Christa Kinde's Blog, page 82
October 2, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 271: Provision and Protection
Chapter 271: Provision and Protection
Tycho’s challenge caught Ethan off guard. “Captain?”
“I was Sent to say this very thing, something I would have thought you knew,” Tycho said, concern plain on his face. The tall archer extended the bow on which Ethan’s name was carved. “You are under my watch-care. If you need me, call out. I will hear you, and I will fly to your aid.”
“Thank you.”
His captain sighed. “What is this about?”
“I cannot say for certain, but I can guess.” Ethan smiled weakly. “In the near future, I will find myself in need, and you will be my help.”
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Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 270: Dissatisfactory Answer
Chapter 270: Dissatisfactory Answer
Conrad touched Ethan’s shoulder. “Our captain wants to talk.”
“To me?”
His mentor nodded. “I’ll take your place here. He’s waiting on the roof.”
With one last look at his sleeping charge, Ethan obeyed. Winging quickly toward the glittering stars, he glided into a tight spiral that carried him to back down to Tycho’s side. Furling pink wings, Ethan announced, “I am here.”
“How is Zeke?”
“All is as it should be.”
His captain frowned, as if the answer dissatisfied him. “Young Guardian, you can call upon me at any time.”
“I know it.”
Tycho searched Ethan’s face. “Do you?”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
September 28, 2013
The Week’s Accumulation lviii
As many of you may recall, I’m a homebody. If it weren’t for the walks I take to clear my head and get a little fresh air and sunshine, I’d probably always be reading or writing. But my life has taken a new turn toward the busy. Much to my chagrin (and personal amusement), I have to use my wall calendar for more than decoration. And this week, I needed to go out and buy a watch. Errands, outings, meetings, dinners, studies, lessons, volunteering—such is the life of a Mrs. Pastor. I’m back on my early-riser schedule to keep up with my writing goals. And the clutter’s eternal. Come see this week’s batch!
This week’s accumulation:
♦ You know the old sayings about a horse’s pace picking up when the stable’s in view? That’d be me right now. I’m SO close to finishing two major projects. And so my emotions are screaming at me to hurry up and get ‘er done. But to finish well, I need to settle down and keep ‘er steady. I’ve always had this internal tension near the end of a book, but this time around, it’s doubled. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be turning in my macro edits for Book 4 in the Threshold Series at the same time I submit my proposal for a brand new trilogy. Fwee!
♦ Speaking of a rush to the finish, there are only going to be thirty more chapters in Rough and Tumble. I’m excited about what’s ahead for Ethan and Zeke. But it’s hard to believe it’ll be over. Something tells me I’m going to be missing the members of the Hedge that protects the Pomeroys’ farm. But I won’t actually be done with Zeke. Nope. I have plans for that boy, and here’s hoping (and praying) that Zondervan finds them good! -wink-
♦ I’m still researching and prepping for my writing workshop at the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild‘s fall conference. I’m stuck somewhere between excited and nervous about the whole weekend. It’ll be my first conference, and I’m sure it’ll be fun. A blurb for my workshop (Stories in Miniature) is now on my home page.
♦ I’ve been getting my piles organized to update my website again. I’ll play with the sidebar and footers, adding new book covers and links. It’s all little stuff, but I love little stuff. ♥ Here are a few of the links that’ll soon be listed:
Give Baird a T-shirt >>
Read Rough & Tumble >>
Browse the Art Galleries >>
FREE story: Angels All Around >>
Ask to receive Postcards >>
♦ And I’ll wrap up the week with new art for The Broken Window. I love the vivid colors C.J. splashed around for me in Training Flight. You know who these guys are, right?
So what’s cluttering up your desktop? Do tell!
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Rough and Tumble, Chapter 269: Real Value
Chapter 269: Real Value
Sticking a washer on the tip of his finger, Jayce said, “I thought you said your piggy bank was full.”
Zeke pushed pop can tabs into a pile. “Yep!”
“This is nice stuff. Interesting stuff. But there’s a difference between full and valuable.”
Fishing out a nickel, the boy said, “Parts are money.”
“Son.” Jayce rubbed his chin and tried to explain. “Stores won’t trade buttons for a chef coat.”
“I know. But you and me could trade.”
Ethan smiled crookedly as Jayce glanced between the boy and his treasures, then gave in. “How much for those two red checkers?”
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Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
September 26, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 268: Chef Coat
Chapter 268: Chef Coat
Zeke hung on his Dad’s arm and pointed at the computer screen. “That one! Just like yours!”
“Looks good.” With a sidelong glance, Jayce said, “You know, your birthday’s just around the corner.”
“But I want it now.” Zeke wheedled, “I have money.”
“How much have you saved?”
“A whole piggy bank full!”
“Bring it down, and we’ll see if there’s enough.”
Ethan slid into one of the chairs and propped his chin on his hand. This was going to be interesting.
With a rattle, Zeke shook out his riches onto the kitchen table—pennies, buttons, washers, and bottle caps.
