'"Study the past if you would define the future": This saying, often attributed to Confucius, suggests that by understanding the past, one can make better decisions about the future. When me and hubby travel usually on our itinerary is visiting historical places. This year we were Upstate NY and spent the day at Fort Ticonderoga. The fort nearly disappeared into history but for the past century has been under restoration by public and private donations and work. It’s funny how our focus is so different. I tend to lean toward certain aspects and Pete very different ones. Often, we split up and then look for each other if we find something that we think the other would like. I gravitate toward the way people lived, especially cooking, so immediately was drawn to the working cooking over the open fire. Doors also fascinate me. Who walked through them? What were they doing or going to do? Recently, we visited friends who had purchased an old house in the nearest town to us. The house is amazing. Cira. early 1900s. There were a lot of quirks that I loved but what kept catching my attention was the stairway by the front door. The first steps were worn into the shapes of the feet who for over 100 years climbed up and down them. Cool, right? History, according to Merrium Webster that I cherry picked are
Napoleon and the Bunnies: A large rabbit hunt organized by Napoleon nearly ended in disaster when the rabbits, instead of fleeing, attacked his party. This comical event, though not historically significant, highlights how unexpected circumstances can arise from seemingly small things. I’ll bet the group never looked at rabbits the same way. Did you ever hear about the Christmas Truce of 1914? Shouted messages grew between the foxholes from the British and German soldiers. The next day the two sides met in no man's land. Gifts were exchanged and photographs taken. Some even played impromptu games of football. The two sides also worked together to bury casualties. I bet these men were never the same. And wonder how much harder it was to then go back to the big picture of shooting one another. "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past" ~ Thomas Jefferson suggested that while history can be informative, it is more important to focus on the potential of the future. What history can we make in the little, seemingly insignificant things? Through things like kindness, gentleness, self control? By reaching out to clasp hands and not smack them. I wonder, if enough of us take care of the small things could somehow the big things resolve?  I climbed down the stair and the temperature dropped a good 10 degrees. Then the picture in the bottom middle is Mount Defiance. It was here that I realized that I could hike again with out wheezing and coughing. Last pic is two men making shoes and chatting with other visitors. D. V. reviews 5 Stars
The Masterpiece: A Novel (A Redemptive, Character-Driven, Contemporary Christian Fiction Romance Novel) I've been a long time fan of Francine Rivers since the Mark of the Lion series, but confess it's been a while since I've read one of her books, but I'm so glad I did. This is not your fluffy kind of Hallmark type story. It's gritty and takes you on a tough trail of two people who have not only baggage but entire history of luggage to fill a storage unit. They are certainly not perfect people. But Rivers takes the reader on a tale of love, redemption, and forgiveness. No spoilers but I'll tell you there is a very terrifying scene that changes the direction of one of the characters. Grace and Roman are both deep and interesting characters, and you wonder how they can make it past a history of hate, addictions, crime, and choices that have ongoing consequenses. Secondary characters round out the stories showing how friends can help or hurt. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who struggles with faith, hope, and love.
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 One day, many years ago, my sister-in-law gave me a picture of her new baby. (Side note, the baby is now married and in the army.) As a new aunt, I wanted to do right by this precious picture. I put aside what I was doing and went to buy a new frame. Once framed, I went to put it on the shelf. Nope. The shelves were dusty. Everything came off the cases; yes, these are a wall of shelves and glass cabinets. Then, of course, everything going back up had to be cleaned and polished. An entire day later, my original task had been abandoned, and the 4 X 6 photo sat on the shelf. I don’t even remember what the original plan was, but it was sidelined and never completed. Why am I telling you all this? Because I’m metaphorically cleaning the shelf again. As I’ve previously talked about, I’m working on an “epic” fantasy. Let’s talk about the genre of fantasy. There are varied types of fantasy. According to https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-complete-overview-of-fantasy-subgenres, there are eighteen subgenres of fantasy. And there are crossovers. In my brain, it’s all very complicated. To me, fantasy and paranormal are anything outside of what I consider normal. According to some, High Fantasy is otherworld, and Epic is earthbound. That seems the simplest to me, and that is what I’m running with. Except, wait. What about my Agent Sam Carter Mysteries? Are they paranormal? Sure. The three books are outside the normal. Are they epic fantasy? Well, they take place on earthside. But they have magical beasts and off-world influences. There are also mythical critters. I think I’m developing a headache. Before it becomes full-blown, let me move along. Shield-Mates of Dar. Okay, this one is easier. They take place in an imaginary kingdom. There are shifters, but not like the paranormal shifting of werewolves and the like, so I’m comfortable with leaving this series as High Fantasy. Uh oh, the headache is coming back. What about Lake Unami books? They are contemporary stories in the real world of Earth. The main characters’ lives, however, are touched by otherworld beings. Think guardian angels. Ach, what’s an author to do? Move along. Getting bogged down in issues like this steps right into the path of productivity. It’s important to recognize the rules of writing. That said, it’s also important to step outside the box to a point. I’m working on a true high fantasy trilogy. Or is it a four-book series? See, this is what I mean. Instead of writing the darn story and then worrying about it, I’m concerned it’s too long. Then another “rule” does this move the story along? I hit the proverbial wall with this one recently. Now, I’m not talking about backstory and information dumps. I believe I have a handle on that for the most part. My thoughts were about why I was writing a scene, and doubts crept in. The forward trajectory of the manuscript screeched to a halt. The voice in my head started to speak, and she wasn’t nice. Many of you know what the term impostor syndrome is. For those who are going, “huh,” here is Oxford’s definition: the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills. My voice was telling me, “This is stupid. You’re a mess, and so is the story. Hopeless.” And it’s a little true. Drafts are a mess. Then, the light bulb went off in a way that made sense to me. I’m playing chess in these books. Getting all the players developed, making connections, and setting the stage for the ultimate climax takes a ton of work, especially in fantasy. So, I’m slapping that voice upside the head and kicking her to the curb. I can’t let her criticism affect moving ahead. That will be my editor’s job eventually. Right now, my job is to keep writing, dodging the rabbit holes so I don’t break something, and continue shoving the negative voices out until it’s time for constructive criticism. What sort of things gets in the way of you accomplishing what you’ve set out to do? Oh, by the way, the picture and shelves are dusty again.   And if you haven't read them yet, the series is on sale for a limited time.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4CBD46Q When the supernatural strikes, there's only one team ready to uncover the truth. Agent Sam Carter and the experts at G.A.S.P. dive into eerie encounters, chilling hauntings, and cryptic puzzles—armed with sharp minds, unbreakable bonds, and just a touch of bravado. Mysteries beware… the hunt is on! |
Your Host D.V. StoneAward winning multi-genre author and blogger. Fantasy, romance, mid-grade. Nothing better than a campfire, book, and glass of wine. Okay maybe there is.📚 Follow Me!
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July 2025
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