>>> WELCOME TO "DIALOGUE."

I'M MARCIA FRANKLIN.

WELCOME TO THOSE LISTENING ON PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS AND ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB.

MR.

EVANS IS THE AUTHOR OF 17 BOOKS INCLUDING 11 "NEW YORK TIMES" BEST SELLERS.

THOSE BOOKS INCLUDE THE LAST PROMISE, FINDING NOELLE AND HIS NUMBER ONE BEST SELLER, THE CHRISTMAS BOX.

HE'S ALSO A FLAN TRO PIVOT, DONATING SOME OF THE PROCEEDS FROM HIS BOOKS TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SERVICES FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

HIS MOST RECENT BOOK IS CALLED "THE GIFT," AND IT DRAWS ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.

HERE TO TALK WITH ME IS AUTHOR RICHARD PAUL EVANS.

WELCOME.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> BECAUSE THIS IS A TAPED PROGRAM THERE WILL BE NO CALL-INS.

LAST TIMEEEEKE WAS IN 2002.

YOU HAVE BEEN QUITE BUSY.

YOU'VE PUBLISHED FOUR BOOKS SINCE THEN.

I THINK TAKING OFF ONLY 2005.

YOU'VE PUBLISHED ABOUT EVERY YEAR?

>> RIGHT.

>> THE THEMES OF YOUR BOOKS, WHICH ARE FICTION, NEVERTHELESS OFTEN DRAW ON THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TOOU IN YOUR LIFE.

IN THIS PARTICULAR BOOK, THE GIFT, THAT YOU JUST WROTE, THE MAIN CHARACTER HAS TOURETTE SYNDROME, WHICH I UNDERSTAND YOU ALSO HAVE.

COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THAT SYNDROME, WHICH IS BASICALLY INVOLUNTARY TICS, SOUNDS SOMETIMES, HOW IT'S AFFECTED YOU AND YOUR LIFE EMOTIONALLY?

>> GROWING UP IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.

SITTING AT LUNCH ALONE AT SCHOOL BECAUSE YOU'RE MAKING NOISES OR PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SIT BY YOU.

IT'S A TOUGH THING FOR CHILDREN.

AS YOU GROW OLDER IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT AROUND THE AGE OF 23 THE TICS STARTED TO LET UP.

I HAVE THREE MAI MANIFESTATIONS.

I HAVE HAD MORE THAN 20 KINDS.

I-HAVE THE IMPULSE TO SPIT IN THE FACE OF FAMOUS PEOPLE, WHICH IS A VERY PECULIAR ONE.

I WAS ACTUALLY IN THE OVAL OFFICE WITH PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON.

IT WAS NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, AND I HAD TO BITE MY TONGUE.

I WAS TERRIFIED I WAS GOING TO DO IT.

THE THIRD IMPULSE IS TO TOUCH SHARP OBJECTS.

I USUALLY FOLD BILLS AND CARRY THEM AROUND WITH ME.

IT'S AN INTERESTING KIND OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER.

I HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO WRITE ABOUT IT AND SHED LIGHT ON IT AND TALK ABOUT IT.

>> WAS MUCH KNOWN ABOUT IT WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?

YOU'RE IN YOUR MID 40'S.

>> NO, EVEN NOW THERE'S SO MUCH THAT PEOPLE D'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

WE DON'T SCIENTIFICALLY KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT.

ONE RESEARCH SPECIALIST SAID HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO IT, SAID I THOUGHT I WOULD KNOW IN A FEW YEARS.

WE'RE NO CLOSER THAN 12 YEARS AGO TO KNOWING WHAT CAUSES IT.

THE MISCONCEPTIONS ARE REALLY BROOD.

WE TALK ABOUT WHAT ABOUT BOB, RE HE IS SHOUTING PROFANITIES.

ABOUT 10% OF THOSE WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME DO THAT.

MOST OF US HAVE SOMETHING ELSE.

>> THE CHARACTER IN "THE GIFT" HAS TOURETTE SYNDROME.

DID YOU WANT TO YOU THEOWER OF WRITING TO HAVE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE OR BOTH?

>> INITIALLY I DON'T KNOW WHY, MY BOOKS ARE KIND OF PERSONAL EXSES IN A WAY.

I LOOK BACK, I CAN'T BELIEVE I SHARED THAT.

EVERYTHING KIND OF COMES OUT.

THERE'S A FLOW MOTION TO IT.

AS I ACTUALLY AFTER THE BOOK WAS DONE I THOUGHT, WHY DID YOU TELL?

