Since my next book, Eye of the Oracle, is a prequel to Dragons in our Midst (DIOM), I had a concern that the story might be too heavily tied to the original series, thus making it difficult for a reader who has never read DIOM. I worked hard to make sure the new story was fresh and had characters that would stand alone without need for knowing the other stories.
So, I decided to find someone who had never read DIOM and ask for a review. Here is what the young lady wrote,
Eye of the Oracle drew me in from the first page to the last, with its vivid settings, its lively characters, and its spellbinding story. Mr. Davis has created a masterpiece, integrating high fantasy adventure with solid spiritual truths. Eye of the Oracle is an excellent book, a must-read for any fantasy lover!
That really helped settle my jitters! I've also received great reviews from the DIOM readers I surveyed, so I'm really looking forward to the release of the book, scheduled for September 25.
May God be gloried for giving me the strength and ideas to write this book. It will be interesting to see how He uses it to build His kingdom.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
Rocky Mountain High
Since the Christian Booksellers Convention is in Denver next week, I am now in the mile-high city. I came early with my wife and three of my children so we could see some of the attractions in the area. Yesterday, we rode horses and hiked at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and had a great time. I'm a little saddle sore today, but not bad.
I especially enjoyed a 3.6 mile hike from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake and back. The scenery was absolutely beautiful! The hike out to Emerald Lake is all uphill, which was helpful, because my kids were pretty tired when they got there. The hike back down hill was a breeze.
If you're ever in the area, I recommend going to RMNP. It's a pleasant drive from Denver, maybe about an hour and a half or so, depending on where in Denver you are.
I especially enjoyed a 3.6 mile hike from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake and back. The scenery was absolutely beautiful! The hike out to Emerald Lake is all uphill, which was helpful, because my kids were pretty tired when they got there. The hike back down hill was a breeze.
If you're ever in the area, I recommend going to RMNP. It's a pleasant drive from Denver, maybe about an hour and a half or so, depending on where in Denver you are.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Reading Out Loud
I might have mentioned this before, but I think having someone read your work out loud to you greatly helps the editing process. My wife reads my work to me, and it seems to be the only way I ever catch words or phrases that are repeated in proximity or used too often.
Also, it seems easier to challenge the logic of the story's construction. Somehow, when another person verbalizes the story, it comes across fresh and new, giving me, as the writer, a new perspective, and I tend to be more critical when listening. I might say, "That doesn't really work, does it?" and I have a chance to make it better.
For some reason, this process doesn't work if I read it out loud to myself. I don't really hear it. It's almost the same as reading it in my mind. Hearing my wife read adds another benefit. I get to hear her lovely voice.
Also, it seems easier to challenge the logic of the story's construction. Somehow, when another person verbalizes the story, it comes across fresh and new, giving me, as the writer, a new perspective, and I tend to be more critical when listening. I might say, "That doesn't really work, does it?" and I have a chance to make it better.
For some reason, this process doesn't work if I read it out loud to myself. I don't really hear it. It's almost the same as reading it in my mind. Hearing my wife read adds another benefit. I get to hear her lovely voice.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
The New Pharisees
This is a comforting passage.
Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)
As our nation's culture continues to sprint headlong toward a rabid intolerance of Christianity and anything related to the faith, it's good to know that Jesus prepared us for it.
Unfortunately, many in the church share in the hatred and ostracism as they insult and spurn those who disagree with their particular doctrinal persuasion. It doesn't take much searching through "Christian" blogs to find extreme hatred toward any hint of doctrine that doesn't support Calvinism or an Augustinian form of antinomianism. We definitely have a new breed of Pharisee patroling the church, ready to verbally assassinate anyone they view to be a heretic.
I frequently experience similar disdain from those who oppose my views on holiness, but it's good to know that Jesus knew the opposition was coming. That's a comforting thought, though the leaping for joy is difficult when I realize how much people are missing when they reject the awesome, abundant life that holy living provides.
Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)
As our nation's culture continues to sprint headlong toward a rabid intolerance of Christianity and anything related to the faith, it's good to know that Jesus prepared us for it.
Unfortunately, many in the church share in the hatred and ostracism as they insult and spurn those who disagree with their particular doctrinal persuasion. It doesn't take much searching through "Christian" blogs to find extreme hatred toward any hint of doctrine that doesn't support Calvinism or an Augustinian form of antinomianism. We definitely have a new breed of Pharisee patroling the church, ready to verbally assassinate anyone they view to be a heretic.
I frequently experience similar disdain from those who oppose my views on holiness, but it's good to know that Jesus knew the opposition was coming. That's a comforting thought, though the leaping for joy is difficult when I realize how much people are missing when they reject the awesome, abundant life that holy living provides.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)