Tag: 2012

Adventure, Art, Writing

62,000 Words … What’s Next?

Mark Wayne

The NovelAt long last, 212 double space typed pages, over 62,000 words and 10 months later I have a rough draft manuscript that could be, just might be a masterpiece!  Yeah!  I finally finished my first novel after starting last November during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.)  I completed 56,000 words during the month but it has taken me until now in fits and starts to fully flesh out the chronologically and tie up lose ends (I hope) and come to a conclusion that made sense with the original concept I started from.

Next step is having my lovely wife read, review and tear it apart just a little. 🙂 Then I will revise where and if needed.  I will then be asking for help from others to read the manuscript and give feedback and then who knows.  Publishing?  Maybe self-publishing? E-book?  If you have any suggestions or ideas I would love to hear them.  Oh, and to come up with title!  A little teaser about the story is below!

“Love and destiny sometimes finds us all when we least expect it, as is the case for two couples living in two The Novel #2different eras hundreds of years apart.  As evil hunts each unlikely pair  they find themselves in the fight of their lives as love grows for one another and faith in an all powerful God are renewed.  The stage is set for romance and adventure and in the ultimate showdown between good and evil they discover of a love that exists outside of time.”

This is exciting for me and I have some other ideas percolating and hope to participate in NaNoWriMo again this year.  Thanks for reading and all the support each wonderful reader of my posts has given to me. ~M

Adventure, Animals, Art

What gives you wings?

Mark Wayne

Our wings are often clipped by our own self-doubt and fear when God has meant us to fly! ~M

"Silver Wings' Colored pencil on black paper 6x9 inches “Silver Wings”     Mark Schutter ©2012   Colored pencils on black paper   5×7 inches

You may purchase different sizes and types of prints and greeting cards of this design at my Fine Art America site.  Thanks!

Animals, Art, Writing

“One of Many”

Mark Wayne

“I amGU2012-001 (Silver Wings) only one of many who stand in the void”  the leader spoke.

His voice was strong and commanded attention but contained no trace of pride or self-serving attitude.

“The darkness has long railed against the light and the veil is often thin between the worlds.  We serve only one and seek only to do his will.  We come to those in need who call.  We are ever ready to serve.  Our mission is never complete until that day that no one knows.  Until that time when the light forever shines with no shadows cast we stand vigilant and ready to come to the aid of those in need.  Should you have need we will be there as you are a chosen one as are all who his children.  He is forever accepting of those who turn to him and travel the new path he lays before them.  Your destiny lies before you.”

At this he backed his horse into line with the others and with a nod of his head towards Taylor, at once the horses’ all jumped into the air wings beating strongly against the air as they took to flight.  They rose quickly and all turned back to the east from which they had first came and rising higher and higher into the sky they flew.  Continuing until they were only specks in the distance against the blue of the sky, finally disappearing completely.

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

The above writing is a short excerpt from a novel I am currently working on editing and revising.  The rough first draft was written entirely in the month of November 2012 during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). 

A long ways to go and feedback is always appreciated, what do you think? ~M

Adventure, God, Photograph

Time To Get Away

Mark Wayne
I come here to find myself, it is so easy to get lost in the world. ~Author Unknown

My Private Little Mountain Bike Heaven

Do you have place to get away?  To be alone?  

To find yourself by losing yourself?

“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray ; and when it was evening, He was there alone.”
Matthew 14:23 NAS
Adventure, God, Writing

Jesus is Born!

Mark Wayne

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

A Manger - 2012
Colored Pencil Drawing 6×9 inches Maleko ©2012

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace  among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:8-14

Adventure, Animals, Art, God, Writing

Wings to Soar

Mark Wayne

1.ree-write-friday-writing-promptAs I kept my head down and pointed into the wind the rain/snow mix continued to fall from the dark skies overhead.  It seemed like hours since my brothers, sisters and I had hesitatingly flown or fallen from the nest depending on how you looked at it.  But it had only been minutes since they had rolled away like tumbleweeds at the mercy of the winds and I had somehow managed to make it to this this wooden railing.  I continued to hunch over against the elements as my small feet gripped tightly to the cold wood for dear life.

Is this what being an adult is all about, I wondered thinking I would rather be back in the warm nest where everything seemed right with the world.  The cold seeped through my feathers to my skin as I fought to keep my balance, the wind continually threatening to knock me from my perch.  The loneliness I felt was overwhelming as I missed my family and the warmth that was there.

The wind howled stronger, relentless in its force as I faintly heard what sounded like the tinkling of bells.  Was I just imagining things as my mind became more frozen and numb?  Straining to hear, the sound became louder and louder as it seemed to come from directly over my head.  I heard the voice speak clearly, ‘I gave you wings for a reason’.  I suddenly remembered the words Papa always said that even in a life of harsh physicality our spirits can triumph and soar as I spread my wings and jumped into the wind with my heart beating madly in my chest.

Maleko ©2012

fwf-badge-pink

The above was written for Free Write Friday from the image prompt at the top of the page using what is called stream of consciousness writing, no editing, no proofing just writing!

Please check out Kellie Elmore’s blog  for more information on Free Write Friday’s, comment with you link on Kellie’s blog, post on twitter with the hashtag #FWF and join the fun!

Adventure, Animals, Art

Christmas Art – Tonight We Ride!

Mark Wayne
3 1/2 x 5 inch colored pencil and pastel drawing withdigital effects and text added using Picmonkey
3 1/2 x 5 inch colored pencil and pastel drawing with
digital effects and text added using Picmonkey

As every culture and region has its own particular versions of Santa Claus and the details surrounding this jolly little man I would like to add my own.  My version of Santa coming to town would be on a horse, not in a sleigh being pulled by flying reindeer, although yes the horse in my version would fly also, haven’t you heard of Pegasus?  Seems to me it would be easier to maneuver onto all those rooftops with one horse rather than eight grumpy reindeer pulling a sleigh?  Thoughts?  Oh, by the way I am not sure what Santa would call his horse any ideas?

Merry Christmas!

Adventure, Art, God, Photograph, Writing

Answered Prayers at Christmastime

Mark Wayne

A recent answered prayer had gotten me to thinking about how we often pray and how we want God to answer our prayers.  At this point in my life I am on a new journey down a path I did not envision or believe I wanted and truly never saw coming.

Be careful what you pray for, what you ask for!

This new path has many benefits and pluses but there also are trapdoors.  To move forward in response to this answered prayer I leave behind many good things.  Or are they just comfortable things that I have come to accept as good?  No, they are good gifts that our Father gives and not just at Christmastime!

We want what we want with when and how we want it!

We accept that God is free to dispense as He see’s fit but often do not expect that there is something often required of us.  We do not wish to change, really, we just want our prayers answered and gifts bestowed.  We expect God to wave His ‘magic wand’ and grant us our wishes like some genie in a bottle.

Are you willing to now do your part without looking back?

God is not a genie in a bottle granting each of us three wishes, he is sovereign and His thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways not our ways.  He often has a different plan from ours.  He does answer prayers and sometimes beyond what we could ever have imagined.  But he also requires something of us, that is where free will and faith comes in; faith to step out, faith to chance, faith to believe, faith to hope, faith to love and believe in promises!   MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!

Promises (Photo taken at the Oregon coast edited with PicMonkey)
“Promises”     (Photo taken at the Oregon coast edited with PicMonkey)           Maleko ©2012