FIRST OF ALL, JUST BECAUSE A CHARACTER HAS TOURETTE SYNDROME DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE IT.

I THOUGHT, CRITICS WILL ATTACK IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TOURETTE SYNDROME IS AND I DO.

I WANTED THEM TO KNOW I HAVE A VERY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THIS.

THE SECOND THING THAT REALLY HIT ME, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A LITTLE BOY WHO HAS TOURETTE SYNDROME.

MICHAEL'S IS MORE SEVERE THAN MY OWN.

AS PARENTS WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

I DON'T WANT HIM TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING I WENT THROUGH.

HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL GET ENOUGH "DIALOGUE" AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT IT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE A GELER EXPERIENCE.

>> THERE IS AN ASSOCIATION THAT PEOPLE CAN GO TO ON THE WEB FOR MORE INFORMATION.

AS TO THE STORY LINE ITSELF, IT ALSO DRAWS ON EXPERIENCES WE ALL HAVE.

FOR ONE THING CHANCE ENCOUNTERS IN AIRLINE TERMINALS IS HOW THIS STARTS.

IN THIS CASE THE MAIN CHARACTER WE JUST DISCUSS MEETS A LITTLE BOY IN AN AIRPLANE TERMINAL WHO ALTHOUGH HE'S ILL WITH CANCER SEEMS TO HAVE REALLY AMAZING POWERS.

>> WHERE IT STARTS, YOU SEE THIS LITTLE BOY WHO IS REALLY AN IRONY.

HE LOOKS VERY SICK.

HERE HE IS IN A CROWDED DENVER AIRPORT.

HE'S WEARING A SURGEON'S MASK.

THERE ARE FLIGHTS CANCELED, SO HE'S STANDING IN LINE AND EVERYONE IS CROSS AND PEOPLE ARE CAMPING OUT ALL OVER.

THE MAIN CHARACTER, NATHAN, HAS A ROOM BOOKED.

WHEN HE SEES THIS MOTHER AND TWO LITTLE KIDS, THIS POOR LITTLE BOY LOOKS SO SICK AND WEARY, HE OFFERS HIS ROOM TO THEM.

HE'S NOT SURE WHY, JUST SOMETHING PULLED HIS HEART.

SO HE -- AT FIRST THEY DECLINE, THEN THEY DECIDE TO DO IT.

THAT'S HOW THEY MEET.

THE LITTLE BOY OUT OF GRATITUDE AFTER THEY ARE IN THE ROOM COMES UP AND TOUCHES HIM.

OUR MAIN CHARACTER IS VERY SICK.

HE'S COUGHING FROM BOCA RATON IS CHIETS.

HERE HE IS SICK, HE OFFERS HIS ROOM TO SOMEONE ELSE.

THE LITTLE BOY TOUCHES HIM AND THE COUGH NOT ONLY GOES AWAY BUT HE REALIZED LATER SO DID HIS TOURETTE SYNDROME.

HE REALIZES SOMETHING VERY PROFOUND HAS HAPPENED AND HE'S NOT SURE HOW TO APPROACH THIS WITHOUT SOUNDING CRAZY, BUT YOUR BOY JUST DID SOMETHING.

>> IN YOUR OWN LIFE YOU WITNESSED WHATT YOU FEEL IS A HEALING IN YOUR OWN FAMILY.

>> I WAS RAISED WHAT CHRISTIANS CALL GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.

I JUST WATCHED IT, AND EXPERIENCED IT AND SAW THESE KINDS OF MIRACLES.

IT WASN'T UNTIL LATER ON PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE IT.

I SAW IT.

WHEN I FIRST MOVED FROM LOS ANGELES MY SON MOVED FROM CALIFORNIA TO UTAH, MY BROTHER AND I WERE CLIMB AGO TREE ONE SATURDAY, AND SUDDENLY I HEARD THIS LOUD ZAP.

I LOOK UP AND I SEE MY BROTHER FALL.

HE HAD JUST GRABBED A $7 -- A 7,000 VOLT POWERLINE.

HE HIT THE GROUND.

I SCURRIED DOWN THE TREE SCREAMING FOR MY MOTHER.

WHEN SHE CAME OUT WE THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD.

WE SAW HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF HIS SHOES WHERE THE ELECTRICITY HAD BLOWN OUT THE SOLES OF HIS SHOES IT WAS SO POWERFUL.

MY MOTHER SHOOK HIM AND CALLED HIS NAME, AND TO OUR RELIEF HE BEGAN TO CRY.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS.

