January Contest

Wow! I can not believe it is 2015! I am super excited to announce that the winner to our first Giveaway for 2015 will be awarded a copy of Resistance, by Jaye Knight. Second and Third place will get posted on the blog!

For January's Contest, please write short a story about Hope from this picture:

This story can be anywhere from 200-800 words. This short story is to be written in first person. For this contest we are going for a story that touches the heart and moves the soul to action. You want to be able to invoke emotion in your reader. Happy 2015! Be hopeful! Write on!

Then please take the time to look into this little guy's real story.

Interview with Rebekah Jones

Hello, I am proud to present an interview with this months author: Rebekah Jones! 

http://rebekahsquill.com/blog/

Hello Rebekah and welcome to Future Homeschool Authors!

Thank you!

First could you tell us a bit about yourself? 

The most important thing about me is that I am a Bible believing, born again Christian. Things that come second? Hmm…

I am 24 years old, and the eldest of several siblings.

I love to write and I write in just about every form. I write novels and short stories, but also poetry, songs, essays, articles, book reviews, journal entries (I think I’m close to filling 20 journals now!), and random blog posts, e-mails, letters, and social media statuses. :D

I also love music, including singing and playing the piano. I often sing while writing even – sometimes making up new words to songs (like One Day More from Les Miserables) that put into rhyme whatever I’m trying to figure out with my characters. Heehee

Other things I enjoy are reading, drawing, holding babies, cleaning house, visiting with family and friends, and studying, amongst other things.

Whats your favorite book? 

Oh dear. My favorite book. I don’t know if I really could pick just one. I love Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby and A Tale of Two Cities, but then there’s Chautona Havig’s Aggie’s Inheritance Series. Then, what about Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park or Sense and Sensibility? Or, let’s not forget about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories! :D

Who's your favorite Author?

Technically, I could probably give you a list of ten authors, all who rank among my “favorites”, but I already got long-winded about my favorite books. :D If it came down to picking a top favorite, I’d say Charles Dickens right now. I do so enjoy his writing style, the complexity of his characters, and his intricate story-lines!

If you could meet one person who would it be? 

I’m pretty sure I would meet Chautona Havig. Not only is she one of my favorite authors, but she’s been a mentor to me in my writing journey for the past few years. If it weren’t for her, I’m not sure I would be a published author today. Certainly, I wouldn’t have four books out!

Can you tell us anything about the book your working on right now?

Oooh. I love talking about my works-in-progress. :D Right now, I’m working on drafting out a Christmas mystery titled 24 Days Before Christmas. Set in the small town of Poinsettia, the Singh and Winter families find themselves living in the same house for the holiday season. As they prepare to make the month of December a time of celebration, trouble starts to rise when Leland Bell, their near neighbor, disappears. No one knows what happened to him, but as the investigation moves forward, it seems certain that Leland is probably dead, but when the two families find themselves pulled into the investigation, they start uncovering a more complicated mystery, than first meets the eye.

I’m still working on this one. Honestly, it could change something on me at any time. For instance, I thought that I knew who was guilty of what crime. Now, I have no clue. Possibly part of a clue… but that’s it.  I have an idea how the book is going to end, but I don’t really know at this point, so just about anything could happen.

What was the best part of writing Grandmother’s Letters?

Seeing everything come together in the end. I can’t tell you how excited I became when I realized just how I would be able to tie everything together! It was thrilling! I probably walked on clouds for a week!

How did you begin writing? 

I’ve been telling stories since I could draw pictures. I would pretend to “write”, which pretty much consisted of squiggles, and draw pictures to illustrate. When I could write, I started out with simple little stories for my little sister. I particularly recall a story about Joseph, a young boy who planted a tree in the desert, that I wrote for Bethany when I was about seven. I kept that story for many years. I just wish I could find it now.

What inspired you to begin writing? 

Oooh, lots of things. But, if I could only pick two, I would probably say books by Isabella Alden and the old TV show Murder She Wrote. :)

What is your favorite genre? 

Favorite genre… To read or to write? Reading wise, I like just about any genre, really. I’m not into Horror very much, but that’s about it. I do love a good Mystery though! If I had to choose just one genre, I’d probably choose that… Or History.

Writing, I’m not sure. I don’t usually choose my genre before I begin writing. The book tends to shape itself as I go.

Do you do any research for you books? If you do what are your main sources? 

