The Olympics, Nathan Chen, and Humility
In this Post…
- The Olympics and Humility
- Review DTQ and DSS on Amazon ♦
- View the Trailer for Daniel and the Triune Quest ♦
- Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter ♦
The Olympics and Humility
The Olympics are amazing to me. Olympians dedicate a huge portion of their lives to training, and then put themselves on display for the world to critique. When they do well, it’s awesome. When they make mistakes, it’s devastating. Nathan Chen is one such athlete. His ability is far ahead of his peers, but Olympic nerves got the better of him.
In watching such performances (and mistakes) unfold, I often wonder what the Lord’s plans are. He hates pride; surely he orchestrates such “falls” to bring people to the end of themselves, where they can recognize their need for Him. I have no idea if Nathan Chen is a Christian, but it will be interesting to find out if his failures drive him closer to God, or toward self-reliance. I guess we’ll find out in the 2022 Olympics.
In the mean time, watching his story has challenged me to be wary of pride and self-reliance. We are all Vessels, nothing more. What we choose to be filled with determines if we are destined for nobility or destruction.
What are you a Vessel for? Self or God?
Read My Books? Please Review Them on Amazon!
If you’ve read either Daniel and the Sun Sword or Daniel and the Triune Quest and enjoyed them, please review them on Amazon! Here are the links:
Praise for Sons and Daughters Series
Christian Fiction Review by Peter Younghusband
5.0 out of 5 stars (Amazon)Every author and every reader anticipate that a sequel will be just as good or better than the previous….Well, I can say that this is a better story than its predecessor (Daniel and the Sun Sword)….
Lumbatis has shown more of the biblical aspects of who God is, the Trinity, and the Gospel message….
The account where Daniel meets Jesus is powerful but gentle and bypasses the head and ministers straight to the heart….
I know Lumbatis researched the mythology and culture….[and] translated this research into the plot and setting of the novel very well. It is great world building….Makes it very credible and real.
Reader’s Favorite Review by Sarah Scheele
Daniel and the Triune Quest is a blast—a breathtaking thrill ride!
A blast—a breathtaking thrill ride! Tantalizing prose, and…deliciously well-written. I fell head-over-heels for the witty, sarcastic dialogue. Daniel and Ben’s adventures are action-adventure spelled out, along with a hefty dose of drama, comedy, and memorable characters.
The action-packed narrative undoubtedly has the power to lure kids away from video games, and the spiritual messages are core, buoyed by dazzling anime-like visuals presented through…clear-cut learning arcs for the two boys.
Parents…should jump at this one and bookmark Nathan Lumbatis for future reference.
Purchase the Books via Amazon and Barnes&Noble
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Daniel and the Triune Quest Trailer
Find me…
Facebook: facebook.com/nathanlumbatis
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Twitter: @NathanLumbatis 
Re-reading Old Favorites and Book 3
In this Post…
- Re-reading Old Favorites…Getting Inspiration for Book 3
- Review DTQ and DSS on Amazon ♦
- View the Trailer for Daniel and the Triune Quest ♦
- Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter ♦
Re-reading Old Favorites and Book 3
The past six months have been INCREDIBLY busy and hectic. There’s been a book release, major changes at my old practice, moving into a NEW practice, a blog tour in the midst of that…oh, and let’s not forget Thanksgiving and Christmas. Did I mention I also have kids and a wife?
All that is to say, I haven’t been the most attentive blogger/author. Hopefully that can all change now and things will quiet down. Dear God please.
Supernatural Stuff
Why is fantasy so cool? Because there is something within all of us that longs for the supernatural. I’ve SERIOUSLY paraphrased something C. S. Lewis writes about this in The Weight of Glory:
“For a few minutes, just as the moment of vision dies away, as the music ends or as the landscape loses the celestial light, we have had the illusion of belonging to that world. The promise of glory means that the door on which we have been knocking all our lives–the door to the supernatural–will open at last.”
