Christa Kinde's Blog, page 91
June 27, 2013
Literary Fun and Games
I don’t often post personal nonsense, but my kids and I had such a good time this morning, I think I’ll share. My lot and I are very good at finding fun, and today’s invention was a hoot and a half.
We live in walking distance from a Costco, and we definitely qualify as regulars. Not only do big families buy in bulk, but ours has a tendency to stand out. Traveling in a pack is part of it. The fact that I treat their orange flatbed carts as personal palanquins is probably the rest. Ahem.
And then there’s the food court outside. They have tables and umbrellas, inexpensive food and free refills. So whenever we walk over there for milk, eggs, or lettuce, we usually crowd around one of the tables for 59-cent sodas and a few games of cards. We’re like those old men who play chess or dominoes in the park … but less sedate.
Today, we pulled out a pack of cards and dealt a game that’s usually referred to as President or Rich Man, Poor Man. (Be ye warned, it has its share of crude names as well, but the rules can be found here.) Being inventive sorts, we decided to mix up the ranks by playing Rich Man, Poor Man: Jane Austen-Style! Mister Darcy was high, and Mister Wickham was low, Lady Catherine De Bourgh and Mister Collins traded cards, and Mister Bingley was simply happy to be there. And because we could, we littered our game-time conversation with quotes and in-character banter.
How does your family find fun?
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 203: Angel Colors
Chapter 203: Angel Colors
Just before Christmas, the preschoolers made paper chains. Their tables were covered with strips of construction paper in every color, but before long, Ethan noticed that Zeke was only linking two—light pink and baby blue.
Jasper elbowed his friend. “How come those ones?”
“’Cause they’re good angel colors!”
One of the other Guardians in the classroom nudged Ethan, saying, “I wonder what gave him that impression.”
Could Zeke remember when Milo had bridged the gap? Or maybe a dream?
“Those are baby colors!” giggled one of the girls.
“Then I done good! ’Cause Jesus is a baby at Christmas!”
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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.
June 26, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 202: A Typical Wednesday
Chapter 202: A Typical Wednesday
“Anything interesting happen today?” quizzed Raz, who was keeping Ethan company at the kitchen table.
The young warrior hesitated. “I am unsure.”
“How can you not know?”
Ethan tried to explain. “Everything Zeke does interests me. However, I have noticed that most of the other Guardians are eager to see what he will do next.”
“And what was today’s next?”
Suddenly, Jayce’s voice carried from the small office where he did his bookkeeping. “What …! Zeke, what is in your hair?”
“Glitters!”
Raz held his sides and laughed all the way through Zeke’s rambling explanation of his latest craft-time mishap.
<< 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.
June 25, 2013
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 201: Bad Dream
Chapter 201: Bad Dream
When Ethan returned from spending the wee hours on the farm’s perimeter, Jomei met him on the roof. “Come and see!”
Even though Jayce’s Guardian was all smiles, Ethan couldn’t help asking, “Is Zeke in trouble?”
Jomei shook his head and hustled him into the master bedroom.
Lucan was waiting. “Ah. Look where your boy found shelter.”
Zeke was sound asleep—hair mussed, cheeks flushed, mouth wide open. His hand was tucked safely into his mother’s grasp, and his feet were jammed squarely into his father’s stomach.
Three Guardians extended their wings over one little boy’s refuge from bad 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.
In which I mark a milestone…
Authorial Endeavor #024. Rough and Tumble is a companion story to the Threshold Series. While the main series takes place from a human perspective, the point of view tilts into the heavenlies for this FREE serial. Our “hero” is young Ethan, the newest angel the Hedge surrounding the Pomeroy family farm. He’s Sent to watch over Prissie’s little brother Zeke.
I began posting Rough and Tumble as a countdown for the release of The Blue Door on September 25, 2012. Since then, the story has updated each weekday. Yesterday, we reached a milestone—200 chapters! And I’m celebrating by unveiling a new piece of art by Hannah Christenson. Readers should immediately recognize these two.
Because of Rough and Tumble‘s unique perspective, readers of this sweet and silly story have learned many tidbits about angel culture.
♦ Why do some angels have their left earlobe pierced by a ring?
