Into the Fire

Tuesday Tunes

     

  Glory Hallelujah. His Truth Is Marching On. 

 

God. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)

 

Memorial Day

 

                               

May the Lord of heaven and earth provide the comfort for those who've lost all manner of loved ones in service to this One Nation Under God. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Sunday's Offerings

 

An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;

   the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.

The Lord takes vengeance on his foes

   and maintains his wrath against his enemies.

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power;

   he will not leave the guilty unpunished.

His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,

   and clouds are the dust of his feet. 

He rebukes the sea and dries it up;

   he makes all the rivers run dry.

Bashan and Carmel wither

   and the blossoms of Lebanon fade. 

The mountains quake before him

   and the hills melt away.

The earth trembles at his presence,

   the world and all who live in it.

Who can withstand his indignation?

   Who can endure his fierce anger?

His wrath is poured out like fire;

   the rocks are shattered before him.

 

Nahum 1:1-6 (NIV) 

Novel trivia . . .

                     

Breath of Life was my third self-published novel. It came out in 2011.

I would say it is my most "literary" style of all of them so far but wouldn't qualify as a literary novel.

Some of my friends hated the ending but loved the story. 

It was my first attempt at using "first-person" point of view, and it was written from a male perspective. Many years ago I absolutely hated to read novels with first-person POV. I don't mind them anymore. Good thing because there are a lot of them. 

The protagonist is intelligent but worldly until he meets the introverted heroine whose suffered loss and sheltered herself within her writing world until the protagonist inserts himself into her narrow reach. 

 

Father, every good and perfect gift comes down from you. Thank you for giving me writing. May I always use it to point to you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 

Seeing . . . Ghosts

                               

                       A Throwback Thursday review in 2020. 

Ghosts by Mark Dawson is Book 4 in the John Milton Series. 

John "Smith" has made it to Texas but turns out as he's preparing to leave again for wherever, he winds up arrested at a bar fight and is rescued - or intercepted - by a beautiful woman (Anna) posing as an FBI agent. Turns out she's anything but that kind of agent, and she's equipped for everything John might need for what she has in mind for him. She knows way more about him than he does about her. 

Since John needs to know where this offer she presents is going, he willingly - although begrudgingly - accompanies her on a very long flight to an eventually remote "dacha" to hear what her boss has to offer. The request is in exchange for a rescue and requires some serious stealth before it's all said and done. First to Hong Kong with Anna to see the "ghost" he never expected to see again: Beatrix Rose, Number One who recruited him into Group Fifteen. When his first job with her goes terribly haywire, he never learns what happened to her after it. He assumed she might be dead - especially after his brush with Number 12 in The Cleaner. As he quickly learns, she's as good as dead when he meets with her. 

And once again John stares death in the face, and it's only a matter of seconds away in the mayhem that erupts after the rescue is complete. 

Mark Dawson has created a fascinating character in John Milton. Never looking for a fight but sizing up everyone in his path with the skills that come naturally after all the operative training and executions he's conducted over the years, somehow those fights come looking for him. Most of the time he's victorious, but he's had his share of close calls and temporary defeats with the multiple scars to prove it. 

Mark's writing is heavy on location, scenery, description. His dialogue, or lack thereof when John chooses not to respond, is crisp, interesting, and often provocative. There is occasional profanity. 

I find the John Milton Series very entertaining with only the occasional "rant". Do recommend you start at the beginning, and you'll find a pile of books in the series to keep you involved. I've found I also really enjoy the simplicity and colors used for the covers. The depiction of John Milton on the covers is perfect. 
           

Father, please continue to bless Mark, encourage him, and meet his needs as he writes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

So what is it really?

           

Have you ever stopped to think about what it is you enjoy or like about a certain commercial? Or an ad in a magazine? Or a site or homepage? 

The same specifics vary from one medium to another, but chances are they each have something in common that appeals to you.

So. Let's talk novels. Yes, we've exhausted the subject of marketing without coming to any conclusions, but if we examine what it is as readers that draws us to a particular novel, it might prove meaningful to those of us who want readers to notice and like our work. 

