Category: bell mountain series

‘Ocean of Time’: Gotta Write the Blurb

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OceanTime

Well! It looks like we’re trying to publish Ocean of Time in time for Christmas; so I have to write a cover blurb.

It feels like I’ve had to wait quite a while to do this: the ol’ Pandemic didn’t do much for our publishing schedule. This is Bell Mountain No. 15. And after that comes a trilogy set two thousand years in Obann’s past, focusing on the life and adventures of King Ozias, King Ryons’ ancestor.

I’ll start tackling that back cover today, although I doubt I’ll finish it until a few days later.

Meanwhile, it’s time for another thrilling episode of Joe Collidge.

‘Writing a Novel Is Like…’ (2014)

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The Glass Bridge (Bell Mountain, 7)|eBook

I’m currently trying to write Ozias, Prince Enthroned. Not having all the pieces is hard enough. Now I’m looking at–shall we call them “health challenges”?–looming up in front of me. I finished the fourth chapter set yesterday. Maybe it was a miracle. Distractions are not good for novel-writing.

Writing a Novel is Like…

So please pray for me: I just want to be able to carry on with my work, in an atmosphere of peace and normalcy. I have another Ozias book to write after this one. And after that–

Well, we’ll just have to see.

‘How an Ancient Artifact Scared the Daylights Out of Jack’ (2019)

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See the source image

Heidi requested this excerpt from Bell Mountain No. 5, The Fugitive Prince:

By Request: How an Ancient Artifact Scared the Daylights out of Jack

What would a boy and girl living in, say, 11th-century Norway think if they found a functioning cell phone… with someone from the 20th century at the other end of the line?

I like to print excerpts from my books, on those rare occasions when I get them.

‘Memory Lane’ Contest, Day 7

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Bell Mountain Series

The contest’s halfway over and already running out of gas.

*Sigh* As I see it, one’s happy memories are in the front line defending sanity. Let’s share some more of them, shall we?

And there’s a prize–an autographed book of your choice, or a snappy red T-shirt that says “If they have to kill us, they’ve lost.”

Anyone can play! Enter as often as you like. I’ve put these posts up to provided you with a handy place to post your entries. Some of you out there who are new to this blog–c’mon, jump in, the water’s fine!

 

‘Memory Lane’ Contest (Oh, Boy!)

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The Wind from Heaven (Bell Mountain, 13) - Kindle edition by ...

The last few weeks around here have been just awful, and they certainly won’t get better if I try to do nooze on Sunday. Now would seem a good time for a “Memory Lane” post… and then, an even better idea.

You are all invited to submit your own “Memory Lane” suggestions, in the form of comments on existing posts. The winner will get an autographed book (your choice), and I’ll expand his or her suggestion into a full-length post–with full credit given.

Come on–you must have a lot of cool memories that I’ve never touched on. It doesn’t seem like a lot to do, to earn an autographed book. (Caveat: I only autograph books written by me.) And anyhow, memories are fine things to share. I can’t wait to read some of yours.

All memories are eligible, although I admit to a prejudice for those involving our popular culture. What kind of cock-a-mamie thing do you remember, that I forgot?

Time to Edit ‘Oceans of Time’

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OceanTime

Ooh-ooh! Progress! Time to edit the next Bell Mountain book, Ocean of Time.

We’ll have several people working on that project, including me. When it comes to quality of editing, Chalcedon’s books are second to none.

So… What happens when the ruthless conqueror across the sea decides to ship his armies east… to conquer Obann? The peaceful, defenseless city of Durmurot lies directly in his path. Is there any way to save it?

Anyway, I’ve got to tackle that project this afternoon, so I’ll be busy for the next few hours.

But first, a cigar.

Obstacles, Obstacles!

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OceanTime

I am trying to write a book: Ozias, Prince Enthroned, Part 2 of a trilogy. I had to shut it down for the winter. Now I want to get back to work on it–only to run into obstacles and impediments everywhere I turn.

Suddenly I’ve got three physical therapy sessions every week. The next day, I’m stiff and sore all over.

Previously scheduled doctors’ appointments.

Can’t seem to get a good night’s sleep. Worry, worry.

Now that’s funny! When I actually list these annoyances… well, they shrink. It ain’t that big a deal, I can handle it. If I had an upside-down exclamation mark, I could shout defiance in Spanish: “Alcaldes a mi!” (“Bring on your cops!” As in “I don’t care!”)

I depend on God to help me in my work; and so far He always has. My books are written in His service.

So let’s get to work already!

 

‘Ocean of Time’ (Sneak Preview)

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OceanTime

Kirk DouPonce has done it again! Can this guy whip up a book cover, or what?

I hope Ocean of Time will come out in time for Christmas this year. Meanwhile, take a good long look at that cover. Does that say “Pick me up and read me”? Does that say “Don’t you wish you knew what that’s about”?

After Ocean of Time, we’ll be going back two thousand years to another era of Obann’s history. I don’t intend it as a one-way trip… but we shall see.

I’ve Got to Get This Book Re-Started!

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The Wind from Heaven (Bell Mountain, 13) - Kindle edition by ...

Behold! isn’t the end of the Bell Mountain series; but COVID screwed things up, and there are another two books waiting to be published–and half a book waiting to be finished.

Oceans of Time–Kirk DouPonce is busy with the cover art, editors are busy with the text, and I hope and pray it comes out this year in time for Christmas.

Ozias, Prince in Peril–Now we’re going back 2,000 years in Obann’s history to tell the story of King Ozias, King Ryons’ ancestor, who wrote many of the Sacred Songs and was Obann’s last anointed king until Ryons came along. The book has been written, but I have no idea when it’ll be published.

The weather around here, this spring, has been cranky–and there sits Ozias, Prince Enthroned, only half-written, waiting to be finished. So what I have is a bunch of notebook pages outlining the rest of the story. Weather permitting, I would very much like to start writing it tomorrow!

What’s with all this stuff about the weather? Well, I write my books outdoors. It helps me visualize what I’m writing about. And the physical therapy sessions chew up a lot of my writing time. Obstacles! I had to write a Newswithviews column today, and go to the supermarket–so no Ozias today, and only four blog posts. As my mother used to say, that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

I hope I can find the bakery tomorrow.

‘My Books Have a Mission’ (2012)

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Bell Mountain Series

Gee, there’s a lot of them…

I admit this post sounds a little pompous, twelve years after it was written. But that’s something that can happen to you when you’re serious about your work.

My Books Have a Mission

I have half a book to write–Ozias, Prince Enthroned–and another lined up after that. And it’s nerve-racking to watch what happens to our culture while I feel like I’m only treading water.

Onward, anyway. Work and pray, and leave the outcome up to God.