Sarah Holman's Blog, page 120

When Life gets crazy

Do you ever feel like you are running on empty?  Do you ever feel like you check one thing off your to-do list, only to have it replaced by ten more things.  That is how I have felt like a lot the past month. When you are already feeling behind, it is hard when things go wrong, like the AC in our house going out yesterday, or my computer cord snapping in two last week.  Theses are the kind of times, that God uses to remind me of what is important.

Sometimes I get so caught up in my writing and work, I forget that the most important thing is not meeting my deadline, or making sure I blog everyday.  The most important things in life our relationships.  My relationship with God, and those around me are more important then anything on that huge to-do list.

So, as you and I try to catch up this week, take the time for the important people in your life.  Pick up that phone an call your friend for an hour instead of just sending a text, hat on Facebook with that cousin instead of sending them a link, and play with your siblings instead of writing or reading another blog post.

Writing Saturday: J is for James

In The Destiny of a Few, no character was harder to write then James.  I mean he did things like this and until I started editing, I had no idea why:
“So, Mom, do you think Winter is going to make it,” James sounded cold, almost cruel to Maria’s ears.
She turned her head slightly so that she could look up into Letty’s eyes. Had Winter taken a turn for the worse? She thought that Letty had said that she was going to live. Had she only been protecting her? She closed her eyes, as if that would block bad news from reaching her ears.
“James, you know very well that she is going to make it. In fact, Maria, she wants to see you as soon as you are up to it.” Letty slathered cool cream onto the wounded area.
“What about her leg? Do you know yet if she is going to be able to use her leg and walk?” Maria asked.
“Humph, like you would care about that,” James said sharply.
To understand characters like James, you have to dig deeper.  You have to find what causes them to do what they do.  Is it because they are bitter?  Is it because they don’t trust new people? Whatever it is, find I out.The next time a character is giving you a hard time, ask yourself what is the root cause of his/her actions.  Answering that will most likely solve most of your issues.

Goodreads Giveaway

Join me in my first Goodreads giveaway!  Make sure to mark my books as to-read!





 

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    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   
   
   

     

          The Destiny of One
     
     

          by Sarah Holman
     
     
     

         

            Giveaway ends June 18, 2012.
         

         

            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         

     
   
   

   
      Enter to win
   

Blog tour; Charlie and Me

Head over to Charlie and Me, that is where I am today

Blog Tour Kick Off!

Well, it is almost here!  The Destiny of a Galaxy is about to be published and complete The Destiny Trilogy.  I am so excited about this blog tour/web tour.

If you are interested in winning a copy of my first book head over to Homeschool Authors or join me on Goodreads in a couple of days. Also, check back here because we will be doing the cover reveal soon!

Wanna join the blog tour? Contact me at thedestinyofone(at)juno(dot)com


The Destiny of a Galaxy
One Girl, One Galaxy, One God… “I’m just an ordinary girl, thrown into some extraordinary circumstances.”  Time Has Passed…  Three years have come and gone since Maria Morris found the crown jewels and the farmer-boy-prince. The Followers are now going strong. Wyndemere’s empire is cracking at the seams as unrest rises and the Legatee orchestrates the planning of the Rebellion.  Danger Has Not Disappeared...  The overthrow of the tyrannical regime seems imminent, but Maria’s role as the “woman who started it all” is not widely known. So why is she plagued by an ominous foreboding of approaching danger?  Neither Has Hope…  Promise floats in the air, the promise of better lives, of breathing in freedom. Many around her seem to find happiness, even as the tension starts to spiral toward a breaking point. But Maria flounders, feeling unneeded, out of place. She returns to the question: What does Maria Morris want to do with her life? What is her destiny…now?  Rendered Powerless, Maria Must Make A Painful Choice… One That Will Alter the Future of The Galaxy Forever.  When James invites her to headquarters and Maria starts to take seriously her role among The Followers, tragedy strikes and her worst nightmares come true. The enemies she had thought long gone are capable of far more than she imagined. Will she have the courage to stand for what she believes in, no matter the cost to her and those she loves? Will she have the strength to surrender her dreams when all seems lost and she can do nothing at all?

Multitudes on Mondays: Grandken

Two weeks ago today, we buried my Grandken which is why my blog as been so quiet.  Today, these are a few of the things that I am thankful for.



