Janalyn Voigt's Blog, page 25
April 12, 2013
Marking Time
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Original poetry by @JanalynVoigt via Creative Worlds: http://janalynvoigt.com/marking-time
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
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April 8, 2013
Ghost Town Reflections: Bodie, California
Last summer I joined extended family members on a road trip for what I termed the Great Grand Canyon Adventure. If you want to follow that trip, it begins with a bit of a snag on the journey from Washington to Oregon.
One of the side trips was to Bodie, California, a ghost town nestled high in the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevadas, northeast of Yosemite. Ghost Town in the Shadow of the Sierra Nevadas was the travel journal I wrote from the road about the experience. I’ve reflected on my Bodie visit and shared some photographs you haven’t yet seen in Ghost Town Memories: Where the West was Wildest today on Christian Fiction Historical Society, the blog I team with 30 other historical fiction novelists to write. I’ve posted a lead-in to today’s post below. Enjoy!
Ghost Town Memories: Where the West was Wildest
The track beneath my tires wended its tortuous way through the foothills of the Eastern Sierra Nevadas. Other vehicles shared the road, some taking corners on two wheels, others crawling with too much caution. I chose a moderate approach, passing drivers with hands locked on steering wheels but giving way where possible to the restless herd behind me. Vehicles accelerated past, churning loose gravel as they hurtled through space and time, the drivers giving little regard it seemed for sanity. You had only to look into the ravine below to understand the dread of the slower drivers. I didn’t want to wind up there either, although the drop was less deep than many I’d encountered while driving through Yosemite National Park yesterday. At least today cars weren’t barreling towards me head-on in the middle of a narrow two-lane road with certain death mere inches from my tires. I’d arrived last night at the safety of the hotel on a wing and a prayer and possibly the last of my shredded nerves.
The winding road to Bodie proved a challenge.
I’d rather have lingered in bed, then afterwards warmed my belly with repeated cups of coffee at the restaurant over plate-sized chocolate chip pancakes than venture forth on a new adventure, and yet the children in our family group were not to be denied. My own curiosity drew me onward until the ghost town of Bodie sprawled through dry grass and sagebrush before me. Built on gold, liquor, opium dens and houses of ill repute, Bodie was renowned for its lawlessness, its reputation so notorious that a little girl whose family moved there from San Jose is said to have prayed, “Goodbye, God. We are going to Bodie in the morning.” (Source: Daily Bodie Standard, Bodie, CA, 13 February 1879)
I’d once visited this place as a young child on a family trip and had come away with the impression of sun-bleached buildings, scorching sunshine, and an abiding sense of history. Nothing seemed to have changed in the intervening years. Buildings over a hundred years old…Read More at Christian Fiction Historical Society.
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
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April 2, 2013
Good News for Fans of Faeraven
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven, book one
DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven 1)
DawnSinger was a March pick for ACFW book club readers. I also was invited to be interviewed on Alive in Christ radio by host Tony Marino. If you missed the show, you might want to listen to the archived copy as I discuss some of the allegory in DawnSinger.
Janalyn Voigt on Alive in Christ Radio
While you’re there, be sure and leave a comment!
DawnSinger: A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
WayFarer, Tales of Faeraven, book two
WayFarer (Tales of Faeraven 2)
If you’ve been waiting for the release of WayFarer, book two in my Tales of Faeraven trilogy, you’ll be happy to learn I’m reviewing the final galley and will soon have a launch date. This story is special to me because it contrasts love and hatred, acceptance and prejudice. I can’t wait to share it with you. Watch for more exciting updates as WayFarer nears its launch.
Watch for more exciting updates as WayFarer nears its launch.
WayFarer: When an untried youth ascends to the high throne of Faeraven, his mistakes tear kingdoms apart and allow just one chance at redemption. He must humble himself before the man he banished.
DawnKing (Tales of Faeraven 3)
I’m gearing up to write book three of Tales of Faeraven. It helps that I will have read through WayFarer, book two, twice. One pass was to pull things out for inclusion in the glossary, which continues to grow for each subsequent book in the series. I’m in the middle of the second pass, this time as a check for errors in the final galley. Once I’ve completed this task, I’ll immediately launch into book three. I’m excited to finally tell in full the story that has remained with me for so many years.
DawnKing: A half-breed daughter and an illegitimate son seek to unite a divided land. But can they learn to trust one another?
Tweetables:
Book two of Tales of Faeraven is coming!
Heads up, Fans of DawnSinger: book two is on its way!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
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March 24, 2013
Travel Journal: Alarm in the Night
The fire alarm’s blaring made my heart pound, and I strained to see in the darkened hotel room. In a strange bed, its linens redolent of cigarette smoke, I’d been tossing and turning more than sleeping. Why hadn’t I remembered to ask for a non-smoking room? But now such a concern seemed the least of my worries.
