Sarah Holman's Blog, page 54

Product Review: WriteMind Planner

Okay, so one of the most awesome birthday gifts I received this year was WriteMind Planner from my sister Mikayla. I have wanted one since the first came out but haven’t worked one into my budget. Now, I have one that was a gift. Pretty awesome, right?

The whole system is touted as being able to pull out and rearrange at will. I was a bit skeptical. I mean, the closest I have come to that is a three ring binder and I seem to have a talent for spilling the contents of those across my floor. This system really does work. Pages do not fall out but it super easy to pull them out, without tearing or pulling more than one, and put them back in again.

The plastic cover makes me not have to worry about water so much around it, as I'm spill-prone (okay, I admit, I’m a klutz). With a cover that I find very inspiring and cool, and movable tabs that match, what is not to love? With all the cool features, this has become my writing brain.

The Calendar
This has really helped me to visually keep up with my goals and how much I have been writing. I have pulled it out a few times to write on it and it works really well. I will be buying a refill for next year.

To Do ListI was really excited by the nice thick stack of these that came with the notebook. I love them and use them all the time.

Blog Post IdeasI love this setup! It is an easy way for me not only to keep track of ideas (4 per sheet) but also helps me to keep track of where I am in the process.

Character, Setting, Story, and Scene SheetsWhen I want to make a quick note or jot down an idea, these sheets have proved so helpful. Having spaces to fill in cuts down on my writing time, especially since I use it to write down those ideas that pop into my head when I should be doing other things (like editing).

Journaling ModuleI am horrible at remembering to keep a journal, but I am finding that this is a good reminder to me to keep writing down my thoughts. I love again there are places with spaces just to fill in so it takes some of the brain work out of it.

Blank PaperSince I am using this as my catch all when it comes to writing, this was a must and I have used it so much. I am guessing that I will have to order more when I go to order my 2018 calendar.

Map MakingOkay, I am really excited about this! I have hand drawn a map of my world, Taelis, but I am looking forward to putting it on a much cooler map.

Over all, this is a writer’s dream planner. I highly recommend it. Not only are you getting a great product, but you are supporting a Christian homeschool mom. You can buy it here.

A Late Blog Anniversary

Because of everything that has been going on I didn’t post on my blog for my ninth year of blogging. It is pretty awesome to see that I have been able to keep up this blog for this long. Twenty-seven years of life and nine of them have been somewhat chronicled on this blog.

I started this blog on the day I turned eighteen.

Now I am twenty-seven
I started this blog as an aspiring author with a couple of articles published
Now I am about to publish my tenth full-length book
I’m truly blessed with all that God has allowed me to do through this blog and my life. I pray that the next nine years are even better.

And then it ended

Sometimes, when things end in the last way you expected them to, it is hard to write about it. The reason I haven’t been blogging the last couple of weeks is because our life has been crazy and hard. In short, my sister is no longer engaged. The man she was supposed to be married ended the engagement and the relationship.

Yes, this has been hard for Rose and for the rest of us too. We don’t understand it fully and it hurts. Yet, in the midst of it, we know that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

I’m not able to share any of the details of why he chose to end the engagement. Rose has requested my silence on this account. Honestly, I think it is for the best, as much as I love being open on this blog. There are some things best not shared with the public.

Despite all Rose has been through, I can honestly say that I’ve seen her faith increase and a deep peace rest on her. This was nothing she would have chosen to go through. None of us wanted this to end as it did. Yet, I see Rose more at peace than she has been for a very long time.

Please continue your prayers for all those involved. My family as well and Tim’s needs prayer as there are hurting hearts on both sides.

Adventure Between the Pages: At the Christmas Lodge

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Description: When Desirae Richey agrees to go home with some college friends for Christmas, she expects a small family gathering. Instead she is taken to the Christmas Lodge in the snowy mountains of Canada to a noisy, fun loving, adventurous group of family and friends who welcome her as one of their own. Everything seems to be going as planned until an unexpected snowfall occurs.

My sister, Mikayla, read this book first and told me about it. I agree with her that it is one of the sweetest and best Christmas stories I have ever read.

They style and the feel of the story made me think of Louisa May Alcott or Grace Livingston Hill. The story didn’t try to be anything other than a sweet Christmas story. So many stories today try to be super romantic, or very deep, or add an unexpected plot twist. It was nice to read a nostalgic story that was just sweet.

Desirae was a sweet character who never really had a homey Christmas and now is given the gift of being part of a large group of family and friends for the holidays. Seeing everything through her eyes gave me a new appreciation for what I have.

There is a hint of a future romance and some sweet gestures from the boy, but nothing that even the youngest family member would mind hearing about.

I highly recommend this book for those who love nostalgic books, looking for a family book to read aloud, or want a sweet Christmas story.

Adventure Between the Pages: The Ankulen

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Description: Fifteen-year-old Jen can't remember her imagination. She knows she had one once, though, and honestly, she'd like it back. It's been eight years. One day she finds a young boy who claims to be one of her imaginary friends and that her imaginary world is being eaten by a hydra-like monster called the Polystoikhedron. He helps her find the Ankulen, a special bracelet that had given the ability to bring her imagination to life and together they embark on a quest to find friendship, healing, and perhaps even some family.

I wasn’t feeling good one day and looked on my Kindle. I can always count on Ardnek to give me something easy to read and full of imagination. However, this is my favorite book of hers yet. Very light, very fun, and very different.

The whole setting of this book is just plain cool: a girl inside her imagination, which has lots of different aspects to it. It reminded me a lot of my childhood imagination, except I was never as organized as Jen. The world, so carefully crafted, was just plain fun.

