Last day for the CSFF Blog tour featuring Randy Mortenson’s Newest release: Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum. Publicized as a non-sorcerous alternative to the Harry Potter series, the Landon Snow novels use Biblical passages as the vehicle through which the Auctor — God — provides Landon with hints about his next adventure, and it is hope and faith, rather than magic, that the characters rely on for their success. While the Landon Snow novels don’t offer the complexity and depth of Potter’s world of wizards and Muggles, they are prosocial fantasy adventures that emphasize faith and family and …

This is the second day of the CSFF Blog Tour featuring R. K. Mortenson’s Landon Snow series, specifically the third book: Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum. I ALWAYS wonder where authors get the ideas for their books. Mr. Mortenson shares the following on the Landon Snow website. The story behind the book. How did I begin writing Landon Snow? I actually started with a poem, which is now the Auctor’s Riddle. It was a dark and stormy night in the summer of 1994. I was watching the rain coming down in sheets, when suddenly a poem came to …

I admit, I haven’t spent much time reading young adult or children’s books–even in SFF. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to participate in this blog tour. But I’m so glad that I did. First I explored the Landon Snow website and found it intriguing and inviting. The pages enticed me further into the adventure and then something HUGE dawned on me!!! I have an eight-year-old boy who is becoming interested in reading adventuresome tales, and he wants his books to be big and thick just like Mommy’s. The Landon Snow adventures would be a GREAT Christmas gift for him. …

Paul Baloche wants to be your friend! It’s Sunday. Seems like a good day to share this new CD by Paul Baloche. Before we moved to Oregon, we lived in Texas and attended the small country church where Paul is worship leader. Click on the CD Image above and have a listen. I hope it blesses your Sunday.

Okay, it’s seriously raining here in the Pacific Northwest. I noticed snow on the little mountains surrounding Grants Pass today, too. Oh, that mountain? That’s Mt. McLaughlin. . .not so little. The rain brings to mind a song. Beth.

If you’re not familiar with the acronym nanowrimo it means NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth and takes place during the month of November. If you ask me, that’s one of the worst months to attempt such a project because the holidays are looming large. Nevertheless I committed to this task. But because I’m given to a type of rebellion that manifests itself in the form of procastination, that’s exactly what I’ve done. Instead of writing my novel, I’ve been cleaning like a mad woman. A friend suggested that I change from nanowrimo to nahoclemo–NAtional HOme CLEaning MOnth. Perhaps after the holidays …

I’ve never been good at names. Can you tell? What a name for a book, huh? But that’s how the Anarchy is referred to–a time “when Christ and the Saints Slept.” It’s also, as you see above, the name of a book–a novel depicting the time period. Why am I posting this? Just to let you know that’s why I haven’t been keeping up with the blog lately. I’m steeped in research for my medieval novel. I’ve given myself a deadline for writing, but hey, I can’t get out of the research. This book alone is over 700 pages! I …

Today kicks off the CSFF Blog tour of DKA–DRAGONS, KNIGHTS, & ANGELS! I think they’ve pretty much captured our attention with the name, don’t you? The first page pulls you right in with all of the fiction stories and poetry displayed and quick links to discuss them in the forums. Mirtika Ana Schultz, the poetry editor, is the only editor over there that I know personally, though I’ve never met her in person. It’s amazing what email, IMs and forums do for us. We can come to know people we otherwise would never meet. Mirtika will be offering a contest …

We can always learn something no matter how old we are, even from those younger than ourselves. And if we look very closely, we can detect the signs of brilliance very early on. Such is the case with this young aspiring novelist. BTW, my son had not yet learned the word “the” and instead used “du.” The title “P du Pig” translates “P the Pig.” In case you’re unable to read the story, here it is, (in English): P the Pig P the pig went out of the mud. P the pig got lost in the woods. P the pig …

A writing friend and multi-published author shared some advice with me: You will never forget the first time your agent or editor calls and says the magic words. . .There is no feeling like it in the world. Enjoy that for a few days. If and when those little feelings of panic start setting in, realize that it’s just the emotional letdown after a few days of walking six feet above the ground. It means nothing other than the party’s over and now it’s time to deal with reality again. I plan to enjoy it to the fullest before I …