What Is Right

Doing what is right in our own eyes does not always manifest as evil.

In fact, many times what is right in our eyes can appear quite good. Obtaining a better job that increases financial freedom. Volunteering to serve in a ministry. Living in a neighborhood deemed safer for our kids. Getting married. Protecting those we love.

In and of themselves, none of these are evil. Desiring them is not sinful. But if they are not what God has asked us to do, then doing them is wrong.

Because we don't get to define what is right or wrong. That is the exclusive prerogative of God, and what He defines as right is obedience to Him. Obedience first to His commands as revealed in Scripture, then obedience to His Spirit's leading (which will always fit within the framework of the biblical commands). Anything else is disobedience and therefore wrong, no matter how good it seems.

It is a difficult lesson to live, as my heroine Yosi learns in Perplexity, because sometimes what is right in God's eyes doesn't seem good in ours. But when we follow Him in obedience, it will always lead to what is best.

The Gift of Perplexity

In just a little over a month, my next novel, Perplexity, releases. And though it has been almost a year since I submitted that manuscript to the publisher to begin the editing process, I still find myself shaking my head in wonder over it. 

For you see, I'm a terribly slow writer.

Before starting this series, the fastest I had ever completed a book was 18 months. So when I reached three months before the deadline and still only had a little over half a book (and a fragmented one at that), panic set in.

I considered reaching out to my publisher for an extension. But I felt very strongly God said no.

When I signed this contract, I prayed awhile about the deadlines. At the time, I felt that He would provide what I needed when I needed it. I pretty much told the publisher the same when I signed. Now, with three months to go, did I trust God? Did I believe that He would provide?

So I kept writing. Editing on the side when I was too tired to create. I finished the first draft 12 hours before deadline. I turned it in less than an hour before, without a chance to read the thing through.

But the story was all there. Not perfect. But complete and solid, with no major plot holes that the editor found. Something my past experience with writing would have said was impossible.

Thus the dedication to this book begins:

"For My All-Sufficient Lord

From the start You promised me

All I needed I would see;

Right on time it would be."

For God is never late, but always on time.

An Unexpected Award

A few weeks ago, I received an unexpected email form my publisher: Illuminary had won the Tome Society Award.

I admit, my first thought was, This must be a scam.

I had never heard of this award or this organization. But sure enough, when I checked them out, they appeared to be a legitimate nonprofit promoting literacy in schools through clean, age-appropriate fiction. A neat little program actually.

But for a book to be selected for their list, it has to be submitted for consideration. Neither my publisher nor I had entered Illuminary. Which meant someone else had to find and nominate my book for me.

That was astounding enough. But the timing made it even more significant.

In the week preceding I had been struggling with the area of results. I know I need to trust God’s provision there as much as in money and time. But many days I feel like I see very little fruit from the work I do, in writing and otherwise.

When that email arrived, however, it felt like little tap on the shoulder from God. It was if He was saying, “I have this under control. I can do what wish, bring about whatever I wish, and I don’t need your help to do it.”

So, yes, Illuminary won an unexpected award, and that is cool and exciting. But even more, I was reminded of a very important truth: I can trust God is at work, even when I can’t see it.

And that was the sweetest reward of all.

Cover Reveal: Illuminary

 Time for a Cover Reveal!

 

We have finally reached the time where I can share with you the cover of the first book of my new fantasy trilogy:

Isn’t it beautiful? While this isn’t what I had initially envisioned for the cover, what Enclave (the publisher) and cover designer Emilie Haney came up with is quite eye-catching and captures the essence of the story. I especially love all the vibrant colors. And what is this story I keep talking about? Here’s the backcover copy: Glimpse the past, illuminate the future. Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists. Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives. Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear. Now while the book will be releasing next spring, the hardcover is already up for pre-order. Just click the picture below.

Writing Update: July 2024

This month I’ve returned to book one of my upcoming fantasy trilogy to work on the developmental edit. These are the changes requested by the publisher pertaining to the big picture, structural elements like plot and character. It also can deal with midlevel adjustments, like wording.

In my case, my edits included reworking a couple of small sections for sensitivity to cultural triggers, toning down the romance, and rewriting a middle chapter. Some of the wording also needed fine-tuned for consistency, so I didn’t sound formal in one sentence and colloquial in the next. And of course, there were plenty of overused words that needed more variety. (Apparently, I had much to “offer” in this book. J)

But now that’s all done, and the book is headed to the copy editor. Among other things, she will get rid of all the stupid mistakes that make me look like I flunked high school English. Meanwhile, I will be returning to work on book two, because there is still plenty more story to tell.