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
September 25, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 267: Ice Folly
Chapter 267: Ice Folly
Faith threaded through Ethan’s heart like a song, leaving no room for worries or doubts. Blight’s threat definitely kept him on guard, but nothing could diminish his trust. Or the delight Zeke brought to his days. Ethan sat with a few other angels on the rail of the red bridge overlooking the Pomeroys’ pond.
“Faster!” challenged Zeke.
Jasper grinned. “I’ll catch you!”
“No fair!” complained Timothy. “You could already skate!”
“You’re doing good,” Zeke replied, spreading his arms wide. “It’s like flying.”
The freckle-faced boy grumbled, “People can’t fly.”
“Can too.” Zeke’s eyes took on a faraway look. “In dreams.”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
September 24, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 266: After Evensong
Chapter 266: After Evensong
Ethan felt the familiar brush of Conrad’s wings as his mentor joined him beside Zeke’s bed.
Hours passed in simple silence, but near sunrise, Conrad said, “I know something’s troubling you.” At Ethan’s startled look, the swordsman smirked. “Don’t underestimate mentors. We’re as perceptive as mothers.”
“I … cannot explain.”
“No matter. I see God’s hand in this.” Conrad confided, “Your songs reveal new depths. A maturity of perspective.”
Ethan couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
“We can’t always see our own progress,” Conrad continued. “Maybe that’s why we serve in pairs. We need one another’s perspective. And now you know mine.”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
September 23, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 265: Friendless
Chapter 265: Friendless
“You should come skating. Can you?” Zeke asked.
Jasper countered, “Visit? Or skate?”
Zeke said, “Both. ’Cause I have a pond. What about you, Timothy?”
“Never tried. Is it hard?”
“Easy!” Zeke took a running start at the slick pavement and skidded several feet. “See?”
For the rest of recess, the three friends careened around, laughing and cheering one another on.
From his perch on the school roof, Ethan pondered God’s reasons for sending a single Guardian after Blight. Was it because one angel was enough to stop him? Or because only an angel who was alone could catch him?
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
September 20, 2013
The Week’s Accumulation lvii
My favorite kind of day is a very quiet thing. Stick close to home. Plant myself in my chair. Get lost in worlds of my own making. Left to myself, I’d probably be a recluse. But I’m far from alone, and for that I’m quite thankful. My family does a good job of dragging me out of my Ivory Tower and keeping life interesting. This week was filled with outings and errands. Checking things off To Do Lists is just so … satisfying! So here we are at Friday, and I’m picking through a mountain of clutter. Ready or not!
This week’s accumulation:
♦ I have a small pile of documents that I poke at during spare moments. One sheets, catalog copy, media pitches, and proposals. These are the sorts of things my publisher needs to promote my books, and it’s an interesting challenge to condense a story down to its essentials. And of course, they’re the very thing I need when proposing new story ideas. Which I have in abundance. I’m excited by all these possibilities!
♦ I have art everywhere on my desktop because Anna Earley put the finishing touches on the illustrations for the upcoming digital short story. We finalized the title, so I can reveal that much—Angels in Harmony. I’m still waiting to hear back on the release date, but in the meantime, I’ll give you a sneaky-sneak peek of part of the cover sketch. Doesn’t this capture Baird and Kester perfectly?
Starched and pressed. Ragged and distressed. Poised and polite. Bouncing and bright.
♦ In related news, the DMV kindly notified us that our new plates were ready for my car. We have two Souls in the garage, and they’re proudly sporting their names—MYRON and KESTER. For the record, Myron has a racy red interior and lights that flash with the bass notes of his stereo, and Kester is an understated black. When I drive to and from music lessons in Kester, we listen to classical music. Especially cello.
♦ I’m still pulling my thoughts together for the SDCWG writer’s conference in October. A blurb for my workshop (Stories in Miniature) is now on my home page.
♦ Let’s see. Oh, let’s do some new art. That’s always a fun way to wrap up these weekly posts, and I still have a few more stashed away. In a recent interview for The Broken Window, I was asked what scenes were my favorite to write. Lots of exciting things happen in Book 3, but I have to admit that I love it when Ransom and Prissie collide. Their bickering makes me laugh. ♥ Here’s New Hat by MistyTang.
So what’s cluttering up your desktop? Do tell!
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Rough and Tumble, Chapter 264: Unguarded Moment
Chapter 264: Unguarded Moment
The archers flew off while Milo and Zeke sat on the porch steps to remove their snowshoes.
Stomp, tromp. Worry, flurry. The sing-song voice gained strength as its owner stepped into view. “Blight in the yard; double the guard?” he asked sweetly.
“They were only visiting.” Ethan glanced away to make certain Zeke was safely inside. When he looked back, he was inches from a pair of bright blue eyes.
At his gasp, Blight smiled benignly and whispered, “Boo.”
Before Ethan could gather his wits, the demon was gone, taking a goodly portion of the young warrior’s confidence with him.
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a companion to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information and cast pictures can be found on the Rough and Tumble index page. And don’t forget, more story art is on display in my gallery!
Rough and Tumble, © Copyright 2012 – 2013 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
