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.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
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/
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.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
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?
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?
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