In Daniel and the Sun Sword, Daniel finds that even when he’s running away from that door, much less knocking, it’s going to open.
(more…)
Author Ashlee Willis Gets Grilled…And Survives
I know I just did an author interview earlier this month, but I keep meeting really cool writers. Young Adult author Ashlee Willis is one of them. See?
Doesn’t she look cool? Well, it just so happens that her first published book is also cool. And she stopped by to tell me just how awesome it is.
Synopsis
Escaping from the turmoil of her home, fifteen-year-old Posy finds herself at her usual haunt … the library. When she chooses an unfamiliar book from the shelf, she does not devour its words as she usually does…
Its words devour her.
Posy is pulled into the pages of a fairy tale in turmoil. Characters whisper of rebellion against their Plot. And Posy must find a lost princess whose role in the story is crucial, before her own role in the book comes to a horrible end.
With the haughty but handsome Prince Kyran as a reluctant companion, Posy ventures past the Borders of the Plot, into the depths of the treacherous Wild Land forest that lies beyond. Secrets are buried there, dangerous and deadly.
Yet the darkest secret of all is the one Posy carries within herself.
Soon it’s clear that finding the lost princess is the least of Posy’s concerns. The Author of the book must be found. His Plot must be put to rights again, his characters reminded of who they were first created to be. Only then will the True Story be written, both for Posy, and for the tale she has now become a part of.
What was the main inspiration for The Word Changers?
It began with a childhood wish to visit the worlds in some of my favorite books, and it grew in my imagination over the years until one day I knew I had a story I had to write!
Who’s your favorite character in your book and why?
I admire Kyran a lot. He has lived a life within the Plot for many years, a Plot which has gotten worse and worse. He has had to watch his beloved sister suffer at the hands of his parents. And yet through his anger and bitterness he manages to open himself to love and forgiveness.
How similar are you to your main character? Or was she fashioned after someone else you know?
Posy is much like I was at her age, although I was possibly even more shy and unsure of myself than she is. She comes from a broken home, like me, and she is, at 15, ready for adventures into danger and forgiveness (which feel very similar sometimes …). Despite our similarities, though, Posy is her own person – she is not me, nor is she anyone else I know. She is bits and pieces of many things, some real, some from my imagination, some from within myself and some from without.
Your bio says that you enjoy hiking. How much of the scenery/landscape in The Word Changers was inspired by places you’ve been and things you’ve seen?
A lot of it, actually! I love walking in the woods and by streams and rivers, and my love of all things outdoors flows over into almost everything I write, including The Word Changers.
What are the most important metaphors in your plot—the ones you hope inspire people to pursue God?
One of the themes of The Word Changers is of forgiveness, and the fulfillment we can find through it, no matter how painful it may be. There were metaphors for God as the author of our lives, and that, though He can, He won’t take control of our stories until we ask Him to. I also explored the silence of God, and how most times such a silence is on our end, not His.
Have you written your entire life?
Yes, just about! I started writing short stories and poems and songs when I was a small child. I wrote a children’s book (a fairy tale called The Moon’s Test) when I was 12, and then my first full-length chapter book when I was 15. Most of my early stuff was pretty horrible – my sister was my partner in crime for much of it, and we still like to get it out sometimes and laugh over it.
How do you balance homeschooling your son, being a wife, and writing?
Most days I don’t really feel like I do balance it, to tell the truth! I’m constantly wishing I had a “schedule,” but it never seems to happen. This past year when I was homeschooling, we did schoolwork in the morning, and now and then I’d get an hour or two of writing done in the afternoon while my son was playing or at a friend’s. I plan to get strict with myself this coming school year, though (my son will be attending a local Christian school), and hope that I will get much more writing done because of it!
Why do you write? Is it something you’ve always done? Or wanted to do?
