~ July 17, 2021 ~
“Last day of the writing conference. So good to be back here. It has been church. Much scripture, many wise, godly men lifting my soul. Frank Peretti’s Q&A this morning was the best speaker I’ve seen in my life. Humorous and heart wrenching. So much pain, victory, and humility.
“I was just about the first person in the ballroom before it started. I took a seat near the front, then up walked Frank to the dais. It was just the two of us, 25 feet apart. I walked over and greeted him. He stuck his hand out, and we talked for 5 minutes. I told him about my wife and I reading The Oath when we were dating, separately without realizing we were reading the same book. I doubted I’d get the chance, but I’d brought my hardback edition with me just in case. He took his time signing it and was so kind.
“He shared with the audience how the faucet turned on and off with him. The writing was not just from himself, but up to God. He lived with his wife in a camper while drafting This Present Darkness. In the factory at work one day he was in tears, torn up about his writing. God pulled back the curtain and told him his books would be read worldwide. He said the Shepherd looked directly at him.”
In a world of such darkness and light, how wonderful to hear of a personal encounter with the Shepherd. He’s there, He cares, He sees–and sometimes whispers. I forget these truths so easily. But His sheep know His voice. I doubt, and He reminds me, “You know what I’ve told you. Either you trust me or you don’t.” He’s right, of course. If only this human heart was more steadfast.
But we have the solution. Build your life not on sand, but solid rock. It all starts at the root. If that is not set in a firm foundation, one can bear no fruit.
It’s been a while, so how about a little more?
~ September 12, 2021 ~
“I went camping on my own. No TV, no books, nothing but writing and walking laps around the campground. And breaking in my charcuterie board we bought at a farmers market in Indiana. I polished 300 pages, heavily edited 40 more, and wrote two new chapters.”
~ November 14, 2021 ~
“Today I finished the trilogy. Well, one more pass over the last chapter remains, but it’s written. It’s done. I was not immune from work over the weekend as I’d hoped. Not immune from fierce resistance either. But God finished it. It was the perfect way to do it–another weekend at the campground, arranged by my wife.”
Oh, how fulfilling to complete three books in three years, after a decade of little progress. To finally ink out scenes brewing in the back of my mind for 15 years. And now I’m delighted to report all of those drafts have been edited. I sent off the third book late last year, and spent the winter finalizing the edited copy. A blessing beyond words, to come this far.
Now what?
Fair question. One I’m not ready to answer.
May I run something past you, though? A descriptor I’ve been working on:
The _____ Trilogy is a hybrid series of low fantasy novels for Christian and mainstream new adult readers.
What do you think? I kept it simple, but there’s a lot packed in there. When I recited it to professionals at the writing conference last summer, I got deer-in-the-headlights looks.
All right, I’ll try again as far as what’s next. First–respite. It’s been a rapid pace (for me, at least) for many years now, and a break is overdue. Then, I need a cover for the first book. I don’t know how long that’ll take or what that entails quite yet, but I’m hoping to come up with something hand-drawn.
Ahead lies a year of decisions and timing. Pray for me.
As you know, Tolkien is my favorite author. And I’m like him in at least one way. He said of himself, “I work so slowly.” But I’ll keep on, never fear. I pray you will as well, fellow traveler, whatever your course. For he also wrote, “The road goes ever on . . . .”
Be steadfast in your mission. Live your adventure. Fight your battles. Carry your wounds proudly. Carry your companions selflessly.
Write On,
Fellow Traveler