The Editor Author Relationship...

I've worked with my editor at TN, June Ford, going on four books now. She's a very insightful lady with a real gift for analyzing the pacing of a story. I've learned tons from her about such things as:
1. Eliminating most passive verbs
2. Working with short, salient blocks of description for settings
3. Giving each character a signature--either in their dialog or something in their physical description. A scar on one cheek, a limp, a thick neck, the overuse of a word, etc.

Great stuff.

But one thing I've noticed--and this I find both hilarious and somewhat disturbing--is that we are starting to think alike. Perhaps more accurately, I'm beginning to write and think at times the June does.

Just last night working through a set of edits for Isle of Swords, I came across one of June's notes about a scene where Ross, the roguish but affable pirate, attacks a Spanish Galleon. June suggested that my character Ross would most likely know the Spanish language, but he could test Father Dominguez (a special passenger on Ross's ship) by asking him to translate what the Spaniards are saying. Funny thing was, I had completely fleshed that out in one version of the manuscript--before June had ever said anything about it!

And this was one of many instances where I found myself reading June's mind or vice versa. Scary, eh?

Custom Artwork for The Door Within Trilogy

I've always loved to draw. In elementary school, I was often the student who sketched away until the teacher crumbled up my drawing and tossed it. Probably didn't help that I did my own sound effects while drawing. ;-)

A few years before The Door Within was published, I found a digital art program called Bryce 3D by Daz Studios--UN-BE-LIEVABLE!! This software allowed my imagination to do everything it ever wanted to do. And…since the DW books have come out, I've had a blast drawing art to go with the books. Some of it (Yewland, for instance) really helped me to visualize the scenes I wanted to write.

Here are some of the images. I'm new to all this blog upload stuff, so these pics may end up rather small. We'll see. Hope you like them.

When the muse strikes...

I finished the Isle of Swords manuscript just six days ago. There was exhilaration but, truth be told, it was mixed with exhaustion. It's hard to describe how emotionally and physically drained I felt after the sprint to the finish line. But…

Just a few days later, I feel myself positively stoked with a new story idea. It's actually one I'd been wrestling with for a while, but new elements and plot points are coming together rapidly. And I have to admit, this could be big. This could be EPIC big. But most of all, it feels like fun. How do you know what God's will is for you? I can't speak for everyone, but it seems to me that if you find something you can do well, something that challenges you, kicks your tail from time to time, and you still can't seem to get enough of it…maybe that's God's will for you. So long as what you do lives up to scriptural scrutiny, that is. ;-)

Front Matter matters…or does it?

Working on the front matter for Isle of Swords now. With The Door Within Books, my editors and I agreed it was a good idea to include a List of Characters and Principal Settings, each with a pronunciation guide.

For Isle of Swords, my editors again have asked for this. We are also including two diagrams" a map of the Caribbean and a line drawing of a typical tall ship. We are debating a list of nautical terms: aft, keel, starboard, etc.

Interestingly, some folks didn't like the character/setting lists in the DW books. One even said, it bugged them--found it insulting.

I don't know. I think for a YA title, its good to have them. What do you think?

So much for rest...

Isle of Swords

The reality of being an author is, once the first draft of the manuscript is finished--a new dimension of work begins. And, I'm not even talking about the obvious edits and revisions which surely follow.

Here are just a few of the items I need to create/complete:

Front Matter including:
Character Names and Descriptions
Setting Names and Descriptions
Nautical Terms Glossary
Ship Names and Descriptions
Dedication

Back Matter including:
Sneak Preview of Isle of Swords Sequel (Uh, I better think one up!)
Acknowledgements

Teaser Summaries and Taglines:
These are intriguing summaries of varying lengths: Single Sentence, Paragraph, Single Page, etc. Taglines are the "Bumper Sticker" version. Hmmm...a 330 page novel condensed into a bumper sticker phrase. YIPE!!

It's all fun, and it's all work. But what worthwhile isn't?

By the way, if you missed my earlier post, see above the potential cover for Isle of Swords. Post in and let me know what you think!

Isle of Swords is FINISHED!!

As of seven minutes ago, I typed out the last line of Isle of Swords. It grew into something much bigger and much more powerful than I ever imagined it would. God has a way of delivering surprises.

One Chapter Remains...

Wrote for 8 hours today. One chapter of Isle of Swords remains.

I don't know what it's like for most authors. Don't know how fast other authors write. But for me, if I write two pages in an hour, I am really flying--greased lighting flying. I've been praying and had others praying for me. Today, I averaged THREE pages an hour. This happened during The Final Storm as well. And I will always look back and remember what God did in these crunch times.

Two quick observations:

1. A.D.D. and writing don't mix. I am the worst case I've ever. What were we talking. Hey look at that cute kitten. Huh?

2. I need to get a more comfortable chair. Nuff said.

Almost there.

It's 5:20. I'm in my little writer's prison cell at the local public library. Thank God for this little room. Four walls, a table, a chair, and an electrical outlet. I've been pounding the keyboard since 10:30 this morning. I'm in the thick of the ending, not far from the climax of Isle of Swords. I can sense the moment of victory…though it still may not be until 4:00am. ;-)

How fun is this?

In my classroom (I teach middle school reading/English) I have a Snoopy poster. He is sitting at a typewriter atop his doghouse with a silly grin on his cute face. His caption, "It's exciting when you've written something that you know is good."