Jen was such a believable character, and her struggle to reclaim her imagination felt real. I liked how different she was from some of the other Ardnek leading ladies. She wasn’t as annoying as I found the main girl in the Quest books.

All the other characters just sparkled and were full of color (wink). The old woman was one of my favorites, even though she wasn’t really in the story much.

Other than nearly being lulled to sleep while the story was in the dream castle, the story kept me turning pages. It was so much fun. However, I was taken completely surprised by the powerful message toward the end. I was blinking rapidly at the skill, because the message had been there all the time, yet it surprised me. It was very well done.

I highly recommend this to those who like mild fantasies, imaginary worlds, and just want a lighthearted read.

Admirable Audiobook Giveaway

William returns home to find his family threatened with attack from a neighboring Earl. Will he be able to protect his sister and the rest of his family from this threat? Will he be able to trust God no matter what? A prequel story for Adventures and Adversities.
Listen to a sample here.
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And then I will get my own room

As Tim will be taking the majority of Rose’s things to Michigan during the month of June, Rose has already packed up many of her things. This left a lot of holes in the room. Honestly, it was one of the hardest things to watch as the room that had been carefully crafted over the years to reflect the two of us change drastically.

To save what little is left of my sanity I decided that – while Rose was visiting Tim for his birthday – I would make the room my own. Rose and I have always shared a room. We have always had to consult each other about colors, where things are placed and the like. It was an odd feeling to go out and pick a paint color without consulting anything except my own wishes. After getting over the odd feeling, I got excited. For the first time in my life, I am going to have my own room. Want to see what I did?
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Yes, it is pretty much a book and writing heaven. While I am sad to be losing a roommate, I’m choosing now to look at the bright side of things.

All my books are now on the shelves. None remain in boxes under the bed.

I have a whole area for my tea things.
I’ll get to choose when the lights go off.
I can leave my projects up.
Yes, I’ll miss Rose, but at least I am gaining my own room.

And then we took some photos

Rose wanted to have a photoshoot with her wedding dress. This proves how different the two of us are. My sister Mikayla had to twist my arm to get me to take new author photos last year and I found the one-hour session only bearable because my family was there with me and we always manage to have fun together. Rose on the other hand I think would be happy to pose all day long, she finds it fun. To each her own, right?

Our older sister agreed to do the photo shoot and so we drove the five hours to the Tylor Rose Garden (I kept thinking of Kate’s Capitol) to do Rose’s photo shoot. She looked amazing.

Of course, I can’t share any of the amazing photos here until after the wedding, but it was a special time. We hung out with our older sister and two nieces, laughed, and watched Rose get all dolled up and excited about the photos.

This is all part of the wedding journey. Stay tuned to see how my room has undergone a drastic change.

Adventure Between the Pages: Sufficient Grace

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Description: Four years have passed since tragedy broke Grace’s family apart, tarnished the family name, and sent her into hiding at finishing school. Now with a new last name and a few years between her and the accident; Grace wonders if she will be able to escape the heavy shadow of the past that smothers her with guilt and a desire to escape life. 
Grace carefully guards her heart from others to prevent them from discovering her past. However, when Mitch, a deputy, comes into her life, he seems bent on destroying Grace’s armor. Can Grace really trust someone with the secrets that haunt her, or will they destroy her once again?

While I have loved both Annabeth’s War and The Captive of Raven Castle, I have to admit that this is by far my favorite Greyson book so far.

Moving away from the realm of fantasy, Greyson takes us to the old west. Her story drops us in the middle of the action of girls that have been kidnapped from a stagecoach, and the story just is amazing from there.

My heart immediately felt connected with Grace’s. So many of the emotions that she experienced are ones that I have felt myself. She was so wounded, yet also strong. She was someone you wanted to hug and respected at the same time. Throughout so much of the story, you wonder why Grace is choosing to do some of the things she is doing, yet also not confused, if that makes sense.

Mitch was an amazing character, too. He reminded me of Ransom in Annabeth’s war, yet he was different. Mitch’s unconditional love and how he truly cares for Grace was so sweet. So much of the story focuses on their friendship. Yes, there is a hint of romance, but more on friendship.

You can always count on Greyson for solid faith messages, and this was no exception. This book held the themes of telling the truth, redemption, and allowing others to be there for you. Yet, more than any other story she has written, I feel the message within this book will minister to the heart of those who read it.

I never wanted to but the book down. That is probably the reason I didn’t and read it all in one day. It kept me flipping pages wanting to find out what happened next. When it was finished, I wished that it wasn’t over.

I highly recommend this to those who love western stories, light romance, and a whole lot of action.

And she already has the dress

Well, between my writing and wedding preparations, I haven’t been blogging much. If feels good to sit down and write something. Today, I want to share with you the special story of Rose’s dress. However, except for the picture above with some detail work, you will have to wait until after the wedding to see the full dress.

Rose was in her late teens and she knew just what she wanted for her wedding dress. She had a pattern picked out that was actually for a medieval costume and she wanted to embellish the dress with embroidery. She, however, did not want to spend the days leading up to her wedding frantically trying to finish it. God provided some satin material that someone didn’t want any more and for several months, Rose worked on stitching on her wedding dress.

I clearly remember her trying it on and then carefully packing it away and putting the box in a back corner. It was a happy day that it was done, full of hopes for the future. Neither of us thought that six years would pass before she used it. Thankfully, Rose hasn’t changed in dimensions at all since then (which is sickening for those like me who gain all too easily).

Recently, Rose unpacked the dress to make some final adjustments. When she tried it on, I nearly cried. This is all happening so fast and my heart is so full. Was it really only a year ago that Rose was sobbing about being single? My heart is bursting with happiness for her.