I scrambled for shoes, purse, laptop and my writing notebooks. The luggage could burn, for all I cared.
Forgetting the fire safety facts meticulously drilled into me as a child, I yanked the door open without testing it for heat and stepped into the hallway’s dimness with every sense on alert.
No sign of fire. No one else about.
A fire door closed off the exit nearest me but a short hallway took me to the glass door leading to the pool area. I shoved it open and stepped into the night.
By now others, many of them in pajamas, were stirring. Sliding glass doors slid open. Faces, pale as ghosts, appeared at windows.
Still no smoke or flames.
I hesitated, but then went through the plate glass doors into the lobby. The graying front desk clerk picked up the ringing phone, spoke a few words, and put the phone down. When it rang again, he shook his head and repeated the process.
A woman in a pink bathrobe and fluffy slippers shuffling down one hallway turned back when I entered. “False alarm.”
The front desk clerk cradled the phone and nodded to me. “That’s right. Some drunks upstairs set off the fire alarm.”
As I returned to my room and my comfortless bed, the thought of what could have happened if it hadn’t been a false alarm struck me. If I’d lost my life that night, what would I leave untouched in terms of my relationships and goals?
When you think about it, right now is all any of us really has. For each of us, every new day is a gift. And we get to choose how to spend it.
March 10, 2013
Author Journal: Moving Out of My Comfort Zone
You’ve probably noticed the radio interview announcement to the left. Truth to tell, I’d rather design the announcement than do the interview. If I sound nervous, it’s because I am. The interview is set for between 8 and 9 pm Pacific Time, Tuesday, March 12th. That’s a time I’d normally be getting ready to slide into bed with a book, not talk before an international audience LIVE. (Thank you for listening.) Not to worry if you are reading this after the event. You can listen to a recording at the Alive in Christ Radio Network website.
This month, in fact, is all about stretching and growing as a public speaker. Yep, everyone’s favorite thing to fear is what I’ve taken it into my head to go out and do. I’ll be at the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference in Spokane next weekend teaching several classes and doing private social media and branding consultations with my friend and business partner, Melissa K. Norris. I’ll barely be home before I’ll be speaking at a meeting of the Northwest Christian Writers’ Association’s Fiction Writers Group. There are other events coming up, but if you’re interested, you can discover them by going to the speaker page for Janalyn Voigt and clicking on the calendar icon at the bottom of the page.
I don’t like having to step out of my comfort zone, but I do want to share the message that burns within me. I won’t preach it here, except to say that most people live unexamined, purposeless lives, and that’s a shame. There’s so much more. If you aren’t sure you’re living your life fully, you might want to listen to the interview.
In news of interest to writers, I’ve completed, together with Melissa K. Norris, the first draft of a book on author branding. We still have to edit, have it beta read, and add some cool touches, so we won’t release it until September. However, we’ve made part of it available in a workbook at the website we put together for our new business, TriLink Social Media Mentors.
At some point I’m going to have to plan this year’s research trip to Montana. I’ve been putting it off due to being so busy, but it’s March already so I can’t ignore it much longer. I’m looking forward to a road trip with my husband this time! He shares my love of history and is observant and bright, so I’m looking forward to researching with him.
After last year’s road trip to and from Texas within a month of the Grand Canyon trip, I’m laying low about attending any national writing conferences, however there is one factor that may get me to the ACFW Conference in Indiana this fall. I’ve entered DawnSinger in the Carol Awards. If it finals, I’ll probably go to the conference so I can sweat profusely while waiting for them to name the winner. I’m up against some tough competition in the speculative fiction category, but I also entered DawnSinger in the debut novel category. That gives it an extra chance to final. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I also have news on WayFarer (Tales of Faeraven 2). My editor at Harbourlight tells me that she’s putting together the final galley now. So, if you’ve been waiting for the second book in my series, she told me it’s safe to say it will release this year. My guess is that it won’t be much longer. Of course, all of this is making me anxious to start DawnKing (Tales of Faeraven 3). It’s had to wait behind other projects, but its time has come. I’m looking forward to immersing myself once more in the world of Elderland.
This journal has become a little lengthy, so I’d better stop chatting and let you go. Until next time, then.©2013 by
March 8, 2013
Janalyn’s Guest Post: History of the Eleanor Crosses
While researching DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven 1), my epic fantasy novel based on 13th-Century Europe, I stumbled upon the history of England’s Eleanor Crosses. I’ve written about this before but this time I go into a lot more detail.
