‘Thou shalt not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:14). Have you found yourself contemplating committing adultery? Are you currently in an adulterous relationship? Have you been affected by an act of adultery? If you answered yes to any of these questions, No Innocent Affair: Making Right the Wrong of Adultery is the tool you need. An avid student of the Word, Ed Mrkvicka addresses the fact that adultery is one of the main contributors to the destruction of the American family and seeks to reverse this terrifying statistic. Mrkvicka posits that few who engage in adulterous relationships realize the enormity of the cost of infidelity, both to themselves and innocent people in their lives.
Beginning by comparing God’s view of adultery to society’s view, No Innocent Affair explains in frank yet loving terms that unrepentant adultery is more than just an innocent affair. It is choosing Satan over Jesus and death over life. Mrkvicka desires to lead adulterers to repentance and eternal life with Jesus Christ. Most importantly, No Innocent Affair takes you on a step-by-step biblical progression that leads to the sin of adultery being forgiven and salvation reclaimed. Infidelity is no easy subject to discuss, but it is one that must be addressed. Follow along on this exploration of the consequences and ways out of adultery.
INTERVIEW:What is your favorite quality about yourself? I am a practicing Christian.
What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? “Evil only triumphs when good men say and do nothing“ (Sir Edmund Burke), which has as its genesis Ephesians 5:11 in the Bible – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them].” Burke was so right, as is witnessed by today’s events.
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? Raising my two children who have become humble followers of Christ. They are loved and respected by everyone who knows them.
What is your favorite color? Royal purple.
What’s your favorite place in the entire world? Our house.
How has your upbringing influenced your writing? I was raised in a Christian household by Christian parents and as such I became a Christian writer. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? When I was about 8 years old I was given a small toy printing press for Christmas. I put together a weekly “newspaper” for the neighborhood. The whole experience was right out of “Leave It To Beaver.” From that point on I loved to write, and the feeling has never left me.
When and why did you begin writing? Professionally since 1982. I had retired from banking, which finally gave me time to write as I had always wanted to.
How long have you been writing? All my life, but, as I said, I started writing professionally in 1982.
When did you first know you could be a writer? When I was about 8 years old.
What inspires you to write and why? My first 8 books were about personal finance, banking, and the stock market (I am a retired bank president). My last 4 have been Christian books, as I have been a lay minister and counselor since my days in the service (Air Force 1965-69).
What genre are you most comfortable writing? Christian books.
What inspired you to write your first book? As I noted, I had retired from banking in 1982 at a fairly young age, and I knew I had obtained a wealth of information that could help people financially, so I sat down and committed said knowledge to paper in the hope I could reach a large audience. I will admit being a Christian bank president is a perhaps strange combination, but such can also be extremely helpful – when I was in banking I refused to ever see one of my customers taken advantage of – my first books were dedicated to that goal, notwithstanding that I was no longer in the industry.
Who or what influenced your writing once you began? The motivating factor in my writing is trying to help people – period.
What made you want to be a writer? It’s something I’ve always enjoyed – mostly because I like helping people, and writing is a means to that end.
What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? I write nothing but non-fiction. Frankly, I have doubt as to whether I could write fiction as I lack the creativity that’s required. I like to think I’m a conversational writer, as I try and make whatever I’m writing like a one-on-one conversation between myself and the reader.
Do you intend to make writing a career? I intend to keep writing, but I don’t think of it as a career per se.
Have you developed a specific writing style? Informative and conversational.
What is your greatest strength as a writer? Reviewers often note that my books are an “easy read.” I think this is critical for non-fiction writers like myself; i.e., what good is knowledge committed to paper if the reader cannot understand what you’re talking about?
Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? I can honestly say no – it only takes me about a month to actually write a book, because by the time I start typing it’s already completely written in my head. Put another way, the knowledge it requires to write a book worth reading most often takes a lifetime. Typing, not so much.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? No Innocent Affair is a book devoted to the horrible truth about adultery, and how it destroys innocent people, especially children. I have counseled people for a lifetime regarding this matter, and almost to a person those who commit adultery eventually say they wish they had never done so. The book is to stop people from stepping over the line, but if they do, it also explains how to make right what they have made wrong. It’s also for the many victims of an adulterer’s selfishness.
