I'm not sure if it's because I took such a long break and haven't written much during the month of December, but whatever the reason, the first draft is now complete!!
Now that that step is finished, the next task is to edit it. And I do have a deadline for this...
If I want my free hardcover copy from Lulu.com (and I DO) then I have to submit the prepared novel by Feb. 15, 2014. This will be a big task, but I am determined to achieve this goal. After all, I did write the majority of the novel in just 30 days and that was something I had never done before either!!
I'm sure you're curious, so I'm going to give you a sneak peek of the novel with a few excerpts:
How much people miss, Hillary thought as she watched people hurry along with their heads down. The sound of cars driving by mingled with the crunch of snow underfoot as people passed her on the sidewalk and she paused for a moment under the hazy yellow glow of a streetlight and closed her eyes, wondering what sights and sounds she might have noticed if she was part of the crowd approaching the city of Bethlehem for the census. As she approached the church, she recognized the melody of her favourite Christmas carol being played on the organ and she hurried up the steps. (Chapter 1)
He arrived at the street corner just as the bus arrived. Quickly stepping into the bus, he paid his fare and sat down next to the window. Peering through the frosty glass, Andre watched the people and cars passing by and wondered where they were headed this night…did they have families waiting for them at home, or were they feeling alone and searching for purpose like he was? About fifteen minutes later, he exited the bus and began to walk up the steps of the church. (Chapter 4)
“I
know, dear,” replied Friedrich quietly. He felt the same worries and fears as
his wife did. This was to be the last Christmas with their youngest son for at
least a couple of years, because his future was very uncertain. Christmas had
always been a big family celebration time, and they were both aware that this
year would be very different. Friedrich had also been experiencing some
difficulties in his business, and the stress of having to find a resolution to
them was weighing heavily on his heart as well. (Chapter 13)
Jackson felt something brush against his leg and he
jumped, startled. He heard a scratchy ‘meow’ and felt something moist brush
against his hand and he realized it was just a stray cat. Heaving a sigh of
relief, he pushed up from his sitting position and decided it was time to move
on. Looking again at the church across the street, he hesitated for a moment. I do not belong in that place, he told
himself, but he couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that he should go inside.
And then, like a sudden gust of wind, the thought occurred to him – at least there I would be safe. No one
would dare look for me there. And inside it would likely be warmer than out on
the streets. (Chapter 16)
“Yes,
I did,” Elsa replied tenderly. “It is beautiful. Now come, we need to catch the
bus so that we are not late.” Brushing the snow off his jacket and taking her
grandson’s hand, they walked down the sidewalk to the bus stop together. As
they waited for the bus to arrive, Justin eagerly pointed out everything that
caught his attention…from the boys across the street who were throwing snowballs
at each other, to the multi-coloured Christmas lights twinkling in house
windows and the way the snowflakes melted when they landed on his nose and
cheeks. (Chapter 25)
"Friends, that is one of
my favourite songs to sing, especially during this special season. But why is
it that we only sing this song for one month of the year? Yes, we are
celebrating the the joyful truth that ‘the Lord has come,’ as the song
proclaims, but Jesus didn’t just disappear after being born. His life on earth
continued, and brought a life-changing message to everyone he came in contact
with. If we truly understand that message, if we even catch a glimpse of what
God is saying to us through His Son, then that should change the way we live
during the other three hundred and sixty-four days of the year.” (Chapter 28)
The novel will be published in paperback as well as e-book format next year!
More information will be coming soon about ordering copies and distribution. This would make a great Christmas gift for friends and family members!!
