An Update on the Writerly Thing

       Hey!
       So, I realize it's been awhile since I've posted anything on here. Things have been pretty crazy for the past few weeks- actually, let me rephrase that. Things have been pretty crazy this winter. And now spring is well on it's way, and they're sure to get even crazier.
       When I started working on Unseen Things last fall with Abby I had no idea what we were getting into! It went from being a simple serial story on my blog to a visually enhanced Kindle e-book that's due to be released in a few more weeks. Honestly, I never knew it would be such a huge growing experience, but I'm so thankful for every step of this journey. It pretty much equaled a six month derailment from my other projects, but, turns out, it really was something I needed to do. I can't fully explain it, but this process, along with other things that have been going on in my life this winter, have driven me forward in my writing career more than ever, in so many different ways. I wish I had the time and space to explore them all, but that would probably be the blog equivalent of the infamous "info dump" in newbie novels.
       At any rate, I would really appreciate your prayers as I continue to explore this crazy writing and publishing world a little more professionally. I'm driven in this. It's not just a dream for me, but a passion that only gets stronger. Books have shaped my life. They've changed me, they've saved me. This world is a crazy, changing place, and while God's word and His truth don't change, sometimes the practical applications of them do. Or at least there are more opportunities now to reach more people in more ways than there were in ancient times. Mentoring, encouraging, and challenging are all a pretty big deal in the New Testament. Older folks are told to help the younger ones to grow. To share their wisdom, and they do that because they've had experiences, and lessons, trials and triumphs that they've already gone through. I'm not old and rickety just yet, but I've been through things I'd rather not have, and still come out on the other side knowing that God is faithful, and that no matter the earthly end to our story, there's always hope. If there's anything I'd want to convey with my writing and my Christian walk, it's hope.
       Reading has given me that hope before, when I didn't have any. And I'm not talking about Bible stories, or biographies or how-to books on prayer or goodness knows what. I'm certainly not discounting them, either! But for me it has always been the stories. The stories that use fantasy and fiction to pinpoint truth so beautifully and so clearly, the fleshed out echoes of God's truth that explode with power. Those are what have worked in my life, and that is what I'm so passionate about passing on to my readers. Hope. Faith. Those things that the Bible tells us to encourage one another with, to mentor each other. But for a painfully shy introvert like me, sometimes the best way for me to step outside myself and nudge someone in the right direction is through story.
       Of course, I also have that annoying artistic temperament that makes any type of normal career downright painful. But hey...

       Anyway, I guess all that to say that I'm hoping God has a lot more in store for my writing career as I try to develop it further. I really appreciate your prayers and support.  With Unseen Things releasing very soon Abby and I have been pretty busy making sure we meet that deadline, but there are a lot more exciting things on the way as well!

Having A Blue-ish Valentine?

Hi there!
     With the seventh installment of Unseen Things coming out this weekend, and Valentine's Day on Sunday, I wanted to jump in here before hand and give a quick shout out to my single guys and gals that are dreading the "holiday" weekend.
     That's right, "holiday" in quotes. Anyone who's spent any time being single has had the conversation with themselves about how Valentine's Day isn't a real holiday. How it is marketed simply to create consumer demand. Girlfriends, sweethearts, and wives all over the country are encouraged to guilt trip their special someone into spending his hard earned cash on useless items like flowers and diamonds. Yawn. Who needs to feel bad about that? We've all told ourselves. Yet there's still that sinking feeling when you walk past the candy aisle in the store and see thousands of pounds of chocolate wrapped in red and pink, or that death stare you give the TV when a romantic jewelry store commercial comes on.
     Been there, done that! And on a side note, even though I've found my forever someone, Valentines Day really isn't a thing for Hubby and me. Because Love isn't something you should be guilt tripping. It's not something that you can box into any one special day. If he wants to say "I appreciate you" he brings me flowers (or tells me, or whatever)-- whenever! Or if I want him to know I was thinking about him that day... well the options are pretty endless. Why confine a love that's special and unique to the two of you to a day that someone else has set? But regardless, it is tough when it seems like the whole world is celebrating love, and you've got nothin'. Like I said, been there, done that. And nothing anyone can say in a blog post can change that gnawing feeling of being alone. Just know that you really aren't alone.
     Maybe if you're spending this Valentines Day by yourself you can try this. Once you've moped and pity partied sufficiently (go ahead and buy yourself that box of chocolates, too. Trust me, no one's pointing fingers), find someone else you know who's spending the day alone. Single friend? Cousin? Someone who found the love of their life and then lost them? Someone who's lovey-dovey is deployed? Send them a text to say hi, or take them on a date. 'Cause wouldn't it mean the world if someone did that for you?

Writer's Conference, Garden, and Puppy, Oh My!

       Things have been pretty crazy around here.
       I mean really, ridiculously busy.
       Two weeks ago we finally had to make the decision to put Snickers, our beagle, down. Her kidneys were failing, and it was pretty horrible to watch her getting worse and worse. We had known it was coming for a while, just a matter of time, but she couldn't have picked a worse time to go. Durned animal. I was in tears for days.

