Well, I told you all I would be back on Monday....obviously that didn't happen.
After posting just whenever, it's hard to get back on a schedule. I tried putting together a video for you of the trip, but my computer video program and YouTube both decided to go on strike at the same time! The video program somehow split the frames into two separate windows...which makes it super hard to watch. Not sure what happened there! I tried to fix it, but to no avail.
So I decided to just upload it as it was because I was running out of time.
Then it refused to upload to YouTube! By this time it was ten o'clock at night and I was too tired to think straight.
All that to say, I missed Monday's post.
I'm working on a slideshow to show some of our friends, but it's been slow going....10,000 pictures take awhile to sort! When I get the slideshow finished, I will upload it for you all. That is, if YouTube is cooperating!
After posting just whenever, it's hard to get back on a schedule. I tried putting together a video for you of the trip, but my computer video program and YouTube both decided to go on strike at the same time! The video program somehow split the frames into two separate windows...which makes it super hard to watch. Not sure what happened there! I tried to fix it, but to no avail.
So I decided to just upload it as it was because I was running out of time.
Then it refused to upload to YouTube! By this time it was ten o'clock at night and I was too tired to think straight.
All that to say, I missed Monday's post.
I'm working on a slideshow to show some of our friends, but it's been slow going....10,000 pictures take awhile to sort! When I get the slideshow finished, I will upload it for you all. That is, if YouTube is cooperating!
I had writing withdrawals by the time I got home! I didn't write at all while we were gone....I decided that since I was on vacation, I would use that time to give my mind a break.
It was really hard to not write, but I stuck with it and I think I've been able to write better with a refreshed mind.
My plan to have Thunder published by this fall is nothing but dust. I haven't made very much progress on it, but once I finish BSMS, I will concentrate on getting that finished. My new goal is to have it finished by spring....something to aim for :)
Be Still My Soul is coming along nicely and I am terribly excited about this book! I originally thought it would be about the same size as Whisper, around 35,000 words, but I am currently at 32,000 words and there is no end in sight! But unlike other things in life, having no end sight on a book project can be a good thing, depending how you look at it and I'm excited that this project is going to exceed my expectations. I am hoping to hit at least 40,000 words. I would be ecstatic if I can reach 50,000. I have been chatting with the lady who did my Whisper cover and I should be able to release the cover in a few months! My goal publication date is December....maybe on my birthday?? That would be neat!
TCCAS #3 is still a WIP. The rough draft is about half way completed, but that half is only hand written, not typed into the computer.
So when I need a break from writing, I am trying to get it typed up so I can continue the story. I'm excited about this book and continuing Amy's story. I think the adventure, mystery and excitement in this book will be much better than the other two.
I have a vague story plot hanging over my head for another book....but I have decided to not start any other projects until at least Be Still My Soul and Thunder are finished. I really like having multiple stories going at one time, but three is about as many as I can handle and still be productive. So I'm just writing down ideas as I get them and someday I will go back and pick them up again.
And now, the second excerpt from Be Still My Soul!
It was really hard to not write, but I stuck with it and I think I've been able to write better with a refreshed mind.
My plan to have Thunder published by this fall is nothing but dust. I haven't made very much progress on it, but once I finish BSMS, I will concentrate on getting that finished. My new goal is to have it finished by spring....something to aim for :)
Be Still My Soul is coming along nicely and I am terribly excited about this book! I originally thought it would be about the same size as Whisper, around 35,000 words, but I am currently at 32,000 words and there is no end in sight! But unlike other things in life, having no end sight on a book project can be a good thing, depending how you look at it and I'm excited that this project is going to exceed my expectations. I am hoping to hit at least 40,000 words. I would be ecstatic if I can reach 50,000. I have been chatting with the lady who did my Whisper cover and I should be able to release the cover in a few months! My goal publication date is December....maybe on my birthday?? That would be neat!
TCCAS #3 is still a WIP. The rough draft is about half way completed, but that half is only hand written, not typed into the computer.