Let's first eliminate those books from favorite authors because, let's face it, we could maybe not be all that impressed with a particular cover or even the blurb (i.e. back cover copy), but the author has hooked us in the past and we're going for whatever they deliver.

We've also established how important cover design is in drawing us into checking out a new book, although some readers claim cover is a lesser factor in their book selections. For me, covers are huge. The reality is if I don't know the author, that novel better have an intriguing cover. 

The blurb or back cover copy better not tell me too much - although if I'm intrigued by the first couple of sentences, I'll just quit reading whatever comes next. For me, make it short and point to the story not any conclusions. 

That certain "something" isn't all that definable at times. There's a radio commercial that I must have heard at least 30 times on the station I listen to. Every time I hear it, I laugh. Every. Time. No visuals and yet the voices project a mental image that gets a laugh even when I know it's coming. And I can actually remember the company that's advertising. This is what we want to do with our novels. Make an impression. Make it memorable.   

 

Father, you're the only One that can make certain things happen. You are an amazing God and apart from you, we can do nothing. We rely on you and trust in you for the big and small things. Help us to trust you more. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Tuesday Tunes

     

 

The theme of love continues . . . 

 

Father, you are Love and we only get glimpses of its meaning here on earth. In sin we've corrupted it, used it, tried to achieve it, but we only get a taste of it when we know you. And it's all worth it then. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Taking the risk . . .

                       

If you're an author in today's independent publishing world, and if you're an established author but not a bestselling or "noteworthy" author, and if you're a rebel at heart as far as certain parameters are concerned in the genre(s) of your choice, you realize that taking a risk really won't much matter if you're inclined to take one - or more. 

"Why?" you ask. Taking a risk in the writing or production or marketing of your work probably will not draw attention to it either positively or negatively because your reach - or fan base - isn't large enough to cause you any kind of damage to sales or reputation. Of course you're working hard to expand your readership.  . . .  That "you" is me.

"Whatever it takes" is the mantra for many indie authors. Not necessarily for me. 

Others waltzed into publishing with just the right steps, talent, approaches, and have cashed in on the market for their genre. 

The individual cases each have their own accounts of what they did and how it helped them or how it did not.

For me, I want to briefly discuss the actual writing risk - that is, when you are that rebel that dares to do something a bit different with your novel. Let me give you two examples from my own books. The Famous One is written like a fictional biography and begins in the omniscient point of view but eventually morphs into third-person. It focuses on the one character's life, that of Joey Parr. My other risk was my first primarily first-person story from a male POV with all of his (Michael Jamison) narrative in italics, but it also included the third person POV in standard text. A normal complaint about using italics to that length would be the possibility of it being hard to read. I can say honestly that is not the case with Breath of Life. The italics are done well and just as easy to read as the regular font used. 

In my writing world I have nothing to lose. Most novelists can't say that. Many of them are younger and full of the energy and stamina it takes to figure out a marketing scheme, willing to write what is trending/hot. Some of them have had other careers prior to writing and have the "chops" and contacts to know who to call upon for assistance. Some have a built-in audience for their work when they're ready to publish. Others know how to cultivate readers within the genre(s) they write. The writing world is made up of all different kinds of people with all different levels of success - and many diverse needs. 

Personally speaking, my writing risk arrives with each new novel I publish. Will it be well received by those who do in fact love my work? Will this next one produce the desired effect I want them to experience? Will they tout it to their friends because they "loved" it? 

The writing life is full of risks, but then life in general presents risks. Do we take them? Do we avoid them? Do we welcome them? What do you do about risk . . .?    

 

Father, you lead me. I hope to always follow. You lead us into risks at times and walk through them with us. You have a plan. May I stick to it as it unfolds before me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Sunday's Offerings

 

Woe to those who plan iniquity,

   to those who plot evil on their beds!

At morning's light they carry it out

   because it is in their power to do it.

They covet fields and seize them, 

   and houses, and take them.

They defraud a man of his home,

   a fellowman of his inheritance.

"I am planning disaster against this people,

   from which you cannot save yourselves.

You will no longer walk proudly,

   for it will be a time of calamity.

In that day men will ridicule you;

   they will taunt you with this mournful song:

   'We are utterly ruined;

     my people's possession is divided up.

