Now that Voice of the Ashes has passed release day and is making its way to readers (more on that in another post!), I’ve turned my attention to some long-neglected projects.

One is big. One is small. And one is of undetermined size.

JUDAH’S BATTLE

This novel has been a long time coming. It might surprise you that I officially typed the first words of Judah’s story on March 14th … of 2020.

Between then and January 2024 I completed the first draft, despite shoving it to the back burner many times while I worked on other projects.

Now I’m back at it again, adding several new scenes and fiercely editing what’s already there.

When will it be finished? I’m not sure … but I believe it will be worth the wait.

“So what do you think of the war now?” asked Philip, still writing.
“A necessary evil.” Habitual defence rose inside Judah, while questions rattled like machine guns in his head. He might as well be honest with Philip. “Though I don’t know why an innocent boy should be killed doing what he thinks right so that I could survive.”
Philip looked up. “Reword that. I don’t understand.”

ONE BY ONE

This is the third story about Doug and Jason, and somehow it grew as long as the first two put together. (If you haven’t read the previous stories, you can find them here.)

With a redeemed life and passionate heart, Jason lives to tell others about Jesus, even as his health fails and Doug tries to slow him down.

Doug feels like all he knows how to do is survive, like others are making progress and he’s falling behind. It’s hard enough trying to keep his friends out of danger and difficulty …

I had plans to post this in January–the month it takes place–but didn’t get the edits finished in time. I’m hoping to post it in the near future.

Doug raised an eyebrow. “Better watch out around Tyler. One wrong word and he’ll be at your throat.”
Jason shrugged. “He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“That’s the kind of thing people say before it happens.” Doug grabbed Jason’s arm. “Watch yourself, you hear me?”
“You superstitious?” Jason cracked a smile.
“No. I’m sensible, and I’m trying to look out for you the way …”
He cut off the painful words. He was trying to look out for Jason the way Jason used to look out for him. The reversal of roles was a distressing one, because it meant Jason wasn’t all he used to be. In a sense he was more than he used to be, but …

THE SILVER PLATE

Some of you may remember me briefly mentioning this story in another post. It’s a mediaeval novella that I wrote between 2018 and 2019, about a man named Kanron who’s a messenger for one of the lords in the land of Irewend.

Irewend falls into chaos when the king dies and the High Prince ascends the throne–and begins killing the Christians. Kanron feels that something has gone awry in Irewend’s capital, and if he can locate the Silver Plate he can prove that the High Prince isn’t the rightful heir …

This manuscript has remained untouched since 2019, and I’m currently brainstorming, outlining, and planning to overhaul it. I won’t be surprised if it turns into a full-length novel by the time I’m finished.

“How can you give up life here for–for simply your beliefs? Why not sign the pledge and be a Christian in secret?”
“And be counted a traitor? A silent observer of this rebellion against God?” Kanron shook his head. “Never. I’d rather die.”

I hope you enjoyed this little writing update!
Which of these stories intrigues you the most?

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