Into the Fire

When I froze up writing my first and only mystery/police procedural, Race, I started another novel. I didn't freeze up on that one but went back to write some more on Race. I froze up again because I was terrified of making stupid errors that, should a law enforcement office ever read the book, they would throw it across the room after rolling their eyes. This with the sterling help of a detective at that time who emailed me through my fears and struggles with easy-to-understand instructions on procedures. On that second freeze, I started yet another novel. Finally, after many words in each of those other two novels, I went back and finished Race, then the next book I'd started (Seeing . . . ) and then the next one ( . . . in a love song). 

So. I'm frozen solid on my current novel at roughly 60K words into it. Should I attempt to start another one? 

Monday . . . musings . . . 

Father, here I am again, asking for assistance. You know apart from you, I can do nothing. Help me, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

Colossians 4:3 (NIV) 

"Who is the most unusual, oddest, or most unique character you've ever written?"

Well, "unusual" and "oddest" are always subjective to the reader. I've written some peripheral characters that might fit those descriptions, but I'd say some of my characters fit the "unique" category more easily. 

In Destination I think "Grams" is one of my more unique – and lovable – characters to fill the pages of my novel. She says it like it is, has keen perception enhanced by the Holy Spirit, and a tender heart that's endured extreme pain, having lost her two adult sons in the military and her husband after them. She was a joy to write and somehow remarkably easy. 

In The Famous One I do believe Joey Parr is a unique character. Written as his fictional biography, the reader gets to know him from his youth and how he "happened" to become a star. He was exceptionally enjoyable to write, trying to capture the depth of his character through his struggles. 

In Breath of Life I wrote Shaylen Price who is a best-selling author writing under the pseudonym Cabin LuCaine. She's virtuous and solemn from a serious loss in her life when she meets Michael Jamison who is anything but virtuous but is inspired by hers to change his perceptions of just about everything. Writing her was a challenge to keep her "in character" at times because she truly is an innocent woman, in contrast to Michael, and is falling hard for him. She considers herself "not normal" because of her naivete and innocence at her age with only one meaningful experience with a special man who was a SEAL and a friend of her brother's which is how they met. He was KIA, and the loss Shay felt was enormous. There are some heavy moments in the story as the two of them find each other and themselves in different ways. 

I do everything I can to make my characters seem real and relatable. That's my objective. 

Raw Romantic Redemptive     Love stories with a passion. 

Amazon.com : Books by Nicole Petrino-Salter 

Father, thank you for each unique character, all the words, everything. Thank you is never enough. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Self-portrait with my new Konica 35mm camera just before leaving for my grand adventure to Great Britain and Europe with my friend. I'd just turned 20 and got the camera for my birthday from my parents. Worked for a year after my first year at college to save for this trip. We were gone almost 3 months and had an amazing time. Two young American girls . . . many years ago.

Father, thank you for protecting me when I didn't yet know Jesus. Thank you for always watching over me. You've given me so much in my life. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Did you become what you thought you would? Did you do what you wanted to do most? If you could be anything or do anything other than what you've done or in addition to that, what would it be? Whimsically speaking, is there something you really wanted to be or do, but it wasn't in "the plan"?  

Father, you put things in people's hearts, you designed us, created us with a plan, but with multiple gifts and talents. May we always find what you would have us do and give it our best. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Very talented trio known as Cream. Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce. They didn't last long because it's said that Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker hated each other. 

Father, you know hearts. You know each one and whether or not they recognize their need for Jesus. Please bring more hearts to Him, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

So many things I wonder about my favorite authors . . . 

I would communicate with all of them – not repeatedly, not incessantly – if possible. Just to let them know a fellow writer truly enjoys their work and why . . . 

As readers, we have questions. Right? 

That's it. It's a Monday, Monday . . . 

Father, thank you for the wonderful authors you've put in my life. I love communicating with them, talking writing. Such a blessing. Please continue to bless their work. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV) 

Readers of books come in all kinds of people. Some readers love fiction and some love non-fiction. As all of you who stop by here know, I'm not interested in non-fiction and it's a rare one that gets my attention. Having said that, my commentary today is about those readers of novels.

I've been reading stories and writing them ever since I could read and write. In the summer my friend and I used to make blanket tents in our backyards and sit in them to read or write. We were serious readers. Me with my Black Stallion Series and she with her The Secret Garden to mention a few. 

Some readers don't recall the authors' names of their favorite tales and others don't remember the titles, but they can tell you exactly what the book was about. 

Some readers love "the classics" and rave about authors many youths of today have no knowledge of, while others stay rooted in historical fiction, contemporary romance novels, fantasy, or science fiction. There are novels available for all tastes. 

I prefer longer novels with deeply developed characters. As most of you know, I write in one genre and read primarily in others. My favorites are good military/espionage/political thrillers with strong, relentless heroes and heroines. I also love good mysteries and suspense with maybe a touch of romance. I don't like any sexual graphics and will abandon authors who accentuate it.  

I can tell you the names of my favorite authors and the titles of the books I love. 

So what kind of reader are you? 

Father, thank you for authors, for sharing your creativity with us, for giving us the love of writing. Thank you is never enough. Please keep me writing the stories you have just for me to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Some days the nostalgia is heavy. My friend Rick and I were goofing around in this picture with our mutual friend behind the camera. This picture has been through years of packing, moving, and lots of memories. It was a special time in my life. A little chaotic, fun, emotionally charged, and all the things of youth. Rick's gone now. I will always remember our friendship which was renewed right before he passed away. 

Father, thank you for giving me the time to pray with Rick the final time I saw him on this earth. Only you know his ultimate destination. Thank you for his place in my life. He enriched it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.