Into the Fire

Five things you'll find in my novels that relate to me or my family (notice I said "things"):

Coca Cola

A vehicle we have owned at some point or still do (i.e. 1980 Ford 4 X 4)

Longer hair on a man or men

Coffee

The states of Washington and/or Idaho 

Father, thank you for the gift of writing stories. But I know this: apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Famous One, my second published novel, is written like a fictional biography about a lonely child who becomes a restless and rebellious young man with a sense and heart of decency under that loner facade. He's discovered while singing the blues with a band in a bar and becomes a mega-star who rejects the fame but can't escape it. What he really needs, he finally finds after he's acquired everything else he's ever wanted. 

A bargain for a full length novel for your e-reader. 

Father, you gave me the subject, the words, and all that I needed to write this one. Thank you from my heart. I'm always desperate for you, Lord. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Since I'm a writer/author, I must have at least a basic knowledge of grammar. However, in today's media articles/posts/comments, etc., there are so many errors it makes one wonder if there's even an attempt to teach it in school anymore. 

Having said that, it's useful to know the correct forms to use for the language in which you choose to write. (Notice how I structured that last part of the sentence? "in which you choose to write" instead of "language you choose to write in" because sentences are not supposed to end in a preposition.) Not ending a sentence in a preposition is nearly impossible in some cases, and in those specific cases to avoid ending the sentence in a preposition would sound/read awkwardly and/or stilted. In other words too formal for the circumstance.

And excuse the following expression but the "grammar nazis" often have a field day with methods used in writing which are less formal. That's where I have my problem with some demands from those who wish to hold to the staid rules of formal grammar. 

I'm of the opinion that in order to break the rules successfully, you have to know them well. It's something that certain tones in the telling of a story or the circumstance of an article will demand: less formality and the nuance(s) of the commonality of mere expression, slang, or comfort wording. These choices lead to an authenticity that formality would not present or allow. Now if a writer/author is not writing in a contemporary genre, it's far more acceptable to keep the formal uses of grammar intact. 

I prefer not to capitalize the various references/addresses of a person in dialogue such as: "Hey, son!" "Hi, babe." "C'mon, hon." However, proper/formal grammar insists each should be "Hey, Son!" "Hi, Babe." "C'mon, Hon." That's too many capitals and it's distracting. And really not particularly important for those "titles" to be formalized with a capital letter. Just my opinion of course. Remember when Mom and Dad were capitalized regardless of whether or not they were preceded by "my". Well, now if Mom or Dad are preceded by "my" or "his" or "her", etc., it's supposed to be "my mom" or "my dad" ,etc. Please explain how that makes any sense!  

Just a few thoughts about writing and grammar this Wednesday . . . 

Father, thank you for valuable instructions, the most valuable in your Word where truth surpasses everything else. We're all desperate for you in everything we do or attempt whether we know it or not. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Love . . . 1 John 4:16 Yeah, that love IS the answer. Who knew? 

Thank you, Lord, through all generations, it's always been you giving, sharing, defining true love. Only you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

         
                               From:  . . . in a love song

     He started the Jeep and drove back to the inn.

     When he pulled into the parking lot, there she was in shorts, sandals, and a cool-looking blouse leaning against her pickup with her arms folded. She set stride toward his Jeep and climbed in before he could get out.

     “Hey, babe.”

     “I missed you,” she said quietly.

     “Feeling’s mutual.”

     “You going to kiss me?”

     “There’s nothing I’d rather do, but I’m a sweaty mess.”

     “Like I care.” She reached over and palmed his face with her left hand and kissed his lips tenderly. “I love you, Dale Leon Rivers.”

     This woman rocked his soul. As much as he needed to learn about love, he had to admit she was playing all the right songs. He knew she required honesty, and it wasn’t that he wanted to sidestep it. It’s just that he couldn’t formulate much to say to translate his feelings into words.

Father, only you give gifts and talents. Only you inspire goodness. Only you save souls. Only you heal hearts, minds, and bodies. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." 

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

Friday Five (some random writing notes):

Soon – and my guess is sometime late next week . . . in a love song will be available for e-readers.

I'm excited to be working on a new novel! Funny thing: I will use the ellipsis once again in the title because it just seems appropriate.

It's freeing to be working on this new novel because the last three I wrote produced some pressure for me. Race, my solo mystery, was a difficult endeavor because I didn't think I could do it. Thank the Lord for Patrick who both informed and encouraged me. Even with his professional guidance, I froze up multiple times and, unheard of for me, I started the two other novels Seeing . . . and . . . in a love song in the midst of writing, and freeze-up times for, Race. So since I had two novels waiting for completion, and even though I enjoyed writing both of them – especially Seeing . . . – I felt the pressure to finish them. I'm not like a traditionally published author with deadlines or even like the dedicated indie authors who work so diligently to produce their work on a deadline. I don't apologize for who I am and what and how I write. It's just me. 

One wonderful thing about the research for this new novel is how the Lord gave me two incredible, professional individuals to provide the information I needed for my two main characters. They have made themselves available for me to continue to ask any questions to further my efforts, and I am so grateful to them.  

Blurb for the new one: He's a recluse. She's seeking refuge. 

Father, thank you is never enough. Help me to make this new novel honor you. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The cover designer for this one did a fabulous job and captured a notable moment perfectly. Even the title font is exactly right. 

Sweet Release: 

    Love is just a four letter word until its true revelation hits hard in the hearts of six people who have yet to experience it in its purest form. The journey these individuals make to realize the origin and reality of genuine love is both gut-wrenching and rapturous, searching to find the sweet release to love freely. A film critic, an architectural designer, a rape victim, a computer wizard, a lonely divorcée, and a longtime bachelor pastor discover love is far more powerful than anything they’ve experienced in their pasts.

A bargain at just $2.99 for your e-readers.

Father, thank you is never enough for all of it. The joy, the pleasure, the work, the finish – all of it because of you. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Oops. Got caught up in getting final checks for . . . in a love story. Forgot to do my blog post. 

So who doesn't love Brian Culbertson's beautiful music? Here's an extra treat for this Wednesday. Title: "Desire" from his Colors of Love album/CD. Where music perfectly captures the emotions of its title . . . 

Father, how you've gifted mankind in so many ways. Music is just one very special of those. Thank you for the beauty. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

One of the best Christian bands of all time, and this is one of their best songs. Love it. Gotta love Mac Powell's voice too. 

Father, please keep your anointing on this group in the public and private lives. Bless all they do for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.