity called Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, and died from internal problems four days later. Our son, Jorim, was born a year and a half laterand although he, too, was born with the syndrome, he arrived perfectly healthy, and brought great joy and healing to our hearts. Understandably, we were afraid to have another child, but it was Jorim’s faith and desire at three years of age that led him to pray for a baby sister. A year later, our daughter, Avrie, was born without the syndrome, and completed our family.
Q: What is your faith background, and how has your faith journey impacted upon the person you are today?
A: Although I had loved God for as long as I could remember, Kindle’s Homegoing rerouted my faith to a deeper place. I began to care less and less about my own plans, which were out of my control anyway, and more and more about what God could teach me about Himself through life’s unexpected trials and tests. Then, some years later, a bold move we made as a family taught me even more about God’s heart for me. Financially, circumstances had pressed us to a point of decision: either stay put in our hometown and struggle, or launch out and experience something new. After much prayer, we did the latter. We packed up and left our home in California and traveled to the east coast, final dream destination point: Prince Edward Island, Canada. By God’s merciful and miraculous ways and means, we not only made it there, relationships were birthed, tried and tested in a way we would never have known or experienced had we shrunk from the unknown at the crucial point of decision. After nearly a year of traveling, and confident that God could provide for us anywhere, we felt a drawing to the Great Lakes area, and looked forward to making it our new home. Gibraltar is essentially a “soft sell” of the way God has led me.
Q: Please give a brief summary of the book.
A: Eighteen-year-old Clary relates the story of Jem, the son of a hard-hearted businessman and his unhappy socialite wife. Jem wants more than anything to escape the superficial life laid out for himand he knows a way. Remembering the summer he spent on the St. Lawrence Seaway five years before, he forgoes returning to Boston for his second year of college and escapes to Gibraltar, the home of his grandfather. There, he uncovers a family secret that will extricate him from the web of lies his parents have spun around him all his lifeand set him on a course for love and a new hope for his future.
Q: What was your motivation for writing this book?
A: A writer writes best about what they know. To some, the struggle within the Borderline family will be nothing more than a provocative storyline. But as one who has taken the unbeaten path, I know firsthand how much it costs to learn something worth sharing, especially when it means going against the grain of your upbringing or culture to gain it.
Q: What goal or message do you hope to share in this book?
A: I once heard someone say, “Faith is spelled r-i-s-k.” I can’t imagine that taking risks is easy for anyoneit certainly hasn’t been easy for me. But whenever I look back at the times I stepped outside of my comfort zone, I marvel at the grace of God that has been present in my life. I purposely didn’t write Gibraltar overtly Christian because I believe that God is speaking to everyone all the time. What shuts His voice out is the unnatural standard of protocol; doing what is expected instead of listening to that “still, small voice” inside. God can only lead us into personal relationship in personal ways.
Q: Was there a special inspiration for the character of Clary? Is she based on anyone you know, a composite of people, or a completely invented character?
A: Clary is the only voice that could relay such a harsh story palatably. Without her pure heart and her innocent strength, the situation would have seemed more tragic than inspiring. I believe there is “Clary potential” in all of us just waiting to step out and make someone else’s load lighter.
Q: Gibraltar, the setting for the book, has the feel of a sanctuary from the real world. It gives your reader the sense that one can step back from life’s craziness into a place of calm and tranquility. Do you think there are really are such places in today’s world?
A: No one place on earth can be safe for everyone, that’s what home is for. “Gibraltar” is my sermon on what we should all strive for.
Q: Please discuss some of the relationships in the book, both familial and romantic.
A: Because of the stalwart love Clary’s father and grandfather have for her, she is able to step out and be a blessing to someone else. It shows us that if we will love those given to us, it will become a ring of blessing touching others beyond our own reach. The romantic love in this story develops very quickly to a deep level because it is based on self-sacrifice, the foundation of lasting love.
Q: The plot twists in your book keep it very exciting - without giving away the ending, how did you conceive of some of the conflicts that arise between the Borderline family members?
A: The best way to learn anything good is to witness a good example, but when this isn’t possible, we can also learn from where others have gone wrong. The great thing about beginning my fiction writing career in the middle of my life is that I have lots of life experiences to draw from; not only mine, but those of others I have watched from a distance over a long period of time. It is true what they say, “No man is an island.”
Q: Please discuss your decision to self publish this book.