So when I need a break from writing, I am trying to get it typed up so I can continue the story. I'm excited about this book and continuing Amy's story. I think the adventure, mystery and excitement in this book will be much better than the other two.
I have a vague story plot hanging over my head for another book....but I have decided to not start any other projects until at least Be Still My Soul and Thunder are finished. I really like having multiple stories going at one time, but three is about as many as I can handle and still be productive. So I'm just writing down ideas as I get them and someday I will go back and pick them up again.
And now, the second excerpt from Be Still My Soul!
My tired eyes brought Sarah's little face into focus. Her mouth was moving and I struggled to concentrate on what she was saying.
"Wake up," she said urgently. "Pwease wake up!"
Oh no! How long had I been asleep?
I started to jump up, but was slowed considerably by my layers of clothing. I took a moment to yank off my coat and one of the sweaters before hurrying to the injured man's side.
His eyelids fluttered as I knelt beside him and I touched his shoulder. "Ethan? Are you awake?"
He did not respond, so I shook him a little. A deep groan was my only answer. My heart sank. Something wasn't right. Why had I fallen asleep? His cheeks looked flushed so I laid my hand on his forehead and quickly yanked it back. His skin felt like it was on fire.
I realized Sarah was squatting beside me, a frown on her face. "Daddy won't wake up."
"I know, honey." I picked her up and took her to the bed. She began to pout when she saw what our destination was.
I set her on the bed and knelt in front of her. "Sarah, your daddy is very sick and I need to care for him. Can you be a good girl and sit on the bed so I can help him? It is very important you do this."
To my relief, she nodded and settled down, her big eyes locked on the still form of her daddy across the room.
I returned to Ethan's side. Why had his fever left only to return, apparently worse than before? I feared the outcome. I had no medical knowledge. He needed a doctor, or at least a nurse. But all the knowledge in the world could do nothing without the proper medicine.
Beads of sweat rolled down Ethan's face and his hair was damp. Well, I may not have the knowledge of a doctor, but he needed cooled down, that much I knew.
I pulled the layers of blankets down to his waist. His eyes were still closed, but his chest heaved as he struggled to breathe. I feared it was pneumonia. I knew that if not treated, it could kill people.
Please don't let him die.
I threw out the desperate plea without knowing to whom I was making it.
Dipping a cloth in to the pail of half melted snow, I bathed his face and hands with the icy water. His skin was hot and dry.
I realized he must be dehydrated. The only water he had had in many hours was the little I had given him before he went to sleep.
I filled a tin cup with the cold water from the pail and held it to his lips. At first nothing happened and I again wished I had a straw, then I could have managed to get a little down him at least.
But just as I was about to pull the cup away, his lips opened. I carefully poured in a trickle of water and waited until he swallowed before repeating the gesture.
It took several minutes, but I got the whole cup down him before returning to bathing his face.
I was encouraged that he had drunk, but the rattling in his chest squashed any hopes that he would make a miraculous recovery. If he survived, it would be an uphill battle.
I was exhausted from hauling wood, but I forced myself to stay awake. This man's life depended on me. He may mean nothing to me other than the fact that he is human being, but I battled for his life for the sake of his daughter.
I thought of her beautiful dark eyes as my hands dipped cloths in freezing water and laid them on his burning skin.
I thought of her dark hair, so soft and silky as I struggled to prop him up higher on the pillow and blankets so his lungs would clear.
I thought of her childish giggle which had so thrilled my soul, as I filled jars with cold water and tucked them next to her daddy's burning body.
And thinking of her little form snuggled in my arms, I fell asleep, a dripping cloth still in my hands.
I jerked awake for the second time that day. For a moment I wondered why I was lying on the floor, but it didn't take long for my memory to return.
Pushing myself up, I closed my eyes. How long had I been asleep? What would I find? Would Ethan be dead?
I felt like I was suffocating. If he was dead, I would never forgive myself.
I sat there for what felt like hours, finally forcing myself to open my eyes. In front of me lay the prone figure of Ethan. I held my breath, waiting.