Multiplied Grace? : A Flash Fiction Piece

A few months ago, a writing friend challenged me to try writing flash fiction. Flash fiction is a very, very short story, often only a few hundred words meant to capture a moment in time.

I finally decided to give it a try.

The result? I won’t be writing flash fiction regularly anytime soon; I much prefer having thousands of words to work with, not hundreds. Nonetheless, story, like most art forms, are meant to be shared. So this month, here’s the odd (and for me, thought-provoking) flash fiction piece that resulted from my friend’s challenge:

 

Multiplied Grace?
By Chawna Schroeder

 
The top sheet of blank paper glared at me, my pen frozen above it. I was terrified to write these letters—petrified I’d get it all wrong—but I had to go through with this. My salvation could depend on it.
 
Lord, give me the right words. Then I began to write. Dear Quinn…
 
As simply and plainly as I could, I shared how I met Jesus and explained how Quinn could know Him too. The basic Gospel message, no frills, no embellishment. Yet my pen wobbled, leaving an unsightly streak at the end of a word. What if Quinn wouldn’t listen? What if I couldn’t convince her? Would I be damned to hell alongside her?
 
But that was a question too horrible to contemplate. One I hoped I never need answer. With a shudder, I pushed on, pouring every bit of earnest persuasion I could into my words. Please, God, let her listen.
 
I finished my note and folded it neatly into the envelope with Quinn’s name. One done. I started my second letter, this time to Petunia, with the same message in slightly different words meant to appeal to her hippie mentality. Letters to Maisy, Frankie, and Sarah-Jane followed that, all deviations of the first.
 
Collecting the envelopes, I placed them around my house where I knew each would find them. Sarah-Jane’s among her favorite kitchen gadgets. Frankie’s atop the tool bench in the garage. Maisy’s in her toy box. Petunia’s tucked beneath the strap of her yoga mat.
 
Quinn’s electric violin was last. Though I’d never heard her play it, just as I’d never seen Frankie banging away with the tools or Maisy playing with her Legos, I knew this was Quinn’s favorite object in the house. Would leaving my note here be enough to convince her of the seriousness of my plea? Or would she see it as a challenge to what she held most dear? I honestly didn’t know. I could only leave the note and hope—pray—that she would read it before trashing it.
 
“Please, Jesus, save me,” I whispered, “all of me.”
 
And I tucked the envelope into the violin case for the last of my multiple personalities.

June Writing Update

Writing this past month has been slow. Visiting family cut a little more into writing time than anticipated, and though I don’t regret the time away, I didn’t accomplish as much as I hoped.

I have also hit the muddy middle, not only of book 2, but of the entire trilogy. This part is always a bit slow for me. The story I thought I was writing has generally been smashed to smithereens by this point, requiring me to step back and reanalyze. So I’ve spent time untangling the mess I’ve created and trying to figure out exactly where I’m going next.

But I’m hopeful that a breakthrough is near, and new pages will soon start stacking up again.
 

Why I Love "A Little Princess"

If you haven’t already heard, my newest fantasy trilogy is loosely inspired by my favorite novel, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is a book I’ve read almost annually since I was a preteen, with some years containing two or more readings. It is a story that never fails to enchant me no matter how often I read it, and it carries for me the same magic that Anne of Green Gables has for many other girls.

Yet unlike Anne, who endears herself to almost all who meet her, the young heroine of A Little Princess, Sara Crewe, is known to be a somewhat divisive character—the kind you either adore or hate the moment you meet her, much like the characters within the story itself. So what draws me back to this young protagonist again and again?

The reasons are many. I love her imagination, her intelligence, her ability for the perfect comeback, her courage in the face of horrifying circumstances, her uniqueness among her fellow-pupils, which is portrayed as a positive thing.

But I think one of the things that draws me most to her is her unshakeable character. Sara Crewe is a principled young lady, and no matter what is thrown at her, she holds onto those principles without wavering.

Often in literature, it seems like the good, principled characters, when they are faced with great difficulty, end up struggling with their principles, debating whether they are good or worthwhile. In some stories, those characters even outright reject those principles for a time.

While these are good and needed stories to tell, sometimes they are portrayed as the only accurate arcs for such characters—as if characters holding onto their principles and maintaining their integrity is somehow unrealistic. A charge originating, I suppose, from those too sweet, too perfect characters found in morality tales.

