Desolate

Webster's New World College Dictionary defines the word 'desolate' like this: to leave alone, forsake, stip of inhabitants, to make lonely, solitary, uninhabited, deserted, laid waste, in a ruinous state, forlorn, wretched, abandoned, lay waste...
This year, the panhandle of Texas has seemed like a desolate place. I have lived here all of my life and have never seen anything like it. I live in the country so we cannot water all of the grass around our house. We have managed to keep the trees alive by directly watering them. Our clay soil is powder. The buffalo grass crunches under our feet. We have had a streak of over two hundred days without measurable rain.We have broken old records in temperatures. Our high this summer has been 114 degrees.
I look across our pasture at the sunburned grass and thank the Lord that we were not part of the wild fires that have plagued our area. In all of the summer God has not forsaken us, so we are not truely desolate.
I have found it difficult to not let the dryness of our land creep into my spirit. I look forward to a time of refreshing, but right now, like the durable buffalo grass, I am sinking my roots deeper into my Source of life. It appears that there is no nourishment for my weary soul, but when I dig deep into the Scriptures and perservere in prayer, I find the strength I need both physically and spiritually.
Being a writer, I depend on this relationship with God for inspiration. Without Him, all of my creativity is gone. The words ring hollow. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, I depend of Him. As His child, I depend on Him. The lesson that I have gleaned from this 'desolate' summer has been that when it all shakes down, He is the only One we can depend on. He is our Source, our Shelter, our Refreshing, our Everything.
Elaine Littau, author of Christian Western Fiction

"Elk's Resolve", Book II of the Nan's Heritage Series, will be out within the next few months. Terry and I are very excited about that. In fact, Terry was very involved in the story line and action of "Elk's Resolve'. I really needed him to especially read the fight sequences to make sure that the action was do-able. He also gave me insight to the male character's way of thinking. As a woman I like to hope there are men who think the way women wish men would think...understand? He was invaluable in helping me keep the male characters true to life. I think you will like Book II. The major theme of it deals with overcoming depression...among other things.Book III is about the youngest children of Fred and Nan. I haven't submitted it to the publisher for review yet because I put it in a contest for unpublished manuscripts. Hopefully, I will know the status of "Luke's Legacy" soon. "Luke's Legacy" is a very emotional book. It has it's share of adventure and "hold your breath" moments, but I have to say, writing it tugged at my heart more than anything I have done so far. "Luke's Legacy" burned in my mind long after I finished it. The theme of it is about creating your own legacy. Book IV is in the baby stages. The connection to Nan is: "What happened to the trunk that Mary sent to Boston?" I am not sure it should be part of the "Nan's Heritage Series" because it barely touches Nan's family...we will see as it unfolds.

Elks Resolve edits are Moving Along

I am excited. It looks like I will make my deadline on the edits to Elk's Resolve! Another point of interest is that the pre-orders are moving along very well. If you want to be sure that you are on the list for a pre-release copy of Elk's Resolve, comment here.

The editor I have been assigned to on this book is great. She has given me many encouraging notes on what I have written. She has also guided me and helped me correct some of the things I overlooked in the manuscript. In many ways I believe that Elk's Resolve is even better than Nan's Journey. If course Nan will always have a special place in my heart.

I can hardly wait to get the copies of Elk's Resolve in my hands.

If you have read the older posts on this blog, you know that the third book is written. Luke's Legacy carries on the story. Right now it is in a contest. One of the specifications was that the manuscript could not be one under consideration by a publisher. I am very excited about Luke! The Fourth book is still in the first chapter. I have had a lot on my plate this month so I haven't written on it since Thanksgiving. You are going to love it! It is yet un-named.

I want you to know that I am working very hard to be sure that each book is able to stand on its own, but it is somehow connected with the other ...so far. Each book will be unpredictable and have characters that you will care about. I hope my love for writing is reflected in each book.

Go the Extra Mile

This morning I found a quote from a fellow author that really inspired me. "Go the extra mile, in the long run, its a short cut." - W. Dale Cramer author of "Summer of Light" (Cramer...mmmm my grandma's maiden name was Cramer...I wonder???)Back to the thought here, the statement is true isn't it. When we rush through and try to hurry the process up we end up going back to explain or fix something. How does this apply to you today? I know it applies to me in almost every area whether it be writing, proof reading, or home improvement.My poor hubby had to re-sand our dining room because I wiped it down with a dust mop that I was certain was clean. It was not and the stain grabbed hold of the dirt and made a very ugly mess. Bless his heart, he is so patient with me. He grumbled a little, but his heart is pure gold and he stayed sweet about it. After the sanding he re stained it and it is fine. (He applied the first coat of finish last night and it looks great....pictures soon.)How about going the extra mile in relationships? Terry does all the time. I attempt to but I struggle with impatience. I think I am going to chew on this quote by W. Dale Cramer for a while. It is a gold nugget of truth that will bring certain growth.

The Rough Draft of the Third Book in the Heritage Series is finished!

Monday I decided to drink some coffee and do a little writing on my day off. We are limited to the finished basement until we get the hardwood floors finished on our main floor. It may take a little time....That's another story...
Anyway, being in the basement with no natural light, I began writing and got lost in the story. I emerged periodically to eat and drink and all that but I returned to the basement. Before I knew it I heard footsteps overhead. Terry was home and I asked him why he was at home so early. He said that it was 7 p.m.! Wow! I had written all day!
The great thing about it was that I finished the rough draft of "Luke's Legacy". I am very proud of the story and I think readers of "Nan's Journey" and "Elk's Resolve" will be moved by this story about the "little brother and sister". I am entering it into a contest and hoping to place. Pray for me!

Using Time Wisely

Right now the publisher has "Elk's Resolve" in the hands of the editors. This process is very slow. When they were working over "Nan's Journey" it drove me CRAZY! When I got frustrated at the process I began writing the sequel ...Elk. That really helped me deal with the pace of actually getting a book produced and released. It reminds me of having a baby. It takes 9 to 10 months. (My sons were born in their 10th month!!!)

At this time I am 3/4 through the third book in the series. I am very excited about it also. Other book ideas fly through my mind and I am taking notes and writing a few outlines for them also. I find the whole process of writing exciting! It is sort of like watching a movie in my mind. Writing while I am waiting through the steps to the release of the next book is a good use of time.

Balance is the key. I am still working on that. While going through the editing process and writing the new book I still am marketing and promoting "Nan's Journey". I have two book signings on Saturday. The first one is in Amarillo at Hastings at 2020 Georgia Street from 2-4 p.m. The next one is at Canyon, Texas at Hastings next to the new Walmart from 6-8 p.m. On September 27 I have several book signings at Albuquerque. One is at Hastings and one is at my niece's hair salon/spa. I will have a speaking engagement at her church,the Assembly of God in Moriarty, NM on September 28. After that I have some time at home before getting back on the road in October. It is fun because I love meeting the readers.

If you are interested in setting up a book signing for "Nan's Journey" or "Elk's Resolve" (when it is released) please leave a comment here.