I WAS CROUCHED NEXT TO HIM.

HE HELD UP HIS HAND AND HE SAID, MOMMY, MY HAND HURTS.

I LOOKED DOWN AND IT WAS GROTESQUE.

THE LINE WAS BURNED INTO HIPS HAND.

YOU COULD SEE EVERYTHING.

IT ACTUALLY CAUGHT RISED ALL THE WAY TO THE BONE.

THAT NIGHT MY GRANDFATHER CAME OVER AND GAVE MY BROTHER A BLESSING.

HE SAID YOUR HAND WILL BE HEALED COMPLETE LIZ WITHOUT ANY MARK, ANY SCAR, ANY BLEMISH.

A THIRD DEGREE BURN DOESN'T HEAL WITHOUT A SCAR.

THEY WRAPPED IT IN BANDAGES.

A MONTH LATER THE DOCTOR LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, ARE YOU PLAYING A JOKE ON ME?

WHERE IS THE BOY?

NO, THIS IS HIM.

THERE WAS NO MARK.

IT WAS COMPLETELY HEALED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THREE INSTANSZS I SAW JUST WITH MY BROTHER.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME.

YET ON A BROADER SCALE I THINK MY BOOKS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT HEALING, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL AS WELL.

>> WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT'S NECESSARY TO WRITE SO MUCH ABOUT THAT THEME OF HEALING?

>> I HAVE NEVER -- FROM THE OUTSIDE THOUGHT I'M GOING TO GO WRITE ABOUT HEALING.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S DRIVEN INTERNALLY.

I THINK WE ALL WANT TO BE HEALED FROM THE HARDSHIPS OF OUR PAST, FROM BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS, FROM THE WORLD, FROM THINGS WE ENCOUNTER.

THE MEANNESS, FRIGHTENING THINGS, THE ACCIDENTS.

WE ALL HAVE A NEED FOR HEALING.

I THINK EVERY WRITER HAS A CALLING.

THIS EHAVE A CERTAIN THING THAT COMES OUT OF THEM.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHY.

IN THIS CASE, MY FIRST BOOK, THE CHRISTMAS BOX, IT WAS A STORY ABOUT -- IT'S A CHRISTMAS STORY TO TELL MY DAUGHTERS HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM.

TO THIS DAY I GET CALLS EVERY WEEK.

I'VE GOTTEN THOUSANDS OF CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO TELL ME ABOUT HEALING IN THEIR LIVES.

I WALKED INTO IT NOT KNOWING THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT WORRYING WHETHER CRITICS WOULD UNDERSTAND OR MAKE FUN OF TOURETTE SYNDROME IN YOUR BOOK.

WHAT ABOUT THIS THEME OF HEALING.

YOU SAID SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T BELIEVE IN IT.

DO YOU FIND THAT CRITICS POINT AT THAT WITH SOME SKEPTICISM?

>> CRITICS ARE INTERESTING ANIMALS.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED ALL THE REVIEWS WERE REALLY GOOD ON MY BOOKS.

THEN I SIGNED A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR DEAL AND MY AGENT SAID, BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES.

THE CRITICS HATE YOU NOW.

SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

SURE ENOUGH THE REVIEWS ALL TURNED NASTY.

I THOUGHT, THAT'S INTRIGUING.

AT SOME POINT THEY ALWAYS MENTIONED MONEY.

CRITICS DON'T WRITE FOR THE PUBLIC, THEY TRY TO IMPRESS THEIR COLLEAGUES.

SECOND, THEY ARE INTENSELY JEALOUS.

LIKE LAST YEAR I RECEIVED EVERY REVIEW OF MY BOOK WAS GOOD.

ACROSS THE BOARD.

"PEOPLE" MAGAZINE.

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, EXCEPT FOR TWO.

BOTH IN UTAH.

PEOPLE THAT ARE CLOSE TO ME.

THEY WRITE THESE NASTY REVIEWS.

YOU GET USED TO IT.

>> WITHOUT GIVING THE STORY AWAY THERE'S A THEME IN THE BOOK, "THE GIFT," ABOUT WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN A NEGATIVE SENSE WHEN THE MEDIA GETS HOLD OF A STORY.

IN THIS CASE THE BOY WITH HIS POWERS.

I KNOW THAT YOU YOURSELF HAVE HAD A LOT OF MEDIA INTRUSION IN YOUR LIFE WHEN ONE LIBRARY OR BOOKSTORE BANNED THE LAST PROMISE?

>> BOOKSTORE CHAIN.

AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE AND THE MEDIA ATTENTION WERE YOU TRYING TO MAKE A POINT IN THIS BOOK?

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT AWAY, BUT THERE'S A SECTION WHERE THERE'S HOARDS OF MEDIA INTRUDING ON THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THE BOOK.

>> MY BACKGROUND IS PUBLIC RELATIONS.

I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE ANY AXE E TO GRIND WITH THE MEDIA.

THE MEDIA HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME.

INITIAL STORIES IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" ABOUT MY BOOKS WERE REALLY TREMENDOUS.

IT'S JUST PART OF THE SCENE.

WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SHOW IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TODAY.

WHEN I GIVE THE FIRST MANUSCRIPT TO MY EDITOR, SHE JEWISH, SHE READ IT, SHE SAID, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A STORY ABOUT JESUS.

AN INTERESTING TAKE.

SHE SAID, A VERY TRICKY STORY TO WRITE.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

I SAID I'M WRITING ABOUT A BOY AND HIS MOTHER.

THE MOTHER TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS CHILD.

SHE GOES, YOU'RE FINE.

THAT'S HOW IT CAME OUT.

BUT IN TERMS OF TAKING THAT EXPERIENCE, IF JESUS WERE TO COME TO THE EARTH TODAY, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, AND JESUS WOULD ALWAYS SAY TO PEOPLE AFTER HE HEALED THEM, TELL NO ONE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE IF WE HAD VIDEO PHONES AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE NOW?

IT WOULD BE OUGHT NEWS.

FROM A P.R.

STANDPOINT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO BUILD A CHURCH, HEAL SOMEONE, CALL OPRAH.

I ACTUALLY LEARNED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WRITING THE BOOK WHY HE WAS SAYING THAT.

IT BECAME THE UNDERLYING THEME OF THE BOOK.

EVYONE ARRIVED HERE WITH A ONE-WAY TICKET.

WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE.

PHYSICAL HEALING IS TEMPORARY AT BEST.

THE HEALING THAT MATTERS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ETERNAL.

IT'S ABOUT HEALING OUR HEARTS AND OUR AIRPORTS.

MY FAVORITE LINE IN THE BOOK IS WHAT GOOD IS A NEW HEART IF WE ARE ONLY TO FILL IT WITH INTOLERANCE AND HATRED AND COWARDICE.

>> THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THIS STORY AND PUSHING DAYSEES, THE NETWORK SHOW ABOUT A MAN WHO REALIZES AS A BOY HE CAN HEAL PEOPLE, BUT WITHOUT -- IT'S NOT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES AS WELL.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT SHOW?

YOU HAVEN'T?

I'LL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU, IT'S A VERY POPULAR SHOW BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT SOMEONE WHO CAN HEAL WITH A TOUCH.

IF HE TOUCHES AGAIN THE PERSON DIES.

>> I JUST HEARD ABOUT THIS.

NEW SHOW?

>> IT'S BEEN ON A COUPLE MONTHS.

INTERESTING THAT THEME IS COMING OUT IN OTHER PLACES.

>> HEALING IS SOMETHING I'M CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST.

JODIE PICOE WROTE A STORY ABOUT HEALING.

I PURPOSELY DIDN'T WANT TO BE INFLUENCED BY IT.

>> COULD THIS BOOK BECOME A MOVIE?

I KNOW SOME OF YOUR OTHER -- >> WE HAVE HAD FOUR BOOKS TURNED INTO TELEVISION MOVIES.

THIS ONE WE ARE HAVING VERY POSITIVE COMMENTS, THEN THE WRITERS STRIKE STARTED AND IT KIND OF STOPPED EVERYTHING.

NOW THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR THAT TO BLOW OR AND HOPEFULLY SELL THE MOVIE RIGHTS.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE MEDIA THAT'S IN THIS STORY, KIND EVER THE MEDIA CRUSH WHEN PEOPLE FIND OUT ABOUT A MIRACLE HAPPENING.

OF COURSE, THIS ISWO-SIDED.

THE MEDIA WOULDN'T SELL ANY PAPERS OR ADS IF THE PUBLIC DIDN'T HAVE AN APPETITE FOR STORIES LIKE THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> PEOPLE IN THIS STORY JUST WANT TO TOUCH ANYTHING THAT THIS BOY HAD.

IS THAT KIND OF GREED EMOTIONAL NEEDINESS ALSO PART OF THE THEME OF THIS BOOK?

PEOPLE'S INSATIABLE DESIRE?

