Another Week of Edits

As I wait for my last Chrysalis to turn a smokey, transparent grey this week; I will receive two of my draft book copies back from my readers. I am so grateful for their effort in my writing process.

A book journey includes several hands: the author, cover designer, editor, readers and several others to encourage. God knows when the my creativity creeps along and the days drag. Why am I going to all this work?

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve theLord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

As my chrysalis waits, I wait through the writing process. “Jacob’s Narrow Journey” is on its way. The last stages are at my fingertips! Making the last corrections can be exciting and exasperating. May none of us grow weary in God’s plans for us this week!

The I Am the Light series is available on Amazon; with book two coming soon!

Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures: The Cover Story

Here’s Alexis with a draft copy of her book

How do illustrators do it?

That was the question I had as my new friend, Kim, created the cover of my children’s book series “Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures”! I was curious, and still am, of the hours of work which must go into the artwork of a book’s cover.

Some of the process to final cover.

When the first sketch came I thought, what have I gotten into? I just couldn’t see the finish product hidden in the whimsical lines (not seen above).

It actually was my granddaughter, Alexis who is the main character in this book series, who pointed out the boat, ropes and other details. I smile, even until this day, at her innocence in being able to see the artwork which evaded me.

From black and white lines floating on a page, to clearer details and then a wonderful splash of color my book cover was born. I needed a bit of patience and a creative imagination to make it to the finished project.

Some Things to Consider

  • Find a reputable illustrator through a place like Reedsy
  • Give the illustrator your vision, but remember you are hiring them for their craft and they know what they are doing
  • Make sure there is some type of contract stating date deadlines, cost and payment
  • Communicate during the whole process which will take about 6 weeks
  • Remember the artist is working in stages
  • A cover illustrator should give you options early on to choose from which will not be in finished stage
  • Use your imagination to envision the final artwork, after all you did hire an artist to do something you can not do

Typical Stages

  • Pagination of the text
  • Thumbnail sketches of each double-page spread
  • Character design and development
  • Full sketches for each spread or illustration
  • Color studies
  • Final sketches/drawings
  • Final artwork

References to Help You

https://reedsy.com/

Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures: Stormy Seas is available on Amazon

Of the Earth

Free Photo Library

“He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son”, to whom bounty passes quickly.

Summer finds its end when the sun sinks in western skies, and the shadows grow dark in bustling forests filled with frantic scavengers.

Sleep when winter winds bring frigid fields; long emptied of their harvest fruits and now vacant tundras waiting for the hungry Hawk.

Work when the labor is at hand and store for thinner days, so old harvest may carry one through until a new bounty reaches time of reaping.

For “he who gathers in summer is a wise son”, ready to glean wisdom from the Maker of the rich, ripe fruit of the earth.

He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

Proverb 10:5, from the Bible
P. Wolf, author linking to proverbial poetry at: https://dversepoets.com/2021/07/27/poetics-the-proverbial/

Seasoned Fruit

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Pea ponds dangled in early summer breeze, as their late fruit bulge in green jackets waiting to emerge from their resting cove.
People wander through life in hopes of achieving; while nurturing good grows stale.

Seedy raspberries, filled with sweet summer juice hang from brittle, dried, thorny canes;
will soon plop to the earth if not picked.
Sin runs through the veins of people waiting
to sow destruction and bring forth evil fruit.

Green tomatoes wait patiently to ripen; long for the thunder storm in which their tantalizing, tender, taste emerges forth.
Grace gives hope in dark places and bares a quality of fruit in which to satisfy a man’s soul.

One can follow the Light and do good, or wallow in darkness snuffing out seasoned fruit to bring love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. What will be gathered in the basket a man carries?

P. Wolf, author linking to https://earthweal.com/2021/07/26/earthweal-weekly-challenge-lammas/

Christian Flash Fiction: Inviting Writers

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed”

Prompt for Week 2

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed”

A Few Rules:

  • Be creative with your 144 words or less not including your title
  • Include the prompt in quotes
  • Take time to read other posts
  • Make sure to use the whole quote
  • Play nice, try to encourage not tear down
  • This is a weekly prompt which has a weekly limit
  • In the comment box add your name and enter the direct URL to your answer to the prompt
  • On your blog, please provide a link back to Christian Flash Fiction. So others can be blessed
The Cliff Hanger

Clinging to the side of a the cliff, Mandi rested against an old fallen branch. It had been days since she had anything to eat. The night air was chilled, coyotes howled in the distance and a crescent moon was her only light.

“Lord, I need your help! If not for You, ‘I would have lost heart’.”

Mandi wrapped her jacket tighter. Tears welled up in her eyes. A chill ran down her back. She shivered.

