Greetings Lore Keepers,
How time flies! We’re halfway through 2024 already, and I feel like I passed three years in the last month. With all that’s been happening, I’m happy to get any newsletter out. The exciting news I alluded to last month is… my family closed on and moved into our very first home at the end of May! My life has been in upheaval since mid-February when we began the process that led us to this point, but only God could have ordained such perfect timing. Among other blessings, I’m so thankful to have my own work space for the first time in years. 🏠
Book Spotlight
A snippet from my recent edits:
The shovel felt too familiar in my hands as I sealed Noah’s passing with one final scoop of earth. May his be the final grave I dig.
I swiped at the sweat on my brow, wishing Farrah’s eyes would leave me so I could remove my shirt. But as usual, I was an endless source of fascination to strangers.
Seeking a private moment to grieve, I kept my back to the house and allowed one flicker of emotion to grip me.
After nearly a year of searching, this was the last place I expected to find what I sought. And too late for answers, my hope of returning to normal was dashed all over again. My life seemed destined for solitude, which perhaps was for the best. Knowing me boded ill for those I cared about.
Reading
The Queen and the Shadow Witch by Leanna Rapier
I featured this book in last month’s newsletter, but since it was released June 10th, I thought I’d sing its praises again! Such a fun story with an unconventional main character. If you’re a fan of portal fantasies with unique worldbuilding concepts, you can order your copy on Amazon or a signed copy from leannarapier.com.
Space Boy by Stephen McCranie
If you’ve been around awhile, you’ll recognize this title. After devouring book 18, I have to wait a couple months until the library gets the next one 😢. If you’ve yet to embark on this graphic novel sci-fi adventure, perhaps wait a few months until the whole series is out in print! Otherwise you’ll share my plight of waiting long stretches for each installment.
Research
Writing craft takes the cake for my biggest time sink because… (take a guess or keep reading to find out why)
Updates
✨ I’m editing again! After much consideration and some wise words from a fellow writer friend, I’ve decided to give Lily’s Passage another close look. The plot will remain largely the same, but my goal with this revision is to tighten up the writing and prune all unnecessary words. And there’s the added benefit of fixing some continuity issues I’ve run into as I’ve been writing book two. Hopefully this edit won’t push my publishing timeline back too far, since I’ve still got a ways to go to be fully funded. However…
✨ Lily’s Passage is 49% funded! As I approach the halfway point, I’m filled with gratitude for all those who have supported me so far in my publishing journey, financially and otherwise.
✨ Work on Holly’s Portent has slowed down again as I dive headlong into editing. But I’m hoping to get into a good routine that involves both writing and editing.
✨ I’ve been absent from blogging for a few months so I could focus my energy elsewhere, but I plan to get back into a regular posting schedule soon.
✨ New project in the works—a Tucson Christian writers group 🎉 If you or anyone you know is a Christian writer looking for community in Tucson, please reach out to me! I’m hoping to start regular meetings over the summer.
Lore
Tenacity (n.) ability or willingness to carry on despite danger, difficulty, or obstacle.
As I survey my new backyard, a jungle of weeds awaits me. Not even my thick work gloves can guard against the plants’ vicious thorns. Every specimen I uproot seems to make no difference in the vast overgrown wilderness. Yet still, I press on.
Why is it that backyard weeds often have more persistence than our prayers? I sometimes find myself resorting to prayer as a final straw instead of first defense. But I’ve seen the power of prayer to transform even the driest wilderness into lush gardens—just look at the desert during monsoons!
When I began my publishing journey in February last year, I had no idea what road was in store for me. I’m thankful I didn’t know how long I’d be on this path, because I may never have had the courage to embark otherwise. But through all the many seasons, God has been faithful.
Lately, I’m being pruned. Part of thriving means saying goodbye to excess—those parts of us that no longer nurture the mother plant. In my manuscript, I must prune the prose. In my life, I’m cutting unhealthy habits and thought patterns. For my garden to bloom, I must weed out all that takes nutrients away from my growth.
But pruning isn’t easy. Those old branches are stubborn at times. The Enemy fights back when we dig in our heels. That’s why I must have the tenacity to press on, despite the difficulty. Because at the end of the struggle lies the space to nurture our new branches.
As the wind blows,
Sydney Frusti
