My Favorite Holiday!

Christmas is fast approaching . . . oh is it ever coming quickly! The holiday rush is surrounding me every day at the camera shop. Impatient people coming to purchase things they should have come for a couple weeks ago seem bent on ruining my day.

But in the midst of this I find real pleasure in buying gifts for my family. There's something utterly wonderful in putting things that I know they'll use and appreciate and enjoy, under the Christmas tree. It seems almost wrong not to give more than I should on this holiday... every gift that I put under the tree came about because Christ gave eternity to me.

And the greatest gift I could receive on earth for this year has already been given to me: family and friends that love me without condition. Family is precious, and the friends to whom I am closest because they have been with me through thick and thin... they are more valuable than a million acquaintances.

Take pleasure this Christmas in those around you, those who have your best interest at heart (and have put that heart into their actions!)

Slow Going

Work, work, work . . . I wish it wasn't necessary for me to go back to full time work. But at least it's proving financially profitable. Sales have been good at the camera shops (for the most part) but I can't wait until early January so that I'll be back to full time writing. Talking photography, upselling products and informing customers of new equipment and photographic techniques is a lot of fun for me, but it has seriously detracted from the amount of writing I want to get done.

Please pray that I will find the time and be creative to finish Swords of the Six within the next couple of weeks. I am very pressed for time and I need to send the edited manuscript back to AMG Publishers soon.

"Swords of the Six" status

Now that I've been working full time it has been difficult to keep up my novel writing. However, Swords of the Six should be finished sometime next month . . . as long as all goes according to plan.

If AMG Publishers contracts this first novel then I will begin work on the second one. Swords of the Six has grown into a 56,000-word manuscript covering from the betrayal of six warriors of the great white dragon, until Ilfedo is given the sword for which the series is named.

The second novel will begin the story that my prereaders are familiar with, and that is the story of Oganna, from her childhood up until the battle in Burloi. The first novel will tell Dantress's story, and reveal more of Ilfedo's origins. The character of Specter has emerged strongly, as I'd hoped, as the guardian of all that Albino holds dear.

"Patient, the Shepherd" Bookmark

After a few revisions the illustration is complete. Amber has done a great job. I love the soft feel to the scene, evoking emotions of peace in the midst of a storm.

Next project will be the second bookmark, one of a character that few of you will know because he is original to the new edition of my novel. But I won't spoil the "Specter" bookmark for you. You'll just have to wait until work on it begins!

In the meantime I have to finish editing Swords of the Six and then give it to the editor, Dan Penwell, at AMG Publishers. Mostly I've focused, as the editor requested me to, on strengthening dialogue and enriching the story with more detail.

So, back to writing in the midst of a busy schedule. Do not be concerned, though distractions come along and things slow for a time (such as financial considerations) this project is my baby and I'm going to see it through to the beautiful end!

Artwork Continues

The first bookmark is moving along now. Amber's honing details and adding colors. The ocean will be re-oriented to recede on the right side instead of on the left.

Amber Hill's artwork

Artwork, it is something that makes a novel come alive in a unique way.

Last year I hired Jennifer Miller to do an awesome illustration of Albino the dragon lifting the sword out of the pool while he stands over the grave of his beloved daughter.

This year I've hired a friend of Jennifer's named Amber Hill to do a promotional illustration of Patient the shepherd. The sketch on the left is the first phase of the illustration. Doesn't she do a nice job?

The reason for hiring a second artist is that Jennifer is not as strong when it comes to humanoid illustration. And, since her and Amber have collaborated on prior occasions, I now have the advantage of two good artist to look up.

This art piece will be finished middle of November. Its main purpose is going to be as a bookmark illustration.

Amber sent me three initial sketches and I chose the topmost of these two. However, she is going to make a couple adjustments that I thought were necessary. 1) I don't like the shepherd looking down, it makes him look abashed/ashamed 2) The staff needs to curve inward more dramatically.

Other than that it all looked great! Thumbs up, Amber!

J.K. Rowling Revealed her True Colors

You will notice that I've removed the Harry Potter books from my favorites list.

J.K. Rowling's recent declaration that she intended Dumbledore to be gay made me turn tail from her work. As a Christian I must be careful what I read and what I endorse. I am sorry I ever endorsed HP and now I join the ranks of those who know that the books are nothing less than an underhanded attempt to demorallize youth.