The Ale Boy’s Feast: The White Strand of Auralia’s Colors

Publisher’s Blurb
The king is missing.
His people are trapped as the woods turn deadly.
Underground, the boy called Rescue has found an escape.
Hopes are failing across The Expanse. The forests, once beautiful, are now haunted and bloodthirsty. House Abascar's persecuted people risk their lives to journey through those predatory trees. They seek a mythic city - Abascar's last, best hope for refuge - where they might find the source of Auralia's colors.
They journey without their king. During a calamitous attempt to rescue some of his subjects from slavery, Cal-raven vanished.
But his helper, the ale boy, falling through a crack in the earth, has discovered a slender thread of hope in the dark. He will dare to lead a desperate company up the secret river.
Meanwhile, with a dragon's help, the wandering mage Scharr ben Fray is uncovering history's biggest lie - a deception that only a miracle can repair.
Time is running out for all those entangled in The Auralia Thread. But hope and miracles flicker wherever Auralia’s colors are found.



My ReviewAssuming you have read the previous three books, The Ale Boy’s Feast is a marvelous conclusion to the series. The wonderful descriptions and relatable characters return in full power, but the ending comes with a peculiar twist. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that it reminded me of Ted Dekker’s novel Red, when one bit of information turned my whole perspective upside down.
One element of this surprise came from chapter eleven of Raven’s Ladder, “The Six Tricksters.’ Krawg’s story becomes an important plot device, a hint of things to come. While I already enjoyed that story, I can now read it with greater appreciation and understanding.
Jeffrey Overstreet is an amazing author, and I am sad to see this series come to an end. Overall, I give this book and the entire series five out of five for its brilliant imagery, unique plot, and amazing characters.
Note: I received a free copy of this book through Waterbrook Media’s Blogging for Books program, but was not required to give a favorable review.

Writing Tag on "Three Dark Roses"

I was reading a blog post at The Pen and the Parchment when I found this story tag. It really made me think.

Writing Tag on "Three Dark Roses"


1. What’s your word count?
(edited) is 37, 792

2. How long until you finish?
I have no clue

3. If you have finished, how long did it take you?
It began in May 2009 as a short story, then I lengthened it for NaNoWriMo 2009, so I’ve been working with its current form for about sixteen months

4. Do you have an outline?
No

5. Do you have a plot?
Yes

6. How many words do you typically write a day?
Ah…depends on whether it’s November or not

7. What was your greatest word count in one day?
Almost 5,000

8. What was your least impressive word count in one day?
Zero

9. What inspired you to write?
A dream I had

10. Does your novel/story have a theme song?
Either “Everything Falls” by Fee or “Hands of the Healer” by John Waller

11. Assign each of your major characters a theme song.
Micah: “If I Stand’ by Rich Mullins
Joel: ‘Prodigal’ by Matt Hoffland
Abigail: ‘Hold Me Jesus’

12. Which character is most like you?
Daleth, who is actually a minor character

13. Which character would you most likely be friends with?.
Daleth

14. Do you have a Gary-Stu or Mary Sue character?
I don’t think so

15. Who is your favorite character in your novel?
Micah…I don’t really have a reason; he’s not even a point-of-view character, but he’s very good.

16. Have your characters ever done something completely unexpected?
All the time.

17. Have you based any of your novel directly on personal experiences?
Ah…considering what happens in my story, it’s a good thing not.

18. Do you believe in plot bunnies?
Yes. Especially the ones that come wearing swords.

19. Is there magic in your novel/story?
There are things that may be considered magically by us, but not really. No spells or anything, just music and blossoms.

20. Are any holidays celebrated in your novel/story?
At least four seasonal holidays, possibly more

21. Does anyone die?
Does anyone live?

22. How many cups of coffee/tea have you consumed during your writing experience?
None. I live on hot coco and cider

23. What is the latest you have stayed up writing?
11 pm

24. What is the best line?
‎'He knows I am stronger than he is, so he attempts to hurt me by wounding my beloved children

25. What is the worst line?
???????/

26. Have you dreamed about your novel/story or its characters?
Yes, in fact it was a dream that got it started.

27. Does your novel rely heavily on allegory?
Yes

28. Summarize your novel/story in under fifteen words.
Abigail learns of the King’s strength in times of hardship

29. Do you love all your characters?
Yes. Except for the two arch-villains. Oh, and one of the soldiers for the villians

30. Have you done something sadistic or cruel to your characters specifically to increase your word count?
NaNoWriMo= sadistic word-count building

31. What was the last thing your main character ate?
Beef broth

32. Describe your main character in three words.
Abigail: Timid, trusting, faithful
Joel: aggravating, harsh, haughty

33. What would your antagonist dress up as for Halloween?
Halloween doesn’t exist there

34. Does anyone in your story go to a place of worship?
One of my characters is a cross between a priest and a doctor, so of course

35. How many romantic relationships take place in your novel/story?
One that ends very quickly in death, and two previously married couples.

