Either about writing or using stories for teaching.
This is a true story which I emphasize because I’ve been known to make things up. I told Ruby that I have three more books to write in my series set on Earth’s twin planet, Erimea. Paradise Unfallen is just the first book. It’ll probably take ten years to finish. I’ll be almost eighty then. By that point, I should be mature enough to handle being famous. You know, something modest, on the level of…
I’ve completed my new novel — Paradise Unfallen! It’s scheduled for release on April 8, 2026, and I’d love your help sharing it with the world. The inspiration behind Paradise Unfallen Back in 2004, a friend gave me a book of essays by nineteenth century Swiss theologian Frédéric L. Godet, “Studies in the New Testament”. One passage took root in my mind and heart. Godet wrote: “Man, as created by God, was good, not in…
This is a short fictional narrative based on a minor character from my novel, True Status. Golden light spilled over my forest, stretching the shadows into long, dark fingers. I stood at the window, hands trembling. Something was out there. That afternoon, a man I had hated for years walked into my office. He claimed he’d seen a heavenly vision and came to beg for forgiveness. Worse, he said Benny had forgiven us both. My…
This fictional narrative provides the backstory of Benotenn, a secondary character in my novel, True Status. There was a day when the angels presented themselves before God, but two human souls, Benotenn and Dahlia, also attempted entry into the heavenly temple. Fearsome gatekeepers in gleaming white garments blocked the doorway of the temple’s crystalline outer walls. The guards said, “The human dead must wait until the procession of ministering spirits is complete.” Dahlia and Benotenn…
I told a friend, Dorothy, about the main character in my novel, True Status. He is skeptical about God’s goodness and power. Dorothy (not her real name) has devoted her professional life to the care of mentally and physically disabled adults. Dorothy said, “I have a problem believing in a God that allows innocent people like babies to be raped and murdered.” “God makes people responsible,” I said, “for what they do. God gives all…
The first draft of my novel, True Status, consisted of 62,000 words. When I rewrote the story, I slashed 23,000 words and added 47,000 new words. An improved story of 86,000 words resulted. My editor urged me to make the manuscript better, so more rewriting and pruning followed until I trimmed another 10,000 words. Figuring out what to add and what to remove made all the difference. Anything that did not advance the story or…
My sister told us the story of the Black Skeleton. It was a true story, but here is my fictionalized version. A woman named Davia attended a birthday party, and she lost herself in music and dancing until she noticed a black skeleton standing in the next room. The skeleton sent a chill through Davia. Why wear such a creepy getup to a birthday party? She tried to ignore it and returned her focus to…
My debut novel, True Status, is scheduled for a mid-summer release. Will you join my launch team to make sure as many readers as possible are aware of True Status? It is a mysterious and entertaining story with a little romance thrown in. True Status is also the story of God’s pursuit of every human heart with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Primary jobs of a launch team What you get How you join the…
On September 26, 2022, I signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing, a traditional publisher, to publish my debut novel, True Status. It should be available in spring 2023. I’m grateful to God to have reached this point. I hope my journey will encourage you on yours. My efforts began in January 2018 after Jillian, our youngest, enrolled in a creative writing course. Jillian’s comments about the class were intriguing enough for me to…
If you didn’t read “Frankie was a thief – Part 1”, stop, go and read Part 1 first. It is the previous post. Frankie was a thief – Part 2 (One year later.) You receive an e-mail from Joe Aniskusko. Joe is an elder at a congregation in Schenectady, NY. You and Joe once worked together and became really close friends. In fact, Joe is the one who led you to Christ. Over the years…