A Twist in the plot

Isn’t it cool how there are sometimes twists in the plots of our lives? We think we’re going to go a certain way, but then God puts a twist in there that totally surprises us. That’s what happened to me today. I was geared up to work on editing The Portal, and all of a sudden, *POOF* I started getting ideas for a series I’ve been plotting for a long time. And now I’ve written around 3,000 words today.

Now before those of you who have read TS freak out and wonder if I’ve forgotten about the major cliff-hanger at the end (oops, spoiler), I want to assure you that I have not forgotten. I’m simply going with the inspiration that the Lord has given me. He’ll direct me back to working on The Portal when it’s time.

I’m not going to say a whole lot about the new series yet, but I will say that it’s going to be a very hard series for me to write. I’ll be writing more of myself, my heart, my life, into this series than I have ever written into any story I’ve ever penned (or typed). But God has told me that it’s time for healing in my heart, and that as I write the first book in this series, He will use it in a healing process. Already, as I wrote today, I was on the verge of tears more than once. It’s also going to be hard for others to read it. I’ll be opening up my heart to those who read it, and it’s scary. But it’s in God’s hands, in His will.

So as I work on this new story and work on editing The Portal, please keep me in your prayers. And check back here, as I’ll probably update more often now that I’m working on stuff again. Oh, and leave me comments. Please. :o)

EDIT: I ended up writing almost 6,000 words today. Thank the Lord!

The next chapter

This week I will be embarking on the next chapter of my writing: editing the sequel to The Seer. I’m not sure what it will be titled, but for now I’ll be calling it The Portal. That’s just a working title, which may or may not stick. I’m really not sure. I have a feeling it might, but I’ll not say anything definite right now.

I have big aspirations for this year. I’ll be publishing The Portal, and hopefully at least one other novel. I’ve got some half-novels (mostly stand-alone) that I could finish and edit in a rather short amount of time. I’m just waiting on the Lord to show me what He wants me to do. But enough of that! I’ve got to concentrate on editing/re-writing for now and cross the other bridge when I come to it.

All of that said, I should like to request prayer from those of you who keep up with my writings here on the blog. If you would keep me in your prayers during this process, I would muchly appreciate the support. And, if you don’t mind, comment here once in a while so that I know you’re out there. ;)

Okay, I’m off. I need to straighten up my workspace (which is something I rarely need to do) and dig in. Namarie!

Patience

I am really trying to allow this whole publishing thing to teach me patience. For the most part, as long as I’ve left the timing to the Lord, I’ve been okay. It’s just been the times when I’ve freaked myself out by thinking about how I’m over a month behind… uh, never mind. I won’t go there. But you get the idea. And, as my family and friends have told me time and again, it won’t last forever. The book will be released when it’s released. So that points me back to leaving the timing to the Lord, which is a good thing.

Oh, an update on NaNoWriMo progress. I am currently at 31,198 words, and I haven’t yet gotten today’s words in. I’m shooting for 33k by tonight. The story is so amazing — which shouldn’t surprise me since the Lord gave it to me. I’m having a blast writing it, and I know I’ll have a blast when it comes time to clean it up for publication (whenever that’ll be).

As for an update on The Seer, I ordered another proof yesterday. I should get it early next week. I’m really, really, really hoping that it’ll be the last proof I have to order…is that being impatient?

Almost there…I hope.

I got the CORRECT proof copy today. It. looks. wonderful. I am so pleased with the changes! However, Mom insists on going through it one final time, so I’m still not able to set a date for the release. We may have to order yet another proof, which is a ridiculously long process… But it’s in the Lord’s hands. I just wanted to post a quick update so that y’all know that I haven’t forgotten about those of you who read this blog. ;D

Oh, and NaNoWriMo is going well. My current word count is 12,749 (I’m a little behind) and I’m muchly enjoying the story. Yes, I know that was bad grammar.

Ahead of the Game

My word count in NaNoWriMo right now is 8,088. And I haven’t written any today yet; that’s yesterday’s final word count. Today I’m going to fly past the 10k mark. I’m way ahead. Woot!

On the publication front there is no news. The second proof copy Createspace sent me was printed with the old files, so it’s just like the first two I ordered. I’m still waiting for them to get back to me on a new proof (with the correct files) — and get one sent to me! I have no idea what’s taking so long, but I’m having to keep giving all the frustration to the Lord. I’m still trying to trust His timing. It’s still hard. And I am determined that the next book I publish will not go through this stuff. Of course, that’s my plan. Is it God’s? I’ll know next year when I publish.

And so, despite the frustration with the publication stuff, I am overall feeling quite excited. My NaNoWriMo is definitely a book I will be publishing. I’m not sure when, but if you keep up with this Web site, you’ll be among the first to know when God gives me the green light on it and tells me to publish it. I can’t wait. But first I have to get it finished. ;D

So it begins…

Here we are. The first day of NaNoWriMo has arrived. And I have not yet begun. But no worries, I shall begin today. If I can actually figure out what in the world I’m going to write. I have ideas, and I think I have a solid one, but I’m still uncertain. Perhaps I just need to sit down and write. That sounds like a good plan, so I think I’ll go with it.

I’m hoping to update this blog with my NaNo progress — maybe not every day like I will on my personal blog — and I hope that you can find it in your heart to comment and cheer me on. :P Oh, and let me know if you’re doing NaNo! I’d like to cheer you on too.

Still waiting.

I’m waiting for my second proof copy to arrive. And in the meantime, I am feeling antsy and rather bored. Which is something I find quite strange. I thought I would be relieved to have a break from working on the book, but instead I feel rather lost without edits and things to get done. That was what my day revolved around for so long that I’m having trouble finding structure for my days.

But that shall cease when I start NaNoWriMo on Monday. Of course, I need a plot. I’ll probably get one today or tomorrow. I’ve always gotten my NaNo plots the day before I start. :P By ‘get’ I mean that God’s given me the plots. So I’m keeping my eyes peeled. Ya never know when  plot might go *poof* and appear out of nowhere. So we’ll see.

Promo Contest

I’m not sure how many readers the site has at this moment, seeing as how I just launched it earlier this month. But I would like to find out who would be interested in a promo contest for TS. Please comment here on the blog (not on Facebook) and let me know!

Proofing

Last night I ordered proof copies of the novel — one for me, one for the rest of the family. They shipped at 2:22AM today. I don’t know when I’ll get them. But I’m still feeling more nervous than excited. I guess it won’t really sink in that I’m doing this until I tear open the box and pull out the copies. When I hold them in my hands and flip through the pages and inhale the new-book smell, when I re-arrange my bookshelves to accommodate the addition in my sci-fi/fantasy collection… Then maybe it’ll sink in. Maybe?

I’m off. I’ve got to see if I can get a ginormous copy of the cover art for some spiffy stuff I’ve got up my sleeve.

Jitters

This journey has been so long. Publication has been a distant, untouchable thing to me ever since I first got it into my head that it was something I wanted to do (and, more importantly, something God wanted me to do). But earlier this year when He showed me that I needed to self-publish via Amazon Createspace, it wasn’t so untouchable. Now it’s within my reach. By next week it will be in my grasp when I hold the first paperback copy of one of my novels. I would definitely say that my jitters are justified. Oh, yeah, I’m excited. But for right now, the jitters mostly outweigh the excitement. I know that’s going to change soon. ;D