Moments for the Heart

Hey, Weekend Writing Warriors. Now that we are past Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and most of the sales craziness… well I guess there is still Cyber Monday, right? Regardless, the Christmas season is in full swing. Half of my favorite time of year is over, and it is moving way too fast; but it just means my family will be here soon. By this time next week I will be prepping for their arrival. Crazy year, right?

Elissa Celebrates Christmas and Elissa Learns Thankfulness are available through Amazon!! I’m too excited to offer both books side by side for the holidays. Pick up your copies today to get in time for a stocking stuffer for your little reader.

SYNOPSIS:

With NaNoWriMo, I am taking you on the journey with me and giving you snippets from the book I’m writing. Keep in mind that these will be raw and unedited. So, excuse errors and grammar.

My piece for NaNoWriMo will be The Five Barred Gate III. Considering that The Five Barred Gate II will be released on January 5th, it would be my next logical piece to pen. Enjoy.

The Five Barred Gate is a dystopian world where the government has enacted laws against freedom of speech. This has hurt the religious community the most.

SNIPPET:

Summary:
The Five Barred Gate III picks where The Five Barred Gate II leaves off. Derrick Andrews is talking with his wife, Rachel, and feels he needs to go with is dad, Jacob, to Austin to talk with the authorities. They’ve been demanding Jacob to release his sermons for scrutiny before they are delivered from the pulpit. He has refused. Facing arrest, he now wants to make his appeal.

Here is a bit from last week.

“Well, given your situation, I didn’t feel it right to shine my good fortune in the middle of your struggles. We leveled the ground last week and are ready to begin erecting the structure. God is good.

“Amen,” both men agreed.

All three discussed a time to meet and visit the land with Frank as they ascended the stairs. Jacob was still in awe of how Frank made his ascent so easily being over 80 now. He attributed his endurance to steak, a good potato, and a woman’s love. They agreed to meet at the gym when they returned on Wednesday.

We pick up right were we left off. Jacob and Michael are about to head up to Austin to meet with the powers that be to discuss the letters Jacob has been receiving about his preaching restrictions.

I was hoping you would go with me, Michael,” Jacob said after ten minutes of driving in silence.

“Then why didn’t you ask me to go in the first place?” Michael said, but he didn’t have to ask. He knew of his father’s stubbornness. It was a trait he had inherited.

“After all you’ve been through, I felt your place should be at home, comforting Rachel. It wasn’t like she was recovering from a root canal. She almost died.”

“It was her idea that I come. Besides, she is a strong woman.” Michael chuckled.

Jacob echoed the sentiment. “I guess we share that in common as well. Strong wives who push on to be better than we see ourselves.”

::There is your ten, or so, but let’s continue a bit with the scene.::

“I guess we do.”

“I don’t know what to expect when I get to Austin. Honestly, I haven’t prepared what I am going to say when I get there.”

“Well, you have four hours to write something, preacher.”

Jacob grinned and made the turn onto the highway that would take them to Austin.

After another dozen miles of silence, Michel spoke, “You almost died too, Dad.”

“I know.”

“Again.”

“Yes.”

“I won’t forget your sacrifice for Rachel.”

“I know you won’t,” Jacob said. “But it was not only for Rachel that I went into the lion’s den. I had to make a resolution for the Mills’ family. They lost their husband and father because of me.”

“No, Dad. It was because I led them there.”

“They only used you to use them. It was all to gain revenge on Nathan Edwards. We all were players in Kendrick’s game. No use in trying to place blame on anyone. We all were pawns used in his vengeance.”

“I guess you’re right. But at what cost?”

“I know, son. We lost much. But we ultimately won in the end. God overcame. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without him being on our side. He placed that guard in the prison sympathetic to our cause and he was the key to our freedom. Without Him, who knows what our status would be, we could all still be in that hell-hold or even dead.”

“Should we expect the same resistance in Austin?” Michael asked.

“If Megan Woodland is anything as her letters express, we may have something to worry about. But if these are form letters with her name attached, which is what I feel they are, I think I can reach her and receive some leniency.”

You can hear the road trip music playing. Jacob has certain expectations heading up to Austin, let’s hope they play out when he arrives.. You can read all about Jacob’s journey stating with the Five Barred Gate. You also have Elissa the Curious Snail’s holiday books available. Check out the links below.

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Monday is Memory Monday
We remember an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that week.

Tuesday is Two Twenty-Two Tuesday
A weekly vlog where I talk about writing or something that’s been on my heart, all in two minutes and twenty-two seconds. — I am way behind on this… sorry.
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Wednesday is when I post my blog for the week.
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Saturday is for Snippets from a current piece or past work.

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In His Exciting Service,

Jeff S. Bray

Check out amazing established and emerging writers at Weekend Writing Warriors. Each week we post n ew snippets from either published works or works in progress for each other to comment on. Gain insight into how the mind of a writer works and a behind-the-scenes look at works before they hit bookstands everywhere.

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