The First Chapter

This may seem early but this is the first chapter. I am not sure what I'll call this novel. Reminder this is unedited and will certainly have parts of it rewritten. Enjoy!


Chapter 1
Sudan. Friday, May 12, 4:32 A.M.
The blades of the helicopter conveyed a whoosh noise with each pass. Jake stared at Commander Blake with his sky-blue eyes.
“We are nearing our destination,” the commander said. “Our mission is to rescue scientist Albert Welsh.” The commander pulled up a picture of the scientist on the large computer screen. He looked to be around fifty. The white frizzled hair, droopy eyelids, and small spectacle glasses said it all. This guy was defiantly a scientist.
“He was kidnapped by a group of terrorists. We haven’t had any communication with Mr. Welsh or the terrorists. Also.” The commander pulled up a second picture. This one of a younger man. “I am sure you recognize this picture. This is Agent Andrew Terry. We sent him in to do a brief scout. His cover was a delivery man. Either his cover was blown and his real identity figured out, or he has turned rogue. If you see him communicate with the terrorists at any point, shoot on target. So get in, get Mr. Welsh and get out. Do not engage unless fires upon. Any questions?”
It was all straight forward for Jake. Another rescue mission, he was getting used to them. They had completed five as a group, but Jake had done some before joining the SATG.
“Then,” Commander Blake continued, “prepare for drop off.”
Jake looked over his six foot frame. His black outfit contained several different gadgets and gizmos. All of which were necessary. He pulled a black helmet over his head. Each helmet acted as a walkie-talkie with its talk button stuck. Anything anyone in the group said would be heard.
He strapped on his parachute.
Each of his comrades did the same. Jake looked at each. Agents Richard, Philip, and Harry. They were a group of five with Agent Terry.
He couldn’t believe that Agent Terry would go rogue on them. He must have been captured. If he had been Jake vowed that he would find and rescue him.
“You have three hours.” The commander reminded. “I will watch from up here. If I don’t get the signal by then I’ll expect the worse.” Commander Blake’s strong face shifted to a softer expression. “Be careful,” he said.
The helicopter door opened and Jake leapt out.
[***]
Jake felt his stomach shove up against his throat. It was unpleasant, but he was used to it. He watched the ground coming up fast. Jake pulled on the parachute cord.
The white fabric billowed out and into the air, though, it didn’t look white through his grainy green night-vision goggles.
His descent slowed. He could barely see the sandy terrain. Jake pulled his Springfield Professional Custom Pistol from his holster. He was ready for anything.
His feet hit the ground and Jake immediately rolled so the impact wasn’t so jarring.
He stood. Jake pointed the custom pistol around. The area was secure.
Agent Harry landed, then Agent Philip, and last Agent Richard.
Jake set his pistol lightly back into it’s case on his hip. He pulled a M4 Carbine from his back.
“Harry, how far are we from the terrorist compound?” Jake asked.
“I would estimate about three miles east from there.” Harry was the SATG’s technology guy.
SATG was the abbreviation for Secret Anti Terrorist Group. They had been established by the President of the United States himself, to, in his words “Fight against the evil ploys of terrorism.”
“Let’s move out,” Agent Philip said his voice echoing in Jake‘s helmet. “Once we get within a mile we will slow to a jog.” Philip was the SATG’s leader. Jake, Agent Terry, and Agent Richard were the guys with the guns. They were the most advanced of all in their hand to hand combat.
Jake was the youngest member of the SATG. It was an honor to be asked to join at such a young age. Jake was twenty-six. Only the most advanced in martial arts were asked. Hence why there were only five members.
The SATG was only known by a select few people. If the terrorist expected someone to rescue Welsh they might think that it would be a full scale operation. But a group of four agents would go unnoticed.
Jake didn’t breathe hard. Not even with the extra pounds of gear he carried. He had been trained for this.
“Okay,” Agent Philip‘s voice rang in Jake‘s ears. “See those trees? Just beyond them is the compound. According to research there’s a high metal fence. We’ll cut through that then enter the compound through a back entrance. Soon as we enter, I’ll secure the room. Then I’ll lead to the prison cells. Watch your footing and don’t trip over anything.”
Agent Philip gave a hand gesture signaling them to move out.
[***]
The group silently entered the surrounding trees. Jake watched his every step. Just a single snap of a twig could signal the guards.
Not long after, the trees thinned and the compound could be seen. It looked like a normal abandoned factory, except for the watch towers, guards, and the tall metal fence. There were several buildings all seeming to be attached to one another. Every building was one story except for the very middle. The biggest building of them all rose up to three stories tall.
Jake removed a pair of wire cutters. He and Agent Richard set to work. They snapped, snipped, and sliced the thick metal wire.
A looming hole soon stood before them. Agent Philip entered first. He was the only one who knew where the back entrance was. Agent Harry followed, then Agent Richard, and last Jake came through. He pulled the wire circle he had cut out back in place. It looked again like a whole.
Jake clutched his M4 Carbine like a newborn babe. It was no babe, though. The carbine was upgraded to the max. Night vision scope, silencer, and an extended stock. It was every agent’s dream.
The group had stopped, knowing that the guards were on duty. There were two towers close enough to where the terrorist would be able to spot them. The first was all metal and had a longer walking distance to go back and forth. The second was built completely from wood and looked newly constructed.
“Once both guards are turning away from us, we run.” Agent Philip’s voice sang inside Jake’s helmet.
He waited tense. Jake constantly turned his head from left to right, watching each guard closely. The one on the wooden watch tower was faster. He was almost on same pace as the other guard. He came back looked around then turned. Walk. Turn. Walk. Turn. The cycle continued.
“Now,” Agent Philip said.
Jake half ran half walked, trying to stay as silent as possible. The first building, of many, they came to had a metal door on its backside. It looked like any other door, but getting it open could separate success from utter failure.
A small mechanism was attached to the wall beside the door. It appeared to be just a simple breaker box. Opening it proved an entirely different scenario. A high-tech touch screen was concealed behind the lid, asking for a password.
Agent Harry held a small, wireless, device very close to it. Jake noticed a small keyboard had also popped out from the box. The wireless device Harry held searched for any possible password.
Jake looked back at the guards. At any moment, they could spot the group trying to break in.
That was their problem. Trying.
“Hurry up,” he heard Agent Harry mutter.
“It doesn’t usually take this long,” Agent Richard expressed.
The guard on the metal watch tower stopped his normal round. He was staring right at them. Jake watched the man pull a walkie-talkie from his belt. He held it up to his lips.
“Ah, guys? I think we’ve been spotted.”