Yet while such characters of integrity and principle might be rare, Scripture shows us that hard times don’t have to shake one’s principles or undermine one’s integrity. Both Joseph in the book of Genesis and Daniel in the book bearing his name exemplify this kind of life. And we see this same principled integrity in Sara Crewe.

It is not that she is some perfectly sweet heroine. Sara has a temper, struggles with some uncharitable thoughts toward others, and even misjudges another character terribly. Nor does she fail to grow—the Sara at the end of the story is definitely a more mature, thoughtful, and understanding girl than the one who began the tale.

But the core essence of her character—her politeness, generosity, compassion, etc. as summarized by her wish to act like a princess—does not change in the story. The core characteristics that make Sara Crewe, Sara Crewe, are unshaken. They may grow and expand with the character, but these essential attributes characterize her throughout the entire story. Even in her darkest moments she holds fast to them.

That is both hopeful and encouraging. For we all will face hard and difficult times. A Little Princess doesn’t deny that reality. Rather, it says that those hard times don’t have to destroy us and that holding onto one’s integrity—one’s faith—is possible.

And that, for me, is what makes Sara Crewe and A Little Princess truly magical.  

Vault Reaches Carol Finals

The Carol Awards is a prestigious award competition for Christian Fiction, held by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Much to my delight, The Vault Between Spaces has reached the finals of this competition! Some of my favorite books have been honored to final and win this competition, and I feel honored that Vault found favor to join their ranks. 

 

Here's the complete list of 

the 2021 ACFW Carol Awards Finalists:

Contemporary

 

The Promised Land

by Elizabeth Musser

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editor: L.B. Norton

 

If For Any Reason

by Courtney Walsh

Tyndale House

Editors: Stephanie Broene and Danika King

 

On a Coastal Breeze

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revell, A Division of Baker Publishing Group

Editors: Andrea Doering and Barb Barnes

 

 

Historical

 

Things We Didn’t Say

by Amy Lynn Green

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editors: Dave Horton and Rochelle Gloege

 

In High Cotton

by Ane Mulligan

Heritage Beacon/Iron Stream Media

Editor: Denise Weimer

 

The Right Kind of Fool

by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editor: David Long 

 

 

 Historical Romance

 

Daughter of Rome

by Tessa Afshar

Tyndale House

Editors: Stephanie Broene and Kathy Olson

 

Like Flames in the Night

by Connilyn Cossette

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editors: Raela Schoenherr and Jennifer Veillieux

 

The Runaway Bride

by Jody Hedlund

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editor: Dave Long

 

 

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

 

Dead End

by Nancy Mehl

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editors: Raela Schoenherr and Jean Bloom

 

Relative Silence

by Carrie Stuart Parks

Harper Collins Publishing

Editors: Amanda Bostic and Erin Healy

 

A Baby’s Right to Choose 

by David L. Winters

DAVIWIN Publishing

Editor: Rene Holt

 

 

 Novella

 

Far as the Curse is Found, from the collection Joy to the World: A Regency Christmas Collection

by Amanda Barratt

Kregel Publications

Editors: Janyre Tromp and Dori De Vries Harrell

 

Christmas in Galway, in the collection Christmas Lights and Romance

by Elizabeth Ludwig

Winged Publications

Editor: Cynthia Hickey

 

A New Hope for Christmas

by Erin Stevenson

Harbourlight Books, a Division of Pelican

Editor: M. Jamie West

 

 

Romance

 

Love and a Little White Lie

by Tammy L. Gray

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editor: Raela Schoenherr

 

Starfish Pier

by Irene Hannon

Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing Group

Editors: Jennifer Leep and Kristin Kornoeljie

 

Carolina Breeze

by Denise Hunter

Harper Collins Christian Publishing

Editors: Kimberly Carlton and L.B. Norton

 

 

 Romantic Suspense 

 

Lost Down Deep

by Sara Davison

ACFW Qualified Independently Published

Editors: Inez Jimenez and Deb Elkink

 

Point of Danger

by Irene Hannon

Revell, A Division of Baker Publishing Group

Editors: Jennifer Leep and Kristin Kornoelje

 

Airborne

by DiAnn Mills

Tyndale House

Editors: Jan Stob and Julee Schwartzburg

 

 

Short Novel 

 

The Christmas Bargain

by Lisa Carter

Love Inspired (Harlequin)

Editor Melissa Endlich

 

Killer Insight

by Virginia Vaughan

Love Inspired (Harlequin)

Editor: Shana Asaro

 

Texas Holiday Hideout

by Virginia Vaughan

Love Inspired (Harlequin)

Editor: Shana Asaro

 