Then, his chest rose and fell with a quick breath. I rested my head in my hands, silent tears streaming down my cheeks. I don't think I could have dealt with another death. David's was hard enough and there was nothing I could have done to prevent that. Ethan's death would have been my fault.
"Wake up," she said urgently. "Pwease wake up!"
Oh no! How long had I been asleep?
I started to jump up, but was slowed considerably by my layers of clothing. I took a moment to yank off my coat and one of the sweaters before hurrying to the injured man's side.
His eyelids fluttered as I knelt beside him and I touched his shoulder. "Ethan? Are you awake?"
He did not respond, so I shook him a little. A deep groan was my only answer. My heart sank. Something wasn't right. Why had I fallen asleep? His cheeks looked flushed so I laid my hand on his forehead and quickly yanked it back. His skin felt like it was on fire.
I realized Sarah was squatting beside me, a frown on her face. "Daddy won't wake up."
"I know, honey." I picked her up and took her to the bed. She began to pout when she saw what our destination was.
I set her on the bed and knelt in front of her. "Sarah, your daddy is very sick and I need to care for him. Can you be a good girl and sit on the bed so I can help him? It is very important you do this."
To my relief, she nodded and settled down, her big eyes locked on the still form of her daddy across the room.
I returned to Ethan's side. Why had his fever left only to return, apparently worse than before? I feared the outcome. I had no medical knowledge. He needed a doctor, or at least a nurse. But all the knowledge in the world could do nothing without the proper medicine.
Beads of sweat rolled down Ethan's face and his hair was damp. Well, I may not have the knowledge of a doctor, but he needed cooled down, that much I knew.
I pulled the layers of blankets down to his waist. His eyes were still closed, but his chest heaved as he struggled to breathe. I feared it was pneumonia. I knew that if not treated, it could kill people.
Please don't let him die.
I threw out the desperate plea without knowing to whom I was making it.
Dipping a cloth in to the pail of half melted snow, I bathed his face and hands with the icy water. His skin was hot and dry.
I realized he must be dehydrated. The only water he had had in many hours was the little I had given him before he went to sleep.
I filled a tin cup with the cold water from the pail and held it to his lips. At first nothing happened and I again wished I had a straw, then I could have managed to get a little down him at least.
But just as I was about to pull the cup away, his lips opened. I carefully poured in a trickle of water and waited until he swallowed before repeating the gesture.
It took several minutes, but I got the whole cup down him before returning to bathing his face.
I was encouraged that he had drunk, but the rattling in his chest squashed any hopes that he would make a miraculous recovery. If he survived, it would be an uphill battle.
I was exhausted from hauling wood, but I forced myself to stay awake. This man's life depended on me. He may mean nothing to me other than the fact that he is human being, but I battled for his life for the sake of his daughter.
I thought of her beautiful dark eyes as my hands dipped cloths in freezing water and laid them on his burning skin.
I thought of her dark hair, so soft and silky as I struggled to prop him up higher on the pillow and blankets so his lungs would clear.
I thought of her childish giggle which had so thrilled my soul, as I filled jars with cold water and tucked them next to her daddy's burning body.
And thinking of her little form snuggled in my arms, I fell asleep, a dripping cloth still in my hands.
I jerked awake for the second time that day. For a moment I wondered why I was lying on the floor, but it didn't take long for my memory to return.
Pushing myself up, I closed my eyes. How long had I been asleep? What would I find? Would Ethan be dead?
I felt like I was suffocating. If he was dead, I would never forgive myself.
I sat there for what felt like hours, finally forcing myself to open my eyes. In front of me lay the prone figure of Ethan. I held my breath, waiting.
Then, his chest rose and fell with a quick breath. I rested my head in my hands, silent tears streaming down my cheeks. I don't think I could have dealt with another death. David's was hard enough and there was nothing I could have done to prevent that. Ethan's death would have been my fault.
What do you think? Are you intrigued? Will you be back for the next excerpt? (and for the book when it's published!)
RSS Feed