>> NOT INITIALLY IN A BAD WAY.

I RECEIVED A LETTER, ON THE FLAP COPY I TALKED ABOUT MY GRANDFATHER AND I RECEIVED AN EMAIL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SAYING MY SON WAS PARALYZED IN A FOOTBALL GAME.

CAN YOUR GRANDFATHER HEAL HIM?

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

IT'S NOT REALLY THAT FAR OFF.

WE KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN, THAT PEOPLE WOULD COME.

IT'S NOT THAT THEY ARE BAD.

IT'S NOT EVEN THAT -- I DON'T EQUATE THAT WITH THE SAME KIND OF LINDSAY LOHAN-BRITNEY SPEARS JUNK THAT HAPPENS.

WE WANT TO BE HEALED.

THAT'S A VERY POWERFUL THING.

IT'S A VERY POWERFUL POLITICAL THING.

I USED TO BE A POLITICAL CONSULTANT.

SOMEONE SAID IF YOU WANT TO CONTROL A CULTURE OR SOCIETY CONTROL THEIR HEALTH CARE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT'S NECESSARILY WRONG WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE AND YOU SEE THEM HURTING, WHEN MY MOTHER WAS SICK I GOT HER THE BEST CARE I COULD.

BECAUSE I COULD.

BECAUSE I HAD THE CONNECTIONS, THE MONEY, I COULD GET HER THE BEST CARIN THE WORLD, BUT SHE STILL DIED.

>> PART OF THE STORY AS WELL IS ABOUT HOW THIS BOY CAN HEAL BUT NOT WITHOUT HIS OWN CONSEQUENCES.

WITHOUT COST.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT TRADEOFF IN THE BOOK?

IT'S VERY POIGNANT.

>> BECAUSE WHAT I WANTED TO SHOW HERE WAS NOT THAT THE GREAT MIRACLE WAS THAT HE HAD A POWER TO HEAL.

I BELIEVE ON SOME LEVEL WE ALL HAVE THE POWER TO HEAL.

MAYBE NOT NECESSARILY LIKE HE DOES, TOUCHING SOMEONE AND MAKING THEM BETTER, BUT WE CAN HEAL PEOPLE AROUND US .S THERE'S SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW WHO YOU COULD HEAL A PORTION OF THEIR LIFE.

WHAT'S AMAZING ABOUT THE BOY IS NOT THAT HE DID IT BUT THAT HE HAD THE WILL TO.

THAT'S THE UNDERLYING MESSAGE OF THE BOOK.

DO WE HAVE THE WILL TO HEAL THE WORLD.

IF WE HAVE THE WILL WE CAN DO IT.

WE CAN SAVE OUR PLANET, WE CAN SAVE EACH OTHER.

BOTTOM LINE OF ALL MIRACLES IS LOVE.

THAT TO ME IS THE CORE QUESTION.

HEALING IS ABOUT LOVE.

>> I KNOW YOU'VE FOCUSED A LOT OF ATTENTION IN DIVERTING SOME OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE PROFITS OF THE SALES OF YOUR BOOKS TO THE CHRISTMAS BOX HOUSE INTERNATIONAL FUND THAT I MENTIONED.

LAST TIME WE SPOKE THERE WERE THREE TRANSITIONAL HOUSES AND A FOURTH ONE STARTING TO HELP ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

WHERE ARE YOU WITH THE PROJECT?

>> WE HAVE LAUNCHED SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL THAT AFFECTS IDAHO.

WE NOW HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE IDAHO CHILDREN'S SERVICES.

WHEN A CHILD GROWS UP AND HIT THE AGE THEY ARE TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE SYSTEM, WE PROVIDE THEM A LIFE STARTER KIT, A BOX THAT'S FILLED WITH THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

WHEN MY DAUGHTER WENT OFF TO COLLEGE MY WIFE TOOK HER OUT AND BOUGHT HER EVERYTHING SHE WOULD NEED TO MOVE OUT.

WE NOW PROVIDE THOSE FOR EVERY CHILD IN THE STATE OF IDAHO, EVERY YOUTH WHO LEAVES THE SYSTEM NOW.

THAT'S ONE OF THREE STATES.

UTAH, IDAHO AND NEVADA.

NOW WE'RE MOVING INTO WASHINGTON.

OUR GOAL TO HELP THEM START THEIR LIVES BETTER AND EVENTUALLY HAVE MENTORING ATTACHED TO THAT SO WE CAN REVERSE THE HORRIBLE NUMBERS WHERE MORE THAN HALF THE WOMEN ARE PREGNANT WITHIN 24 MONTHS.

