AFSiJ Week Four

Don’t forget to check out my rafflecopter giveaway and the Kindle Countdown is still going strong. I’ve sold 8 books so far and the price will go back up to the normal price again in 2 days and 19 1/2 hours. And now on to this week’s AFSiJ questions.

How goes progress?

Amazing! Last week, I was beginning to think I would totally fail both goals, but this week, I was able to do an amazing amount of writing and the end is in sight. Editing, not so much. I didn’t get any done and I’ve decided to drop that goal.

Snippet-time! Share a snippet or two from your weekly writing.

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Reunion: A short story

This short story was inspired in part by a challenge I gave (and did myself) on the Holy Worlds writing forum. The challenge was to write a short story of less than 1,000 words about love without ever using the word love. It was also inspired, as I mentioned on Thursday, by Rebekah Lyn’s book Jessie, but since anything I say about how her book inspired my story would be giving away some big spoilers, I’ll just say that if you read Rebekah’s book, you’ll understand.

My heart pounded and my palms started to sweat at the sight of him. It had been months since we had last seen each other. My first sight of him was from across the room. I was in one corner and he was in another. The room was packed with people and I knew I would never be able to reach him.

Jessie: a review

Today, I have the honor to participate in Rebekah Lyn’s book release blog tour. As part of the tour, I was asked to read and review her book, Jessie. First, I will share some information about the book and then I will post a review. But make sure you come back to visit the blog on Saturday when I post a short story partially inspired by Rebekah’s book.

 

 

About the Book

The four Cole boys suffer abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father, while largely being left to their own devices by a heartbroken and overworked mother. Their adventures on their island home have become a welcome escape, and one of the only things in life the boys can truly rely on. Jessie, the youngest and a dreamer, becomes enamored with US plans for manned space flight and its race to the moon, stirring his own dreams of one day becoming an astronaut. In a strange twist of fate, it is the space program and the momentum it gains that abruptly brings their beloved island life to an end. The family is forced to move to the city and start anew.

Life in town creates new challenges, financial pressures, news of the Vietnam War and the impending threat of the military draft for Max the eldest of the Cole brothers.

Western Roundup Giveaway

Many thanks to MK McClintock for allowing me to join this giveaway even though I missed the deadline. I was on vacation all weekend and therefore couldn’t post this on Saturday. Without further ado, let’s get to the giveaway.

The Giveaway

 I am excited to announce that I have one signed copy of my book, A Mighty Fortress to giveaway today. Due to international shipping costs being too much, I am restricting this giveaway to US only.

“Stay back!” Joshua ordered. He kept his eyes on the scene below while waving his arm in Ruth’s direction. “Get deeper into the woods and stay down low to the ground.”

Joshua hazarded a glance behind him. He could no longer see Ruth and breathed a sigh of relief. In one swift move, he grabbed his rifle and lay flat to the ground. Extending the rifle, he aimed at the shorter man whose gun was pointed at Bradshaw.

AFSiJ week three

 

Week Three Questions

 

Were you able to meet your goal this week?

My editing almost made it. If it hadn’t been for packing to go camping, I would have made it. My writing did though, because I was able to bring that with me.  🙂

Where did you get the bulk of your writing accomplished? In the quiet of your room, outside on the patio, on the bus?

In my bedroom and in the tent on our vacation.

Share a couple of your favorite snippets!

Well, I ain’t going ta ask him, so you may’s well tell me.”
Rachel crossed her arms. “And if I don’t?”
“Then you’ll find a frog or worm in your lunch,” he threatened.
“What is your name?” Rachel asked.
“Tobias Whetherford Ramsey, III,” he answered with a haughty tone.
“Well, Toby, I dare you to put a frog or worm in my lunch box,” Rachel said. “You won’t hear me scream when I see it and I might just find something else to put into yours.” Rachel gave a sharp nod and turned on her heel.

Have you introduced a new character into your story? Tell us about his personality. 

Yes, actually I have. He’s introduced in the snippet above. Tobias Whetherford Ramsey, III. He is an arrogant young man who likes things his way and only his way. If he doesn’t get his way, his anger takes over. He is a bully at school and loves to torment people. Oh, and he hates being called “Toby”.

List the favorite foods of your main characters.

Steak and potatoes. I just wrote about it today.

Introduce us to the antagonist in your story and tell us about one of his or her quirks.

Mrs. Morgan is one of the antagonists in both books. She is the church busybody who likes things done just right and refuses to take no for an answer. Her worst quirk is taking things that happen and twisting them to her own advantage.

Nan’s Journey: a review and giveaway

Review

Name: Nan’s Journey

Author: Elaine Littau

Rating: 4/5

Recommended Ages: mature 15 and up

“Nan’s Journey” is a unique and thought-provoking book. There is mature content in the book, but Elaine handles it very well. In the less edited version that I read, the writing wasn’t quite up to par with what I like to read, but it the story was engaging enough to keep reading. 

AFSiJ Week Two (plus a giveaway)

Week Two Questions

1) Were you able to reach your weekly goal?  

I didn’t have a specific weekly goal, but I was able to get some writing done on “Amazing Grace” and have the prologue edited for “Be Thou My Vision”.  Considering VBS was this week and I was exhausted and brain dead by noon, I think I did pretty good.  What I won’t mention is the fact that most of my writing and editing was done on Saturday and Sunday.

2) Is this challenge encouraging you to write more often?

Yes.  I probably wouldn’t have even gotten as much done as I did if it wasn’t for this challenge and another challenge.

3) At what time of the day did you accomplish most of your writing? 

Between five and six-thirty in the morning.  Also between seven and nine in the evening.

4) Which musical tracks do you listen to most while writing? 

My three Pandora shuffle stations: Steve Green, Soundtracks, and Classical.

5)Share a descriptive snippet or two of your writing.

Actually Finishing Something [in] July (AFSiJ): Week One

 

I desperately need this challenge this month.  July is the craziest month of my summer and I think this could be one of the ways I actually get something done.  So, thank you very, very, very much Katie!  But, before I get to the questions, I do have one announcement.

I have an author newsletter!

To find out the latest information and updates about my writing, sign up for my newsletter on my website.   In the next month or less, I plan on revealing my book cover on my first newsletter, so if you want to see it, you have to sign up to receive it.

Week One Questions

What is your writing goal?

 I actually have two:

1. Get through all the beta-readers edits for “Be Thou My Vision” by August 1^st.

2. Get to the 58,000 word mark in “Amazing Grace” (or the end of the book, whichever comes first). This means writing just over 37,000 words between now and August 1^st.

 Give us a short synopsis of your project.

Salt and Light

^“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.  ¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. – Matthew 5:13-14 (AMP)

Whenever I have heard someone quote these verses, it has always been in reference to getting involved in politics.  After all, what better way to be salt and light than to inject some flavor and light to the political scene?  But is that really what Jesus meant when He spoke those words?

The salt and light verses were spoken right after the Beatitudes and right after these verses is a short discourse about the Law.  So we have instructions on how to be blessed or happy, then a few verses on getting involved in politics, and after that, a few verses about Jesus being the fulfillment of the Law.  Right?  Or is it right?