   He takes it from me!

     He assigns our fields to traitors.'"

   Therefore you will have no one in the assembly 

        of the Lord

     to divide the land by lot.

 

Micah 2:1-5 (NIV)

More Throwbacks

         

From the 09/06/2007 post: "The sometimes intentional lonesomeness of writing . . ."

The isolation of writing is often declared to be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes even a necessary evil. Sometimes a celebratory collusion of computer and writer and Holy Spirit.

Over time, though, dedication to the task or joy of writing can produce a particular kind of lonesomeness. If there are no other writers in your environment, be it in a room at home or a chair and table at the local coffee bar, writing can be a place of alone time. Let’s face it, it has to be. Some people write to head banging music, opera, contemporary Christian, or Celtic strains. Others can write with the TV in the background, the kids crying in another room, or who-knows-what. Personally, I’m easily distracted—especially if the writing well pump is in need of repairs.

Ultimately, there is a place where a writer dwells that renders lonesomeness. Not necessarily as he writes because there are characters to keep him engaged and active and anything but alone. I think it’s after the character comes to an end in a story—at least for a while unless he’s waiting for the series to continue. Once “The End” is clear on the page, that lonesomeness begins to work its way into the psyche and somehow makes us feel like we’ve left behind a real friend. And now . . . we’re alone.

As I understand it—and I don’t frequently “get it”—in today’s (and perhaps yesterday’s) world of publishing, most authors discuss the plots of future book projects with the powers that be at their contracted houses. Authors are sometimes given suggestions or asked if they can write a story about such and such. Some of the well known and well sold authors gather together to brainstorm “plots” and ideas for their future books, able to thrive on others’ inputs, thoughts, and creativity. Books evolve from their time spent together in working fellowship.

As I sit here at my computer and type words on the screen in a story, I am not one bit lonesome. I welcome the time spent with invisible people, searching vocabulary, participating in dialogue, even crying at times. It is a focused time, and it is unbeatable. It’s where God has me, where He gives me situations and stories and sounds, smells, and scenes, and I know it’s Him because my mind is taken along on the journey to places I’d never know to go. No writer would choose to leave this solitary place for long.

But when the words come slow—if at all—and the room/place feels still, a writer might realize the lonesome solitude of creating with words. While we know the Lord is with us, He, too, can remain quiet, insisting we trust him for the next phrase, metaphor, chapter heading. Maybe it is precisely at those self-induced times of intentional lonesomeness that our actual “company” is most accentuated. Our unseen Lord in all His power and certainly not without His glory remains present wherever we are, whatever we’re doing. Sometimes we forget that. And in turn we forget to call on Him or acknowledge Him or be grateful for His presence, silent or not.

I often forget that He knows what I need. When I am fighting melancholy, sick of myself, leaning toward worthlessness and failure, He is there to reason with me. To speak the words which will touch my soul and elevate me to where He is, giving me time to forget who I am and lose myself in Him.

The sometimes intentional lonesomeness of writing is a gift writers give themselves when the words are flowing, and the current of writing runs strong and sparks. The sometimes intentional lonesomeness of writing is a gift our Lord gives us to exercise the talent He’s planted in us. Either way, we aren’t really alone—not totally. The Creator of the Universe just happens to be there, no matter how we feel.

 

Father, I need only remind myself how you are always with me. I just need to talk with you, come clean in my difficulties because you know them anyway. Your heart desires to give comfort, and oftentimes I need it even when I don’t realize it. Thank you that you always know what I need. Thank you for being so close. Help me always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Throwback Thursday

                   

A young girl who loved horses since she was able to talk, born in the city of Seattle, finally got to spend time with them for 3 different summertime visits at The Flying Horseshoe Ranch in Teanaway Valley, Washington. Pictured here is me with the mare "Minnie-Ha-Ha". She was a good horse, and of course I loved her. I think this was the summer after 6th grade. I got to go one more year for two weeks. That horse's name was "Friday", a bit rambunctious 4-year-old. He dumped me once, earning me a "Bite-the-Dust Club" ribbon. The first year I went I rode "Dude" who had the smoothest trot you could ever imagine. Loved my time there with my best friend and horses. Priceless! 