 

 Speculative

Cry of the Raven (Book 3, The Ravenwood Saga)

by Morgan L. Busse

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editors: Dave Long and Jennifer Veilleux

 

Stealing Embers

by Julie Hall

ACFW Qualified Independently Published

Editors: Rebecca Heyman and Janelle Leonard 

 

The Vault Between Spaces

by Chawna Schroeder

Enclave Publishing

Editors: Steve Laube and Lisa Laube

 

 

Young Adult

 

Victoria Grace the Jerkface

by S.E. Clancy

WhiteFire Publishing

Editor: Cara Grandle

 

The Story Hunter

by Lindsay A. Franklin

Enclave Publishing

Editors: Steve Laube and Lisa Laube

 

Mortal Sight

by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads

Enclave Publishing

Editors: Steve Laube and Lisa Laube

 

 

Debut 

 

Things We Didn’t Say

by Amy Lynn Green

Bethany House (Baker) Publishing

Editors: Dave Horton and Rochelle Gloege

 

The Edge of Everywhen

by A.S. Mackey

B & H Publishing

Editor: Michelle Freeman

 

Mortal Sight

by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads

Enclave Publishing

Editors: Steve Laube and Lisa Laube

The winners will be announced at the ACFW Gala Presentation on September 11th, 2021. See https://acfw.com/acfw-conference for more information 

Vault's Blog Tour

While I'm traveling through the land of Israel, my new novel, The Vault Between Spaces, is taking a tour of the internet, culminating in a giveaway at the end. You can find more information from Celebrate Lit and then join the fun by stopping by the various blogs that Vault will be visiting. Here's the itinerary:  

Through the Fire Blogs, February 28

Texas Book-aholic, February 29

For the Love of Literature, March 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 2

Rebecca Tews, March 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

Inklings and notions, March 5

For Him and My Family, March 6

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 7

deb’s Book Review, March 7

Emily Yager, March 8

Blogging With Carol, March 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10

The Artist Librarian, March 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 11

Pause for Tales, March 12

Mia Reads, March 12

I hope you enjoy the book tour!

Vault Released!

Dear Book Lover,

  

It has been an intense moth of work. While the writing of The Vault Between Spaces has been done for months now, it does little good to write a book if no one reads it! So the past few weeks have been filled with promotional and marketing work, all done in hopes of letting a few readers like you know that the book exists and you might enjoy reading it.

So February 11 marked the official release of The Vault Between Spaces. Pre-ordered books were mailed out, e-books arrived, and I could celebrate—doubly so, since February 11 is also my birthday. For an author, can there be any better gift?

 Meanwhile, all that marketing preparation is kicking in.

The American Christian Fiction Writers, a professional writing organization I belong to, posted an interview.  Lorehaven, a magazine for fans of Christian science-fiction and fantasy, posted an article I wrote about finding God in fantasy. A podcast interview I recorded with Hope Prose aired the 23rd. 

More than that, Vault is taking a grand tour of the internet, starting now with five days on Instagram, hosted by @JustReadTours (February 25-29). Then on February 28^th, it’s move onto a two-week blog tour with Celebrate Lit. Both tours feature giveaways, so make sure to check them out. 

But now it’s time to return to my cave. I have another book to write!

Dreaming bigger, growing deeper,

Chawna

It's Here!!!!

My author copies of my newest book, The Vault Between Spaces, has arrived...

You can order your copy here or an autographed copy here.

Vault for Christmas

Photo compliments of Instagrammer @JaneMareeAuthor

'Tis the season for Christmas shopping. And of course books make a great Christmas gift, especially for that bibliophile in your life who simply can't seem to get their fill of books. But how to give a book that hasn't released yet? 

While I can't solve that conundrum for every book on your favorite bookworm's list, I would love to help you out with Vault. No, I sadly cannot accelerate the printing process to to get you the book by Christmas. Such things are outside of my control. What I can do is write a personalized, handwritten card informing your bookworm of your purchase of Vault Between Spaces for them. Moreover, I will also include a bookplate (if desired) which can be placed in the book later, turning it into an autographed copy just for them! 

Just send me an email at imaginationinvestigation @ yahoo .com by December 18th for any address in the U.S. with the following the information:

• Who is receiving Vault. 
• Who is giving Vault.
• Which version is being gifted--I would hate to accidentally promise the hardback if they're getting the ebook!
• Why you are giving the book/why you think the reader will enjoy Vault.
• A snail mail address to send the card to.

