The Writer's Desk update - A look at what's to come

As we see 2011 coming around the corner, it's only natural to wonder about the changes and surprises the new year will bring. As a writer, the new year presents a treasure trove of possibilites, those at the forefront being editing The Path of the Wind, my 2010 NaNo novel, finishing Points of Light, my NaNo novel from 2008, and the newest idea to come to light is the one I'm quite excited to share in this post. As I sit and listen to James Newton Howard's phenomenal score for Disney's Treasure Planet, let me spin a bit of this particular yarn for you:

The Trans-Siberian Crossing Adventure
A Steampunk Adventure Serial by Caleb Pieplow

is laid out at this point to be a five part series of short adventure stories, set against the backdrop of 1913 North America, England, and Russia, with the flavor of Steampunk technology interspersed. Depending on the success of my writing and the reception this first venture receives, there may be sequels featuring the same characters, either in other short story serials or in full length novels. This aspect is still very high up in the air. But it's a possibility.

A bit about the story: (Part 1/5: A Hop Across the Pond)
Harry, a young American is orphaned by the mysterious murder of his parents. He and his sister manage to escape the murderers, and make their way to England. The voyage is fraught with danger, and Harry comes to realize that something - or someone - is after the ship they are on, and even more importantly, after the young Americans.

May that truly be said of us!

It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, "God Bless Us, Every One!” – Charles Dickens

May the peace and joy of God be in your hearts this holiday season as you partake in the celebration of our Lord's incarnation, and may the glory of the risen Christ remain your light now and always. Merry Christmas!

I heard the bells on Christmas day...

...Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said -

...Or is there? The question of peace, in relation to Christ's birth, came up on Sunday, and it was discussed whether Jesus' peace was made completely manifest on earth that first Christmas or whether it will be perfectly put in place at His second coming.
One can see, even without looking so far as the daily paper, that there is not a lot of peace in the world today. It does seem as though 'hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.'
However, I believe that to a certain extent, both of the above propositions are true.
Peace between people, and thus between nations, can not be achieved until there is peace between God and man - that's the peace that Jesus came to earth to bring, I believe.
Because of that treaty of peace that has been made possible between the mortal and the divine, peace of other kinds is possible. Spiritual peace must always precede peace between physical entities. People can not be at perfect peace with each other if they are at war with God in their hearts.
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation[.]" (Luke 2:29-30, KJV) Jesus brought personal peace - by salvation - by His birth on earth, and because of that gift, it if we are living in His will and by his word, it is possible to "[...]live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18, NIV) Such are my thoughts concerning the present state of our peace in the Lord, and although we cannot see peace in the world as we would like, that will be brought to pass when Jesus comes again in His glory, and "God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will have] passed away.” (Revelation 21:4, NIV)

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

May the peace of Christ, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, be yours in abundance this Christmas and in the coming year.