Our Books

Today we continue tidbits and excerpts about our new novel,  A Spent Bullet. This blog is the “director’s cut.”  It features insights, photos, and links from the writing of  A Spent Bullet.  Enjoy! I’ll be updating it through Thanksgiving Day. If you haven’t signed up for our newsletter, visit the Creekbank home page and click on the newsletter button.   …

Friendship is one of the most important things this world has to offer us. But, it’s not just of this world. Jesus also offered us friendship. A friend is someone you can count on. Stop and think how amazing it is. Just like your friends here on earth now, Jesus is our friend. We can call and talk to Him …

This is an one-page synopsis Draft for my next novel, As The Crow Flies. It’s about 30% too long. What can I cut and not lose the story flow for you? Also, this is an early draft and I’m soliciting all suggested corrections, grammar, etc. You cannot hurt my feelings: I’m committed to constant improvement. Fifteen-year-old Nancy Lou Cotten arrives …

Today’s Quote: “A friend is a present you give to yourself.”  -Robert Louis Stevenson Lord, thank you for the wealth of friends you’ve given. Amen. You’re the Man (From Deep Roots, by Curt Iles) I’d never heard of the Broken Wings Award until recently. I haven’t met helicopter pilot Edwin Steve Coleman, one of the few two-time winners of the …

Thoughts on Generosity… Matt Farmer’s Barn   It is the first Sunday we’ve had church since Rita.  Much of our community is still scattered over four states but many are returning home to clean up.  Most homes are still without electricity and water pressure is only now beginning to build up for use. Our attendance is small today but there …

Below is Chapter 2 from The Wayfaring Stranger.  It introduces heroine Eliza Clark and shares about her love affair with whip poor wills. The oldtimers of Louisiana’s No Man’s Land had many superstitions and sayings about birds:  whippoorwills, owls, cardinals, wood ducks, and crows.   If you know of any, let me know. Here is the saying that is covered in …

New Orleans… City I love, City I hate Now as He (Jesus) drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. Luke 19:41-42 NKJV   This story from Hearts across the Water, was written in 2005.  It’s still one of my favorites because it attempts to explain the unique relationship between New Orleans and the “rest of us” in …

Discussion questions for A Good Place by Curt Iles Below are discussion questions from chapters 1 and 19 of my latest novel, A Good Place.   Help us by submitting your discussion topics for each chapter. This reader’s guide is to facilitate discussion by book clubs, individuals of all ages, and school groups. A Good Place is being enjoyed by readers …

Chapter 1   A Good Place WHEN Daddy shoved me under the table, I knew this wasn’t just any storm. As the crow flies, our Louisiana log cabin was a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. When this day had quietly begun, no one had any idea a hurricane was churning ashore. Here we were less than twelve hours later, …

A Friendship Fire From The Old House by Curt Iles It’s a beautiful March night.  During this third month of the year, the nights are cool and the days are normally mild.  The blossoms of spring begin to show off- the azaleas, dogwoods, and honeysuckle.  Most of the days are full of blue skies and moderate temperatures.  Best of all, …

Special thanks to my friend Joe Chaney for inspiring this scene. A Good Place, the upcoming novel from Creekbank Stories Curt’s followup novel to The Wayfaring Stranger should be ready later in 2009. We’ll keep you posted as we know more. Set in 1863, it tells the story of Joe and Eliza Moore through the eyes of their son Mayo. …

Should her name be Gisele or _____________? At the bottom of this blog are dozens of suggested names. Select your favorite three (3) and send them to me via Facebook or the comment section of this blog. I’ll pass the results on later. Author’s note: For nearly a year I’ve been in love with this young Creole girl I’ve named …

This scene from my upcoming seventh book, A Good Place, is set in Piney Woods in western Louisiana in 1863. The characters in the story, 13-year-old Mayo and his PaPaw (Willard Clark) are discussing Mayo’s father’s (Joe Moore) decision to join the Southern army in the Civil War encroaches on their part of the state. -Curt Iles http://www.creekbank.net It is …

Will it Last? This is a 1999 story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. I’ve been thinking about an important word: repentance. It simply means to change directions. Turn around. It’s a good word. One’s life must be full of repentance is it is to be full and forgiven. It’s a full house in the tabernacle tonight. Our …