 

Father, thank you for some of the best times of my young life back then. You've always watched over me and I can never thank you enough for all of it. So grateful. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

So fun . . .

 

I don't care what you think about the "newer" version of "Magnum PI". I happen to love it. And it's my getaway series. Pure pleasure, not guilty pleasure. I have no guilt about enjoying it. The 2022 Season Finale was perfect!

However, I just found out it won't be renewed! So sad.

FSyfS5pX0AA0vog (1277×567) (twimg.com) 

Share petition · Save Magnum PI for a Season 5! · Change.org

 

Father, you own creativity. You share it. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Tuesday Tunes

   

In keeping with the romantic theme, here's an old amazing love song. Quite a range in her voice. 

 

Father, you're the author of romance, real love, beautiful music. Only you disperse the talents and gifts and are no respecter of persons. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus. 

 

What to do . . .

                 

 . . . and how to do it. Such is the quandary of marketing a new novel. 

So. If I told you I thought this one was one of my best (which I do) or if I told you that this one touched my heart in an amazing way (which it did) or if I told you this one has one of the most striking covers front and back (which it does), would any of that matter to you?

Tell me, please, because I really want you to read this one. What would matter to you? 

 

Father, you give me the characters, the stories, the inspiration to write and complete a story. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Please, Lord, help me to do all that you ask of me. And may I do it well. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Sunday's Offerings

 

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; 

   but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Proverbs 28:28 (NIV)

A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

   will suddenly be destroyed -- without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1 (NIV)

And another thing . . .

           

So. Back to writing romance. As a Christian author whose foremost concern is to be truthful/authentic/real in order to portray life circumstances and temptations in an acceptable way to honor the Author of Life, I ask this (a familiar expression to some): If not us, who? 

Those who've read this blog know how serious I am about writing real. It's why in the genre I write I only read a few authors. In Friday's brief interview with one of my favorites Becky Wade, she answered honestly when I asked her if it's ever a test when writing to please her publisher. 

If we as Christians cannot tackle the real temptations faced with the attraction and development of romance that leads to love, it seems to me we're leaving a significant part of our reality out of the story, out of our God-designed reality.

You might have noticed I have a genuine dislike for the term attached to Christian romance when the label reads "clean". In my opinion - which has little bearing on anything in Christian publishing - it should read "sanitized". Romance and physical attraction are not "dirty" except when the world uses them as excuses to get graphic. Men are generally attracted by visuals. Women are generally attracted with admiration for certain characteristics that contribute to their emotional reactions. That's human. It isn't dirty unless it sinks into the worldly versions with little respect for the opposite sex and what they'd like to do with them. 

If Christian authors can't portray the struggles that result in a romance leading to love, then who can accurately present what God will do to give the grace and order to the sometimes chaos of those powerful reactions and emotions? 

Asking for a friend . . . just kidding.

 

Father, you know it all. You created the beautiful process, the loving result. You did. Not mankind. Please help me to show who we are in the midst of romance and love and where you need to be in our lives and love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Thursday Thoughts . . .

               

We're all aware of the inflationary costs of living. And those of us who read a lot know that the publishing industry hasn't been spared from rising costs. Having said that, I'm near to getting my latest novel on the market so the pricing decisions have been difficult. 

The silver lining in the purchasing of the soft cover version is the cost will be reasonable if purchased directly from my publisher. I say "reasonable" because it's not an 80-thousand-word novel. It's considerably longer, and more pages/printing mean more cost to me and consequently to the consumer. I think I can safely say that the majority of the reading public are watching where their dollars and cents are spent - which makes the timing for this book somewhat unfortunate. 

I will say this: I love this story. Writing it brought hours of joy and a deep attachment to the hero and heroine. There's just something, dare I say, "special" about this one for me. I can only hope that it will attract readers willing to take a chance on this love story. 

A tiny hint: He's a recluse. She's seeking refuge.  

