After two more book signings I’m starting to understand a great principal: ‘Commit your work to the Lord and rest in Him during events.’ I tend to get anxious during a book signing because I want to sell a lot and sign a lot of books. But, I’m learning that I may not be at this event to do just one thing. It may be that the Lord has me there to be an encourager as well as a signer or seller. So, by praying for Him to ordain that event and the people He wants to bring there, I actually cast my cares upon Him and He cares for me during the event. My worries gone, I can focus on people rather than books and money.
This is a huge revelation for me! A perfectionist from ‘kidhood’ and now as an aspiring adult writer of YA fiction I want His imprint on my work and time, not mine. He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. May I succeed in resting in Him and focusing on relationships rather than all the other ‘stuff’ that tends to feed my flesh rather than my spirit!

Saturday, April 5, 2014 was a great day for me. I went to hear Donita K. Paul share at the local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers meeting. She informed and entertained us regarding presentations as authors/speakers. We need to know our topic, our audience, the facility, ages, etc. We need to structure our talk and have a strategy for sharing our experiences so the audience really understands what we’re saying.

Saturday afternoon I attended the Pikes Peak Library District Mountain of Authors conference. Twenty-four Colorado authors were present (selected) to share their books, to sell and sign copies. There were two panel discussion groups and one featured speaker. It was free, an annual event and worth it.

Because I’m a published author and was excited to be present, I was able to offer signed copies of my books to several people as well.

Personally, getting the message of my books out into the ‘reading world’ is more important than earning money. At least this is my initial take on ‘professional’ writing.

One of the authors present today at the East Library in Colorado Springs was Mara Purl, former actress on ‘Days of Our Lives.’ She impressed on us the importance of knowing our readers, caring about them, writing to their needs, and being truthful and authentic in our writing. She stressed the importance of writing with excellence and accuracy, with which all of the other authors agreed wholeheartedly.

The library staff reminded us that they have many resources for new and experienced writers. I encourage you to check your local libraries for similar resources, critique groups, writer’s groups and more. Get involved and stay involved as a ‘becoming’ writer.

I recently signed up Online with freelancewritingcourses.com and am taking a Masters Fiction Writing Course. It consists of ten lessons from a fiction writer who has published over 90 books. I need to be learning about fiction writing, even if I’ve already published two books. The cost was only $47.00. Well worth it!

Dear Friends,

I have my next book signing on April 19, Easter Weekend at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 795 Citadel Drive E, in the Citadel Mall, Colorado Springs, Colorado. I plan to be there from 10:00 AM till late afternoon or early evening. Both of my books should be available; Book One: Dragon Riders of The Realm and Book Two: Dragon Riders of The Realm, Caves of Conquest. I hope you’ll come purchase one or both.

My next book signing is on April 26, at Family Christian Bookstore, 7165 N. Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I plan to be there from 10:00 AM till late afternoon.

I appreciate your prayers and support as I continue to write for the Lord, wrapping the gospel in fantasy to reach teens for Christ.

HI everyone. My second Book: from Dragon Riders of The Realm series, entitled Caves of Conquest, is now available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Apple as an eBook and soon if not now, as a printed paperback.

Thanks for your support and prayers that my books will win young people to Christ.

My website is: dragonridersoftherealm.com

Keep in touch.

Dear Readers and Fellow Bloggers,

What can be more exciting than to see your ideas, stories, thoughts, reflections and articles/manuscripts in PRINT? Because I am self-published, printing time can take from one to six weeks because I’m paying the publisher to print my books. But they see great value in what I’m writing. So, it’s a two-way street.

Traditional published books sometimes are seen as of greater worth or value because the author had to write a proposal to get their work looked at and eventually accepted.

My books are of great value and worth because they are Christ-centered. As a Christian writing fantasy around the gospel, I am hoping to reach a generation of young people and anyone else out there interested in dragons. Book One names fifteen dragons. Book Two names at least thirty dragons in it. Most of my dragons are active players in my stories.

Book Two is much more complicated and interwoven. It will be a great addition to Book One as well as the sequel to Book One.