     That was last Wednesday. Friday, Hubby heard about someone that had basset hound puppies for sale, and went to "look" at them. He came home with this:

   
       At a whopping 7 1/2 weeks old, Freckles was not happy about going to live in a new place, with a new dog that wouldn't give her the time of day, and she let us know about it. Every. Single. Night.
       So, by the time the Montrose Christian Writer's Conference started last Sunday evening, I was already tired and out of sorts. By the time Monday rolled around, and I had to make that hour and a half commute first thing in the morning, I was using toothpicks to prop my eyes open. And so it went...
       Needless to say it ended up being an interesting week, and the conference I'd been looking forward to for months ended up sort of flying by in a daze of forced insomnia and grogginess. Things have gotten a little better since then... a little. I'm still not a great fan of madam Howls-In-The-Dark, but there is progress, so for now that will do.
       During the conference week I was able to carry on a conversation with a few people, which for an introvert like me is a pretty great accomplishment. Made some contacts, and even talked to an editor about my manuscript, Earthbound. The person I talked to does not handle fantasy or science fiction at all, but was impressed enough with the excerpt she read to offer to send my proposal on to her contact who does handle fantasy. That's, of course, when I get a proposal put together, which can't happen till I finish going through my manuscript and work out some of the plot kinks. Who knows if anything will come of it, but it was definitely a great encouragement.
       Meanwhile, writing time is in competition with an exploding garden, a countertop constantly overflowing with fresh produce that demands attention, and a puppy that also demands attention- much more loudly.
     One of the seminars I attended at the conference had to do with blogging, and the thing that jumped out at me the most about is the need to be consistent. It's something I've really struggled with, between life's crazy schedule, and lack of ideas (seriously, what do writers write about, when they're not Writing?). So, shamefaced and contrite, I'm resolving once again to try and do better. I do have a few ideas for some new posts, if I can get them written.
       What do you think? Any fun, different, exciting or crazy events going on in your life? Or do you have some great suggestions for blog post topics? I'd love to hear them!

     P.S. Since I started this post, a little time has passed, and Freckles, the new puppy, is doing a little better, making progress both in the letting us sleep department, and in figuring out that the floor is not the place to piddle randomly. She's still got a ways to go, but she's growing up fast! And happily, her and our other dog are finally getting along... most of the time.

Creating the Songs of the Kantra

         

     First, a confession: I'm no J.R.R. Tolkien.
     And by that I mean I'm not all about creating entire languages for my fictional races in my worlds, I don't necessarily have enough layers of fictional mythology and world history to fill another entire book, (see: The Silmarillian), and I'm definitely not a poet.
     So when I realized what I had done in Betrayer by creating the Kantra, a system of symbols and lyrics that hold power over creation itself, I panicked. Seriously- me- the one who HATES poetry, and I just came up with these magical songs that are essential to the book's plot. NOOOOOO!!!!!! But by that time it was too late to turn back. I couldn't not put them in, because that would just be weird, and I couldn't remove the whole idea, because that would require rewriting tens of thousands of words and coming up with a new plot.
     My forced stint in songwriting began with a look at what type of lyrics I wanted. Something rhythmic, obviously, otherwise it would just be a poem, not a song. Something that rhymed (horror!) - with the exception of the naiad song, which isn't actually part of the Kantra, and doesn't conform to human standards of music and verse. The Kantra is somewhat of a parallel to the Bible in our world, and so to the Bible I went for some inspiration for at least two of the songs.
     There was also some music that inspired me. First, the song "Morning has Broken." Love that one. I play it on my tinwhistle all the time. And I admit that was the melody and rhythm that inspire Evie's oft-used healing song.
     Second, the work of Fernando Ortega, a contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, whose songs many times echo out of the pages of Psalms. I love how he forms some of my favorite psalms into songs. Psalm 104 especially, in his "Creation Song."

     Psalm 130 was the psalm I used for the scene when Breac is held prisoner inside Leazor's mountain of Al Kazam.

 Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications... I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning...

     And from Psalm 139: If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.

    
     It was no picnic for this rhyme and rhythm challenged gal, but in then end, that particular song and scene turned out to be one of my all time favorite parts in the book.

From depths of sorrow I have cried

My voice in anguish raised.

Terrors surround on every side;

To You my cry is raised.

Starlight and sunlight have failed me

Darkness swallows my sight.

Yet darkness cannot hide from Thee,

Creator of day and night.

Though in despair, I will wait for You

More than watchmen at the wall,

Waiting for dawn to break anew,

 You will hear and answer my call.

The Creator of all, he heard me

Delivered me from my fears.

Death is swallowed in victory

Out of darkness my hope appears.

My enemies’ power He subdued

At His command, all is well.

He restored my soul, my strength renewed

He spoke and the mountains fell.

Revisiting Some Betrayer History

     Tonight I was thinking I would dig out my old corkboard that I had used as a story board for several projects, and see if I could do some visual brainstorming/planning. There to my surprise I found these remnants from the planning stages of Betrayer. So bittersweet now that it's all finished!
     Anyway, just thought I'd share, since they made me smile.

 

An early character profile and concept sketch of Evie.

 

 

A map of Acatra Dahma- so I wouldn't get lost while guiding my characters through an imaginary country! Originally the town where Evie was captured was named Sylvandark, rather than Darkwood, and that's how it appears here.