Looking at posting chapters for review

I am thinking of posting some chapters of my book online for people to read and comment on. I'll watermark the chapters, but I'd like to hear from people what they think and any changes that they'd recommend. I'd welcome some comments if you think this is a good idea.

Changing around the order of chapters

After some talking with my brother about hooks to draw a person into reading a story, I decided to make some changes to my first book's chapter order. The Mad Hatter's statement to Alice in Through the Looking Glass of "start at the beginning, and when you've reached the end, stop" doesn't really work well for storytelling. In story telling, you typically start in the middle and then fill in the back story. This provides the "hook" for the story by baiting it with all of the action transpiring in the first chapter.
I've thought about it for some time now, recalled several stories that I've read in the past and how they began their tales and I have to agree: most of my favorite stories began in the middle and filled in the back story as they went along. For someone that is just starting writing stories, I think it best to follow the rules before I decide to break them.

Truth in fiction...

Recently, there have been a number of letters to the editor in my local paper regarding Ann Rice's refusal to become a Christian because Christianity speaks against the practice of homosexuality, abortion, and other things she supports. Many of the letters have been from people professing to be Christians, but at the same time affirming many of the practices the bible explicitly condemns! Their reasoning, if it can even be called reason, is based in social acceptability and rhetoric rather than propositional truth.
I am amazed at how so many people that claim to be Christians reject the concept of propositional truth. Religion used to be a system of propositions regarding reality, but now people treat whether something is true based on emotions or feelings rather than propositions.
Let me first define some terms before I get any further. A Proposition is a statement or claim. The proposition may be true or it may be false, but it makes a claim. Truth by definition is exclusive and conforms to reality. If something is true, then necessarily all other claims that contradict it are false. If a proposition is made and a contradiction exists, then either the proposition is false or the evidence of the contradiction is false. Two claims that are contradictory cannot be true in the same relationship at the same time.

So now on to my claim: Any religion that claims to be all inclusive must by definition be false!
A person that claims to be a Christian (ie. a system of propositions regarding beliefs) and at the same time denies those propositions (ie. anyone is acceptable, regardless of your beliefs) is holding to a contradiction. Therefore, the person's claim that they are a Christian is false. So what about a religion that isn't Christianity? Okay, let's say religion X welcomes all beliefs as true. Religion Y comes along and states that all beliefs are not true. In order for X to be true, then it must state that Y is false, but if it does that then it is affirming Y at the same time it is denouncing it. Therefore, religion X cannot be true. Now, this doesn't mean that religion Y is true, just that all beliefs CANNOT be equally true.

I am sorry that Ann Rice did not convert to Christianity, but as long as she refuses to accept its propositions, she did the logically correct thing in refusing. Those that believe that they can call themselves Christians and at the same time reject the propositions that the bible gives are deceiving themselves and are no more Christian than Ann Rice.

Back to the story

I wasn't able to get as much work on the stories done as I would have liked. So many things interfering, necessary things, but interfering nonetheless. Truck breaking down halfway from the university to home, clearing items from a credit report that didn't belong to me, filling out paperwork for a security clearance, looking for another vehicle, trying to find some temp work while waiting for the processing of said security clearance. So in other words, life happens.

I hope to get some more time to write. In book 3, I hope to address issues such as the purpose of music in worship, God's (the Author) sovereignty in times of disappointment regarding love, temptations and consequences of using the enemy's means even if the ends are considered "good."

That is a lot of ground to cover, I know. Each topic could cover a book in itself, and I think I will only be able to touch on many of them. But perhaps this will become a springboard from which to spur conversation and give a basic foundational understanding to start building on.

The power of the story to affect reality

I recently read this article by Carl Kirby, a former air traffic controller for the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The article addresses how science fiction stories made him question God's existence and also God's goodness. We often stay "but it is just entertainment, it isn't real." While that is true in its strictest sense, we often do interpret reality through the fiction that we read and see.