Statue of King Edward I and Queen Eleanor
by Von Lincolnian (Brian) from Lincoln, UK
(http://flickr.com/photos/lincolnian/1...) [CC-BY-SA-2.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...)], via Wikimedia Commons
Contrasted against the cruelty of the age in which they lived, the love story of King Edward I and his child bride, Eleanor of Castile, blossomed like a tender rose among thorns. Theirs was a marriage of political convenience, made when Edward was 15 and Eleanor somewhere between 9 and 13 years old (her birth date remains uncertain). Although they married early, they lived apart and did not consummate the marriage until Eleanor was probably in her late teens. In the years that followed, their marriage of convenience grew into a union of love marked by fidelity.
Edward was one of the few kings of his time who did not take a mistress. He and Eleanor were inseparable. When Edward visited the Holy Land during the Eighth Crusade, he brought Eleanor along, and she delivered a daughter (Joanna of Acre) in a tent. Altogether, the couple had 15 or 16 children, many who did not survive childhood.
Tragedy strikes. Eleanor and Edward were crowned King and Queen of England in August 1274, following the death of Henry III. Eleanor would live just 15 more years. While traveling to join her husband in the city of Lincoln in late fall of 1290, she grew ill, probably with quartan fever (malaria). She had to halt her journey just 10 miles from her destination, where with Edward at her bedside she died.
Surrounded by a solemn procession, Edward accompanied his wife’s embalmed body on a 12-day journey to its burial in Westminster Abbey. At each place her remains rested along the way, he erected “Eleanor Crosses,” elaborate stone monuments in her memory. Read more at Christian Fiction Historical Society.
February 10, 2013
Travel Journal: Chasing the Wind
Each winter my family walks on the wild side during what we fondly call a retreat. We once traversed a boardwalk across two rugged miles of sand dunes and beach grass in the teeth of a bracing wind from which bits of ice were not absent. Another time we climbed the muddy path to a forlorn lighthouse at what seemed the world’s end. And then I also recall balancing on a jetty as waves licked the rocks below and rain pelted my face. Endurance, in such situations, becomes a mark of pride. 
Why make a tradition of such insanity when most other folk are content to remain indoors and unchallenged? It’s hard to explain. That may be odd coming from a wordsmith, but it’s true. There’s a stark beauty to nature in its dormancy, but the attraction is more than that. Perhaps austerity appeals after so much Holiday comfort. As well, there’s something life-sustaining about being outdoors in the wind. The Lowara gypsies maintain they will die without balval. Perhaps they’re onto something.
As we drove through the night to board a late ferry to Whidbey island, I mentally prepared myself for a new test.
It was too dark to see our surroundings well, but we managed to find our bed-and-breakfast without too much trouble. When I looked out the next morning it was to discover with surprise that the road we’d traveled hugged the coastline. Beyond the road a steep hillside fell away into Puget Sound. The view was spectacular, with sparkling water curling against the green island and a few white crafts plying the surface.
With the day at our disposal, we traveled to the small town of Langley. It was that penetrating damp cold found in the Northwest, and so by mutual consent we stopped for coffee at a local chocolate shop. Of course the temptation proved too much for me. I’d never tasted salted caramels before, and they struck me as pleasant but a little heavy on salinity but the caliber of the chocolate was not to be faulted.
Our next stop turned out to be Greenbank Farm, specifically the coffee shop, since it had started raining in a cold so intense I was loathe to hike. It was lunch time, so I ordered a bowl of clam chowder followed by salted caramel apple pie. I was determined to get to the bottom of this salted caramel thing. By the time we left the coffee shop, I’d formed the opinion that I like my caramel without salt. I’d imbibed enough of the white stuff by now to raise anyone’s blood pressure.
The rain paused long enough for me to snap a few photos of the pond, which boasted an interesting metal sculpture of a flying heron. But it was getting colder and I was glad to dive back into the car. My husband was in the mood for a hike by now, but all I wanted to do was go back to the bed-and-breakfast and rest. The stress I’d been under lately had apparently taken its toll, and I lacked my normal resiliency. I promised to be more up to the mark the next day, and John let me off the hook. We went back to the fireside and watched travel videos before going to sleep early.
The rain held off the next day but the cold came as an unwanted guest. John couldn’t wangle any extra time off this year, so we checked out of our lodgings. We’d 
skip the ferry and leave the island via the bridge at Deception pass, but first we wanted to visit Coupeville. We reached it around lunchtime, so we stopped for sandwiches at the local bakery. Since it was Sunday some of the shops were closed, but we went through an antique shop and on the landing explored a gift shop. A pair of colorful book stops in the shape of birds charmed me into taking their photograph. It was too tight in the shop for me to back up enough for the best of shots, but I wanted you to see them, regardless. They seem a happy couple and considerably brightened my spirits. 