Biblical research, I usually just use my Bible or the internet. I probably do more Bible verse research than anything else.

Other research, such as the meanings of names, the history of a time period, or the sleep cycle of bees, I prefer real books, but the internet is always my backup. If I do internet research, I usually double-check multiple sources.

My other version of research includes asking questions from people who know. Really though, my research varies, depending on the topic.

For example, if I want to know how women in the Southwest wore their hair in the late 1980’s, I’ll probably ask my Mum, my grandmother, and several other ladies, in addition to looking up pictures on the internet or looking at films from the era. On the other hand, if I wanted to know how women wore their hair in the Southwest in the 1880’s, I’d probably looks for some books from the library about the fashion of the era, as well as looking to see what the internet has to say. :)

What do you like most about writing? 

Oh dear. I love almost every part! My sister, however, says it’s the beginning. Apparently that’s when I act the most excited. I do love the drafting process. Editing can be grueling, but I still enjoy it. Drafting really is probably the best part. I love getting to know my characters, learning what their lives are like, and what their stories will be!

                  

Any final thoughts? 

Not that I can think of. Thank you for interviewing me! :)

Thank you so much for all your time! 

-Mikayla-

December Contest

What a joyous time December is! We would like to make this holiday season even more joyous by giving away an ebook copy of "A Year With The Potters" by Rebekkah Jones to the first place winner of our December contest. Second and third place will be posted on the blog!

For this contest please choose a classic winter/Christmas/holiday story and rewrite it with a unexpected, but well written twist at the end. Please make your story about 400-1000 words long. Enjoy this season of fellowship and have fun writing! The contest ends on the 24th and the results will be published on the 31st of December.

Contest

Hey everyone. 

You have noticed lately how posts will show up then you'll go to look at them and they won't be there and posts going up late. I'm sorry. 

Its all my fault, I've been wrapped up in a lot of my own stuff and I have neglected the blog. 

So, this post is actually not to tell you that I've been lacks its to tell you that there will not be any contest this month. And I'm sorry because last months one was canceled to but this one isn't going on because unfortunately John J. Horn's books are out of print and they don't come in e-book format. 

Sorry about this! 

 -Mikayla-

Hebrews Book Review

Future Homeschool Authors readers, I am sorry that this was not posted last month, but I am posting it now anyways! So without further ado, I will be posting about another book I REALLY enjoyed reading; Hebbros.

A little about the book:

"In a realm that feasts on wickedness, and a city that thirsts for power, the faithfulness of a few will be tested. 

A MIZGALIAN SEEKS JUSTICE… 
When members of his faith are exiled from the city of Hebbros, Luke vows to resist the forces that tore his family apart. Armed with a divine gift and the aid of friends, he undertakes to right a world of wrongs. Opposed on all sides by evil men determined to silence the Faithful and outlaw their powerful God, Luke’s small band will be tried and tested as they battle for truth, freedom, and the overthrow of rampant evil in their city. 

AN ARCREAN SEEKS FULFILLMENT… 
Three years after Elaina’s world was turned upside-down, the former nobleman’s daughter still tastes the sting of bitterness. When an act of betrayal sends her north into slavery, Elaina finds herself face-to-face with the truth she has long resisted and a choice that will change her forever. 

THEY WILL DISCOVER A MATCHLESS GRACE… 
Brought together in a desperate attempt to pluck a remnant from destruction, Luke, Elaina, and a host of unforgettable characters will discover the greatness of the power of God, and the startling truth that some things are not what they seem."

What I enjoyed:
God was the center of the book and each character throughout Hebbros. He was entertained in every detail and salvation was explained numerous times. But I did not feel like God was "overly" talked about. He was not a side topic that took away from the storyline, He WAS a part of the story. I really appreciated this about Nicole's writing and would love to read some of her other books in the future!

The characters were real. They weren't perfect, but they sought God in a kingdom where God was outlawed. They knew that even in Exile they would be paving the way to Freedom!

I really enjoyed the fact that Nicole was able to create a wonderful fantasy world without using magic  and although some encouraging deep friendships are made that lead to marriage there is no inappropriate romance.

   Nicole is a master at creating emotionally gripping scenes. I could feel the characters emotions and couldn't put the book down during certain scenes of emotional unrest! Hebbros was about faithfulness, the Faithful, betrayal, exile, cruelty, love and freedom.

