This is the third and final excerpt from my Christian Space Western short story "Sea Change." This is an scene between two main characters: Jivan Korda, a bounty hunter, and JeLae Lanna, the woman who had a bounty put on her. They're on an outer rim world called Ordax 5.

They were silent for a few moments, just sky gazing. When he did catch a glance at her, she looked longingly at the heavens. What was out there for her, he wondered.
 
“Did that Icerr raise you?” she asked a few moments later, quite casually. Jivan nodded.
“Rayzm did alright by me,” he answered. “I never missed a meal, always had shelter, things to do. He’s got his quirks, like anybody. But I got no complaints.”
Miss Lanna nodded. “I hope my daughter is as kind in describing me. Father of All knows I did my best.”
 
That got Jivan’s attention, pulling him out of his sullen mood.
 
“You a religious woman, Miss Lanna?” he asked. “I don’t hear too many folks talk that way.”
She shrugged. “My true love gave me some...religious texts as a gift. I read them sometimes and I’ve tried to follow those ways. I admit, though, I don’t fully understand their meaning. I’m no Wise One...far from it. I’m just trying to be a better person than I used to be.”
Jivan smiled. “That sounds nice. I wish I could aspire to something like that. Father and I are trying to make an honest living. And I admit, you’re not like I expected, Miss Lanna.”
 
Miss Lanna stretched her arms and yawned, even though no sound came out of her mouth. She got to her feet.
 
“You seem like a good kid, Jivan,” she said with a maternal glint.

This last week, I completed final edits on The Former Things, my Christian fiction novel told from the perspective of an atheist. Now, it goes to formatting, cover creation, and a date for publication will be selected (there's more than that but this addresses the basics). For the last few days, I've had this feeling that ranges between elation and exhaustion.

As I've mentioned before, The Former Things was not a work I planned to do. In the midst of the Texas lockdown in April 2020, the Lord gave me the concept and main character for this story all at once during a prayer. It was emblazoned within me as something I had to write. And I did.

This tale took me way outside my comfort zone and made me exercise my faith in new ways, all with help and inspiration from the Lord. After all, it's not every day that a Christian fiction author writes a sympathetic atheist as a main character.

You might wonder how does a Christian author even qualify themselves to do such a thing? Does a Christian relate to an atheist or vice-versa? Not usually. This project required a lot of research and taking many perspectives into account. It took reading papers and viewing videos from a variety of sources, which was sometimes uncomfortable and even hurtful. But from that effort, I learned there are many kinds of atheists. And just like Christians and peoples of other belief systems, atheists have a wide variety of personalities, each shaped by their own experiences. 

Most of all, it took prayer and persistence. In the midst of all my research and preparations, one idea kept shining through to me: The Lord loves everyone. And the Lord has a special compassion for atheists. He knows which ones will accept Him (and when) and which ones won't. God's love knows no boundaries. We can't fully comprehend it. The depths of God's love and compassion continue to fascinate and inspire me daily.

Sean Winter is a complex man who's been through a lot in his twenty four years. And yet, he is aspiring to improve himself and grow in spite of his past. But the past is a dangerous adversary. Memories haunt and dig scars into his psyche. It's made worse by not being able to tell anyone about it.

Writing Sean was another outside-my-comfort-zone experience. Sean is an introvert while I'm an extrovert. And Sean is pretty jaded at times while I'm pretty optimistic most days. As an author, I wanted to get inside Sean's mind and really bring him to life. It was an emotional journey for me as a writer and I had to convey viewpoints that I don't ascribe to for the sake of making an authentic character and experience. And at the same time, I had to trust in the Lord that this would end up glorifying Him. He wouldn't have given it to me to write if it wasn't for that purpose. God is consistent and He deserves every bit of the honor and praise due Him.

Now, I feel good about Sean's character development. And I'm confident that this is the story the Lord meant for me to write. I received much input, assistance, and encouragement from my wife. And when I tell people about this story, it immediately intrigues them. Sometimes it even floors people. And that's without even reading one word.

This is a special story. I feel that it's truly one-of-a-kind.

The Former Things may sound like a depressing story, but it's really not. It is cautionary, but it's ultimately about hope, redemption and finding peace with God.

I believe you will find The Former Things relatable, thought-provoking and enjoyable. I'll keep you up-to-date on its upcoming release.

Kammdar closed his eyes and grinned as he rapidly swam through the pure and refreshing salt waters of Diveen. He dove close enough to the floor to feel its sands lightly brush against his bare muscular chest before twisting upward. Seconds later, with one powerful thrust of his smooth gray tail, he shot up and crashed through the surface into the air. He let his arms extend on each side and embraced the joyful sensation. Then a purple and white flash of light at the shore caught his attention before he splashed below the waves again.
 
The portal has opened! Kammdar thought. We have not had visitors in at least two solar cycles. I wonder who it is?
 
He and his podmates had been taught by the Podmother from a young age that the portals were naturally occurring gateways between the known worlds. They allowed for strangers to come and the inhabitants of Diveen to leave. But such choices had to be measured carefully, she had told them.
 
“The portals often bring new friends,” Podmother had said, an angelic smile spreading below her sparkling crystal blue eyes. Her long turquoise hair with silver streaks framed her soft, round face. “Friends such as the humans have proven their kindness and love of the Mer. They are welcome here and we love them in return. Pairings between humans and Mer even led to the creation of hybrid Mercinnian children, our beautiful brothers and sisters. Some of us even build individual homes on their own small islands to live part of our time with human friends or mates.”
 
“But not all who come through the portals are friends. Long ago, the portals brought invaders, a large faction of ones called Kalli,” she continued. “And only the strength of the Whalemers and Mersharks, combined with the cunning of the Dolphinmers and the prayers of the Wisemers repelled the evil ones.” It was a warning all younglings were told to never ignore.
 
New friends to play with! he thought in the present. Who is it? Could it be humans? I’ve never met a human before, but I’ve always wanted to. Will they like me? What should I say to them? Do they eat fish, too? Can they swim fast? I can’t wait to meet them!
 
With vigor, the young man swished his tail back and forth, weaving through the waves towards land. But as he got closer, a new sound pierced the liquid around him, and he recoiled as if struck.
 
A scream!  he thought, now alarmed. Someone is in pain!

From Parker J. Cole, host of the Write Stuff Radio podcast:

Extroverted writers. They do exist. What prompted the idea for this show was a fascinating discussion I had with my writer friends in a private social media group. I simply asked, "What's it like being an introvert?"

I received all sorts of responses, all of them enlightening. I felt like Spock whenever he observed or studied human behavior. More or less, they were the opposite of me as an extrovert. I love people. I love talking to people. I am energized by the people. I see each person as a walking storybook I'd love to read. Within the group, one or two other extroverted writers chimed in as well with the same reaction.

Today, with my returning guest co-host Allen Steadham, and fellow extrovert, we're going to talk about our view of extroverted writers.

Listen to the full show below!