And you know what? Snoopy's right. Right this very minute, I left a thrilling scene of Isle of Swords to come here and post. Why? Because I was having so much fun writing it that I wanted to share it. It's not that I know it's good--my editor will no doubt let the air out of my head when she reads the first draft. But it is absolutely a BLAST to write it. I've got the mental movie rolling, I feel the fright of the characters, I intensely, insanely, desperately want to know what will happen next!

God says trust in Him, and he will give you the desires of your heart. God's promises are so true.

Isle of Swords Update: Slower writing today. Spent hours on last minute research and visualizing--necessary, but time-munching. Nonetheless, I believe I will not only finish in time, but will finish ahead of schedule. It's not my power. It's HIS power.

See you Friday.

How do you do it?

I'm sure a lot of authors get asked that question. Especially, if the author is married. Especially if the author has children. Especially if the author works another full time job because (surprise to the general public) not all authors are getting rich.

My answer: God is really, really good. We have a lot of ways of saying this: God provides, God was there for me, God gave me the inspiration. But if you are as busy as I am or even worse, a cliche just won't cut it. Let's remember the people God places in our path who enable us to do something worthwhile.

My wife is the reason I was able to write for 10+ hours today. She became Mom and Dad, put toys together, found batteries, made meals, did laundry, and 100 other things I'd never even dream of doing even if I was at home. ;-) MY wife is a gift from God.

And by the way, I finished three more scenes of Isle of Swords, today, and think I'll write a few more hours yet. Pushing toward the conclusion now. Very fun stuff.

See you tomorrow.

Power that never fails.

A brief note tonight. I have 5 days left to meet my deadline for Isle of Swords. Looking at my outline, I have 11 scenes left to write. On my strength, I cannot make it. If I do, on sheer Wayne-power, what I write will stink to high Heaven--and I'm not being facetious. But, I am declaring these next 5 days: A Guarantee based on His power. Each night, I'm going to check in and declare the praises of that day.

If you happen to be writing tonight, remember, He is able...

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas morning. My oldest daughter just gave me a kiss on the cheek--a rare and beautiful thing. My boys are taking turns skateboarding and riding a new bike. My youngest daughter looks like a snow angel in her new dress. I am reminded of how generous our Father in Heaven is. I am grateful to have four healthy, happy children. I'm grateful to be alive to see their Christmas joy. I'm grateful that, as an author, I have a chance to serve along side God in this Great Adventure.

So, Merry Christmas to everyone and anyone who calls Jesus, Lord and Saviour. And for any who don't, who might still be kicking the tires on this "Christianity thing," and wondering if God could really be real, three questions for you, and three promises:

Questions: Answer them honestly
1. Do you really believe that the whole world in all its intricate beauty and design, ALL happened by sheer chance?
2. Do you really believe that this life, just 80 years or so (90+ if we are very fortunate), are all that there is--and nothing else?
3. When you drive to work in traffic, slam a door after an argument, or watch the first 15 minutes of news, do you ever wonder if there's something dreadfully wrong with this world?

If you answer, no to 1&2 or yes to #3, I have three promises for you. Actually, these are God's promises with my paraphrase.
1. There is someone who knows you--really knows you. He knew you before you were born. He knows every secret you've ever kept. He knows your fears, your hopes, your failures, he even knows those things that "if anyone else knew," you'd feel ashamed---and YET, He loves you anyway.
2. There is beyond this life a paradise beyond our imagination and adventures which, if we could glimpse them for just one second, would leave us breathless. This eternal world is there for the taking.
3. No amount of selfmedication (alcohol, food, sex, relationships, etc.) will ever fully take away the awful truth that this world and all the people in it, are flawed. There is only one God who can satisfy your soul. He will give you the living water that begins to quench your eternal thirst.

Merry Christmas and a thoughtful New Year.

Only One Week Left to Finish Isle of Swords!

37 Chapters of Isle of Swords down, about 10 to go...all this in 7 days, oh, and Christmas. YIPE. I'll just keep singing, "He is able, more than able...to accomplish what concerns me today."

By the way, here's the proposed cover for Isle of Swords:

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Peerfest

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Peerfest
This is a link to my friend JA Konrath's blog. He is a mystery writer in the Janet Evanovich/Robert Crais vein and a very nice guy. He, more than anyone I've ever met, studies the business side of publishing. His site (while it may contain some less that favorable language from some of the posters) is a TREASURE of insight for new authors and authors to be.

Welcome to The Realm Where Glimpses Dwell

There is an unseen world of good and evil where nightmares are fought and hope is reborn. Enter The Door Within.

Aidan Thomas is miserable. And it's much more than the strange nightmares he's been having. Just when life seemed to be coming together for Aidan, his parents suddenly move the family across the country to take care of his wheelchair-bound grandfather. When strange events begin to occur, Aidan is drawn into his grandfather's basement where he discovers three ancient scrolls and an invitation to another world.

No longer confined to the realm of his own imagination, Aidan embarks on an adventure where he meets knights, warriors, kings and mysterious Glimpses who can travel between worlds. Aidan joins them in the struggle between good and evil. With the fate of two worlds hanging in the balance, Aidan faces Paragory, the eternal enemy. Will Aidan be willing to risk everything and trust the unseen hand of the one true King? The answer comes from The Door Within.