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Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

I write fiction.

Now there’s a phrase I didn’t think would ever pass my lips. I’ve dreamed about writing a bestselling novel, but what writer hasn’t? I even went as far as outlining a novel at a workshop I attended a few years ago, but it was only to appease the speaker. I filed it under “writing misc.” and forgot about it. I have spent the past few years whining about not having enough time to blog, and working on piddly projects here and there. Until a few months ago.

I know this lady in my writer’s group who is always sharing opportunities for contests, anthologies, conferences, and such. She’s a writer/editor and probably submits more than anyone else I know. One day she cornered me and asked when I was going to write a story for her. With a polite smile, I kindly told her that I don’t write fiction. We chatted for a few minutes and I finally admitted that the time travel anthology she was working on intrigued me, and I did have an idea for a short story based on something that has puzzled me most of my life. I shared my idea and she said, “Write that!” So I did. Sort of. A few weeks after the deadline, I found out my story was accepted. I went to work on my edits and resubmitted my story. I was thrilled when it was also chosen as the 2nd story in the book!

From the intro:

What makes this collection unique is that an object must directly or indirectly be responsible for the [time travel] journey. The approach taken by all twelve writers is both as different and as diverse as the authors themselves. Several are from other countries. Several are brand new. Several are already published…it is family friendly. The editor wanted parents to be comfortable allowing their child or teenager to read these stories without fear of offensive language or sexual content. That being said, sit back and enjoy a trip through time via odd devices. It will be well worth the journey.

Time Traveling Coffers (WolfSinger Publications) released last week just in time for Mile Hi Con here in Denver. Last Sunday I joined my editor, publisher, and a few of my fellow authors in a reading, panel discussion, and book signing. We had a small but gracious audience and I received lots of encouragement and advice. I couldn’t cram all the story details into my limited 6,000 word count for the anthology, so I saved  a lot of it for the novel I’m writing. I hope others love my idea as much as I do.

Now that you know the story behind the story, here’s how you can buy it!

Print Edition is priced at $12.95
Ebook is priced at $5.99

Here is the link for Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Traveling-Coffers-Dana-Bell/dp/1936099373/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350073188&sr=8-1&keywords=Time+Traveling+Coffers

 

Smashwords offers all available e-book formats.

(Save 50% by using coupon code WB94A when you order by 10/31/12)

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/243987

 

This is the link for create space:

(Save 25% by using coupon code 9HW5GHYR when you order by 11/31/12)

https://www.createspace.com/4021532

 

I also have limited e-book copies I can offer for anyone who would like to read and review the book on their blog. Email me if you’re interested.

 

I didn’t get to do this in the book, so special thanks to:

Dana Bell for asking me to write outside of my box, and accepting my first story.

Benny Nowell and Karen Stonecypher for thinking through the plot with me and being my head cheerleaders.

Paula Moldenhauer, Kordee Rose, and Don Hillson for their invaluable critiques of my SFD, asking me the hard questions, and keeping me encouraged and on track.

Will Rees, and Max, Zoe, and Pete Nowell. I was glad my kids were as excited about my story as I was. 🙂

 

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My writer’s group sponsored a devotional writing contest this summer. The deadline was midnight on July 31st. With moderate hope, I hit the send button at 11:50 something. I am thrilled to announce that Tuesday night I was awarded 1st place and a NOOK Color! I was shocked! I had no clue what my chances were, but I knew that I was up against some pretty fabulous people. I am so glad that I decided to submit even at the last-minute.

My friend Jason recently told a story about truth God had spoken to him during a bike ride with his daughter. I was deeply moved and asked permission to use his story for my devo.

Jason, many thanks to you for permission and more importantly, your inspiration. Your sharing of how God is moving in your life inspired me and rippled out to inspire others.

A Father’s Voice

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8, NLT

It was nine-year old Jocelyn’s first bike ride with her daddy. Jason followed her down the trail, watching and coaching from behind, occasionally shouting encouragement, “You’re doing great honey! See? I knew you could do it!”

“Thanks Dad,” her smiling voice floated over her shoulder as she pedaled ahead.

