Stumble and fall, but rise again

Doesn't it often seem that just when life is rolling in a direction that you can predict and control, it gets knocked off kilter by something unexpected? I know it does for me.
Recently I received majorly disappointing news from my publishing sources. Due to financial difficulties the publishing house had decided not to go forward with a contract.
I found myself really knocked low by this news until I knocked some sense into my head and realized that I should not give up after the first disappointment. After all, that has been a great part of my success in these last few years; I don't give up on my dreams, I look for new avenues or angles by which to attain them.
So I recently approached my publisher with an offer that I think will be difficult for them to refuse. God willing we can move forward as if nothing ever happened.
I say all of this to encourage anyone out there, especially authors struggling in these hard times. Don't give up! We were created to be creative. Think creatively and get yourself out of that self-pity box. Praise God for the good in your life, and then be encouraged by any and all past successes that you've had. Because someday, you will see new successes... that is, if you persevere.
If you stumble. Rise again!

Winter Storm Nemo strikes Connecticut

They said it would happen... I think we have over two feet of snow from Winter Storm Nemo. I am really enjoying having time at home with my family (it's a bit of a mini vacation) and I am hoping to get some quality writing done today.

Anyways, just wanted to post something fun. I am heading back outside to shovel some more... a lot more! If you are stuck because of this storm, consider reading one of my books today, especially if you have a Kindle, Nook, or iPad (-:

"Neverqueen" cover reveal!



At last I have it, the cover for Neverqueen (book 1)! The artist is Petra Rudolf (an artist from Germany that I found online) and I am quite pleased with the results. You can visit Petra on her website http://dracoliche.com/

Feel free to share this image and tell people that Neverqueen will hit your digital readers November 2013!

Premise:
In the thick forests along the Eiderveis River, the sphere of the ancient wizard Hermenuedis was forgotten until a young Art'en discovered it and allowed its evil to flourish in his soul. All that was good is now corrupted and the race of man rarely ventures beyond the shores of the northern sea. But one secret, once revealed, can bring the lands out of darkness and reunite the divided races of humanity.

"How Do I Decide?" ...I'm in it!

It was a whole lot of fun to be included in this book!

Rachelle Gardner, literary agent extraordinaire, has released a small book that is of great help in doing away with all the myths surrounding self-publishing versus traditional-publishing.

Many of my readers have asked me what is the difference, and I have often received the same question at schools and other speaking events.

As I always say: "Research, research, research!" Nothing speaks amateur more than a writer who fails to research their publishing options before they approach an agent/editor.

I wrote an opinion piece that was included in this book, so if you buy it check out the section titled Author Perspective.

The power of a sad ending

I don't know about you, but a tragic story can sometimes pull me in like no other story can. Such a story is one of my favorite films Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. The story follows a slight re-imagining of the Batman character known in the original animated series. He is heroic and steadfast, never seeming to waver in the purity of his heart.

In this particular film, the criminal masterminds were once part of a common brotherhood, but now someone is taking them out, one-by-one.

During the course of the film, Bruce Wayne's passionate love for Andrea Beaumont is revealed when she returns unexpectedly to Gotham. The movie shifts seamlessly between the present troubles and Batman's flashbacks.

The script for this is amazing. It grabs from the get go and there is no happy ending to the tale. And yet, it has become a cult classic, and I understand why.

This has made me sit back and re-evaluate the contemporary stories playing out on screen and in books. Most stories, especially the superhero type, have happy endings and there are few permanent losses that the heroes and heroines must endure. As storytellers, are we forgetting the power of a sad ending? Are we afraid to let a beloved character die, and are we afraid to make our heroes stalwart and true?

So here is a tip of my hat to the stories of yesteryears, and the tragedies that hooked me and stayed in my memory.

What movies and books had this effect on you?

The Strong Do Not Run

There seems to be a growing trend in Christian society; a move toward becoming hermits in the wake of all the liberal advances being made in this country. I have heard it from people online (as they withdraw from certain applications) and I have heard it from people "on the street" as they throw up their hands and tell me they have accepted the fact that the USA has changed forever and we are moving to a socialist state.

But we are followers of Christ, and I say that this is the time for us to stand and be tested. In some ways I welcome it, although I recognize the hardships we will face as this culture grows in its opposition to God and tradition. Here in the good old USA we have been knights in our castles, individually enjoying a wide array of pleasures while the armor of God rusts in our closets.

The strong do not run; the strong draw their resiliency and their hope from the Lord Christ himself. We must prepare ourselves for battle, to take courage and strive to live in the fruits of the spirit. It is time for true religion to shine and for those who have embraced the world to be ashamed and repent. It is time to pull out our armor and polish it, to hone our swords for the spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of those who live around us.

Ephesians 6:10

The Hobbit... So the journey begins!

It was with great curiosity and high hopes that I went with my wife today and watched The Hobbit. Yes, I know, this movie has been in theatres for some time now. But with life being as crazy busy as it has been for me this was my first opportunity to view this major production.

First, in answer to those who might wonder, yes, I have read the book and enjoyed it greatly. In fact, it was one of the first if not the first fantasy title I ever read. Jackson's film did not disappoint me. Yes, he added in a few elements and drew greatly from The Scilmarillion (I thought). The Hobbit is more uplifting than the Lord Of The Rings. Delightfully so. The acting was great, the special effects were amazing, and the choreography very satisfying.The violence in this movie is a bit more than in LOTR but I did not feel it was gratuitously so.

Did anyone else pick up on the moment that Galadriel gave Gandalf the ring of power?

Anyway, there is my simple review. This is a great film (but don't bring your little ones to see it).