Into the Fire

Last week we discussed the use of music references in stories – pros and cons. This week I'd like to ask what happens when you start a novel and you realize after you're engaged in the story itself, you don't particularly like the hero and/or the heroine?

It's a rare author who can make a story work without the reader enjoying the main character(s). I've read a few stories where I didn't care for the heroine – and, frankly, I'm far more inclined to dislike the heroine than I am to dislike the hero. Something about some women can really irritate me. It's a credit to the author when I can finish a book without liking the primary character.

Sometimes it's a matter of not liking certain characteristics or the particular responses of a character that bothers me without actually disliking him or her. Other times I can't find a way to warm up to a specific character, and it does tend to detract from the enjoyment of the story even when the story is well-told. Characters are critically important to the "well-being" of a book so if a major character lacks likability (which is subjective of course), that story can definitely present a potential problem for this reader.

What do you think? 

Father, thank you for great characters and stories and those who write them. May each one of us who writes know and acknowledge that you are the source of any creativity that is good. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

     "Yes, Lord, " she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

John 11:25-27 (NIV) 

        (From another WIP titled in a love song . . .)

     Not much of a drinker anymore he’d agreed to accompany his coworkers on this Friday night macho session simply because he knew the drill. His construction buddies wanted to christen the new guy with the camaraderie of drunken manhood, share a few more crude jokes, flirt with the barflies, and assert their praiseworthy abilities to hold their liquor. Only one of the group was married, but it didn’t slow the guy down in the beer chugging or flirtations, though he didn’t seem serious with the teasing and the girls didn’t take it so.

     He felt the beer gaining momentum along with the usual accompanying bravado, one of the primary reasons he’d decided to leave drinking behind for the most part. The crazy stuff was far back in the past, but the tendency to strut, which he buried when sober, always seemed to display itself like some posing peacock if the alcohol gained any authority in his bloodstream. As his eyes locked onto her, that rebel urge surfaced in full peacock hue. He grabbed a couple of the near empty pitchers and sauntered up to the bar placing them on the counter beside the youngster’s barely touched glass of dark brew. 

     “Refills, please.” He kept his voice level in spite of the noise, not wanting to appear as shouting his instructions. She hadn’t seen him until then, and the feathers felt full and mighty fine when she looked into his eyes because he caught the fleeting surprise in hers which he was sure ended in a blush concealed by the low lights of the bar.

     “Yes, sir.” She emphasized the “sir” and gave him a sideways smile, fully recovering from her emotional lapse at what he assumed—or rather—hoped was a pleasant view for her. She filled the two pitchers, and he paid for them with a $50 tip. She started to protest, but with a slight tilt of his head he stared her into submission. She pushed it into her black jeans’ pocket, a bit flustered.     

     “Thank you,” he said and walked back to the table full of raucous high-fiving guys beginning to feel their beer. After he sat down to a couple of good-natured shoulder shoves, he looked back to catch her watching him. It felt good to be a man at that moment. He gave her a subtle smile before she turned away.

Father, thank you for every word, every inspiration. I write because you allow me to create in this manner. Apart from you, I can do nothing. That much is for sure. And thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Rescue by Steven Konkoly is Book 1 in the Ryan Decker Series. 

Former CIA operative Ryan Decker is shockingly released from a 10 year prison term after serving just two years for his part in a tragic failed rescue of a US Senator's daughter from a sex-trafficking kidnapping ring on the day he was scheduled to testify in court. Not only was the senator's daughter killed, other young women and most of Decker's team died in the massive explosion at a remote home. Besides the young women and most of his team, the families of his men were annihilated as were Decker's wife and son, all of it being blamed on the Russian mob and Ryan Decker for his decisions. He has one remaining daughter (Riley) who has been removed from his life by his wife's sister.

Reeling from the sudden change in events and suspicious of the fact that he was dropped off without any information about his release, Decker realizes after being set up to take the fall for the failed rescue, he is now going to be eliminated before he can figure out this high level conspiracy. Added to his heightened awareness, an unlikely source of help proves to be highly informed of his situation and remarkably talented at what she does. Since Decker is now the primary target of an unknown adversary, he needs all the help he can get while not really wanting to put any more people's lives in danger.