Yes, I'll mark the envelope, "Do Not Open Until Christmas" just to be on the safe side! Yes, giving the book to yourself counts. 

So what are you waiting for? Pre-order a copy (or two or a dozen) of Vault, send me that e-mail, and check off another name (or two or a dozen) off your list! 

(Note: You can order Vault now from variety of places, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and directly from me. However, you cannot "gift" an ebook from most online retailers. That's okay! I'll still write the note for Christmas, and then send you a follow-up email in February, reminding you to order the book for your bookworm on release day.)

Coming February 2020!

So things are  moving at a rapid clip for my new novel The Vault Between Spaces. I spent the first half of August working through the notes from my editor, and we also finalized a cover:

 Of course, if the cover catches your eye, the next question becomes, what is this story?

It is a fantasy for older teens and adults set in a pseudo-WWII/Cold War setting, rather than the traditional medieval landscape, and it tells the story of a young girl who intentionally gets herself arrested in order to escape from a prison camp reputed as inescapable.

Still interested? Here’s a long snapshot of the story:

Every legend must start somewhere…

No prisoner entering HopeWell ever leaves. Or so the stories go. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, the petite girl of fragile appearance rattles the long-held beliefs of commandant and prisoner alike.

With eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. The rebellious can be broken, the cowardly terrorized, the arrogant crushed. But what to do when defiance, fear, and arrogance are absent? Moreover, Oriel makes no attempt to hide her intention: to escape the inescapable HopeWell.

But when facades are stripped away and myths become clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break soon morphs into a mission to prevent the invasion of evil itself.

Of course, that has snagged your attention, you can always preorder a copy now. The book will be releasing in February 2020 as a limited edition hardcover book.

You can order a copy of the book here.

That link is for Amazon. If you are looking to order an autographed copy, I hope to have a place up soon on my website soon where you can order directly from. So stay tuned for future updates!

Dreaming Bigger, Growing Deeper,

Chawna

It's Official!

Last week I sent off this rather innocuous-looking manila envelope to Arizona.

 

Then yesterday I received back a rather plain, white envelope. 

No big deal, right? Until you see what is inside...

Yes, that is a new contract! My second novel has been officially contracted by the publisher of Beast, Enclave Publishing. I feel incredibly privileged to be working with Enclave again, not only because they made the working of publishing Beast such a smooth process for me, but I get to boast that I'm being published along some of my favorite authors, such as R.J. Anderson, Sharon Hinck, Kathy Tyers, and Jill Williamson, just to name a few.

So what is this new book that I'm yapping about?

The Vault Between Spaces is an adult fantasy set in a Cold-War like world, where a young girl plots to escape from a prison camp reputed as inescapable while being hunted by an intelligence officer searching for the legendary Vault Between Spaces. 

Barring any unexpected delays, Vault will be published in February 2020--just a mere eight months away! And even cooler (at least to a bibliophile like me) the book will be initially released in a limited-run hardcover.

Of course, there is much work to be done between now and then. More editing on the story. Cover design. Galleys. But the process has begun! I think it shall be fun to see what the next few months will bring, and I hope you'll stick around for the journey as well...

Dreaming bigger, growing deeper,
Chawna Schroeder

May 2019 Writing Update

Where has the last month gone? It doesn’t seem all that long ago I was composing April’s update with all its tidbits of news from the previous three months.

Of course, since it has only been a month since the last update, this newsletter won’t be as full. But here’s part of what has consumed the thirty days of April:

• MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators). I vended as Imagination Investigation once again at the annual conference in St. Paul. And once again, I had a wonderful time. Familiar faces and new readers both stopped by to compare notes on favorite books and to discuss the latest additions. Michelle Griep, a local author, also stopped by for a few hours on Friday to chat and sign books, which was delightful. I would share pictures—except I was so busy I forgot to take any! For those who stopped by, thanks. You’re the reason I keep coming back.
• Preparation for CHCSD (Christian Homeschool Conference of South Dakota). My next conference is just around the corner in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on May 10-11. Since this is the second conference of the season, the preparation has been less intense than for MACHE. Nonetheless, there have been books to order, inventory to update, and books to read. Plus I created a scavenger hunt—with prizes!—since I have so many books to browse these days. So if you will be at CHCSD or NICHE in Iowa, make sure to come check it out.
• And yes, I continue to work on my novel. I’m almost done with the exercises (about a half-dozen to go), and then it will be on to reassembling all the pieces!

Well, that’s it for now. I hope to see some of you in South Dakota!

Dreaming Bigger, Growing Deeper,

Chawna Schroeder