#191. A Grandfather that was a part of my life#192. A Grandfather who cared#193. A Grandfather who was taught me about being generous#194. A Grandfather who wanted to be around me #195.  My mom. Without my Grandken, she wouldn't be here
#196. The time my Grandfather had on this earth#197. For my amazing cousin, whom I call Uncle Tom. Thanks for doing the funeral #198. This life is not the end, only the beginning#199. I have a living hope#200. The life of my Gandken.  I will miss you!

Multitudes on Mondays

Two weeks ago today, we buried my Grandken which is why my blog as been so quiet.  Today, these are a few of the things that I am thankful for.



#191. A Grandfather that was a part of my life#192. A Grandfather who cared#193. A Grandfather who was thought me about being generous#194. A Grandfather who wanted to be around me #195.  My mom. Without my Grandken, she wouldn't be here
#196. The time my Grandfather had on this earth#197. For my amazing cousin, whom I call Uncle Tom. Thanks for doing the funeral #198. This life is not the end, only the beginning#199. I have a living hope#200. The life of my Gandken.  I will miss you!

Writing Saturday: I is for Information

Doing research?  I know how that can be.  I mean, there are hundreds of sites out there, which ones can you trust.  Which ones are safe?  Well today we are going to share our favorite sites for doing book research.  Add your favorites to the list below!

Movie Review; Paws and Tales ~ Being Kind and Caring

From the Back Cover: Using colorful animation, fun characters, and great lessons, Paws & Tales is an exciting tool for helping build godly character into kids. Based on the Paws & Tales nationally broadcast radio program presented by Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living, the Paws & Tales videos communicate biblical truth and show kids how they can apply it to real life. Kids will be captivated by the adventure, caught up in the laughter, and carried away in the fun . . . and the whole time they’ll be on their way to understanding solid Bible theology. This eighth DVD in the series is based on Ephesians 4:32 and Philippians 2:3-4 and includes two episodes that teach kids about being kind and caring. In episode #1, “The Hullabaloo at Hunker Hill,” C. J. and his friends learn a lesson in forgiveness and being tenderhearted toward one another. In “The Great Go-Kart Race,” the team discovers how to work together.
My Siblings and I love the audio drama series of Paws and Tales.  When I saw that one of their movies was available to review I got it, mainly for my youngest sister.  The afternoon it arrived, she and I snuggled up together on the couch and watched it together.


On this DVD there are actually three episodes of Paws and Tales. Each story was based off of one of the audio adventures, and had the same cast of lovable characters although with different voice talent. Chuck Swindoll introduces each episode with insight into the lessons behind the story.


Mikayla is going to help me with this part of the review. ;)


Sarah: I recommend this DVD for Ages 3-9
Mikayla: I recommend it for young kids


Sarah: I liked the character building messages the best, and seeing the characters come to life on screen
Mikayla: I liked Gooz the best, she is so funny.


Sarah: I thought the introduction to the movie was two long.  I think it would have been better if they put it at the end of the episode.
Mikayla: I wish they had used the same voices in the movies as they did in the audio series.  It was irritating to have them changed.


Overall Mikayla and I would recommend this DVD for families with young kids looking for faith building movies.


I received this DVD from  Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review.  The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Writing Saturday: H is for Helpers

No book ever comes into being without the help of others.  Here are a few of the People that have helped me alongAlex G.A friend of mine who as the first ever to read any of my books outside my family.  Shieham, my first book, may not have been great but Alex encouraged me to start writing.

Eliza A.The first person outside my family to ever read The Destiny of One.  She made me believe that it was worth sharing with the world

DadMy faithful editor who seems never gets tired of laughing at… I mean fixing my mistakes

Mom and Rose My cheerleaders, and first readers.

The rest of my siblingsAlways thinking that my books are the ‘bestest’.

Jessica Philips and AriannaMy writing buddies you keep me writing all the time and cheer me up when I get discouraged

Rachel Philips, my sister Nicole, RJ, Laurie S., and the other members of my editing teamYou guys are awesome!

Christina HastingsMy incredible cover designer. I don’t know how she does it, but she makes my books look great.

My readers, who keep wanting more.