However, if the story can be used to make people doubt God, it may be able to do the reverse and present a strong case for God and the Bible. I had already thought about writing a science fiction story and this article may prove to be a catalyst to help me get going on it. I'll set up another blog to follow the progress on that story so that this blog and focus more on the Will of the Author series.

Update: I've created a new blog to outline and follow the creation of my science fiction story.
http://thealiensfromearth.blogspot.com/

Starting Book 3 and revising Book 1 and Book 2

Well, I've just started work on Book 3. For the next few weeks, I plan on writing the draft for the book while I am also re-reading books 1 and 2 to revise, edit, and make other various alterations, additions, and some deletions. Overall, I have been pleased with the works. It is fascinating to read a story that I wrote and feel like it is someone else's book, yet at the same time know that it is my own.

Some additional artwork

It has been a while since I last posted, but here is some additional artwork that I was sent regarding concept sketches. One is a layout sketch for Teran's first encounter with Axile, the immensely strong and friendly Syntar.

The other is an inked version of Teran's encounter with Dothar along the road. I was actually sent two inked versions of the meeting on the road, but I felt that the first one on the right was the better of the two. Here is a copy of the other one for your comment.

National Day of Prayer

This is a prayer that was offered for the National Day of Prayer by R. C. Sproul, a Christian theologian that I highly admire. I include it here because it is a prayer that is also based on the main theme of the stories I am trying to write: the overwhelming sovereignty of God. Please take the time to read it and if you are willing, to make it your own even if the U.S. District Court says that such a day violates the Establishment Clause.

Our Father and our God, indeed You are our God, and Your sovereignty extends over all things. That as God, Your relevance and Your dominion can never be restricted merely to the realm of the spiritual or the religious, but that your sovereignty extends over all creation, over every aspect of our life and of our culture, over our government, over our church, over our schools, over our health, over our wealth, over our thinking, our planning, and our crying. And so we, as your people, are pleading with you to have mercy upon us, to give us leaders who have a regard for You, who will regard Your name as holy, and who will understand that in whatever office they hold, they are to be your servants, for you have ordained them. And we ask that you would bring new life to your church and that we may begin our repentance at our own house and in our own churches as we plead with you to have mercy upon us as a nation, as a people, as a culture that the light of Christ may be rekindled with great glory and intense brightness in our land, and that there would be a revival of a knowledge of Thee without which our land will mourn and our people will perish. And we ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Concept cover art for book 1 of the Author series

This was originally a cover art pencil sketch that my sister did for the book. I colored it for a class assignment and created a flier. Once I get the book finalized, I'll see if she can create an inked version.

This is taken from a scene in the book where Teran (boy in the foreground), Elaina, and Gwydon (man in the background) are fleeing from the enemy, who is torching a farm house that they had recently been staying at.

My sister sketched this when I said that I needed something for the cover that would draw people's interest into reading the story. This was the first concept she came up with and I really liked it. I'll post up some additional concept art for the story soon.

Outlines for seven books

I've created outlines for about seven books in the Author series.

Book 1:
Teran is a boy that is seeking to become one of the prophets under Medwyn the seer. Shadians, also known as prophets in training, learn many skills such as making of medicines, doctrines of the Author, rites of blessings, and other things. Teran is tasked by Medwyn to deliver some medicines to a town needed to halt a plague that is killing the people. While traveling, he is attacked by brigands and robbed of everything save the clothes on his body. He journeys to recover the stolen medicine and along the way befriends the minotaur-like Axile, Elaina the princess enchantress, and Gwydon the imperial champion of Elendor. But the leader of these brigands is no ordinary ruffian, but a servant of the Dark Lord. Will a young boy be able to accomplish his mission against such odds even with such allies?

