What's New

I've been really bad about writing new posts this summer, it's been so busy.  I really haven't been writing much for the same reason, but I wanted to write this post to catch up on what is new with my writing. I'm still working on Makilien. I'm very close to finishing and want to get it done to focus on my other projects.

 

Mom is nearly finished reading through A Captain's Heart, but we still have quite a bit to do so I'm not sure if I'll make my early September deadline for its release. I want to make sure I feel it's completely ready so we may have to work on it a little longer.

 

Now, as I mentioned about a month ago in a Twitter update, I've started working on a new book, my first Western novel. I've wanted to write one for years, but never got a start on one. Right now I'm going back and forth working on it and Makilien. I have the prologue nearly finished. It's about five teenage to adult siblings who are left to run the family ranch after their parents die. Mainly it will be told from the viewpoint of the oldest daughter, Casey. I'm not entirely sure where it will all end up yet, but I'm looking forward to getting deeper into the story. I know I'm really going to enjoy writing the relationships between the siblings. It's something I've wanted to have in a story for a long time now. And I'm a huge fan of Bonanza and love the relationships between Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe so that's definitely inspiring me as I write this new book.

 

A few years ago, I also started writing short Western stories all about the same family, kind of like episodes of Bonanza. I finished two and started a third one. I had a lot of great ideas so I'm really interested in getting back into that and hope to write a bunch and put them all into a book sometime soon.

More Concerts

I got to go to two more great concerts last month. On July 12th I finally got to see Jeremy Camp who I've wanted to see for such a long time. It was just as amazing as I was anticipating.  His music is so wonderful and powerful and even more so when you get to see him perform live.  After his performance we weren't sure if he'd come out to sign autographs so we waited around for a while and waiting really paid off. He did come out and we were some of the first in line along with a couple fellow members of the Jeremy Camp Crew that I met at the merchandise table. It was incredible getting to personally meet Jeremy. I don't think you could know just how sweet and sincere he is without meeting him.  I got really choked up telling him how his music really inspired me during some hard times and he was so kind and really showed he cared.

Then on July 25th we got to go see John Waller perform.  His song While I'm Waiting was in the movie Fireproof and is one of my favorite songs. His music has been a big part of my life lately. So many of his songs have really touched me. I was so thankful to have gotten to see and meet him. I felt very blessed by his performance. He is a very nice guy. We talked to him for a while after and he really encouraged me about my writing. I really look forward to seeing him again.