I hope you enjoy reading these books.

P.S. Please write a review at Amazon.com for any of my books you find listed there. Thanks.

Dear Friends and Followers,

My second book in the series, Dragon Riders of The Realm, “Caves of Conquest, The Truth Will Triumph,” was recently sent to my publisher, Xulon Press. I am excited and scared. I wanted to add a map of The Realm, but it still needs work. So, a third book in this series is planned for this summer, 2014. Hopefully by then, I’ll have the map ready as well.

If any of you have read Book One, please write a review at Amazon.com under my Book title. Even if you didn’t like the Book, I welcome your reviews. I’m a writer-in-learning. I plan to take a few more classes to improve my grammar and writing style.

Happy writing and reading!

Last year I predicted that I would have two books published before the end of the year (2013). That didn’t happen. But, by God’s grace I am nearing the end of Book Two in my series: Dragon Riders of The Realm. That is exciting news! Book Two is entitled: Caves of Conquest.

I was asked recently if Book Three is in the works. I started writing Book Three last November, 2013. It’s started, but getting Book Two ready for publication has taken a lot of time. I am a full-time city bus driver. My weekdays are booked. So, making time to write Book Three is difficult.

So, yes. I am planning a third Book in this series. When it will be finished is a hard question to answer. But, I hope to complete it before summer, June, 2014.

If you are writing, keep at it. Get that story inside of you out on paper. Go to writing conferences, critique groups, online to take writing classes and strive to improve your craft. It will be worth your efforts.

1. On your free time, write! Write about an answer to prayer.
2. Think about your neighborhood or housing area or apartment. Describe the sounds you hear daily.
3. Ask if you can contribute a poem or article for the church bulletin, local newspaper or to the school newspaper. Write about the weather or an event that took place recently.
4. Write a letter or keyboard a letter to someone you love. Tell them all the neat things you like about them. Send it to them.
5. Write a letter to your sponsored child from Compassion International. Send it.
6. Journal in a notebook or journal and share your feelings about something someone did that blessed you. Share how you felt when you received it; how you felt a month later. Keep journaling.
7. Make a list of three things you like about:
a. Your pastor
b. Your mailcarrier
c. Your spouse/friend
d. Your neighbor
e. Your teacher/boss
f. Your dog/pet
g. Your brother/sister
h. Yourself

Think it’s easy to write? Think again. It’s as easy to write, as it is to have devotions everyday. It’s as easy to write as changing a flat tire. It’s as easy to write as it is to stop going to the refrigerator and eating something every ten minutes. It’s as easy to write, as it is to walk the dog or clean the cat litter or take out the trash that’s been collecting for a week in seven different trashcans around the house. It’s as easy to write, as it is to stop watching Castle or White Collar or Funniest Home Videos. It’s as easy to write, as it is to stop eating those chips! It’s as easy to write, as it is to go to bed early at night. It’s as easy to write, as it is to “take up your cross, deny yourself and follow Jesus.

The fact is: it’s not easy to write. Writing is hard work. It’s hard because it requires time, thoughtfulness and quietness. Writing worth reading requires “into-ness.” What is “into-ness”? Into-ness” means the ability to get “into” your story, get “into” your characters, and get “into” your readers.

“Into-ness” can be easier if you’re focused on one area of writing at a time. The story itself is flowing well. But your main character lacks expression. For instance, as you are writing your story and following an outline or have an idea of where the story is going, you shed more light on one of your characters. It’s your main character. The reader is unsure how Clara would respond to certain, given circumstances.

Clara is with her groupie’s, about eight teens that have been discussing the pros and cons of same-sex attraction. It’s after school in the hallway. In the past, Clara has been quiet and uncommitted to share her Christian beliefs. Suddenly, Amanda, an avowed atheist and in favor of homosexuality, asks her opinion. Clara turns her eyes away from Amanda and doesn’t answer. Amanda calls her a chicken and challenges her to tell her friends her “real” opinions of this so called “unchristian” activity. She is verbally attacked by Amanda, leaves the hallway and runs into a vacant classroom, and just shuts down. Karen follows her. When she sees Karen, she turns away, begins crying uncontrollably, her shoulders sag and she drops to her knees.

