Cover reveal - SINS OF THE FATHER

There's a good reason for the title, but you'll have to wait to find out. Your suspicions are probably close, however.

I finished the first draft a few days ago and have been enjoying a first read-through. It was a struggle to write, but because of that, I really had to buckle down and think about things. So far, so good when it comes to writing struggles. These tend to be some of the best books (in my opinions).

I had to then create the cover, or at least plug in the title, series number, blurb, and image to my template for this series. Oh, and modify the series title colors to coordinate with the image. Seriously, that's all these are--basically plugging a suitable image into the template I created in Photoshop. There have been times I found a stock image and modified the story to fit it. Other times, I photo-manipulate (multiple covers of this series). And some are good enough as they are when I find them.

Without further ado, I present the cover of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds Book 18:

Now to finish my read-through and then edit Book 16. I hope to publish that by the end of February. If you're not on my mailing list, go ahead and send me an email. You can do this by clicking the Contact me link on the sidebar of this blog, which will take you to the contact page of my website. Or just use this link: https://melanienilles.com/contact/.

Thanks for reading!

update and a question

SINS OF THE FATHER

It's taken longer than expected, but I only have the final scene to write on Book 18, and can then move on. On the other hand, I might even leave it until after edits on Book 16, like I've done with others. What's left is that stinger outside of the main action of the story. I've had those in most of the books to add a series depth where it wouldn't otherwise fit into the main episodic story.

I'm still discovering little things to tweak of the plot in this too, like last night after laying in bed to go to sleep. I had to pop back up when something struck me. It was brilliant! It didn't take much--probably less than 100 words--but that little bit added a whole new dimension to the story. It was exactly what had been missing.

Presently, Book 18 of Forgotten Worlds is just over 47,000 words, and the final scene (or maybe even two short final scenes) should wrap up the story at around 48,000 words.

So, that's what's going on in writing.

Progress on book 18 - the homestretch

It's so close now to being finished. I had a couple of very good writing days recently and Book 18 is presently about 41,500 words and should be finished around 45K words.

I've had to resolve some small plot holes, but that's always part of the writing process. As things get sorted out, the story gets better and better. I didn't have this planned out the way I should have, but it's turning out better than I could have planned anyway. It's just not what I would have expected. You'd think I'd expect THAT in this series by now, but the individual books still surprise me.

When it comes to writing, you have to be willing to let go of what you expect and let the story become what it needs to be. Once I let go of what I had wanted, the story sorted itself out.

I hope to finish this soon. I'd like to get done and then edit Book 16. I want to publish GHOSTS before the end of February, but it's going to be tight.

A devotion that will change your life

I have a revelation for many who love to hate on the mother of Jesus.

Guess what? The Hail Mary is in the Bible! EVERY. SINGLE. LINE! It is Biblical!

Stop! If you're fuming, tell Satan to take a hike and keep reading. Don't listen to his anger and pride and envy against the Mother of Jesus. Hear me out.

Line 1:

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.

"And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:28)

Line 2:

Blessed are thou among women, 

"Blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:41)

Line 3:

and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.

"Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said 'Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.'" (Luke 1:42)

Line 4:

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

"How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43)

(Mary is the mother of Jesus (Lord with capital "L", an honor bestowed only on God). Jesus is the second part of the Holy Trinity aka God. Therefore, Mary is the Mother of God, specifically of the second part of God.)

Line 5:

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

"Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful." (James 5:16)

"And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand." (Revelation 8:4)

Saints are those who have died and live in eternity in heavy. Do you not expect when you die to go to heaven? Will you be dead, nothing... or will your spirit be with God (alive)? What about everyone who has gone before you? If they were followers of Christ, do they not go to heaven? Are they "dead" in heaven? NO! They live. What better saint than the first Christian, the first follower of Christ--his mother who loves Him eternally--to add their love of us to our prayers in petitioning God for mercy?

Think about it.

But don't take my word for it. Look up the the scriptures yourself and see how they've been pulled out of the Bible and put together to create what we know as the Hail, Mary (Ave, Maria) prayer.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!

Blessed are you amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,

pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.