MORE THAN 90% LIVE IN POVERTY.

WE WANT TO HELP THESE YOUTH TO HAVE GOOD LIVES AND REVERSE THE TREND OF PAIN THEY ARE USED TO.

A LOT OF THEM GO BACK TO THE SAME ABUSIVE SITUATION THEY LEFT ALL THOSE YEARS.

THAT'S OUR GOAL.

>> HOW MUCH ARE YOU ABLE TO DIVERT?

WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE YOU ABLE TO GIVE TO CHRISTMAS BOX INTERNATIONAL?

>> I HAVE GIVEN MILLIONS.

YES.

I GAVE MORE IN THE OLD DAYS.

IT ABOUT BANKRUPTED ME.

NOW I JUST HOLD NOTES.

I GAVE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS.

I LOANED THEM SEVERAL MILLION.

I FORGIVE THE DEBT EVERY YEAR.

IT'S A FAIRLY SIZABLE AMOUNT.

>> AT ONE POINT IN YOUR LIFE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT, ISSUES SURROUNDING CHILDREN.

DO YOU STILL HAVE THAT DESIRE?

>> NOT AT ALL.

>> YOU'RE HEALED OF THAT, SO TO SPEAK?

>> EXACTLY.

I DID THAT BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS BOX.

I-LOST BY 100 VOTES.

I REMEMBER THE NIGHT WATCHING THE RETURNS COMING IN, GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH ME AND THIS WOMAN, STATE LEGISLATOR.

I LOST BY A LITTLE OVER 100 VOTES.

MY WIFE SAID, ARE YOU UPSET?

I SAID, NOT REALLY.

I WAS SO EXAWTED BY THE WHOLE PROCESS.

SHE SAID, GOOD, I'M GLAD YOU DIDN'T WIN.

THAT'S WHY I WROTE THE CHRISTMAS BOX.

THE WOMAN WHO WON REMINDED ME FOR YEARS.

SHE SAID, YOU OUGHT TO FUND MY CAMPAIGN.

IF YOU HAD LOST THERE WOULD BE NO CHRISTMAS BOX.

FRANKLY, POLITICS USED TO BE IN MY BLOOD.

I DON'T LOVE IT ANY MORE.

I AM GLAD I HAD THE EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I DEAL WITH POLITICS ALL THE TIME WITH ABUSED CHILDREN, BUT SOMEDAY IT MAY COME BACK.

I HAD A DREAM THAT I WAS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF UTAH.

MAYBE SOMEDAY.

BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE THE KIND OF THE EGO DRIVE.

I HAVE THE EGO NEEDS AND EVERYTHING, I WOULD PROBABLY BE A MUCH BETTER LEADER BECAUSE I DON'T NEED MONEY OR EGO.

THE ONLY REASON I WOULD DO IT IS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR MY FAMILY, MY LOVED ONES, MY HOME STATE.

>> ONE OF THE QUASI POLITICAL STATEMENTS YOU FEEL IS IMPORTANT IS PEOPLE'S FISCAL -- WHAT YOU CALL IRRESPONSIBILITY, THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE BANKRUPT OR OVER THEIR ABILITY TO PAY BACK.

YOU'VE CALLED IT ONE OF THE GRAVEST PROBLEMS FACING MODERN AMERICA, THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SOLD THEMSELVES INTO FINANCIAL BONDAGE.

I KNOW THAT THIS AREA THAT WE LIVE IN, THIS ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA, IS VERY HIGH IN PEOPLE THAT ARE VICTIMS OF FRAUD.

SO YOU HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK.

IT'S NOT A FICTION BOOK.

IT'S A DIVERSION FROM THE NORMAL TREND CALLED THE FIVE LESSONS A MILLIONAIRE TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE, WHICH IS DIRECTED AT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOME OF THESE SPENDING ISSUES.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING BOOK.

FIRST OF ALL I WAS AFRAID IF I WROTE A BOOK ABOUT HOW TO GET RICH IT WAS TO MAKE ME RICH.

SO I GAVE AWAY ALL THE PROCEEDS.

I'VE LOST MONEY ON THIS BOOK.

IT'S MY FIRST -- >> YOU TOOK AWAY ONE OF MY QUESTIONS TOO.

>> MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLER.

I RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT SAID, CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR BOOK IS A NUMBER ONE BEST SELLNER TAIWAN.

NOW IT'S MOVING TO CHINA AND KOREA AND BRAZIL.