A Theme

So I said I would keep you posted on what I decided to do. Well, after finishing a Novel Idea, I realized that my novel before lacked a christian theme. While I was still writing it I had thought about this. "Ah," I said, "this is going to be a book to read just for fun." I am utterly ashamed that I thought this. "Whatever you do do it for the glory of God." (Forgot where it's from) So if there are any authors reading this post, let me tell you "whatever" means everything. Don't be selfish with your novel. Because it is not yours! It is God's. So ask God what he wants you to write. God will guide your heart in the right direction. Anyway the theme for my novel is why a devotional life is so important. My central character has strayed from God's word. His whole life has been impacted because of it. Don't get me wrong here. It is not going to be a sermon. If theme takes over that's what it becomes. This novel will be action packed. Perhaps I will post the first chapter once I am through with it.

A Journey

The story I am about to tell you is true. It is actually about me. A long journey that I fear has ended tonight. (FYI: This story may seem very overly dramatic to those of you who have never attempted to write a novel before). My journey starts early December of 2011. I was sitting on my bed daydreaming. I was thinking of David's Mighty Men. (2 Samuel) When a thought accured to me what would happen if this was set in a fantasy world. One thought led to another and BAM! I had a story. A few days later I started writing. Yes, this is the novel I had just recently reached the half-way point in. So after 25,000 words I decided to take a small break. I was sitting on bed reading. Out of nowhere a book caught my eye. It was on a lower shelf hidden away. The Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K Paul. After finishing the current book I was reading, (Venom and Song the second Berinfell book as it turns out) I grabbed The Vanishing Sculptor with eagerness. Once I got to the half-way point in the book, I looked to see I the author had a website. She did and does. (donitakpaul.com) I looked on the computer screen. Cool website. It had advice for young authors. Also books written by Donita K Paul. She has written several romances that I skimmed through. I almost left the page but proceed on. At the very bottom of the page was a book entitled A Novel Idea.I clicked on it. I gasped as I read about it on amazon. It is literally a book written by several christian authors for young fiction authors. I read the list of authors: Jerry B Jenkins, Angela Hunt, Francine Rivers, Donita K Paul, and many more! I ordered the book right away. So now you might be wondering where the story turns bad. (It's coming) I continued writing as I eagerly anticipated the books arrival. It arrived. I tore into it with a highlighter. Wow! This is great. Yes, it is a great book. But I soon realized hundreds of flaws in my book! How could this be? I had spent so many hours on this. Secretly, though, I had been feeling like the story lacked meaning. Like God was calling me to write something else. I still didn't want to quit. I had vowed (yes I hate to say it: vowed) to have this novel finished by new years. But after reading not even an eighth of A Novel Idea there were so many flaws. It would have taken a LONG time to fix them all. So tonight I was writing. (Yes, still writing the novel) got to page 115. That is as far as I'll get. I cannot continue writing. I talked to my mom about it and she (hesitantly) agreed. I have already put countless hours down the tubes. But not all for loss. I have learned tons while writing this. So why would I put this long depressing story on here? For accountability. I have been wrestling the last couple days whether to write or not to write. Not to write won out. If I didn't post this here I would be afraid that in the morning I would go back to writing my novel again. I don't in any way mean to nick A Novel Idea around. It is a great book. I think it may  have been a 'God Thing' that I picked up The Vanishing Sculptor and happened to glance at the back cover to the author's website. And happened to go all the way down to the bottom of the page and see A Novel Idea. That is too many coincidences for me. So to Filian, Jakar, Lyaber, Lindle Rachael, and Tyraino (my characters) goodbye. I am sorry it couldn't have worked out better. Perhaps one day I will return to the Kingdom of Anamar to rewrite your adventures, but not today. To my blog readers thank you for reading this long post about my woes. I will give updates soon to what exactly I will be writing. It will be the start of a new journey. Hopefully one as unforgettable as the last. Signing off
                   -CP

The Berinfell Prophecies Book 3

Super excited for Wayne Thomas Batson's and Christopher Hopper's The Tide of Unmaking. This book will end the Berinfell Prophecies. There has been much anticipation for this book. I will give a book review of it soon as I have read it. It is coming out soon. Not sure how soon... just soon. If you want to read the two books before this check them out at any christian book store.

Yeah!!!

Yesterday, I officially reached the half-way point in the writing of my very first novel. It has been grueling at times. Some nights I wanted to quit, but I sucked in my gut and kept writing. I am not going back now. 25000 words! The average young adult book ranges from 40,000 to 50,000. I am going for 50,000. It was a great accomplishment in my writing career. I have never gotten this far in the writing of a novel. Can't wait to finish.