I think God put the desire to write in me. It’s hard for me to explain it any other way. It gives me a happiness and fulfillment in a way that nothing else in my life does. Don’t get me wrong – it’s by no means a better fulfillment than God or family. But writing helps me understand those things, and myself, better. Writing complements the rest of my life – helps me value even more the things that have eternal worth.
What is your work in progress?
I’m working on two books (the first one is finished and the sequel is at the halfway point). They are as yet untitled and until my agent sees them I probably won’t be able to talk about them in much detail. But they are Christian young adult fantasy, as is The Word Changers. I’ve always written standalones before, so this is a new and different challenge for me!
Where did you grow up? How did your hometown (or other places you have lived) inspire your writing?
I grew up in a little town called Moberly, right in the center of Missouri. The library that Posy visits in The Word Changers is, in my mind at least, the very library that I lived less than a block away from in my own hometown. It has changed some over the years – they’ve built on, etc. – but the little poky, dusky library of my childhood is the one I wrote into my book. I also grew up down the street from a children’s writer, Daniel Schantz, who happened to also be a good friend of our family. His writing inspired me, and his friendship and kind critiques of my childish scrawls encouraged me and gave me the faith to keep following my dream through the years.
Best book you’ve read?
Impossible to answer, really! The Chronicles of Narnia are definitely top of my list, though.
Give five random facts about yourself.
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I am ambidextrous.
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I am notorious in my family for having horrible aim, as well as being quite clumsy (great combination, huh?).
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I’m a half-hearted vegetarian.
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I hate cooking, but love baking.
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I’m a sucker for British comedy.
When not writing, how do you spend your time?
Gardening, walking, reading, photographing, hunting for used books, blogging, spending time with friends, spending time with family, watching period mini-series.
If you had 3 genie wishes, what would they be?
Well, I think I would only really need one wish: For all the people I care about to know, pursue and love God. But if I get two freebies, I’ll take them! My second wish would be to live in a cottage in the woods, near the sea. My third would be to, like Posy, fall into a fairy tale and become a part of it for a while … although, unlike Posy, I’d like to be able to choose which one I fall into!
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
To keep writing, even (especially!) when it gets tough! That’s when the really good stuff starts happening! Inspiration is great, and all stories start with it – but hard work is what will get you to “the end.”
Thanks, Ashlee, for stopping by.
If anyone reading would like to get to know Ashlee better (or BUY HER BOOK!!!!!), and you’re a weirdo, then schedule a visit to Missouri where she lives with her husband and young son. But don’t expect much attention because she’s pretty busy writing, reading, enjoying tea with friends, hiking, taking pictures, and practicing the piano.
If, on the other hand, you’re a normal person, then just check out her websites below.
Websites
Blog: http://ashleewillisauthor.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleeWillisAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7849640.Ashlee_Willis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookishAshlee
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Word-Changers-Ashlee-Willis-ebook/dp/B00K5HZ4M2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406065755&sr=8-1&keywords=the+word+changers
Interview with Young Adult Author Just B. Jordan
I’m happy to showcase my interview with YA author, Just B. Jordan. Check out her official bio at the bottom of the post. Until you do, suffice it to say that she’s awesome because she was homeschooled, graduated early, and is only 19-years-old and just got her first book published. Read on and get to know Just B. Jordan!
Book Summary
Imprisoned, Elwyn endures torture so horrific she drives herself insane to elude true madness. She finally escapes, but at the deadly cost of the only remaining friend she has. Now, unless her broken mind is playing another cruel trick, she discovers she is turning into the monster she despises most of all. Amidst fighters and fairies, demons and dragons, traitors wear the face of friend as she searches for the lost fragments of her mind. Elwyn is the only one mad enough to face the Monster of the Kings, but she is more likely to destroy herself before even finding him.
Who’s your favorite character in your book and why?
It’s hard to pick just one favorite. I would say Finnion, because he is one of the only characters who tries to remain genuinely nice. But I also really like Cestmir, for various reasons that might ruin a surprise in the plot.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
No, I purposefully avoided that. But when my brothers read the very first draft of the first 50k words (back when the story and characters were very different from what they are now), one of them thought I had written Gwendor and Finnion as them, and Elwyn as myself.