I WAS SURPRISED AT THE REVIEWS.

>> THE PURPOSE AGAIN WAS -- >> TO SAVE LIVES.

ESPECIALLY I HAVE A REAL STRONG PLACE IN MY HEART FOR SINGLE MOTHERS.

ISRAEL WORRY ABOUT THEM.

-- I REALLY WORRY ABOUT THEM.

I MEET THEM AT MY BOOK SIGNINGS.

I MET A WOMAN WHO SAVED UP FOR TWO MONTHS TO BUY A COPY OF MY BOOK.

TWO MONTHS.

$20.

HEART BREAKING.

>> IT AMAZES ME THAT BOOKS COME OUT FIRST IN HARD BACK IN THIS COUNTRY, MAKING THEM MORE INACCESSIBLE.

IN EUROPE THEY COME OUT IN PAPERBACK FIRST AND HARD BACK IF IT DOES WELL.

IT DOES MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO BUY.

>> MY CHRISTMAS BOX ACTUALLY STARTED IN PAPERBACK.

>> ACCESSIBLE.

>> I WAS SELLING IT FOR 4.95.

PART OF THE NEGOTIATION WAS I WANT EVERY AMERICAN TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

>> FIVE LESSONS A MILLIONAIRE TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE, SOME OF THEM ARE QUITE SIMPLE ONES, BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO REINFORCE THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY.

>> WELL, THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT THE PREMISE IS LIFE IS NOT ABOUT MONEY.

IT'S ABOUT GOD, FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS.

IT'S ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH, ABOUT HAVING EXPERIENCES, ABOUT ENJOYING LIFE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T TAKE CARE OF MONEY IT STARTS TO ENSLAVE THEM.

IT STARTS TO DICTATE HOW THEY WILL LIVE THEIR LIVES.

I MET A WOMAN THAT HAD MORE THAN 30 CREDIT CARDS.

SHE WAS BASICALLY A SLAVE.

SHE WORKED THREE JOBS.

SHE WORKED ALL THE TIME.

SHE SAID, I HAVE $120,000 OF SCHOOL DEBT.

I CAN NEVER PAY IT OFF.

I SAID, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

SHE SAID, I TOOK THE EASY WAY FOR A FEW YEARS.

>> WHAT ARE TWO LESSONS OF THE FIVE?

>> KEEP A PORTION OF EVERYTHING YOU EARN.

I SHOW THEM HOW TO DO THAT.

THE BIGGEST IS WINNING THE MARKET.

PEOPLE ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL AT EARNING A LOT OF MONEY AND KEEPING IT.

I KNOW A LOT OF RICH PEOPLE WHO DON'T KEEP THEIR MONEY.

THEY LEARN ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SAVE.

THEY SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON WHAT THEY BUY.

THEY FIND ADDITIONAL WAYS WITH DIFFERENT STREAMS OF INCOME.

I HAVE MORE THAN 20 STREAMS OF INCOME.

IT'S A MATTER OF LOOKING AT MONEY DIFFERENTLY AND HOW IT CAN COME TO YOUR AID.

>> YOU'VE HAD THIS SAVING PROPENSITY SINCE YOU WERE YOUNG.

>> YES.

I WAS ACTUALLY 12 WHEN I LEARNED THE FIVE LIST SONS.

IT'S A REAL STORY BASED ON THE FACT WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD MY FATHER FELL ON THE JOB SITE AND BROKE HIS LEGS.

AT THE TIME WE HAD EIGHT CHILDREN AND ALL OF THEM AT HOME.

NO INCOME AND NO INSURANCE.

WE'RE JUST WIPED OUT FINANCIALLY.

SLEPT ON THE FLOOR FOR TWO YEARS.

IT WAS DURING THIS TIME I MET A MAN FROM IDAHO, ASH TON, IDAHO, THE WEALTHIEST MAN I KNEW.

OWNED THE NUMBER ONE BASKETBALL TEAM IN AMERICA AT THE TIME.

>> WHO WAS THAT?

>> TERRY HEINZ.

WONDERFUL MAN.

HE TAUGHT ME THESE LESSONS.

NOBODY PAID ATTENTION.

MOST OF THE KIDS WERE RICH, BUT I WAS SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR.

IMMEDIATELY CHANGED MY LIFE AGE OF 16 I BOUGHT MY OWN CAR, PAID L MY SCHOOL EXPENSES.

BY 18 I SAVED UP ENOUGH FOR COLLEGE.

I PAID OFF MY HOUSE BY THE AGE OF 30.