 

Father, thank you for this story, for the unique inspiration that started it all, for the fabulous cover (front and back) that resulted from our photo shoot, for the hard work done by all involved to make it happen. Apart from you, we can do nothing. You make it all work. No way I can thank you enough, but you know how deeply grateful I am for every word, every character, every aspect of its creation - only You can make it happen. Please let this one be "special". In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Wednesday Whimsy

           

This is our kitchen. After we moved into our home in 2016, we were able to have the kitchen redone. I got to pick out the flooring, the cabinets, the countertops, the redo of the island, and the color of the walls which our son painted (former journeyman painter). And, yes, that loveseat is retro - it belonged to my parents. This is right after it was finished. Kudos to Wheeler Painting for their stellar work at every level of the project. The kitchen is large and has received many compliments. We love it. Fun to share it with you. 

 

Father, you've given us so much. We are daily amazed at your benevolence and grateful beyond our abilities to express it. Even if we could, it wouldn't be enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Tuesday Tunes

 

This is a subtle Christian song back in the day. And well done by this duo, one of their many good tunes. 

 

Father, the message has been there since the beginning of time. Thank you for making a way to restore us. Please, Lord, keep us faithful as we travel this life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

 

Will you . . . Turn to Me

                                       

Turn to Me by Becky Wade is the final story in A Misty River Romance Series. 

Luke Dempsey made a promise to a dying man in prison, the one friend he had while he served his 7-year sentence for car crimes. When Luke's released, he dreads making good on that promise, but he's a man of his word even if he figures his word isn't worth much to anyone - nor should it be in his opinion. As the date approaches one month after his release from prison, he finds Finley Sutherland's animal rescue with the stupid name and reports for work not expecting Finley to look like she does in two specific ways: first, she's beautiful and second, she dresses like a hippie. 

Luke's personal history is the albatross he wears like a shield from feeling anything of value about himself and uses his horrid guilt to assuage most contact and conversation, denying himself old friendships and relationships of any kind. The last thing he wants to do is work in this shelter since animals have never been his thing. But that promise he made to protect the dying man's daughter as she takes part in their traditional birthday treasure hunt struck him as an obstacle to be overcome quickly so he could reach his goal of moving to Montana to build the house he'd designed in his mind for the past seven years while his significant IT skills provided a good job and an income. But, no, he's stuck building a new website for Finley's rescue business and assisting her in a silly treasure hunt. 

There are some hilarious moments in Turn to Me knotted together with some that can elicit tears. One of the funny ones is when Finley keeps to her rules for new employees fostering a dog. When Luke staunchly refuses to take home a crazy-looking puppy named Agatha, Finley insists it's "policy". The weekend that ensues is laugh out loud funny later accompanied by the business's faithful employee Trish using her voice to sing Christmas carols to calm the raucous puppy. When Luke threatens to turn Agatha loose on the freeway before Finley can find a "forever family" to adopt her, he's only partially grateful when that family takes her home - but he doesn't plan on revealing that to anyone - especially himself. 

You want good romance? Here are a few great lines from the story.

     Chase [Finley's former fiancé who was killed in a car accident] had taken part in peace demonstrations.

     Luke could probably kill someone with his bare hands.

     Surely this . . . consciousness of him . . . was a passing whim. He had the appeal of a destination like Morocco. You'd see pictures of Morocco, and it was so different from anywhere you'd ever been or planned to go that you'd feel a tug of fascination. But then reality would set in and you'd realize, no, no. 

And later in the story: 

     ". . . And you'll only have Agatha to yourself in the evenings. Others will take over when you're here."

     "Fine." He moved to the door, eager to be free of the closeness of the small office and the scent of her perfume. That scent made him think of spending the day in bed with her, surrounded by twisted sheets that smelled like an orange grove in spring. 

Needless to say, the treasure hunt proves challenging and dangerous. When that danger hits hard, Luke comes face-to-face with the fact God will use whatever He must to get those He loves back to Him. 

This is a love story with multiple layers both human and spiritual, a romance with vivid writing and lovely imagery, a story that will fill you up with the facets of redemption often overlooked. Might be my favorite next to My Stubborn Heart. Highly recommend Turn to Me. 

 

Father, you know exactly what Becky needs and when she needs it most. I pray you would provide it in ways she will recognize as your special gifts to her. Bless her in every way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.