A: Writing Gibraltar was something I just decided to do one day. But when I began to research what it took to be traditionally published, it seemed to take all the fun and inspiration out of it. I didn’t need a “go ahead” from an agent or a big city publisher, I already had the “go ahead” in my heart. It’s definitely been a labor of love; something I believe that God gave me to give back to Him.
Q: Do you have any future projects in the works? I found myself curious about what would happen with some of the characters in the future. Any plans for a sequel?
A: Gibraltar will be part of a three book series (at least). I am currently writing book two, Course of Dreams.
Q: Are there any additional thoughts or comments you’d like to share?
A: One of my favorite thoughts is one of doing the duty that lies nearest. People need to be faithful where they are planted, wherever that might be. It is very important to keep our hearts open to the implicit meaning in our everyday lives; what is all too often considered the mundane is really our personal opportunity to shine.
For more information on Gibraltar visit www.morethanastory.org
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader of inspirational literature. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com for more information.
About the Author
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader of inspirational literature. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com for more information.
The popularity in the past few years of the apocalyptic fiction series Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins in indicative of the fact that people would rather believe a lie told to them in a sexy, slick way then believe the truth of the Word of God that has been staring them straight in the face for centuries.
Many Christian groups today propound that one day soon and it seems like the more money that is needed by the preacher the closer the day is that all Christian believers will be gathered together and thus disappear from the earth and that all of the unbelievers of the world will be left behind. Is this what the Bible teaches?
With all that is happening in the world, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, and tsunamis can anyone deny that we are near the end times? So what does God’s Word teach us as to who will escape the coming tribulation and who will be left behind.
The Book of Revelation one of the most misinterpreted books of the Bible causing many sects and believers confusion speaks in chapter 12 of a great wonder or sign in heaven. This is the first time the word “sign” (Gk. semeion) occurs in the Book of Revelation. The sign is that of a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars”.
Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
This verse is in direct contrast with the woman spoken of in chapter 17 beginning in verse 3 “…and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
Revelation 17:4 And the woman was arrayed (same word as in 12:l) in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Revelation 17:5 “And upon her forehead {was} a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”.
Babylon the great is a city, a physical city that is upon the earth and in it is manifest the mystery of iniquity.
Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The sign of chapter 12 which is a woman also represents a city (and the system for which the city stands). The woman of chapter 12 is the true; the woman of chapter 17 is the false, the woman of chapter 12 is attacked by the dragon, the woman of chapter 17 is supported by the beast. The woman of chapter 12 is Jerusalem, the city of David and of Israel. She is represented as being on the eve of giving birth to a child.
There is another sign seen in heaven in chapter 12 that of a great fiery red dragon and the dragon stood before the woman, ready to devour her child as soon as it should be born. The sun, moon and stars, the woman’s emblems, seem to indicate a power from heaven. This is in direct contrast with the seven heads and ten horns and the seven diadems, which plainly indicate the powers of the beast that support the woman of Revelation 17.
Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
The dragon in the sign of chapter 12:4 is said to draw the third part of the stars from heaven and cast them to the earth. This is taken by some to refer to the fall of Satan but the language here is that of an event corresponding to the time of the tribulation and the cities. The reference to the stars is defined in verse 9 of chapter 17 “and his angels were cast out with him”, being at that moment of defeat by Michael the Archangel.
The woman of chapter 17 represents the city of Babylon literally; the city will exist at the time of the tribulation so we can continue to understand the verses in the context of the period or time which is referred to here.
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:5 “And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and His throne”.
The important and most interesting passage here is where we are told that the woman brought forth a man-child. Who is the man-child? One might think this first instance is speaking of Christ Himself a fulfillment of a prophecy of the Old Testament but in chapter 2:26, 27 these words are used of an overcomer.
Revelation 2:26,27 “And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
Revelation refers to this man-child being born in a future day. This cannot refer to Christ personally, but it indicates a company of faithful OVERCOMERS who share the millennial reign of Christ.
Who are these overcomers? The overcomers are those who are not just in believing unto life but faithful service to The Lord. Hebrews 11 seems to give an excellent list and the key to being among the overcomers is being one who “loved not their lives unto the death” this does not mean they were killed (but many were) as members in the Book of Life in Revelation seems to indicate but a determination to do God’s Will not one’s own will even if that means to die.
