Jonathan Rogers grew up in the county where I reside. I have been friends with one of his sisters for over 10 years. So, I thought it would be fun to get the scoop on Jonathan from her perspective. Here is my interview with Jonathan’s sister, Melanie Rogers Murphy:
What was your family like growing up?
We had a great childhood – our parents set a wonderful example of love and devotion to each other, family and others. Jonathan is 6 years younger than I am. I loved helping my mom take care of him regardless of the fact that he pushed me out of my position of the baby! Our family was truly idyllic. Our parents loved each other and us – we knew the proper order and who was in charge. Growing up in a Christian home gave us the foundation we needed to accept Christ and serve him.
How many brothers/sisters do you have?
I have one sister and one brother.
What was Jonathan like as a boy?
Johnathan was very creative – he enjoyed books (imagine) and being outdoors. He could draw and paint – he was always using his imagination. He was tenderhearted and obedient. He needed just a look from mom or dad to make him behave.
Did you know or suspect he would be an author one day?
None of us were surprised that Jonathan decided to become a writer – he began writing at age 4. He wrote the cutest story about a horse named Hazel. He spelled everything phonetically. He has always had that creative flair.
Can you share a funny story about Jonathan as a child?
Whenever we get together we share stories — one of the ones we keep repeating and continue to enjoy involves Jonathan’s incorrect usage of a word. While our mother worked during the summer, my sister and I babysat Jonathan. As he recalls we were dictators – as we recall we were caring devoted sisters. However he was fed up with what he considered our bossiness and stood up and said, “I’m not your elf!” What he meant to say was, “I’m not your slave!” He said the minute the word passed his lips – he knew it was the wrong word. Of course we laughed mercilessly about it and continue to do so.
What is it like having a famous author as a brother? 🙂
He is very humble and would certainly not consider himself a famous author – but since you asked me I will tell you that I am very proud of my brother. He is a wonderful, creative writer. He is so encouraging and never thinks himself better than someone else. When I read his books I just wonder how he can generate such stories. Sometimes I get on a website that has a link to one of his books – it still surprises me to see his name in print.
What is your favorite book in the series?
My favorite book is always the one I am reading at the time. I don’t want them to end.
Have you read The Charlatan’s Boy and what do think about it?
I loved the The Charlatan’s Boy – it was one of those books that caused me to continue to think about it. It is a beautiful story about home – it caused me to long even more for our heavenly home – where we as believers in Jesus really belong.
Is your family close (proximity and emotionally) and how often does your family get together?
Our family is very close – if I would get on Facebook we would be closer. I’m the last holdout. Jonathan and his family live in Nashville but the rest of us live in Perry – including our parents. We eat a meal together at least once a week. All of us get together at least three times a year – we go to the beach – usually 21 of us and stay in the same beach house. Jonathan’s family comes down at Christmas and sometimes Easter or during the Fair. My parents go to see them fairly often too. We stay in touch by calling or texting.
Anything you would like to share about Jonathan?
He is a great husband and father – he is fun to spend time with and he loves to laugh and make others laugh. I wish we could spend more time together. He and his wife, Lou Alice work hard to set a good example for their children and to bring them up in a way that honors Christ.
Well there you have it — Jonathan Rogers exposed :)! Hope you enjoyed a look into the life of this talented author. Tomorrow the review of The Charlatan’s Boy.
(I received The Charlatan’s Boy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
See what others are saying:
I don’t know what my sister is trying to do to my street cred with this talk about my idyllic childhood and my being tender-hearted and obedient. She conveniently forgot to mention my courageous battle with tuberculosis or my early career in the boot-blacking factory while all my peers were whooping it up in kindergarten. I will say that those years in reform school, however, did me a world of good, and not just because my cellmate told me how to hotwire cars.
Seriously, what my too-humble sister forgot to mention was that she had a key role in my being literate at all. My sisters helped my parents teach me how to read. And let me tell you, they were elf-drivers about it. Both sisters became teachers. I like to think I had a role in that.
I’m glad to know Melanie and the family are proud of me, but I can tell you they’ve given me at least as much cause to be proud of them.
Sorry to hear of the boot-blacking factory, but glad the reform school did it’s job! 😉 Thanks for the wonderful books. Looking forward to so many more.
What a great interview, Beckie! I love this! So great to hear what a sibling has to say (I tend to believe Melanie here a bit more than Jonathan. 😉 ).
My brother published several computer how-to books years ago, and I remember going into stores and looking for his books. It really is a thrill.
Love the “elf” story, especially as I’m re-reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in which the elf as slave plays a prominent part.
What a brilliant idea, Becky.
And great answers, Melanie. I don’t believe you’re spinning fiction.
It’s too bad Jonathan didn’t write a book in which elf and slave were synonymous. The house elf/slave subplot added much to the Harry Potter books. Jonathan had a good understanding of what goes into good fantasy even way back then, apparently.
Oh this is so much fun to read!! Thanks for sharing this super fun way of seeing Jonathan from a different angle (his sister’s!)