♦ What’s the difference between a Flight and a Hedge?
♦ How do angels get the manna they eat each day?
♦ Do all guardian angels carry swords?
You can find some of those things in my angelic Glossary, but I hope you’ll read Rough and Tumble for yourself. Not only will it add to your enjoyment of Angels All Around, a free short story that blends the casts of The Blue Door and Rough and Tumble. It will also give you special insight into some upcoming events in Book 3: The Broken Window, which releases on September 23, 2013.
Fun Facts:
♦ Lucan’s and Jomei’s names both mean “light.”
♦ Rough and Tumble will wrap up at Chapter 300. That’ll be in November.
♦ Lucan is featured in one of the illustrations for Angels All Around!
♦ I’ve started writing a short story (okay, more of a novella) that details how Lucan and Jomei first meet. Does it surprise any of you that it’s a romance?
Are you a Rough and Tumble reader? Great! Do you know someone who should be? Let ‘em know! I’d love for as many people as possible to be in on this fun!
June 24, 2013
In which names are named…
Authorial Endeavor #023. It’s time to announce another guest post, this time at JeanBookNerd, a bookish blog. I chatted about things to keep in mind when naming your characters. My article is called, “Four Approaches to Character Names, a.k.a. The Naming Debacle.” Jean also reviewed The Hidden Deep, and there’s a giveaway underway!
Name Games. While you’re here, let’s expand on what you’ll learn there! I’m sharing more tidbits about the cast of the Threshold Series … and their names.
♦ Harken Mercer is the elderly gentleman who runs the used bookstore on Main Street. He’s been a friend to the Pomeroy family for many years, and he also happens to be an angel. Harken means “dark red,” so he’ll usually be wearing a burgundy cardigan or tie. His first name also plays off his role as a divine Messenger. Think “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!” Harken’s wings also happen to be a deep, dark red. Mercer comes from the same root as mercantile, so his surname essentially means, “shopkeeper.”
♦ Kester Peverell is a part of the team who leads worship in a church in Harper, a slightly larger city that’s south of Prissie Pomeroys’ hometown. Kester is a variation on Christopher and means “one who carries Christ in his heart.” This gifted instrumentalist’s last name means “piper.”
The Lay of the Land. Authors don’t just put thought into the names of their characters. There’s the setting to consider.
♦ The Pomeroy farm is situated in the northernmost part of Milton County, named for John Milton, the English poet famous for writing the epic Paradise Lost. I studied his works back in college and fondly blame him for my alliterative tendencies.
♦ Sunderland State Park’s name was chosen because the name carries the meaning “divided,” as in “torn asunder.” Readers of Rough and Tumble will know that two legions of angels are encamped on the edges of the battle lines that are drawn up just beyond the Pomeroys’ property.
Up and Down Main Street. Prissie doesn’t exist in a void. She’s part of a larger community, and that meant naming everything from the local paper (the Herald) to the high school mascot (the Warriors).
♦ Loafing Around is Jayce Pomeroy’s bakery. The name’s punny enough to roll some eyes, but it suits the small town’s ambiance. Even though he’s a classically trained patisserie with a love for edible frippery, Jayce relies on his specialty in bread-making to support his family.
♦ The DeeVee is an independent church down in Harper. Their catchy name looks great on T-shirts, but it also has Latin roots. Back when I was a kid, Christians liked to use PTL (an acroynm standing for “praise the Lord”), but in an era even before mine, the trend among believers was to add D.V. It’s an abbreviation for the Latin phrase deo volente, which roughly translates “if God allows” or “as God wills.”
I could go on about everything from Judicious and the Right Honorable Madder to the opportunities for wordplay some names gave me … but we’ll save that for another post on another day. Now, if you haven’t checked out that guest post yet, here’s the link again:
“Four Approaches to Character Names, a.k.a. The Naming Debacle”
at JeanBookNerd.com
article ♦ review ♦ giveaway
Past guest posts:
“Bringing Faith to Life” – the art of Angels All Around
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 200: Denial
Chapter 200: Denial
“I am Faithful; you are Fallen!”
Blight’s blue eyes gleamed. “For now.”