Book 2:
Teran and Elaina find themselves caught in a plot by an evil wizard to steal the Sword of Truth from the Labyrinth of Wisdom. Teran retrieves the sword only to have the evil wizard take it from him and flee. Teran, Elaina, and a servant of the Author, the Griffin, journey to find the wizard. Along the way they meet a wandering bard, who mistakes Teran and Elaina for lost children. Together they find the enchanted castle where the evil wizard Mordak is. But the wizard himself is a prisoner! The castle itself holds a dark secret that endangers Elaina's life and all of the companions. Even more mysterious is a young girl that is also imprisoned, but her cold demeanor and threatening eyes belie someone with great power but also great sorrow and sadness. Will Teran and his companions be able to find the Sword of Truth in this magical castle, or will Elaina become a slave to its powers?

Book 3:
Teran, Elaina, Eledin, and Aurora Nova go to a town to start a chapel there. This will be training for Teran under a senior Shadian on the teaching duties of a prophet. When they get there they find that the town is very wealthy and well kept, all except for the small church which is falling apart. The group begins the long task of repairing the church and witnessing to the townspeople. To the group's surprise, seven girls approach Teran and call him their brother. The girls invite Teran, Eledin, Elaina, and Aurora to stay with them while the church is being repaired. However, when they return to work on the church, they find that it has been vandalized and severely damaged. Dark secrets are roaming the streets, and in the midst of this Teran is left trying to figure out if any of these girls really is his sister. To make things even more difficult, a rivalry over Teran begins between Aurora and Elaina and one of the sisters. Still more trouble comes when a mysterious man tells Aurora and Elaina about a magic ring that will give great beauty to the one that wears it. What else is there to drive a wedge between the small group that was supposed to bring hope and salvation to a wealthy, but perishing town?

Book 4:
Teran and Elaina are enjoying a pleasant summer afternoon when Elaina's dragon Sabatha suddenly grabs her and flies away. Teran and the others pursue, managing to overtake Sabatha and subdue them. The Curse of the Great Dragon, a summons to all dragon kind, pulled at Sabatha. Elaina in an attempt to counter the curse, used her enchantments but resulted in her being cursed with blindness and horrible nightmares that eat away at her soul anytime she fell asleep. To undo the curse they must go to the temple of the Author, but already the enemy is on the move to block them. Will the companions be able to make it to the Author to save Elaina and Sabatha, or will Elaina forever be lost in a dream of horror?

Book 5:
Elaina is to be sent to a kingdom of enchanters to learn how to properly use her powers. Teran and Sabatha go with her and find there a haughty prince that desires to have Elaina as his wife. Teran is torn between his affection for Elaina, the anger at the haughtiness of this prince, and his duty as a Shadian. However, things go awry when Elaina is kidnapped by none other than the evil wizard Mordak. She is taken to a nearby castle, but things look too easy. For Mordak to take on a kingdom of enchanters seems rather foolhardy, even if he is a powerful wizard. But Mordak is no fool. Will Teran and his friends be able to rescue Elaina once more, and who is the other wizard that stands next to Mordak atop the castle tower?

Book 6:
Teran is dismayed at his failing his third attempt at the final examination to become a prophet. Despite all of the preparation, he keeps forgetting the answers when standing before the examiners. Eledin recommends that Teran consider the possibility that being a prophet is not what the Author has planned for him and this is the reason for his failing to pass. As an alternative, he recommends that Teran travel around to find out if there is something else the Author desires him to do and for him to experience the world outside of training grounds of Mendora. Teran agrees and sets out on his journey alone. However, he soon meets the prince enchanter who is on a journey of his own: to learn how to live without magic. The prince has made a vow to not use magic for the next two years and to study as much as he could about many different crafts and ways of life. The two of them agree to join each other as traveling companions and to share their experiences and knowledge. While on their journey, they make some discoveries regarding wicked plots by the Dark Lord, aid townspeople, and find themselves captured by a zealous but misguided tribe of elves that worship the Author. Also along their journey, Teran encounters his sisters and Aurora Nova once more as they travel seeking to help the sick and dying. The prince falls at once for Aurora Nova, but is informed by Teran that she despises enchanters since her family was killed by one. Will Teran be able to help the prince reconcile the hurt that rests in Aurora's heart and will Teran find the path that leads him to the will of the Author?