After visiting a gift shop on the Coupeville landing, we admired the bones of various marine animals hanging from the rafters, and then headed back. Before we reached the street we came across some intriguing steps leading downward. So far this trip we’d had nothing of adventure, so John and I smiled at each other and went down the stairs to the stony beach. The patterns beneath the pier caught my fancy, and I shot some photos there.
The stones on the beach made the most beautiful carpet. I had to capture them as well.©2013 by
February 8, 2013
Christian Fiction Historical Society: A Tale of Two Genres
This month I’ve joined as part of a 30-author team to launch Christian Fiction Historical Society, a blog uniting those who love to write historical novels with those who love to read them. Our posts and books span centuries so whatever era you prefer, we have you covered. We’ll post daily. This month each author is saying hello. In March we’ll give away a kindle and launch a month of daily giveaways along with great posts full of historical tidbits. Here’s a lead-in to my contribution:
My Writing Life: A Tale of Two Genres
Northwoods Beauty @2012 Janalyn Voigt
Whenever it rained in California, the sunny state where I grew up, we’d call it liquid sunshine. Now that I abide in the damp Pacific Northwest I’ve qualified that theory. You can grow used to anything and rise above every discomfort, or so I’ve learned. Although the heavens often weep I contentedly look for the blue sky waiting just behind the clouds. Pollyanna, I’ve been described, and I remain guilty as accused.
I wasn’t always this way. I had to outlive my difficult teenage years and endure many turbulent years before sliding into safe harbor. Thankfully, the Savior of my soul never let go of me. I’m happy now, but I can never forget the pain I once knew far too well. I am grateful to be alive, let alone blessed beyond reason.
As children, my older brother and I would beg my father for bedtime stories, and he would give them. He his deep voice would rumble against my ear at his chest as he unfolded stories of exotic places like Oz and Neverland. My imagination carried on with the tales even after he closed the book for the night. When eventually my father stopped reading stories, I began creating my own. Within a few years…Read more at Christian Fiction Historical Society.
January 14, 2013
Book News: Current Projects and an Exciting Development
By now you will be recovering from eggnog, peppermint mocha, and/or fruitcake consumption and gearing up for your new year. That’s pretty much the state I’m in too. With my email inbox filling up faster than I can empty it and several opportunities to grab at the turn of the year, I’ve been swamped. I won’t say I’m entirely caught up, but I’m headed the right direction.
ACFW Book Club Pick
It’s a dream come true for me to have DawnSinger published and WayFarer (book two of Tales of Faeraven) on its way. That would have been delectable enough, but this cake has frosting. DawnSinger has been chosen as the March pick for the American Christian Fiction Book Club. This is a much-sought-after honor. I am currently giving away 4 copies of DawnSinger to book club members in a drawing. Enter through the American Christian Fiction Book Club.
Historical Romance Projects
My agent is sending a proposal and sample chapters for Hills of Nevermore, book one of a historical romance series set during Montana’s gold rush. I’ll keep you posted. I’m also working with my agency on a Christmas novella submission as part of a collection. Due to the need to coordinate between the authors involved, the location of my story came as a surprise. This story has taken hold of me and won’t let go. I’ll say more when I can give details.
Romantic Suspense Project
I’ve agreed to write a romantic suspense novel as part of a linked-fiction series with talented authors Lynnette Bonner and Lesley McDaniel. Lynnette and Lesley are part of a critique group I belong to, so we’re used to working on one another’s writing and have develop a high degree of trust and rapport. We’re also all members of the Live Write Breathe retreat group. Each year we carve a week out of our schedules to go to some hideaway or other and write. Last year we rented waterfront property in the San Juan Islands, where our series will be set. We’re entitling the series Islands of Intrigue. Lynnette is setting the first novel, The Unrelenting Tide, on San Juan Island. It will release in March. I’ll feature Orcas Island in my contribution, Deceptive Tide. Mysterious Shaw Island takes center stage in Lesley’s The Tide Will Tell. Watch for more details about this exciting new series.
Current Giveaways
I’m giving away two copies of DawnSinger on Goodreads.
The ACFW Book Club is hosting a drawing for four free copies of DawnSinger.©2012 by
December 24, 2012
Winner of My Christmas Drawing
First, thank you for a huge response to my Christmas giveaway drawing for a free copy of My Memories Suite scrapbooking software and an autographed copy of DawnSinger, book one of my Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy series.
The winner of my Christmas giveaway drawing is Deb Haggerty. Congratulations!
For those who didn’t win, if you email me at janalynvoigt (at) gmail (dot) com before December 31st, I will provide a password to a reader-appreciation page with the lowest price I’ll offer for an autographed copy of DawnSinger.
Also if you are interested in purchasing the My Memories Suite software, you may do so at a discount using my affiliate sharing code. Use STMMMS54994 for a $10 discount on My Memories Suite.