36. Are there any explosions in your novel/story?
Not that I can remember

37. Is there an apocalypse in your novel/story?
Yes. In the Left-Behind sense of the word

38. Does your novel take place in a post-apocalyptic world?
no

39. Are there zombies, vampires or werewolves in your novel/story?
no

40. Are there witches, wizards or mythological creatures/figures in your novel/story?
no

41. Is anyone reincarnated?
no

42. Is anyone physically ill?
Yes. My FMC has anemia and asthma

43. Is anyone mentally ill?
Sometimes Joel acts like it, but no…he’s just stubborn

44. Does anyone have swine flu?
No

45. Who has pets in your novel and what are they?
No pets

46. Are there angels, demons, or any religious references/figures in your novel/story?
The main religious figures are the Abir—angelic beings who can take human form—and the King.

47. How about political figures? Are there political figures in my book?
No. All authority is ‘religious’

48. Is there incessant drinking?
No

49. Are there board games? If so, which ones?
Yes, I took the old Norwegian game ‘King’s Table’ and called it Meir.

50. Are there any dream sequences?
Yes. Dreams and visions both.

51. Is there humor?
Yes. I am especially proud of my towel fight sequence.

52. Is there tragedy?
Indeed. So much so that my friend wishes to strangle me for it.

53. Does anyone have a temper tantrum?
I don’t think so

54. How many characters end up single at the end of your novel/story?
Irrelevant

55. Is anyone in your novel/story adopted?
Abigail is adopted about one fourth of the way through, but it’s more like a foster care situation, because she’s twelve years old.

56. Does anyone in your novel/story wear glasses?
No. They don’t have glasses.

57. Has your novel/story provided insight about your life?
Yes

58. Your personality?
Yes

59. Has your novel/story inspired anyone?
Yes, one of my friends did a fanfic of one chapter.

60. How many people have asked to read your novel/story?
I have one friend who is editing it for me, and I’ve posted the first chapter on a website

61. Have you drawn any of your characters?
Yes. It turned out fairly poorly

62. Has anyone drawn your characters for you?!
No

63. Does anyone vomit in your novel/story?
Yes. Well, at least in the rough draft. It might be removed later.

64. Does anyone bleed in your novel/story?
Oh yes, plenty of blood that cries out for vengence

65. Do any of your characters watch TV?
Nonexistent

66. What size shoe does your main character wear?
Six, maybe for Abigail and ten for Joel?

67. Do any of the characters in your novel/story use a computer?
Nonexistent

68. How would you react if your novel/story was erased entirely?
SCREAM! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

69. Did you cry at killing off any of your characters?
No, but I got pretty close

70. Did you cheer when killing off one of your characters?
No.

71. What advice would you give to a fellow writer?
Write as much as you can. And don’t be afraid of editing

72. Describe your ending in three words.
The King returns

73. Are there any love triangles, squares, hexagons, etc.?
no

74. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least stressful, 10 being the most) how does your stress rank?
From this story, or from school? 1 at the moment…

75. Was it worth it?
Totally!

Heretics, Daleks, and Lalaith

A defining characteristic of G.K. Chesterton is his habit of turning assumptions upside down via paradoxes. In his book Heretics, he states that it takes a serious man to laugh. How is that possible?
Well, here’s a simple exercise to explain it.

Here my audience splits into two groups. One who is holding their sides and laughing hysterically, and one who is just staring at the screen. I may safely assume the former has watched “Doctor Who” and has seen the terror the Daleks can unleash. Only then can you laugh at them.
How does this apply to life? Chesterton states “A man who has faith must be prepared not only to be a martyr but to be a fool.” If you won’t surrender your dignity for a cause, would you really die for it?
The song ‘Undignified Praise’ drives this point home.
I will dance, I will sing
And be crazy for my King
Nothing Lord is hindering, this passion in my soul
And I'll become, even more Undignified than this

I will close with a quote from “The Bark of the Bog Owl” by Jonathan Rogers.
“Do not ask ‘Am I being a fool?’ Ask ‘Am I being the right sort of fool?”

Heretics, Daleks, and Lalaith

A defining characteristic of G.K. Chesterton is his habit of turning assumptions upside down via paradoxes. In his book Heretics, he states that it takes a serious man to laugh. How is that possible?
Well, here’s a simple exercise to explain it.

Here my audience splits into two groups. One who is holding their sides and laughing hysterically, and one who is just staring at the screen. I may safely assume the former has watched “Doctor Who” and has seen the terror the Daleks can unleash. Only then can you laugh at them.
How does this apply to life? Chesterton states “A man who has faith must be prepared not only to be a martyr but to be a fool.” If you won’t surrender your dignity for a cause, would you really die for it?
The song ‘Undignified Praise’ drives this point home.
I will dance, I will sing
And be crazy for my King
Nothing Lord is hindering, this passion in my soul
And I'll become, even more Undignified than this

I will close with a quote from “The Bark of the Bog Owl” by Jonathan Rogers.
“Do not ask ‘Am I being a fool?’ Ask ‘Am I being the right sort of fool?”