Book 7:
Teran returns to Mendora to find many people gathered there. The Dark Lord has finally made his move, and the return of the Great Dragon is coming. Teran is tasked with raising up the people of the independent countries to join in battle against the forces of the Dark Lord. Teran and Elaina depart together and are soon joined by Teran's sisters and Aurora. Many of the townspeople Teran helped quickly join him too and soon Teran's army grows. But when they meet together at the White Castle where the Emperor sits, they find it already besieged by the enemy. Gwydon and several other armies are hard pressed in defending the castle. Teran and the men rush in to aid Gwydon, but the enemy host is too great. When the castle is lost, Teran, Gwydon, and the companions must now rally their troops for the most daring venture yet: an all out assault on the stronghold of the Dark Lord himself before the seal on the Great Dragon's prison can be removed. Will they be able to overcome such evil after suffering such heavy losses?

Artwork for book 1

My sister has been creating some artwork for the Will of the Author series. So far she has sent me four drawings of various scenes and one cover graphic. I am really thrilled at the quality of these concept sketches!

Right now the images are fairly large as they were scanned in for reprinting rather than web display. I'll see about reducing them later so that they can be posted up for viewing.

The Will of the Author - Book 1

Well, I've more or less completed the story part for the first book. I introduce several characters, which was my primary focus in this book. However, it still doesn't seem to have that gripping desire to the beginning. Tolkien had a great phrase in the opening of The Hobbit: "Long ago, in a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit." The beginning of the story is the most important part because it is what will draw people into continuing it to the finish.

So it is now time to go back over it and revise it until it has that feel that I am looking for. Also, some of the other scenes would probably be better told from a different POV than the ones they currently use. Also, I think I need to see about fleshing out the characters a little bit more than just the introducing of them.

The other thing that I want to address is salvation and forgiveness. Of course, God's sovereignty over all is paramount in the series, so I want to address that topic. I am not sure what other doctrinal topics I want to focus on in the first book, especially since I really want to introduce readers to the characters and then address the heavier doctrines in later books. It will be a while before I am fully pleased with this first book. But I suppose that is to be expected.

The beginning....

I've always loved stories. In particular fantasy stories such as the Chronicles of Prydian by Lloyd Alexander or the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. C.S. Lewis brought in a blend of fantasy and modernity with his Chronicles of Narnia by having modern day children magically transport to another world. But good fantasy is hard to come by, especially if one want's to a distinctly Christian message to it. There is certainly a desire for it. The Harry Potter craze should be sufficient testimony to that. So I decided that I wanted to write a fantasy story, not so much because I want to be a published author, but because I love good stories.

I've tried writing stories before without much success. I get part way into one and then it just seems to dead end. It wasn't until college English classes that I found some really helpful tools to develop a good foundation for writing. About the same time, I also discovered a great tool in none other than Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side. He talked about one of his greatest problems in creating cartoons and that was forgetting great ideas that he came up with in some unusual places. So he got into the habit of carrying a notepad for sketching ideas. I thought that was a great idea, so I created a computer file for all of my story ideas, from which I then build a story outline. Thus began the series I call The Will of the Author.

The series started more as a study regarding God and his sovereignty. In the New Testament, God is referred to as "the author and finisher of our faith." That word author really stuck with me. If one is to look at an author and the book the author creates, one can see many parallels between the author's nature towards his fictional creation and God towards us. This became the basis for The Will of the Author. In the story, the God figure is referred to as The Author. I did this intentionally rather than coming up with some fictional name. I wanted those that read my story to be able to see the parallel, so I made it as blunt in the story as possible. I also wanted to address some of the concerns that we as people face and the difficulties we have in trusting in God's sovereignty.

There are many theological challenges to a sovereign God, and through the telling of a story, I hope to address those issues. Fantasy can draw interest and captivate the imagination, and people are often more willing to accept ideas when they are attached to a story. It is my hope and prayer that I can do just that with my stories and help instruct in sound doctrine and theology through the telling of stories. This is my goal and I will try to keep a brief log of the progress on my stories as they are written.