Today I am thrilled to share a truly special feature on the blog—an interview with author Madeline (Maddie) Arnold, daughter of Pastor Dane Burk, about her powerful new memoir, Box of Darkness.
For readers who were moved by Educated by Tara Westover or I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, Box of Darkness offers another deeply honest, unflinching coming-of-age narrative. It follows Maddie, an 18-year-old who has loved Jesus for as long as she can remember and believes her future lies in mission work. Eager to begin Bible school in Florida—ready for purpose, and perhaps also ready to put a painful breakup behind her—she steps into what she believes is God’s calling.
Her father, Dane—a bold, charismatic pastor known for his heart, humor, and immense love for people—is diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. Six to twelve months to live without treatment.
“Dad, what do I do? Should I stay? Should I go?”
“Baby, I’m not about to get in the way of God’s plan for your life. We trust God. All of my life, my mission has been to glorify God. This tumor changes nothing.”
What unfolds over the next thirteen months is a journey marked by faith, grief, laughter, confusion, hope, and the quiet presence of a God who does not disappear when life unravels. It is raw and sincere—and full of the kind of honesty that stays with you long after you put the book down.
Why This Interview Matters to Me
This is far more than a typical author interview. I knew Dane—and I knew him well. He wasn’t only the youth pastor at my church, where I served as a youth leader; he was also my accountability partner and someone who walked beside me during one of the hardest seasons of my marriage. Maddie even includes a moment from Dane’s funeral where I shared how deeply he impacted my life. To see that memory woven into her book is both humbling and profoundly meaningful.
That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce you to Maddie as an author.
A Conversation with Maddie Arnold
Today we get to know her not only as the daughter of a beloved pastor, but as a gifted writer with her own evolving story to tell.
Let’s dive in.
I’m truly grateful that Maddie took the time to join us and share more about her writing journey. Her voice is both courageous and tender, and Box of Darkness shines with a wisdom beyond her years.
How long have you been writing, and what first inspired you to start?
- I’ve been journaling since middle school and writing short pieces for social media and speaking engagements since early adulthood.
- But this is my first full-length book—and I began it in January of 2025.
- Storytelling is how I process grief and disappointment, and how I recognize the ways God has walked with me and carried me through every season.
- Writing lets me express what I saw and felt…and hopefully invites someone else into that space so they feel less alone.
What genre do you write—and what genres do you personally love to read?
- I write memoir—raw, honest, faith-filled, sometimes humorous, and unafraid to look directly at despair and ask where God is in it.
- I love reading historical fiction, memoir, and grounded nonfiction—stories that dig deep into the emotional layers beneath a life. I love “real,” because real people are the most complex characters.
Who are some of your favorite authors or books that have shaped you as a writer?
- Some of my favorite authors are below– if you click their pictures, you can visit their homepages.
- I absolutely adore Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died—its vulnerability is stunning.
- And my favorite book of all time is Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose, a missionary imprisoned during WWII.
- L’Engle and Halberstadt taught me to look for wonder, eternity, and purpose in every hard-won step of life.
For readers meeting you for the first time, how would you describe your writing style and the themes you gravitate toward?
- I write like I journal—heart wide open. Honest, imperfect, emotional, and real. I’m drawn to stories of survival and endurance.
- I’ve never gone without food or shelter, but I understand the battle of the spirit, and that indomitable thread is woven through my writing.
What’s the story behind your current book or series—what drew you into that world or these characters?
- My current series follows the past decade of my life—because it truly has been a roller coaster.
- Book One, This Box of Darkness, tells the story of my dad’s final year of life and his choice to glorify God while battling terminal brain cancer.
- It’s also about his daughter (me!) wrestling with watching him fade away and trying to hold onto hope.
Which character in your latest book surprised you the most during the writing process?
- Wes. I thought I had fully processed that relationship…until I wrote it down.
- There were days I collapsed into my husband’s arms saying, “Why did he treat me like that when my dad was dying and all I wanted was to be loved?”
- Writing forced me to confront things I didn’t realize I was still carrying.
Do you have a favorite scene in your current book? What makes it stand out to you?
The Bee Line scene—so dramatic and Pride & Prejudice-coded.
Some people may think I embellished it…absolutely not.
That’s exactly how it happened.
I also love the chapter about my dad’s first brain surgery.
Anyone who battles anxiety or panic attacks will recognize themselves in that moment.
The emotions throughout this book are vivid and deeply human.
Every writer has their own rhythm—what does your writing routine look like on a good day?
- When I started this book, I was a stay-at-home mom. I could sit for five uninterrupted hours in a flow state.
- Now I work four jobs—so I relive memories, feel the feelings all over again, and scribble sentences between teaching classes and serving my kids dinner.
Was there a moment while writing this book when everything suddenly clicked (or when you almost threw the manuscript across the room)?
- Yes—and it involved Jamie.
- I can’t reveal much because more will be shared in the upcoming books, but I essentially solved a “cold case” of my own past.
- The revelation brought a surprising amount of closure and peace.
What books, movies, or personal experiences have influenced your storytelling the most?
I reference Pride and Prejudice, Doctor Who, and The Princess Bride throughout the book—because that’s who I was during that season of life.
But I strive to write like Madeleine L’Engle—like you’re sitting across from a friend with coffee, pouring out your soul.
Shameless plug– Escala’s Wish‘s Narrator, Tom Garland, sounds like “Wesley” from Princess Bride. My audiobook will be out at the end of January 2026, but you can listen to a sneak listen here.
If you could give one piece of advice to new or aspiring writers, what would you tell them?
- You have to believe in yourself to an almost delusional degree.
- And remember: writing the book is only the first mountain—an incredible achievement, but not the end of the journey.
- Your book might be good enough, but that doesn’t guarantee a publishing house will pick it up. Don’t be afraid to put it out into the world yourself.
What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you that readers wouldn’t guess from your official bio?
- I like going to bed at 8 p.m.
- I love playing video games!
What are you currently working on, and what can readers expect from you next?
- Book Two. Expect the same level of vulnerability—me ripping open my ribcage and showing you my heart.
- What happens after the funeral?
- What does grief look like once the casseroles stop coming?
- What did God do in that aftermath?
- What happened with Jamie?
- Who is Jack???
- And this time, I’m hoping my mom will co-author!
How do you stay motivated or creative when the writing gets tough?
- I don’t force it. Lately, I’ve been wrestling with the plot of Book Two—asking, “What is the story God wants to tell?”
- I trust that when the time is right, He’ll let the words pour out again.
Where can readers follow you online and keep up with your future books?
Thank you Maddie for sharing!