Karen: (the attacker): “Serves you right, Clara! Go ahead and cry about it.”

Clara: (stops crying and slowly gets up, still facing away from Karen): “You’re right, Karen. It does serve me right. I should have never turned down that offer to share my true feelings with the group.” (Turning toward Karen) “It’s time to be the real person I am.”

Karen: “What are you talking about? You aren’t made of stone. You’re as mushy as wet clay!”

Clara: “Used to be mushy; now as strong as a stone!” (Begins walking toward Karen, chin set forward, with steps as sure as a soldier) “You better move, Karen, or you will get knocked over!”

Karen: (steps aside) “Whoa! Watch out! What do you think you’re doing?”

Clara: (walks passed Karen and out the door speaking): “I’m going God’s way! Want to come?” (As her voice trails off)

Karen: “Hey, wait for me!” (Runs out of room through doorway)

Now, as a writer, you’ve placed your main character in the middle of big trouble! What will Clara do next and say next? Your job as a writer is to constantly place your characters into the battle zone of this present culture and have them speak the truth in love.

Let’s examine that statement: ‘Speak the truth in love.’

In other words, Clara might say:

“Hey, guys. I really like our times together in the lunchroom, the classroom, and on the track and field teams. But one thing I can’t share with you is my virginity. It belongs to God and will stay that way until I get married.”

Rick: “So, you’re a virgin?”

Clara: “Yeah, and not ashamed of it. My parents were virgins before they got married and I like the feeling of being pure and clean in my relationships.”

Billy: “Then why are you hanging around with us?”

Clara: “We all enjoy the same kinds of activities, don’t we? Just because you’re gay or lesbian doesn’t mean I don’t like you. I just can’t go that far. I want to honor Jesus in my decisions and activities. “

Amanda: “It’s not that you can’t go that far. It’s that you won’t! Right?”

Clara: “Yeah. You said it, Amanda. I’ve made up my mind and I won’t do something that would upset my relationship with Jesus Christ. I want Him on the throne of my heart. That way I won’t have to worry about the consequences of any poor choices I might make.”

Amanda: “So, are you saying my choice to be a lesbian was a poor one?”

Clara: “I can’t speak for you, Amanda or anyone else here. I’m speaking for myself. For me, choosing a lifestyle that is different from the one I see Jesus living in the Bible, is a poor choice over living free from the other choices out there.”

Billy: “As far as I’m concerned, this conversation is over.” (leaves)

The group breaks up, but Karen sticks around.

Karen: “Wow, Clara! Your wet clay turned into solid stone this time. I used to be a Christian.”

Clara: Really?”

Karen: “Yeah. I went to church with my parents and read my Bible.”

Clara: What happened?”

Karen: “I started getting involved with our groupie’s and I quit everything. But you really sound convinced on this Bible stuff. Do you really believe it?”

Clara: “I’ve been a chicken too long! I still read my Bible and pray almost everyday. Yeah, I believe it!”

Writers write on controversial subjects and with lots of problems in their stories. Characters come alive when there is controversy and trouble and tragedy! I like writing dialogue because it allows readers to like or dislike a character by reading the lines of that character. Word descriptions are nice, but they don’t let the character share his/her thoughts, feelings and actions.

Writers write! So, get to it! Finish this dialogue. Create your own set of unbelievable circumstances, choose some good and bad characters, place them in conflicting situations and start writing.

Sing that familiar cheer with these words:

“I am a Writer!
“Mighty, mighty Writer!
“Everywhere I go,
“People want to know
“What I write about,
“So, I tell them:
“I’m writing fiction!
“Mighty, mighty fiction!” You get the point.

Write and keep writing. Read and keep reading. Do research and keep doing research. Submit articles and manuscripts and keep submitting. Get published and paid. Keep getting published and paid. Honor your Lord.