Into the Fire

In Oregon.

In Maine.

In Michigan.

The majestic beauty of autumn is everywhere.

And we have you, Lord, to thank for all of it. You could've left this earth barren when we fell, but instead you made beauty from ashes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Missing summer . . . Good old tune from Seals and Croft in 1972. 

Father, thanks for music. It's always been a part of who you are. Bless those who make it with you in mind. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Why I love reading novels:

I meet characters I can't forget.

I need to experience another's life through fiction.

Good stories and good writing inspire me to write better if I can.

Remembering those characters reminds me of how deeply I've been touched.

Some authors are undeniably great at what they do: storytelling, character development, dialogue, putting words together in fascinating ways. 

Those are a few of my reasons for reading novels.

Lord, apart from you I can do nothing. When you give me characters and stories, it's so amazing to write them. Thank you for each one. In the Name of Jesus. 

The ways of the Lord are right;

   the righteous walk in them,

   but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hosea 14:9b (NIV)

                 (From my Work in Progress titled . . . in a love song.)

Seated on the bed he tugged hard on his boots, removed his socks, and rested his elbows on his knees staring at the floor and his bare feet. Thirty-five years come and gone so quickly. And remained unchanged. That rambling man approach to life hadn’t netted him much other than a good bank account because if there was one constant in his life, it was work. He always worked. Somewhere. Everywhere. He kept working.

He could’ve flirted with her, he supposed. Demonstrated his interest. Maybe even brought her home with him or went with her. But he thought not. Although he’d never quite understood them, he’d been with enough women to discern a few things about them. Most every one of them wanted some kind of respect but not near enough as they wanted some kind of love. This gal most likely had some guy like himself lay the big line about lovin’ her and then at some point walked out, leavin’ her in tears, feeling used and embarrassed but still in love enough to cry. He’d played that game enough times to know the results, although he’d never quite been able to write “I love you” into the script, and received no pleasure in the hurt he caused while knowing without a doubt it was time to move on.

And every time he couldn’t help but wonder what this thing called love really felt like.

Ah, Lord, some stories are just so fun to write – all thanks to you. All thanks to you. And thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Yes, still getting some of my Christmas shopping done! So fun. Here's another of mine if you'd like to add it to your shopping list for romantic novels. 

The blurb:

Breath of Life tells the story of embittered, wounded, and divorced Michael Jamison, who, after a prolonged period as the casual observer of a lovely woman, discovers his attraction to her supersedes remaining a stranger. With a smarting ego and nothing to lose, he figures out a non-threatening way to introduce himself and is overwhelmed with her pristine beauty and challenged to change everything about the way he's lived his life so far.

Merry Christmas shopping!

Father, Jesus is the reason for the season. I will never lose track of that. You taught me to give. It's something I love to do. May more of your creation rejoice in you this Christmas season. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

In Kentucky.

In Louisiana.

In Ohio.

Autumn is beautiful wherever you might travel. 

Father, again, the beauty you left for us on this tainted earth is often indescribable and breathtaking. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Gotta love the Marshall Tucker Band. Can't You See? Yeah. 

Father, only you see all. We're all desperate for you. Help us all to see that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To say that being inside my head when I'm writing a novel is like every other novelist's experience would not only be a lie but a ridiculous assumption. However, it wouldn't be too far from the truth to assume there could be similarities. 

Authors are as different as the pages in a book as far as the content of their characters, the habits used when writing, the subject matter and themes, the choice of genres, the styles, and the list goes on. But, as a reader, how often has one author's work reminded you of a different author's work for whatever reason? Perhaps stylistically the prose is similar or maybe it's the way they build the story to its climactic conclusion. 

Since I know my "process" of becoming "aware" of a new story idea leading to the construction of a new novel – and while it's not always the same – I can let you in on what goes on in my "head".

Sometimes I get a title first. Yes, before a plot, before or simultaneously with one character. Titles are of tantamount importance to me. Other times I'm smitten with a protagonist which can be a hero or heroine. They usually consume my thoughts as I prepare to allow him and/or her a life of their own. That can require research which, unlike many other authors, is not my favorite thing. However, having said that, I have met either in person or by email or both some amazing people who have helped me create and flesh out my protagonists or storylines. The research I'm not fond of is the kind that requires learning about an unfamiliar topic that might not particularly interest me and requires I must be mostly accurate when it's inserted into the story. 

I am frequently inside my characters' minds and actions, at almost any moment of any day. Hearing their words, watching what they do, thinking their responses. It's just what I do – to try to go deeper into who they are, how they feel, react, and talk. The desire is to present characters who inspire involvement, identification, and investment from readers. 

With peripheral characters, it seems they appear at will. Some are very strong – I think of "Grams" in Destination who was like a supporting actor who dominates every scene when present – and others enter for contrast, for support to the protagonist, or merely for variety. The truth is with me I never know until they make their presence known. 

There can be really fun parts that also just happen. I will picture scenes I need to write either immediately or further down the storyline. Some make me laugh (yes, at times out loud all by myself – and what does that say about me and my life!), others make me cry (again, yes, at my keyboard or in thought, alone again). Very occasionally I will write one of these scenes in advance to be sure I leave nothing out. If needed at the time it's inserted into the story, it will be amplified to accommodate whatever has happened. 

Some authors are disciplined as far as setting aside writing times and/or making essential word counts on a schedule, some are emphatically disciplined. Unfortunately or simply "it is what it is", I am not a disciplined writer. I have to "feel it" as they say. I definitely can't force it.

Some don't "self-edit" as they go but write with a fury and then go back to fix things once they're done or once they've gotten to a certain wordcount. I can't do that. I self-edit as I go before the main edit. 

Some use outlines, storyboards, pictures clipped from magazines or other sources, and some even observe writing rituals whatever those might be. I do not. My singular ritual, if you can call it that, is silence (other than normal household "noise") or if I play any music – and that's fairly rare – it will be one of Chris Botti's older CDs. I know authors who use specific types of music to accompany their writing moods or magnify the intensity of what they're trying to do with words. 

I see pictures and do my best to share them with others so that my characters and storylines appear as I want my readers to see and perhaps feel the emotion of them. I try to write "movies". 

Now, having revealed all of that, I think it's most important for anyone who happens to read this to know that I'm not that creative. I am – or can be – inspired by the only One who endows me with the ability to receive His ideas for characters, plots, stories, etc. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. 

Just a glimpse inside this author's head . . . 

Father, for every word, every story, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

           "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

            before you were born I set you apart;

            I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

     "Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only  a child.

     But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

     Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NIV)