What comes first: story or characters?
Story almost always comes first. I see a scene playing out or have an intriguing idea on world-setup or plot, and it grows from there.
Do you like to write series?
Yes and no. I doubt I would enjoy writing a series where the MC is always the same, or it always takes place in a similar setting. I would get bored. I have enjoyed creating a series where every book has different characters and settings, but they tie together.
Describe your main character in 3 words.
Pitiable, volatile, broken.
Use two or fewer sentences about something unique about the book.
As the dragon lore unfolds it becomes pretty intriguing; the physical rot of their flesh, the madness of their minds, the way their life-force is dependent on leaching from other races.
Where do you get your ideas?
Anything and everything can make ideas pop into my thoughts. I’ve always had an extremely over-active imagination.
Have you written your entire life:
No. I always told myself stories to keep myself entertained, but I didn’t start writing until I was 16½.
Why do you write? Is it something you’ve always done? Or wanted to do?
I write because it fleshes out my stories in a way they never would be if they remained in my thoughts only. I always thought it would be fun to write a book “someday”, but didn’t expect that I would actually buckle down and do it.
What is your writing process?
Once I have an idea that I know I want to work with, I tell myself the story, adding to it and shaping it until I have something substantial and workable. Then I sit down and start to write. Typically I have no idea where I’m going when I begin. I’m horrible with taking notes, though I am getting better at it. After I write the first 20-50k words, I go back and rewrite everything before continuing. It sounds counteractive, but that’s what works best for me. As I write I’m constantly going back and adding things in, cutting bits, and changing dialogue to work with the later chapters.
What is your work in progress?
To Ashes We Run. It takes place in the same world as Never To Live, but centuries in the past. I have loved writing this book. There are a few characters that are so awesome they almost steal the show from the MC, and the setting is vastly different from Never To Live’s. The under-achieving, self-absorbed MC, Adisa, is very refreshing to write after spending so much time in the mind of the tormented Elwyn.
How often do you go back and re-write a plot?
Before I start writing it is constantly being erased and re-drawn. It changes so much that it isn’t recognizable when compared with the original idea. Once I’ve started writing I still go back and make tweaks and changes as I flesh out the story, but once I know where I want it to go the overall arc doesn’t get changed much.
Currently reading?
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card. Up until this year I hadn’t read much sci-fi, but it is definitely growing on me. Card is one of my favorite authors now.
When not writing, how do you spend your time?
I read. I walk the fields, woods, and roads near my house. I goof around with my siblings when they are in town. I also enjoy making things with my hands, like costumes and steampunk jewelry.
Thanks to Jordan for giving us some inside info on Never to Live, and a sneak peak into her mind. Make sure you check out her website, and don’t forget to buy her book!
Just B. Jordan was born and raised in Oregon and lives in the foothills of a small town near Eugene. Homeschooled along with her three siblings, she graduated high school a year early and received her first publishing contract at the age of 18. She enjoys her life as a country girl with many pets, and works for a small dog centered business. One of her hobbies is to create Steampunk jewelry and costumes.
Guest Blog by Christian-Fantasy Author Scott Appleton
I am excited to host Scott Appleton, veteran Christian-Fantasy author and really cool guy. His input and guidance to me as a writer has proved invaluable. And don’t forget to check out his websites and books below. Enjoy!
Fantasy fiction. The very phrase evokes feelings of dread and hope, both of which are powerful motivators in a story. From when I was very young I loved mythology and history. The old English book Pilgrim’s Progress left a lasting impression on me. I was amazed that such blatant allegory had succeeded in not only stirring my imagination but also in convicting my soul.