“‘Unless I had believed’ and my anger had not overwhelming my emotions, I would not be in this situation.”

It would be a long, lonely night. Her second one since she had gotten lost in this dense woods. She had slipped down the side of the cliff. Her ankle was swollen from the fall. 

“Lord, I wait upon You.”

“Mandi?” a voice from above called out.

“James! I’m sorry.”

P. Wolf, author of “I Am the Light” series

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13

Become discouraged, as in The rescuers worked hard for the first few hours, but then they lost heart. This term uses heart in the sense of “courage” or “spirit.

Dictionary.com

Time & Place

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Fields stretched for miles
Sentries of poles and wires:
passing, passing, passing

Water pooled in farm fields
Roots, stalks, hulks and corn:
Soaking, soaking, soaking

Rusty farm equipment 
Scattered, as ancient debris: 
Waiting, waiting, waiting

Old crow in flight above; 
In bulging grey skies:
Calling, calling, calling

I in my comfortable car
Staring out rain stained window:
Wondering, wondering, wondering

What would life be like
Living in one of these places:
Halting, halting, halting

At some unknown way stop!

P. Wolf linking with Poets& Story Tellers United; https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2021/07/weekly-scribblings-79-on-my-way.html

Christian Flash Fiction: Inviting Writers

free image art

Your Prompt for week 1

“He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water…”

Psalm 1: 3a

“Christian Flash Fiction” has been created to encourage the Christian writer in their craft. Recently, I’ve discovered the power fiction can have when using the Word of God to encourage the reader. For decades I wrote devotions, curriculum and other teaching items. I thought it was the only way to spread God’s news to others. I was wrong. Even Jesus used stories, parables, to teach. Let us use our gift with fiction to help the world know God!

A Few Rules

  • Be creative with your 144 words or less not including your title
  • Include the prompt in quotes
  • Take time to read other posts
  • Make sure to use the whole quote
  • Play nice, try to encourage not tear down
  • This is a weekly prompt which has a weekly limit
  • In the comment box add your name and enter the direct URL to your answer to the prompt
  • On your blog, please provide a link back to Christian Flash Fiction. So others can be blessed

That Day

Karl stood staring out the window. It was three years since his life changed. Others said it would get better, but the patina on his heart was growing thick.

The clouds hung low as he studied the tree out his window. It had been their tree. The tree where they had fallen in love, the tree where he had proposed to her and the tree where she had wasted away. Then he turned away, as if to flee from the pain.

On the table sat his Bible. It had been weeks since he picked it up. Guilt touched his heart. Turning back towards the tree he murmured, “ ‘He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of living water’ and I want to be that tree.” 

As his sister walked in she could hear pages being turned. She smiled. Her prayers had been answered.

Rejoice in Time of Need

“No, I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife,” stirring my pot of fish chowder and setting the table in a welcoming way. It is times like these we need each other to endure the trials of life and ensure no one is alone. Katie is coming, she recently lost her husband to suicide and has three children to parent . Mary will be late, her six year old son is at Children’s Hospital waiting for a new kidney. Carla just drove up. She found out that she has cancer and treatment will start early next week. I have no time to weep over the things we are unable to control. The Bible says to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.Today we will rejoice the fact that we have each other!

P. Wolf, author linking with dverse’s prompt: http://dversepoets.com/2021/07/19/dverse-prosery-finding-ms-zora-neale-hurston/

Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line.

adverse

No, I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.

Zora Neale Hurston

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15
First book in the series, “I Am the Light.” Available on Amazon
Second book in the “I Am the Light” series, should be released on Amazon this fall.

REALLY, Independent

An earth worm grapples in crumbly dirt. The rains gently moistens tall blades of grass, as a Robin tirelessly pecks until it finds the juicy worm. It dutifully returns to the intricately woven nest, ready to feed two frantic chicks.

On the muddy earth below, lies what is leftover of the last unhatched egg. It has been gobbled up by a greedy Blue Jay. Atop a stately tree, Hawk waits patiently peering past spring poppies swaging in evening breeze. Hawk

swiftly soars towards supper. An unexpected meal of the Blue Jay, who is still digesting the unborn robin. Before twilight ushers in darkness, a hungry Red Fox lurks through a densely wooded area. Her pups are quickly

growing, and in need of nourishment. She spots the Hawk finishing his meal. Pouncing with great stealth, she takes the prize home. As the pups enjoy their meal, a Bob Cat lurks in the forest near their den. The cycle continues…

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another

Romans 12:4-5
P. Wolf linking to: https://earthweal.com/2021/07/05/earthweal-weekly-challenge-interdependence-day/

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