Settling into a comfortable rhythm, Jason was soon lost in the peacefulness of the ride and the surrounding beauty. He startled when Jocelyn cried out, “Dad! Dad”! He watched as she wobbled, the confidence she had minutes before replaced with uncertainty and fear.

“Jocelyn, what’s wrong?”

“Uh…I’m okay. I’m okay,” she mumbled as she regained control.

“No sweetie, what’s wrong? You seem really afraid.”

“I’m fine now. I just needed to know you were still there. I needed to hear your voice.”

The Lord spoke clearly to Jason in that moment, “That is it. That’s what I want you to hold on to; what you need to cultivate in your relationship with me. Listen for my voice and know that I never leave you. I delight in that posture of your heart.”

Jocelyn was fine; it was Jason’s turn to wobble a bit as he wept.

Thank you, Father, for the gift of your voice and presence. You give us the confidence to keep moving forward. Thank you for never leaving us. Amen. 

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I have adamantly described myself as a nonfiction writer, but back in May, a friend challenged me to branch out and write (and submit) my first short story ever. I am honored that it was chosen to be published in a Science Fiction/Fantasy anthology due out this October. My story is titled The Locket and will appear as the second of twelve stories in the book Time Traveling Coffers edited by Dana Bell. It is being published by micro-press, WolfSinger Publications. I’ll post a link when the website for the book is up and running.

I had so much fun getting to know my characters and developing the story that I got a little carried away and had trouble cutting it back to the required word count of 6,000 words. Though the short story is completed, I am now working on the full length novel which will have a different title.

 

 

This is a time travel story about Remi, an eighteen year old girl who with the help of a locket, learns the truth about her unique heritage.

My name is Nikalas Nowell, and I write fiction. 🙂

Stop by and celebrate with my other friends taking the drawing challenge:

Don at Expatriatism

Zoe at Welcome to Zoe’s World

Max at The Hero Chronicles

Freebie at Free To Be Too Much

Girl at GirlyGeeky

 

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I did it! I mean WE did it!

My friend Don and I took this challenge together and we both managed to write every day this month. I’d like to think we’ve created new habits and formed new neuro-pathways in our brains that will spur us on to seeing the world from writer’s eyes, compelling us to share our visions with our readers. Not that we’re all about the numbers game, but both of our readerships have increased with our consistency. Fluke? I think not.

There is such satisfaction in seeing this challenge through because I’m not a great finisher. I’m a great starter, but I quickly lose interest and find the next thing to start. For instance, I have a new challenge for November. It’s a weekly challenge rather than a daily one, and I’ll announce it here tomorrow. Gotta keep the momentum going, but for today, I feel a sense of accomplishment and I’m going to bask in that for a while.

Go visit Don’s blog and read his rebuttal (not really) to my 2011 De-cluttering Challenge, and congratulate him on seeing the post-a-day challenge through to the end. I know there were many days that neither of us had the time or energy to blog, but we pushed through anyway.

 

 

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I originally posted the following on The Inkwell blog, but I’m sharing it here now because it’s still relevant and I ran out of time to blog today. 😉

Audre Lorde once said, “There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt.” I believe she was right about that. Solomon said something similar in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, “It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (NLT)

Do you know what I love about writing? Ideas are all around me, and they’re limitless. When I see the trees begin to produce flowers in the Spring, I’m reminded of my personal growth that bursts into bloom after a long, dry, wintry spell of life. In that same Spring when we receive a surprise snowstorm and are forced to slow down and hibernate in our homes for a day or two, I consider the ways I am too busy, overly committed, and hard-headed to realize that I’m in need of a day of rest and reflection. These epiphanies can’t help but flow into my writing and inspire me to look at what I have to say with new eyes.

As writers, we are designed to take what we see, experience, and dream, and find engaging ways to offer it to our readers. There are no new ideas, only new ways of making them felt. That’s one of my basic goals, to make people feel. What ideas are brewing in you? What inspires you to write? How do those things shape your writing? What does your writing make people feel?

 


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