Faith

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1

For some people, this explanation is nearly as confusing as the term itself. Does ‘faith’ mean you shut off all your brain cells and sing ‘Kumbaya’ around the campfire? Well, as appealing as that may be after a hard day of work, faith is more than that.
One song I used to sing had the lyrics ‘Faith is just believing what God says he’ll do.” God promises to be with us, to guide us, to never forsake us. Do you think God will keep his word?
Another helpful example comes from the Doctor Who episode “Flesh and Stone.” The Doctor’s companion Amy has to keep her eyes closed or she’ll die, but the monstrous Weeping Angels, who can only be stopped by being seen, are closing in. The Doctor has to leave to find a way of escape, but he promises to return. Unfortunately, past events make Amy skeptical of this claim.
“You need to start trusting me; it’s never been more important.” The Doctor says.
“But you don’t always tell me the truth.”
“If I always told you the truth, I wouldn’t need you to trust me.”
It’s easy to trust when we have all the details, but that’s not faith—it’s sight. For example, in the story above, Amy doesn’t really know much about the Doctor, but based on what she has seen, she has to trust that he means what he says.
It’s the same way with God. No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, there are still things you won’t understand about him. You have to take what you do know and trust him from there.

Reflections: The Boys Next Door

“Civilizations are judged by the way they treat their most helpless citizens.”

Growing up in rural America, I had very few encounters with mentally disabled individuals. But after attending “The Boys Next Door” tonight, I believe I glimpsed God’s heart for these people. The plot revolves around four disabled men living in a group home and their supervisor. The first half was amusing, focusing on the social tension among the men and their struggles, but the second half tugged the heartstrings in a serious way.
One of the men in the home went before a state congressional committee to testify when his benefits were cut. In the middle of a disjointed reply, the actor steps forward to deliver the following speech. While reading the words can be powerful, the actual scene makes it even stronger.


Another poignant subplot comes from Barry, a schizophrenic with delusions of being a professional golfer. After a brief visit from his abusive father, Barry must be removed from the home. The supervisor comes to visit him, but he never responds. I found it almost painful to see him lying there, not moving, not speaking, and only blinking proves he’s still alive.
One reocurring thought during this play was It’s so normal. Even the nonlinear conversations mirrored some discussions I have with my friends. That could mean I have very strange friends, but even so, it drives home a lesson worth learning. People with mental disabilities are PEOPLE.
Not freaks. Not trained animals for our amusement. Not shows for us to gawk at. They are people, created and loved by God. Jesus said, “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did it unto me.”
I can’t find a way to end this properly. But maybe that’s best. You can’t take a heavy issue like this and tie it up in a box with a pretty bow.

Rose Defeats the Daleks and other Musical Queries

I've done this before, and I wanted to celebrate the release of the series five Doctor Who soundtrack to (American) iTunes. You set your mp3 player on shuffle and answer the questions with the song that comes up.

Are you male or female?
“The Spirit of Christmas Past” by Enya

What do people feel when they are around you?
“Roman Paradox” from Doctor Who Series Five soundtrack

Describe your current relationship
“At the Sign of the Prancing Pony” from FotR soundtrack

Where would you like to be right now?
“A Time to Hate” from Perfect Timing by John and Diane Windle

What do you feel about love?
“Into the West” from RotK Soundtrack

What's your life like?
“Introduction” from Perfect Timing by John and Diane Windle

What would you wish for if you only had one wish?
“I Remember You” from Doctor Who Series Five soundtrack

Say something wise:
“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin

If someone says "Is this okay. . ." You say?
“Sometimes by Step” (Rich Mullins)

How would you describe yourself?
“The Letter” (One of a Kind) by Newsboys

How do you feel today?
“My Hope is in the Lord” by Matt Hoffland

What is your life's purpose?
“Passion in Writing” by Bryan Davis

What is your motto?
“There’s Only One (Holy One)” by Cadman’s Call

What do your friends think of you?
“New Adventures” from Doctor Who series 1&2 soundtrack

What do you think of your parents?
“Unspoken” by Jaci Valasquez

What do you think of very often?
“Who Else is Coming?” from Doctor Who Series Five soundtrack

What is 2+2?
“Not Good Enough” from Fireproof soundtrack

What is your life story?
“Work” by Jars of Clay

What do you want to be when you grow up?
“El Shaddai” –er, what????? I want to be like him

What will you dance to at your wedding?
“The Nazgul of Dol Guldor”

What will they play at your funeral?
“First Steps” from LotR fanfilm ‘Born of Hope’

What is your hobby/interest?
“See Your Face” by Matt Hoffland

What is your biggest fear?
“In Your Eyes” by Matt Hoffland

What is your biggest secret?
“The Father’s Song” by Matt Redman

What do you think of your friends?
“The Bridge of Khazad-dum” from FotR soundtrack

What will you re-post this as?
“Rose Defeats the Daleks” from Doctor Who series 1&2 soundtrack