“Forever!” Ethan drew his sword. “I am not your friend!”
“When you teeter, I will push you. When you topple, I will catch you.” The demon eased into the apple tree’s shadow. “You will need a friend when grief takes you.”
Ethan froze. “What do you mean?”
“I have watched, and I have waited. Patience has yielded a plan,” boasted Blight as he blurred from view. Only his voice remained, as coy and confident as ever. ‘I know what I want, and I know how to get it.’
<< 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.
June 22, 2013
Encourage Me with ART!
Yesterday afternoon, I mentioned that reviews for The Hidden Deep have been trickling in. I linked to this article, which lists ways for readers to help support authors. Yesterday evening, my friend sent me her review. In doodle format. Because she’s awesome like that. THIS is how she summed up Threshold Series, Book 2: The Hidden Deep….
Can Baird get a witness?
And the people said, “Amen.”
What would be your doodle-do?
June 21, 2013
The Week’s Accumulation xlv
This has been the writingest week! My favorite days are those when I can slip into a story and linger there for hours. It always means new discoveries because as much as I like to know where I’m going with a story … I can’t always predict how I’ll get there. Needless to say, I’m closing on the the end of one project and itching to leap into the next. Happy days, happy days! Would you like a look at my clutter?
This week’s accumulation:
♦ This has been an emotional week for the Threshold Series. Book 3 is off to the presses, and Book 4 will go to my editor after the weekend. The writing has me on edge, which is the best place from which to create. I find the lag between when I write things and when they’re published a little strange. When I talk to readers, I have to be careful not to blurt random spoilers.
♦ Reviews have begun trickling in for The Hidden Deep. I appreciate it when readers take the time to support my books in this way. As does my publisher. I know I’ve linked to this article before. It offers very practical ways in which you can help spread the word about any of your favorite books and authors.
♦ It’s been a little while since I pointed y’all to my Pinterest boards. I’ve added a few new ones: Orchard, Mail, and Letters & Numbers. And new pins have shown up on both my miscellaneous Threshold Series board, as well as the one I keep just for Prissie.
♦ My Threshold Series companion story is closing in on a milestone. Rough and Tumble will reach Chapter 200 on Monday, and I’ll be unveiling new art to celebrate. If you haven’t been introduced to Ethan and the other guardian angels in the story, you’re missing out! Story Summary: In The Blue Door, Prissie Pomeroy gets the barest glimpse of an invisible realm where the Faithful are at war with the Fallen. With Rough and Tumble, the point of view tilts into the heavenlies, and the story is told from a very different perspective. Meet young Ethan, the newest angel the Hedge surrounding the Pomeroy family farm, as he is Sent to watch over Prissie’s little brother Zeke.
Ethan is the young, pink-winged guardian angel who also appears in the FREE prequel crossover, Angels All Around! If you haven’t downloaded it yet because you don’t have an e-reader, I have good news. There are free desktop versions on several sites. For instance, you can get Kindle for your desktop right here.
♦ And let’s do some new art. I’m adding this piece to the story art gallery for The Hidden Deep. It’s loosely based on one of the scenes in the story. (Yay for artistic license.)
♦ I was looking at the calendar, and realized that it’s actually time for me to be thinking about the countdown for Book 3: The Broken Window. The next installment releases on September 24, 2013, so I’ll probably start doing fun little posts each week starting in August. (The countdown for Book 2: The Hidden Deep is archived here.)
So what’s cluttering up your desktop? Do tell!
Rough and Tumble, Chapter 199: Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe
Chapter 199: Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe
Ethan stared at Blight in disbelief. “How can you stand there so calmly?”
“Should I be distraught?”
Baffled that one of the Fallen would be so foolhardy, Ethan challenged, “Do you realize how many Guardians have been added to the Hedge this day?”
“Your concern is touching,” the demon said with a smile. “Can you keep them at bay?”
Ethan opened his mouth, but slowly closed it. He’d never fight against his teammates, but neither could he raise the alarm. Was he actually aiding Blight?
“Sent to seek. Sent to find. Sent to me,” the demon chanted in triumphant tones.
<< 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.
Fridays: I’ll keep comments open on Fridays in case you’d like to say hello.
