On Suspense and Storytelling: A Conversation with J. Robert Kinney

J. Robert Kinney is an award-winning author specializing in the suspense/thriller genre. He has published four novels thus far, the last three of which make up The Volya Series, and he draws on his educational background in psychology, forensic science, political science, international relations, and terrorism studies to inform his writing. I first met J. Robert Kinney through his mother, whom you might remember as the guest in the last Conversations post here on An Iris Awaits. A few years ago, he was gracious enough to sit down with me and answer my many questions about the process of writing and publishing, and I continue to look forward to each new book he releases. Recently, I asked him to share about his personal writing journey and how his faith informs his work:

Olivia: How did you become interested in writing novels, and what drew you to the suspense genre?

J. Robert Kinney: When I was younger, English was one of my least favorite subjects in school. But a series of excellent teachers ultimately flipped that on its head. They not only taught me the mechanics of the craft, but also showed me how to enjoy writing. Looking back, those teachers were a blessing for which I am immensely grateful.

That said, I think the core of storytelling was always there, cultivated by parents who read to me early and often, and I devoured books by the stack from the library. And as a very young child, I even used to take my toys and have them act out stories, characters, and scenarios. So even if I wasn’t writing them down, the instinct and interest in storytelling has been present for a long time.

However, I finally did start taking it seriously and writing ideas down in college. The suspense genre, I think, just came naturally. It was an escape and a stress relief to create stories. And mystery or suspense were the stories I liked reading, whether it was The Hardy Boys as a child, Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series, John Grisham, or many others. So when it came time to write something, I just wrote a story I would like to read.

Olivia: What would you say is the most crucial element of a good story?

J. Robert Kinney: Characters. People will read a book with a weaker plot as long as they’re invested in the characters, but even the best of plots flounder if you can’t convince the reader to care what happens to the people in it. Characters need motivations that are logical and coherent, and traits that feel real to the reader. They need to follow natural development arcs that resonate. Ultimately, an author needs to construct characters who readers can relate to, root for (or against), and watch as they develop and grow.

Olivia: How does being a Christian influence the way you develop stories and/or your understanding of the concept of story itself?

J. Robert Kinney: This is an interesting question. My first instinct was to argue that it doesn’t really affect story development but is rather an influence on character development. But after mulling it over, I’m not sure that’s true.

I’m a big fan of C.S. Lewis and his writings, both fiction and non-fiction, and the path to his conversion to the faith hinges on this very idea of a Christian story. It was a conversation he had with J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson over the nature of a myth; the two other men, both believing Christians, showed Lewis how the story of Christ is a “true myth,” one that affects and moves us the same way as many myths, but with one tremendous difference that this particular one actually happened. This story was actually true.

That’s a long way of saying that being a Christian does impact the way I develop a story because so many of the themes I tackle are, at their core, the same ones that a life of faith has me tackle, question, consider, wrestle with, and (hopefully) answer. Ideas of sacrifice, forgiveness, heroism, courage, and even faith itself are all ideas that my plots circle around. People who are brought to low points by loss and/or life circumstances but find something beyond themselves that allows them to persevere, learn, and grow.

Olivia: What do you hope readers take away from The Volya Series?

J. Robert Kinney: When I look back at the trilogy, there are a few themes that stand out as particularly central to the story, things that I hope readers experience, think about, or absorb.

First is the importance of family and friendships. Not necessarily blood family (though it often is), but the connections we have, or create, with others is what makes us human. Humanity wasn’t created to live in isolation, either physically or emotionally. From the very beginning, God said it was not good for man to be alone. We dwell and work in community, and whether it is parent/child or sibling relationships, or simply connections with friends and coworkers, it is relationships that define our own character and our lives.

Second is the idea of second chances. People are inherently imperfect. More than that, we are deeply flawed. Every one of us. We all make mistakes; we’ve said or done things that we feel can’t be forgiven, things that we can’t overcome or make up for. But at the heart of Christianity is the importance of forgiveness and healing from hurt. Whether we’re struggling to forgive another for pain they’ve caused us, or to forgive ourselves for things we’ve done, it’s important to realize that redemption is possible.

And third, I hope readers see themselves in the characters’ struggles and the ways they overcome those challenges. I always tell people that I don’t necessarily view my books as Christian fiction, but rather as books that simply include Christian characters. And indeed, my main protagonist in the series, Franklin, is not a believer. In fact, most of the characters are not. But Franklin is searching. For something, even if he doesn’t really understand what it is he seeks yet. And part of his story is that internal search and battle with the idea of faith. He has people around him who believe, but he doesn’t understand and constantly fights doubt. I think that is something that so many people—believers or not—have undergone; it resonates with us to know that we are not alone in those difficulties and doubts.

Olivia: Can you share any hints about what we might see from J. Robert Kinney in the future?

J. Robert Kinney: Well, The Volya Series isn’t quite complete yet. I still need to record and release the audiobook for At All Costs. So that’s next on my to-do list. But I already have some ideas percolating for more stories. I have one that is already in progress…it’s kind of a dueling storylines concept, with a modern-day plotline alternating (and intertwining) with one from decades before. But I also have some thoughts on prequel spin-offs with two characters from The Volya Series as well.

Writing is a lifelong journey however, so I view my story as only just beginning! The future is very much in flux, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this conversation with J. Robert Kinney and that it has helped you ponder the importance of good stories and how they can both reflect and shape our lives. You can learn more about J. Robert Kinney’s work and how to purchase his books at his website: https://jrobertkinney.com/ . Links to follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are also available on his website.