The ending was perfect too.... but you will have to read it to know how Hebbros ends... :)

What I didn't like as much:

Ummmm... There was really nothing I didn't like!

Who I'd recommend this book to:
I'd recommend this book to Teens mostly, but families, children and even adults could benefit! It is 536 pages so younger readers might find it a bit challenging, but the topics covered are inspirational for all! I am 14 and I enjoyed it immensely!

     

A bit about the Author:

"I am a homeschool graduate and an avid reader who enjoys writing Inspirational Fantasy set in a medieval-like era."

"In writing each book, I pray that it will bring honor and glory to God, and that He will use it as a tool to bring at least one person to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ."

Visit her on her Facebook, Goodreads, or check out some of her other books!

You can also see this review on Amazon and Goodreads. :)

Interview with John J. Horn

Hello I am very proud to present an interview with John J. Horn!

His website: http://www.johnjhornbooks.com/

Hello and welcome to Future Homeschool Authors!

Thanks! I’m very glad to be here.

First could you tell us a bit about yourself? 

My name is John J. Horn and I’m a young Christian fellow passionate about telling excellently-crafted stories that glorify God and delight readers. I was born and partly raised in New Jersey and now live in sunny San Antonio, Texas. I have two married siblings and a super-fun nephew and niece with more on the way.

What’s your favorite book? 

I wonder if anyone has exactly one favorite book. Precluding the Bible, top favorites for me are The Coral Island by R.M. Ballantyne, The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, and The Leatherstocking Talesby James Fenimore Cooper.

Who's your favorite Author?

For fiction, I’ll say R.M. Ballantyne. For nonfiction, I’ll say David McCullough (with Stephen Ambrose as a close second).

If you could meet one person who would it be? 

That’s a very interesting question. I’ve never thought about that before. I try to be a realistic thinker, so I’ll limit my choices to someone still alive. I’ll say David McCullough. He has an absorbing writing style and has chosen a fascinating variety of historical subjects to write about (John Adams, the Johnstown Flood, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Americans in Paris to name a few).

Can you tell us anything about the book you're working on right now?

I wish I could. Sadly I’m not currently working on a book, as I’m devoting my energies to a nearly full-time job and a degree which I’m pursuing online. Hopefully I’ll be able to begin my next project in Summer 2015.

What was the best part of writing The Men of Grit series?

Getting to spend time with my characters. I don’t endorse letting your characters take your story wherever they want, as you’ll probably end up with a poorly structured story, but giving your characters the leeway to express themselves within defined parameters is a lot of fun.

How did you begin writing? 

Books are in my DNA. My whole family loves reading, and I actually can’t remember what it’s like to not be able to read. I think the actual impetus to my writing was a friend who began writing a mystery series. I became enamored with the idea of writing and began my own mystery series.

I never completed any books in that mystery series, but it was the first time I tried a long writing project. I didn’t complete my second novel-length project either. I did finish my third project, but it wasn’t good enough to be published. My fourth project was The Boy Colonel, which is the first book in my Men of Grit series.

What inspired you to begin writing? 

Reading. I wanted to emulate the authors I loved. Now, I want to delight readers, glorify God, and let others share in the stories in my brain.

What is your favorite genre?

Historical fiction.

Do you do any research for you books? If you do what are your main sources? 

I definitely research my books. The internet is my primary source, with select books as a secondary source.

What do you like most about writing? 

Finishing. Seriously. Writing can be incredibly hard and annoying, but finishing, whether it’s at the end of a profitable day of writing or at the very end of a project, brings an amazing sense of accomplishment. Other than finishing, my favorite part is probably the conversations I get to create between my characters.

Any final thoughts? 

I have plenty of thoughts, but I hope they’re not my final ones.

If you want to be an author, you need to discipline yourself. To finish a book you’re going to have to sit down at your computer many times when you’d rather do almost anything else in the world. If you do finish a book, you’ll have to fight to get it published. If you get published, you’ll have to begin the fight all over again. And you probably won’t make enough money to survive. But if writing is in you DNA, you’ll do it any way for the love of crafting good stories.

Thank you so much for all your time! 

Absolutely. Thanks for having me!

-Mikayla-

Contest

Due to a lot that didn't get done this month we're very sorry to say the contest has been cancled. 

I'm very sorry. 

   -Mikayla-