I WENT BACK TO HIM TO ASK HIM ABOUT THE BOOK, AND HE'S A VERY HUMBLE MAN.

A VERY GOOD MAN.

I THINK HE SPENZ MOST OF THE TIME IN IDAHO NOW ON HIS RANCH.

I LOVE THAT MAN.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE PROCEEDS?

>> THEY GO TO THE CHRISTMAS BOX HOUSE.

>> YOU KNOW, DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOU'VE DONE REALLY WELL YOU'VE HAD SOME HARD TIMES, NOT ONLY IN YOUR CHILDHOOD, BUT YOU'VE ALLUDED TO IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, I LOST MONEY ON THIS BOOK, WTEVER, YOU'VE KNOWN PERSONALLY WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE LOW.

YOU'VE SPOKEN FRANKLY ABOUT THE FACT THAT DEPRESSION RUNS IN YOUR FAMILY.

YOUR MOTHER TRIED TO TAKE HER OWN LIFE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD.

YOU'VE SUFFERED FROM DEPRESSION AS WELL.

THIS PROGRAM AS WE TALK WILL BE AIRING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

MANY PEOPLE FEEL LOW AROUND THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM AS THEY GO THROUGH THAT PERIOD?

>> IF IT'S TRUE DEPRESSION, TRUE DEPRESSION IS A BOX AND YOU FIND YOURSELF IN IT.

YOU START TO BELIEVE IN THE DILUTIONS YOU SEE AN THEY AREN'T REAL.

IT TAKES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FAITH TO SAY THET AREN'T REAL AND TO GET HEL LIFE IS WORTH LIVING.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IT'S NOT A NATURAL STATE TO BE MORBIDLY UNHAPPY.

IF YOU'RE MORBIDLY UNHAPPY, SOMETHING IS WRONG.

>> MEANING YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR OWN LIFE.

>> YES.

I HAVE WALKED IN ON -- ACTUALLY STOPPED A SUICIDE IN MY FAMILY LAST YEAR.

I CALLED 911.

I WAS THERE.

IT'S SOMETHING I HAVE DEALT WITH INTIMATELY.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, YOU SHOULD KNOW YOU'RE VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY SPECIAL AND LOVED.

GET HELP.

FIND SOMEONE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO CARE.

>> WE HAVE JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

WANTED TO ASK YOU, MANY OF YOUR BOOKS NOW HAVE A CHRISTMAS THEME OR A HEALING THEME, A SPIRITUAL THEME.

YOU STARTED THAT WAY WITH CHRISTMAS BOX.

YOU MOVED AWAY FROM IT FOR A BIT, NOW YOU'VE COME BACK.

>> I WAS AFRAID OF IT.

DIDN'T WANT TO BECOME CHRTOPHER REEVE.

ONCE HE BECAME SUPERMAN IT SPOILED HIM FOR ANY OTHER ROLE.

I RAN FROM IT, AND I CREATED THIS WHOLE GENRE.

DIDN'T USED TO BE BIG TABLES OF CHRISTMAS BOX.

THERE WERE 300 IMITATIONS AFTER THE CHRISTMAS BOX.

PULITZER PRIZE WINNERS.

ALL WRITING THIGHS CHRISTMAS STORIES.

AFTER ABOUT EIGHT YEARS I THOUGHT, WHY AM I RUNNING?

I LOVE CHRISTMAS.

I'LL ALWAYS BE THE AUTHOR OF THE CHRISTMAS BOX.

I'M PROUD OF THAT BOOK.

IT'S MY FIRST BORN.

LAST YEAR I DECIDED I'M GOING TO WRITE A SERIES OF CHRISTMAS STORIES.

I STARTED WITH FINDING NOELLE.

SAS JUMPED UP 100,000 COPIES.

THIS YEAR THEY JUMPED UP ANOTHER 30% ABOVE THAT.

AFTER THIS LONG TO STILL BE WRITING THE MIRACLE, SALES ARE INCREASING AGAIN.

I DID THE RIGHT THING.

>> WILL YOUR NEXT PROJECT BE ALONG THE SAME LINES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK I'LL DO AT LEAST FIVE CHRISTMAS NOVELS.

GREAT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO TALK WITH US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK AND OTHER THINGSN YOUR LIFE.

YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO RICHARD PAUL EVA, AUTHOR OF MANY BEST SELLING BOOKS, THE LATEST OF WHICH IS CALLED "THE GIFT."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT THE "DIALOGUE" WEBSITE.

WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US SAME TIME NEXT WEEK.

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