And that is the power of a good fantasy book. It can provide spiritual lessons that are easier to accept because we understand them in a fictional setting, and it can remind us of the stark contrast between good and evil. The most effective stories remind us that we are created beings accountable to an all-powerful God and we are either for him or against him.
Fantasy stories written from the Christian worldview provide some of the strongest scenarios of all, thanks to these facts: 1) An all-powerful God can exact terrible retribution on those who defy him, and 2) Christian writers value repentance which of course brings about the greatest evolution of characters in stories through transformation.
We are at an exciting time in Christian fiction. We still only have a handful of solidly written and truly original fantasy works available, but slowly that is changing.
My fourth Fantasy novel Neverqueen released December 2013 and it is part of the ever-growing storyworld of The Sword of the Dragon series. You can find my books in stores or online and learn more about me and my writings on my websites.
See you out there in the fantastic worlds that we will explore together!
Scott Appleton is a Christian freelance writer living in southeastern Connecticut. He lives with his wife and three children. His books include Swords of the Six, Offspring, Key of Living Fire, Neverqueen, and By Sword By Right.
Writing Contest Kids—College
CONTEST GUIDELINES: If you’re a middle schooler, high schooler, or college student and a writer, here’s your chance to shine. Sign up to follow my blog at http://www.nathanlumbatis.com, and then send me an email at nathan.lumbatis@gmail.com letting me know you are registering for the contest.
RULES: Submit a short story or the first chapter from your manuscript (app. first 15 pages or less) by email on or before May 23rd. Most genres are welcome, but any inappropriate material (gore, sexually explicit themes/scenes, etc.) will automatically disqualify the entry.
WINNERS: The best three entries will be chosen as winners: one from middle school, one from high school, and one from college. They will then receive a written critique of their entry, and the edited version of their work will be posted on my website and social networking profiles.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get experience and feedback on your writing!
It All Starts Somewhere
“When did I start on this path?”
Do you ever ask yourself that question? It’s something I’ve thought about a lot. When did I first know I wanted to marry my wife? When did I realize I wanted to become a counselor? When did I begin to love writing?
For you, the questions might be different, but they’re worth reflection. It’ll give you insight into how God has orchestrated your life: led you, pushed you, given you reign, or smacked you upside the head. The flip-side? It’ll encourage you for the future. Confused about something in your life? Not sure how all the pieces will fit together? Wait and watch. See how God will use it. Life is like a mystery story where every detail is there for a reason.
I remember when I really started on the path to writing. I didn’t know what it would come to in the end (and still don’t, if I’m being entirely honest). But it all began when I was homeschooling as a teenager. Nearly every day, my sister and I would hurry to finish our lessons so we could go exploring. The eastern fork of the Choctawhatchee River ran behind my house, and the sloping, wooded river basin was the perfect place to get lost, forget about the real world, and set up camp underneath an ancient beech tree. It was ideal for a little writing. And great inspiration for story-scenes and maps, which every fantasy author knows is a must.
What about your story? Your gifts? Your abilities? Already figured out how God will use them in your life, or are you still waiting to bloom? Just give it time. It is spring, after all.
What Inspires You?
Inspiration is the core of anything we create. And it can come from anywhere: a song, sunset, movie, or maybe a particularly comforting time with God. Nature has always been very inspiring to me.
This adventure inspired me to write a will.
In case you’re wondering, I survived.
I’ve also been especially influenced by Greek mythology, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and more contemporary writers like Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling. Knowing what inspires you is one of the keys to writing. Why? If you don’t know what’s sparking your creativity, you will subconsciously become a creative copycat, punching out drab, hand-me-down stories that don’t grab people and pull them in. It’s like those Disney knock-off movies you see in the gas station. Who buys those things anyway?
If, on the other hand, you know what influences and drives your own creative development, you’ll be able to find a unique voice all your own. You’ll create something that contains elements of your inspiration, but is distinct enough to be relevant and worthy of attention.
If you’re a writer or artist, let me hear from you. What inspires you to create?
Nathan Lumbatis 
