Peter Bradley asked Werner A. Lind:

I have been a fan of Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John series since reading it in my teens. What is it about Wellman's writing that has influenced you?

Werner A. Lind Peter, I love the Silver John series, though I didn't discover it until I was in my 30s! While I don't try to imitate Wellman, and I have my own style, his example is a strong influence in two ways. First, he shows how it's possible to incorporate an underlying Christian worldview, and sometimes a direct Christian message, into supernatural fiction without being heavy-handed or preachy about it. Second, he models an approach to the supernatural that sees it as not necessarily horrific (though it can be) and that doesn't depend on copious mayhem and grisly-gory shock to create its effects. (I also appreciate the fact that, although his series protagonists are male, his female characters are shown as strong, competent figures with agency, rather than hapless damsels-in-distress, and that he presents a wholesome view of gender relations.) Hope that answers your question!

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