Into the Fire

More Fan Fiction . . . a la Mitch Rapp

                                 

Last Thursday I gave you a piece of my creation for the woman Mitch Rapp should love, an introduction to Christine Ravenswill. I promised there would be more to come, and here it continues. 

     Rapp examined her and noticed she met his gaze with an expression he rarely saw from women who looked at him. If he had to identify it, he’d call it empathy. Maybe because she’d come as close to experiencing the content of his rare lifestyle without ever physically having to live it. He dropped his defensive posture and cocked his head slightly to study her features.

     Finally, he said, “You look like him, you know.” He paused. “Your father.”

     Her lower lip dropped slightly, and tears instantly formed in her eyes. She reached behind to her desk for a Kleenex and blotted her eyes. “Thank you,” she replied quietly. “I didn’t know . . .”

     “It can be a small world sometimes.”

     Silence permeated the realization. He decided to let her take a moment, knowing the anguish that came from the remembrance. He watched her as she regained control. When he was sure she'd managed it, he added, "He was one of the few real heroes. He had a heart. That's one of the things I admired about him." Rapp stood again. "Thank you for understanding I don't want to be here, don't want to talk about myself, my pain, my life. It's not you. Seems pointless. It's done. It's not going to change. I chose this life. I'm sure the exit won't be . . . pretty."  

     She stood, carefully judging her motive first and then her next move. "Mr. Rapp--" 

     "It's Rapp or Mitch."

     "Rapp, would you consider having lunch with me? I'm starving and it would be good to have lunch in a non-professional environment. If you have time. I'm not the kind of girl who's going to analyze your every word and response in conversation. I usually eat alone. It would feel good to spend some time having a 'normal' lunch. Are you game?" 

     He gave her a look with a barely there smile. "Can I trust you?"

     She let out an abrupt laugh. "I don't know, can you?" 

 

This is way too much fun for me. I've wanted to write this woman for literally years. Christine Ravenswill is going to lunch with Mitch Rapp. What next? 

 

Father, only you give me words, inspiration, thoughts, insights. I'm just grateful for every one of them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

What stories tell us about their authors . . .

       

Stories give us characters, plots, twists, locations, laughs, tears, anger, and/or every other emotion known to mankind. They take place in all timelines, sometimes meshing those timelines, the future, the past, the contemporary, and whatever time and wherever a fantasy exists. The genres have been named, renamed, and given completely new names. They are written with innumerable styles, wit, clarity, depth, simplicity, intensity, humor, and/or sorrow. Their agendas are pronounced or fleeting, light-hearted or life-and-death drama. The authors who write them are equally similar and dissimilar. 

But what we learn about authors from reading many novels from the same authors and from those we first "meet" when reading their stories? Well, those deductions are sometimes as interesting and/or entertaining as the stories themselves. 

Tell me what you've learned in reading the novels from favorite authors. Not necessarily about how they write, but what have you discerned about them personally? Throw me in the mix if you've read any of my work.

I'll give my deductions of several authors I've read on Friday's post. And reveal some things about my work and what it tells the reader about me. Fair enough? 

 

Father, I can only speak for myself in this: apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Tuesday Tunes

 

This is the theme song for the Amazon Prime 8 episode series of Jack Carr's first novel The Terminal List. I highly recommend the novel for thriller readers, but I caution those who can't do brutal because it is. As most have learned, Jack Carr is a former SEAL and much more. The James Reese Series is now at five novels and counting. All are reviewed on this blog. 

The script writers and multiple directors of these episodes of course took some liberties with the story but they did not compromise the integrity of the novel. I highly recommend watching this production, but I usually advise viewers to read the novel first, and I make no exception for The Terminal List. (Some profanity.)

• 

  Book 2
 
• 

  Book 3
 
• 

  Book 4
 
• 

  Book 5

   

Father, only you know hearts and minds. I pray your blessing over those who seek after you, to want to know you, to realize their need for you. Help them and those of us who know your Son to get closer to you through it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

God Bless America!

   

 

 

           

 

May you have a God-blessed 4th of July in the real United States of America. 

 

Father, this is still your One Nation under God. Rescue us one more time. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

 

Sunday's Offerings

 

     Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."

     Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 

     Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."

 

John 9:39-41 (NIV) 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Son!

                         

                       

                               

Hiking, with son Aidan, and on the bus tour. Through the years, over time, filled with all kinds of adventures, this is my oldest son: Donovan Colt Torp. And today is his birthday! Love you beyond words. May this birthday be blessed by the Lord in ways you never expected. 

 

Father, you blessed me with a son in spite of me, and I thank you so much for him and his love in spite of me. Please bless him as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Summary

               

Although we can vary greatly in our approaches to creating novels, our genres of choice, who we enjoy reading, and how we define good writing, we authors do have some things in common.

Respect for our work, loyalty to our work resulting from "getting" how and what we write, touching readers' emotions in some manner by our stories, and, of course, earning paychecks from the novels we've authored - these factors are "what authors want".

And there's nothing particularly unusual or unreasonable about any of them.  

But there's one more factor that can't be ignored. Nothing on that list is easily attained. Yes, some authors have experienced a quick and lasting success. Others struggle to sell their work even when those who've read their books rave about them. No one knows what awaits their efforts in the publishing realm. Indie authors foot the bills for production of their work. If, as author Kerry Neitz mentioned in the comments on Wednesday's post, an author can make enough to cover the costs and then some, that is the desire.

Since I've restrained myself from the continuation of the bombardment for my new novel this week, I will tell you in all honesty what I want. I would very much like you to read this new one. If you order it here, you will save money on this longer novel plus you can order it for your e-reader here also, and if you do either, you will be contributing to a larger portion of profit for me. There, I said it. Thank you for considering it. 

                                 

 

Father, you've always helped me in all kinds of situations even before I knew your Son. I can never thank you enough, but I will continue to be grateful beyond my capability to express. Thank you for this latest story that has meant so much to me. May it touch those you've set apart to read it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.