How did you come up with the title? In collaboration with the publisher. It lets people know that adultery ALWAYS hurts those involved, and it IS a big deal – worse yet, it hurts so many innocents that we say we love.
Who designed the cover? Ms. Christina Hicks from Tate Publishing.
Who is your publisher? Tate Publishing & Enterprises.
Why did you choose to write this particular book? Adultery is a spiritual cancer that is most often the cause of our out-of-control divorce rate. I want very much to make a difference. Marriage is holy. Adultery is a disgrace of self-indulgence. It’s the difference between (see book cover) fine woven silk and burlap.
What was the hardest part about writing this book? To start, it’s a depressing subject – but in the end, if we’ll see matters God’s way, it can be fixed. “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7) That’s my focus – the good news of God’s Word, which has real, everyday implications.
How do you promote this book? Any way I can. I’ve tried to take advantage of every potential possibility. I’ve written articles which give me a byline with book credit, I’ve done radio interviews, pod casts, virtual book tours. You name it, and I’m there. It’s the lay minister in me.
Will you write others in this same genre? Yes.
What are your goals as a writer? To touch the lives and hearts of as many as possible in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? No.
What books have most influenced your life? Obviously, the Bible first and foremost, but I really don‘t think of the Word of God as a “book.” From a strictly writing perspective, In Cold Bloodby Truman Capote.
Have you ever considered anyone as a mentor? Other than my father, no.
Who is your favorite author and why? Truman Capote. His writing style and abilities have, in my opinion, yet to be duplicated.
Can we expect any more books from you in the future? Whether it’s good or bad, most definitely.
Have you started another book yet? 2 actually. I have a new book entitled The Sin of Forgiveness due out in a few months. And I just finished another book entitled The Gospel of “If.”
Are you reading any interesting books at the moment? I read a lot, always have. In fact, I read the backs of cereal boxes if I have an extra second or two at breakfast. I like learning new things – and reading is the key.
What are some of the best tools available today for writers, especially those just starting out? Most people think to be an author “all” you have to do is write a book, but those who have been around awhile know that writing is only about half the job – you have to find an agent, and/or a publisher on your own, and there’s never-ending publicity and promotion. In today’s market, writing is the easy part. Point being, learn as much about the business end of writing before you start writing that book you’ve always wanted to write.
What contributes to making a writer successful? Honestly, I have no idea. After my first book in 1982 the local college called and asked me to teach a class on writing. I politely turned them down, because I’m sure I do everything wrong and/or backward. For example, I don’t use an outline, I research while writing, and, as I said earlier, I write a book in my head before typing the first word.
Do you have any advice for writers? This is very general, but be passionate regardless of what you write. Passion comes through to the reader – and you’ll need it when you’re trying to get published, as the business (publishing) has changed so dramatically the last 20 years (and not in a good way). I spend far more time trying to secure a publisher and promoting myself and books than I do actually writing.
Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers? Write everyday, and don’t give up. You have to be singularly devoted to be successful. There are probably thousands of brilliant books written every year that never see the light of day – all because the authors gave up.
What do you do to unwind and relax? I write. When I’m not writing I’m spending time with my son and daughter.
What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing? I’ve been a Christian lay minister and counselor my whole adult life. So I have been blessed to personally see God’s Word help many people. But when I write, I get letters from all over the world from people who have been helped by my writing. Point being, writing has helped spread my ministry in a way I would not have thought possible.
If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be? From a writing perspective, the following quote. “The writer does the most good who gives his reader the most knowledge and takes from him the least time.” (Sydney Smith) If I have a writing style beyond conversational, it’s trying to accomplish Mr. Smith’s goal.
When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? That I didn’t waste the most precious earthly commodity – time.
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Genre – Christian Living / Relationships
Rating – PG
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