New Plans

It's so amazing. Not until I finish a first draft can I comprehend what the story is truly about, and all the elements that go into it. With book 2, I already see so much I want to add to enrich and round out the story. Also, I'm growing to love the stories and characters even more, to the point where I'm considering making each book a full novel instead of novellas.

And that's why I'm narrowing down my book list from eleven to seven. The other ideas will be melded into the novels or become short stories.

Oh, the joy of writing! And editing, and publishing. God is so good.

~S.E. Sawyer

P.S. Jael did a superb job solving the ice planet problem.

Mission Accomplished: NaNoWriMo: Veryfied!

It’s official. I uploaded my manuscript and got the congratulatory video and my “winner goodies:” a certificate and my badge:

I actually finished Book 2 around 45,000 words (whoohoo!) and started a short story spin-off, following the characters on an adventure to an ice planet. Vophsi acted very mysteriously, and I didn’t find out what he was up to until Jael did. And now I’m not sure how she’s going to resolve it. I hope she knows.

Back to book 2. It didn’t end exactly the way I wanted it to, but the editing process can take care of that. I so enjoyed the underwater adventure, a story I’ve always wanted to write. I thank God He allowed me to in the month of November, 2011.

~S.E. Sawyer

Another Rough Excerpt

Fiction Friday again, this time hosted by Joanne on her blog An Open Book. Read more great fiction there!

I shouldn't be posting such raw material, but it is NaNoWriMo season, so here you go. This scene comes late in Chapter 6, and is the heart of each LIGHT story. Hope you can enjoy through the roughness :-)

~S.E. Sawyer

Chapter 6

Wanting to seek the privacy of the sleeping quarters, Jael backed slowly away from the group as everyone engaged in conversation and opinion about the validity of Zedek’s explanation and promises. None felt comfortable at the denied access to contact the Eagle, yet Zedek didn’t seem to want to do them harm. Perhaps Trogyllium customs of bringing strangers into their midst was just different from most societies.

It was on this last murmur that Jael slipped into an empty sleeping chamber. She ignored the elegant arrangement and furnishings, the warm décor, soothing cream walls and ambient light. Three steps and she was at one of the bedsides where she knelt down and let her elbows sink into the soft mattress as she clasped her hands in front of her. She began to pray.

She never kept up with the ticking minutes of her internal clock when she was in deep prayer, but several must have passed before she lifted her head with a sigh of relief. Peace replaced the tight feeling in her gut and she knew it was time to take some proactive steps. Not aggressive, just in preparation.

Jael blinked away the dimness from having her eyes closed so long and rose to her feet. She’d known since she’d opened her eyes that she was no longer alone. She turned to find Pileser standing stock still in the doorway.

“Did you have something to report, Ms. Pileser?”

Jael read a mixture of stun and fear in Pileser’s eyes. She nodded slowly. “Yes, Commander. They sent food and Vophsi said we should all eat. But…but…” Pileser let her words falter as she glanced to the place where Jael had knelt. Jael glanced behind her and back at her officer, smiling. “I was praying, Lieutenant. That’s not against regulations.”

Pileser’s expression snapped to something more akin to anger. “We’re on a foreign planet, Commander. Suppose they saw you doing that? What if it’s reported? You could be…could be..”

“Space banned?” Speaking the words cringed Jael’s insides again but she pressed on, “Believe me, Ms. Pileser, I have a healthy fear of the Space Ban as well as a respect for regulations. But when lives are on the line, as I believe they are now, the best thing I can do for all of us is seek council from God.”

Pileser cocked her head, anger giving way to doubt. Her voice was nothing more than a whisper. “He’s not here, Commander.”

Jael looked back at the impression her elbows left on the mattress and smiled. “Yes, He is, Lieutenant. He most certainly is.”

Go with the Flow

I'm amazed how the relationships between the team members are developing. Before I began this series, I tried to outline, do characters sketches and imagine these characters in various situations. But now things are progressing naturally in concern to loyalty, friendship and respect. It's amazing how personalities and reactions fall in place like I planned it oh so carefully.

On another note, remember I entered Almost Right in the Novel Rocket Contest? The winner was announced on the 14th...and it wasn't mine. But I did get some feedback from the judges and a compliment on the writing and flow. And it ranked in the top three!

It only takes a little encouragement to keep me going.

~S.E. Sawyer

Current NaNoWriMo Word Count: 32, 066

Moving Right Along

Total word count is 16411. Much faster than book 1! I love NaNoWriMo. I'm also loving the twists and turns of book 2.

The things characters say and do often surprise me. I'm not always the one directing their every move. I learn things about them that fits the story so well I get this feeling the story has already been written by someone else. Maybe it has. My prayer is it's the Lord guiding each decision.

I guess my biggest surprise so far though, is learning Vophsi's true character. I had in mind to make him a strong antagonist, a counter part to Jael. And he is. But he's also likeable. Even Jael's starting to like him.

But all that's about to change. I'm looking forward to the next several chapters.

~S.E. Sawyer

Mission Accomplished...For Now

Yes, I made the 5,000 word mark. In addition, I wrote a blog post, scheduled five posts with pictures on two blogs, uploaded my first eBook to Barnes and Noble, sent out review copies, oh and cooked breakfast and lunch. Updated my Facebook pages and NaNoWriMo word count, uploaded an excerpt, and posted on the forum. And now I'm here. But not for long, because I'm off to watch a movie.

Jael and her team had an even busier day. They almost died.

More adventures await us in the morning.

~S.E. Sawyer

Not Days, but Hours

The countdown begins. A mere night sleep away I'll begin my attempt at a 5,000 word kickoff to National Novel Writing Month. I worked hard last week and through the weekend, trying to tie up loose ends.

Now I'm ready. I think. Outline is waiting, including names for new characters. For Never and Always wants to be written.

But what does November really hold for my life...and the Eagle team? Questions only God and December 1st can answer.

Closer

Yesterday, I only wrote about two hundred words. But I felt they were some of the best two hundred so far. The characters are coming forward to claim their true traits, finding footing that is fast becoming their own, not mine. I feel as if I've simply been given an opportunity to hear their story before anyone else.

I pray this story and all that follow it will reach in and touch hearts, and that God will use it in some way to bring others close to Him.

What other reason is there to write?

~S.E. Sawyer