Aug. 21, 2025
BooKecCenTriC was privileged to welcome Author William Roushey to our virtual couch for an interview about his latest book, The Race Against Time. Enjoy!
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What's your book about, and what inspired you to write
it?
My book
is called The Race Against Time. It is a fictional story based on true
events set in 1979 involving a college student, Carson, who is determined to
make his senior year count. A friend
challenges him to join the cross-country team, which Carson does on a whim.
What begins as a last-ditch bid to earn a varsity letter unleashes a series of
life-changing and often unexpected events. It is a nostalgic and heartfelt
story of faith, friendship, unexpected love and the pressure to outrun regret.
My wife,
Patty, is the inspiration behind this story. I wanted to capture the essence of
how we first met some forty-five years ago.
Who is your target audience, and why do you think this
book will appeal to them?
I wrote this book intending to reach a wide audience. The Christian fiction crowd love to read
stories with a message that can bolster their faith. I believe the book will
also appeal to those who like sports stories, readers who pull for the underdog
and cheer when someone is able to overcome adversity. Lastly, I believe readers
of romantic fiction will enjoy the twists and turns of the relationship between
Carson and Paige. It may begin as a sports story in a university setting but it
quickly becomes a story of unexpected love.
Who is your target audience, and
why do you think this book will appeal to them?
I hope this book inspires readers to explore the life-changing
power of forgiveness and that it’s never too late to run towards the person you
were meant to become.
Can you share a surprising or little-known
fact about your writing process or research for this book?
I really thought this book was going to be difficult to write as I was fleshing out the outline. Afterall, I was writing a story based on an experience that happened to me forty-five years ago. To overcome this, I immersed myself in my college yearbook, the college’s student newspaper, old photographs, my wife’s scrapbook and a playlist of 1970s music. Eventually, useful memories came flooding back. Most of the dialog came to me as I was out walking and listening to music. I recorded my thoughts on the Note app on my iPhone as I exercised.
What's the most memorable or impactful
response you've received from a reader, and how has it affected you?
What began as me trying to capture the essence of my cross-country running experience turned out to be a 52,000-word love letter to my wife. She had been reading the chapters as finished them and would comment on how well they were written. I began to wonder if I had missed the mark with such a generic compliment. When she finally had a chance to read the complete edited manuscript, she paid me the biggest compliment I could ever have hoped for when I looked over and saw her crying her eyes out because she was so moved by the story.
What's the one question you wish readers
would ask you about your book, and how would you answer it?
The story you wrote is fiction, how much of it is based on true
events? Virtually all of the events in the book happened, especially the races
I ran in and my finishing times. I took some liberties with how the
relationship between Carson and Paige unfolded.
The antics involving Carson and his roommate were also mostly true.
Do you have any more books in the works?
There is the possibility of a sequel to The Race Against Time if enough readers call for one. The Race Against Time limits itself to how Paige and Carson met. I am interested in writing historical fiction novels and consider The Race Against Time as a dress rehearsal for diving into that genre.
What's the most challenging part of the
writing process for you, and how do you overcome it?
It would have to be capturing an idea in my head on paper. This usually involves starting with part A and proceeding to part B. I begin by writing out my thought in grade school level sentences that show the progression. I add in context and some basic dialog. Then, I come back to my artistic sketch and start to add the color by upgrading the wording, detailing the scene and expanding the dialog. This process continues several more times until I get to a point where I say, “Wow, did I write that!”
What's the best writing advice you've ever received, and from whom?
The best writing advice I ever received came from a university professor, Dr. Richard Middleton. Over lunch I discussed all the grandiose plans I had to about write about heaven, the afterlife and eschatology. He gently picked apart my ideas one by one. I left our meeting more discouraged than you could possibly image. But he did leave me with a piece of advice which turned out to be the best advice I ever received. He said, “Bill, write about what you know.”
Your favorite quote/saying to live by?
I believe in divine providence, that God involves Himself in the affairs of men. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
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What others are saying about The Race Against Time:
“It is said sport is a microcosm of life. The author did a wonderful job of demonstrating such with the tale he threads in this book. It is not often, the sport of cross country running becomes a storyline for a book. The author uses his excellent creative writing and storytelling skills to develop intersecting plotlines that will hold the attention of both the familiar and unfamiliar to the sport of cross country. Running is but part of the setting and not the real story of this book. The author blends the characters’ personalities with their day-to-day struggles of balancing life’s successes and failures, while navigating the mysteries of young love. It is a story of perseverance that conveys many of life’s truths.”
-- Dr. Craig Hayward, EdD. retired university professor and coach
“The Race Against Time is a heart-warming story of college athleticism, deep love, and, above all, the way God works in the lives of all of His children to guide them to the path He intends for their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed Roushey's narration of the triumphs and pitfalls of competing at a college level, and the Christ-centered romance really takes the cake for me. I think all of Roushey's readers will learn more about the power of surrendering their desires to the Lord and how trusting in Him will always allow things to work out for the best, even if it's not how you expect - I know I certainly have.”
-- Branwyn M. Wilkinson, MSL, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement at RWU
“A delightful portrayal of where faith and determination intersect with the sparks of love, and where overcoming one's past often requires a willingness to trust in others who truly know you. The author takes you on a journey of hope, connection, and fun, while also reaching into the depths of the transformative power of God.”
-- Kimberly Brittin, Operations Director, Pearce Church
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Other books by William Roushey:
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William Roushey lives in Western New York with his wife, Patty, and their two dachshunds. A retired maintenance worker and manufacturing professional, he now writes by the lake, leads Bible studies, and explores genealogy. His books and blog reflect faith, family, and intentional storytelling. Connect with William: www.billroushey.com
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