The Rescue is a fascinating tale of high-tech pursuits, conspiracies, massively expensive gadgets and endeavors, with truly ugly, psychopathic antagonists determined to protect their perverted desires and the super-sized bank accounts their evil "business" produces by disposing of anyone who gets in their way. Under the guise of "do-gooding", the leader of this pack has government people on his payroll and figures he can manipulate anyone he needs to serve his purpose.

Steven Konkoly provides some fascinating action, close calls, escapes, impressive subterfuge, and a boatload of expensive devices designed to discover how all of the tragic event came to be and to bring it to a decisive halt. When betrayal becomes a possibility, Decker can't accept the possibility but must explore it.

With Konkoly's elite military background to propel the action and accessories, this story proved to be highly entertaining even if at times the events and "lodgings" seemed unbelievable and the author became the narrator. Here's the thing, though, I don't really doubt the existence of any of it, and I'm totally engaged. Although not a cliffhanger because the ending was not neat and tidy, it does set the stage for Book 2 in the Ryan Decker Series.

Profanity was included but kept at a minimum.

(Side note: there are a number of Amazon 1-star reviews, mixed in with the 5-stars, for this novel berating the plot and the writing using blatant insults, as most 1-star reviewers do.)   

Father, thank you for all of your writers and authors who address good and evil honestly. Please let them know that you're the source of their talent(s) and gifts. Please continue to bless Steven and his family. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Welcome to April in western Washington. That is a road, not a river. Spring is here. Yay! Except for the utterly tedious rain day in and day out. As born and bred Seattleites and western Washingtonians say, "It's what keeps it green aournd here." Well, I'm pretty sure we could do with less and still be green. (And, yes, I am a born and bred Seattleite who gets sick of the rain.) I also get sick of anyone telling me in the summer to reduce the watering when the temps rarely hit the upper 80s for several days. Either "they" learn how to capture the spring deluges or just be quiet. Bring on the sunshine! 

Thank you, Lord, for the great climate in this part of the world. The rain is good – I know that. Please bless the ground and growth. And help me not to complain. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Not everyone likes the Blues. The brand is often associated with hard livin', drugging and drinking, and general rebellion. However, there are so many exquisitely talented musicians/singers who play the Blues and so many amazing tunes produced by them. Much like the old country music, the Blues tend to capture the "cryin' and dyin'" side of life and there can be a large part of truth in the lyrics. Anyway, if you enjoy the Blues, Chris Thomas King plays them well. 

Father, all good and perfect gifts are given by you, and we thank you for all of them. Please bless those who use them well and for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

When you're reading a novel, do you enjoy when the author includes specific musical references? I find it to be very revealing and by that I mean we, as readers, get an intimate look at either the character(s) involved in that reference or into the author who chose that particular song/music – or both. And when I can get a closer look or even a glimpse of those defining moments of a character or the repertoire of the author's choices, I'm all in. 

Music can be definitive in establishing emotions, moods, timelines, personalities, and circumstances. It can be a welcome addition to a story. 

However, for me, if there are too many of these references, they can subtract and distract from the story, shifting the focus to hearing the song(s) instead of staying involved in the story. 

Your opinion(s)? 

Father, thank you for all the wonderful types of creativity you inspire. You touch our souls if we will just open our hearts to you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

" . . . Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  . . ."

John 14:11-13 (NIV)

The Kindle sale of Race for 99 cents is almost over.

Father, thank you for helping me finish the story you wouldn't let me ignore. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Writing is impossible for some, a gifting for others, an exercise for a few, and a determined goal for several. 

I love to write. However, sometimes it is definitely harder than other times. For me, it seems to surface in waves of creativity. And usually there's a prelude of thoughts that precede it. 

Since I'm a Christian who writes novels, I definitely get my inspiration from the Lord. I don't have a card catalogue or a file box or a notebook filled with stories I want to write. Without specific direction about a character or characters, I'm at a standstill. Once I have one – or them – the journey begins. Many times I have no idea where they're headed until the keyboard or the pen is engaged. 

My encouragement from the Lord came many years ago and this was – and is – it: "If you pick up the pen, I'll give you the words." My writing life exists because of that statement. 

Just reminding myself . . . 

Thank you, Lord, for every word. Sometimes they're hard to come by, but you know that. Please keep supplying them and help me to be obedient to your instruction. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.