R.A. Michaels is not your typical writer. She is indeed a deeply spiritual and inspirational storyteller whose writing journey began with poems at 14 and her first novel at 18. Today, she is the author behind Resurrecting Judas, a bold, faith-driven work that reenacts one of the most controversial figures in the Bible.
In this chat, R.A. opens up about the spiritual visions that led her to write the book, her battles with betrayal and forgiveness, and her mission to give voice to a figure often misunderstood in history.
Tell us something about R.A. Michaels, the writer. How did you start writing?
R.A.: I fell in love with reading at the age of eight, and I started writing poems at the age of 14. I wrote my first novel at the age of 18, and it was manually typed and submitted without a copy to a publisher, who then told me it was lost. That was before we had computers.
What inspired you to write Resurrecting Judas? Was there a personal experience, revelation, or life moment that planted the seed for this story?
R.A.: I believe that this idea for Resurrecting Judas was Holy Spirit-inspired. The idea repeatedly came to me, in visions and dreams, until I agreed to start doing the research necessary for this undertaking. Personally, I experienced situations where several people twisted the truth and vilified my name, causing me to experience significant pain. I believe I had to go through those experiences to harness the pain and despair of someone like Judas, whose voice was silenced by history.
The title is powerful and thought-provoking. What does “Resurrecting Judas” mean to you on a deeper level?
R.A.: This controversial topic was revealed to me from the very beginning, and I believe it points to a suggestion that we can all be redeemed, no matter what, as long as we believe in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We can all be redeemed.
Inspirational stories often carry profound emotional and spiritual undertones. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
R.A.: Unshakable faith in God, through Jesus Christ. A strong belief in the power of angels that surround us and protect us. The practice of forgiveness and love which was preached by Jesus, even with his dying breath.
Who do you believe this book will resonate with the most? Was there a specific reader or group in mind as you wrote it?
R.A.: Christians are my primary target reader group. Messianic Jews would find this book very interesting as it richly embraces their Jewish culture while uplifting the advent of Christianity.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book? And what part came most naturally to you?
R.A.: Writing is my innate, God-given ability. Writing comes very naturally to me. Some of the ideas that came into my head as the book progressed can only be described as spiritual or divine intervention. The most challenging part of the book, at the very beginning, was when my 80% closest friends condemned the book just by hearing the title. That crushed me for about a week or two, then I decided to shake it off and restrict all contact with those people until I finished the book. And it worked. Once I got back on track, I didn’t allow any negativity to derail me after that.
Can you share a quote or passage from the book that holds special meaning for you? Why does it stand out?
R.A.: I identify personally with the passage in chapter 15, Yeudah’s burden, which reads: Standing face to face, Yeshua said to Yeudah, “Yeudah ben Shimon of Keriyot, stand strong beside me. I need you. For now, focus on these words from the prophet Yeshayahu: ‘He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.’ A lamb is led to the slaughter. A lamb is handed over to its slaughterer. The Lamb of God must be handed over to be killed. Not grabbed or arrested. Handed over, for I am a willing sacrificial Lamb. You, Yeudah, must hand me over at the appointed time. This has always been your task, because I trust in your strength.” “Adonai, I could never hand you over to those who hate you. I would rather die.” Yeudah’s knees lost their strength and buckled, sending him crashing onto the floor. He knocked down a small table, which sent the other disciples rushing back inside the room, worried that something had happened to the Mashiach. As the disciples surrounded Yeshua, he looked compassionately at Yeudah, who was now sitting on the floor. “Remember, Yeudah,” said Yeshua, as he walked away to the courtyard to chat with the other disciples. This passage is the core of my novel.
If readers remember just one thing after finishing Resurrecting Judas, what do you hope it is?
R.A.: Forgiveness and love. That is what the Messiah preached.
What authors or books have inspired your writing journey?
R.A.: Thomas Hardy (descriptive style) and Stephen King (syntax and semantics).
As an Indie author, how do you find the whole publishing process?
R.A.: Perplexing. Many classics and best sellers remain undiscovered because if you are not on the NYT, you can remain undiscovered until the next century. Many great authors have been discovered posthumously.
Any advice for aspiring writers trying to break into the industry?
R.A.: Keep writing, keep ploughing on, keep hope alive. Write short stories and develop a followership online of at least 200,000 people, which will make agents ready to talk to you.
Can you share something personal about R.A. Michaels, the woman? What moves you? What is your driving force?
R.A.: I’m a humanitarian first and foremost. I like to help the downtrodden and those whose human rights have been violated. I like people to give each other a chance, to live and let live.
What’s next for you as an author? Are you working on a follow-up or another inspirational project?
R.A.: I am concurrently working on my fourth and fifth books. One is non-fictional, which is simply research-based. There will be 12 chapters, and I’m actually writing only two of them, and the rest are case studies that will be summarised and included. The fifth book is my first unrestricted mystery-romance, weaving a tale of international intrigue and juicy romantic liaisons.
What is your nickname?
R.A.: Ada (pronounced ah—dah).
If you could have any fictional character over for dinner, who would it be and why?
R.A.: Homer’s Odysseus. I would like to cook him my special dish of baked fish with white-wine reduction sauce, paired with Pinot Grigio, before sending him out to the battle of Ithaca…
What’s a book you recently read and loved?
R.A.: Father Amorth’s books about the exorcism of evil spirits through the power of Almighty God, in the name of Jesus.
Thank you
R.A.: Thank you.
