Marilyn T. Parker

When I was seven or eight years old, I entered a writing contest for elementary students sponsored by the local newspaper. I won! Actually, I won two years in a row. I still remember some things about those stories. I remember that one was about a little girl who was so poor, she had to use fall leaves to make Christmas cards. Uh, kind of got my seasons mixed up there—but the storyline must have been good! That was the beginning of my writing career! So why do I write biblical fiction? Can’t people just read their Bibles? Yes. Of course. But years ago, when I was reading through the book of Genesis, studying the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, one of Jacob’s wives caught my attention. Genesis 29:31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved— God was watching Leah. Can you imagine it? The God of the Universe leaning over the portal of heaven to get a better view of an unloved woman! I was hooked on the story right then. The scriptures were scant, but the story was hiding there in subtle hints. As I fleshed out Leah’s life from the Word, I fell more in love with the God who originally wrote her story. The Great Storyteller who knew both Leah and me before He laid the foundation of the earth, and who wrote our stories with love, promising us the best of all happy endings with Him. Biblical fiction isn’t meant to replace the Bible. Not by any means! But it’s a window that allows us to peek into the culture of the ancients, and to watch God’s faithful dealings with them. And to learn from their mistakes! Now a little more about me personally! I've worn many hats: pastor's wife, mother of four God-loving children, school teacher, singer/songwriter, author and blogger--to name a few. Four years after becoming a widow, I married Peter Parker. Yes! I'm Mrs. Spiderman. How cool is that! When my husband and I are not out RVing we reside in Arizona with our monster dog, Mimi (don't let the cute name fool you!). My greatest desire is that my work reflect the glory and goodness of God.