The taking up of this man-child or overcomers to God and His throne is before the persecution, and it makes an escape from the trouble of that day. In Matthew 24:4-8 we have the beginning of the birth-pains, which are, wars, famines, pestilence and earthquakes. These have already been indicated in the opening of the seals. They lead the way for the tribulation under the Beast and false Prophet, and when they reach their highest point, the man-child is born.
After the man-child is taken up to God the woman flees into the wilderness. So in Matthew 24, after the period spoken of as the beginning of birth-pains, which synchronizes with Revelation 12:2, we hear of affliction and hatred, of offence and betrayal, of false prophets who deceive. This is at the same time a gospel activity is indicated witnessing to all nations before the end comes.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
About this same time the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Matt. 24:15) will be set up in the holy place. This evidently refers to the image of the Beast; Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 11) indicates that the setting up of this abomination occurs in the midst of the final seven years there referred to. This would leave 3 years for the tribulation to run until “the end.”
So, in perfect harmony, we read that the woman is fed 1,260 days (12:6), or (as in 12:14), “a time, times and a half,” in line with Daniel’s cryptic utterance.
Three years and a half therefore before the end, and before the revelation of the Lord, the man-child is caught up. This is the escape of the overcomers. Some will be “accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass” (Luke 21:36).
The man-child caught up and escaping the tribulation, the woman who flees into the wilderness, and the remnants of her seed which are attacked by the dragon, cannot possibly represent the same group of people.
There are the overcomers who are destined to rule; there is the woman, shielded, fed and protected in the wilderness; there are the seed that are left, who are persecuted. It is evident that some believers are left to endure the fierce wrath of the last days.
Our attention however must be kept for the present upon the overcomers. Verse 11 adds a detail as to the character of these overcomers:
Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
The sign is a child born under the menace of satanic destruction; the reality is the faithful testimony of those who loved not their lives unto the death, the overcomers. The dragon waiting to devour is interpreted in verse 10 as “accusing the brethren before God day and night.” The moment of escape of these overcomers is at the sounding of the seventh trumpet:
Revelation 12:10 ”Now is come salvation and strength, and the KINGDOM of our God, and the power of His Christ, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down”.
The words “our brethren” should attract our attention. Who is it that says these words? The speaker (”I heard a loud voice saying in heaven”) is unnamed, but it is clear, from all other similar references, that it cannot be a man. In Revelation 22:9 an ANGEL says to John:
Revelation 22:9 “I am a fellow servant with thee and with thy brethren, the prophets, and with them that keep the sayings of this book.”
When looking at this verse 9 we would like to adopt the translation given in the Emphatic Diaglott. “I am a fellow servant of thee,” sounds like a contradiction in English. It means that the angel and John and the brethren are all upon one common level in this aspect. An ANGEL, therefore, appears to be the one who calls the overcomers “our brethren.”
The overcomers are to be identified with the Church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven (Hebrews 12:22). These have come to Mount Zion (so had the one hundred and forty four thousand, Revelation 14:1); and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. This is also said of the overcomers. These had also come unto an innumerable company of angels, the general assembly. The casting out of the great dragon to the earth ushers in the third and last woe:
Revelation 12:12 “Rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them, woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and the sea! For the Devil is come down, having great wrath, because he knoweth he hath but a short time”.
The woman is carried away to a place prepared for her, and nourished in the wilderness for the rest of the period until the kingdom is set up on earth. To this period applies the LORD’S PRAYER. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” These words will be the heartfelt utterance of this persecuted company, and while experiencing again the manna in the wilderness, they will pray with real understanding, “Give us this day the bread that cometh down upon us.” The word rendered “daily” epiousios {ep-ee-oo’-see-os} in the prayer occurs nowhere else in Scripture, nor, as far as we know, in any writing in the Greek language. It is a word which can only he fulfilled by the repetition of the miracle of the manna, and this is what does take place.
The Scriptures speak of several categories of believers, some ready, some unready, some watchful, some asleep, some like wise virgins, some like unwise, one taken, the other left, one child of the woman caught up to God and His throne, other of her seed suffering the wrath of the dragon, some sheltered in heaven and the secret of His presence, others sheltered in the wilderness. The Church of the One Body, while not connected with these events of the great plan revealed in Revelation, should be aware of these differences and thereby seek to learn from them.
About the Author
Paul Griffitts is a writer and teacher as well as a biblical researcher for over 30 years. Paul writes for www.believer.com. Download a free ebook as a gift from Believer.com. http://www.believer.com/paul/ebook_free.html