Sarah Holman's Blog, page 59

My Charlston Adventure

My youngest sister wanted to go to South Carolina to surprise her best friend for her birthday. Mikayla very nicely invited me along to help with the driving and allowed me to squeeze in a visit to meet a dear blogging/writing friend, Rachelle Cobb. On top of that? I was able to visit the city where the next Kate's Case Files book is taking place. Here are a few pictures from my adventure.
Rachelle and I hugging for the first time, after years of knowing each other online.In front of the Old Slave Market. A very cool building that now serves as a place of selling local art.
It was overcast the whole day, it made for some cool photos.Rachelle and I in front of the pineapple fountain. 
At the Battery
Looking out across the waves.
That island in the background? That is Fort Sumter.
A pretty awesome day. It was awesome to hang out in a cool city, with my long time friend. It is going to make the next Kate book awesome!

My Plans in Chaos

So, I haven't been around here in awhile. Normally it is because I simply let other things get in the way of my blogging, but this time, it was different. First, my computer rebelled against me and wouldn't connect to the internet. Next I came down with a nasty cold/flu. That kept me down until we let on a trip on which we didn't have internet.

*Sigh*

Now that I am back and ready to get ready to get back to work, blogging and all that good stuff.

Oh, and that trip I took? I will be posting some pictures tomorrow.

Holman Writing Adventure: A New Year

I had a lot of fun with my month off. I took part in a live Nativity production.

Visited San Antonio.

Celebrated the holidays with my awesome family

Watched my brother graduate from Nursing School



And watched a lot of Star Trek: Next Generation, rearranged some things in my room, and ate way to much sugar. It was awesome. But now, it is the time to get back to work. What am I up to right now? For those of you who follow me on Instagram (@thedestinyofoneauthor), you already know.

That is right. Kate’s Case Files book three is happening right now. Actually, as I write this post, I am in the middle of a heated argument between Kate and Logan.
This is the time of year we look toward the goals for the New Year. So here is my publishing schedule for this year:

January: Two Tales of Taelis short stories
February: Emmeline
March: Dreams and Devotion
April: Easter short story and There was Always Laughter in our House
May: Tales of Taelis short story and Escape and Endurance
June: Kate #3
July: A Different Kind of Purpose
August: Logan’s Notebook (a short ebook)
September: Kate #4
October: Publish Tales of Taelis F book (yet to be titled)
November: Kate #5
December: Christmas short story.

What do you think? Which project are you most excited about?

Goals for 2017

I cannot believe that 2016 is already over and 2017 is here. How did I do on last years goals? Mostly, God had different plans for my year than I did. However, I was still able to accomplish a lot.

For this year? Here are is my list!
What are some of your goals for the coming year.

Top Ten Books of 2016

As we approach the end of the year, it is time, time for my annual top ten books of the year. 2016 has been an odd reading year for me. While I read many good books, few of the good ones were fiction. I kept reading fiction books that I either disliked or were only okay. For this reason, very few fictional works made it onto my list. However, there were three that are worth honorable mention: House of Mercy, Sufficient Grace, and Abaddon's Eve.Are you ready for my top ten picks?
10. Flight School by Jason McIntire  This is a book was one of the first book I read this year and it is one that stuck with me. There are many characters and situations that reflected people and happenings in my own life. This story was powerful and touched my heart.
9. The Heavens Before by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow
There are few fiction books that really stick with me and I talk about often months after I read it, this is one of those. The author developed deep characters, realistic situations, and came from a creationist/strong biblical point of view. I don’t ever expect to read a better fictional account of Noah’s flood.
8. The 40 Most Influential Christians by Daryl Aaron This ended up being one of two books on church history that made my list. I really didn’t expect this book to be anything more than interesting, but it was. I loved seeing how theology was shaped by the times and the men and women of those times. I felt like I had a better grasp on where ideas came from.
7. Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot This year, in my personal study, I have been focusing on biblical womanhood. This, more than any other book on the subject I read, impacted me. Elliot has such a poetic style that is a joy to read. Her biblical and practical wisdom was a huge blessing and encouragement.
6. Garden of Madness by Tracy L. Higley Higley is always a masterful writer, but this book was one of her best. I loved the tension between the law and grace. I loved the power of prayers so clearly shown. This is not a light read, but it is very powerful.
5. Churches, Revolutions And Empires:1789-1914 by Ian J. Shaw This book is about the church and it’s role and influence in history. It is a very long book, but totally worth the time to read. I feel like it was one of the best, most balance books I have read on the subject. The amount of research that went into this books was mind blowing.
4. Finding God's Path Through Your Trials by Elizabeth George George’s books are always a blessing, but this one found me when I needed it. I was going rough a rough patch and this book reminded me of so many important truths. It made me wish I was able to thank the author in person for all the words of wisdom she has given me over the years.
3. With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin I have started picking up Sundin’s books whenever I am feeling really down. Her deep, thought provoking themes and realistic characters become my companions as I walk through a hard time. This book could not have been more timely. I picked it up because I was sad and the theme of friendship and leadership were exactly what I was struggling with. Sundin has risen to one of my top ten favorite authors.
2. A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot One amazing saint writing about another. How can you go wrong? Elliot’s biography of Amy Carmichael is one of the most powerful I have read. It deeply encouraged me and also has spurred me on to read more about heroes of the faith
1. Me, Myself & Bob by Phil Vischer
I am not a fan of Veggie Tales. I have told that to both the friends that recommended this book to me. I even have some issues with some of the things in Veggie Tales, but a friend finally convinced me to read this book. I am so glad I did. I think every Christian in the entertainment industry (movie-makers, authors, musicians, etc.) need to read this book. It made me once again remember my reason for writing and why it is important not to stray from that vision. Vischer’s honesty of his own failures as well as successes was powerful and humbling. Forgive me for doubting to you, Grace and Scott. You were right about this book.

That is what Christmas is all about

Christmas Countdown: Carol of the Bells

Christmas Countdown: O Come

Christmas Countdown: Story opening

The silence at the breakfast table should be something that he was used to by now, but Jared hated it as much as when its unwelcomed presence had first descended on their family meal time. His mother and father exchanged worried glances, and Amber ignored all of them as she nibbled at the blueberries that sat inside her small bowl.“Amber,” her mother said again, “you have to eat.”Amber plopped one of the blueberries in her mouth and stared past Jared as if she hadn’t heard.Jared knew his fifteen-year-old sister had heard them; he could detect the very small change in her eyes, the thoughts and feelings raging through her almost palpable to him. She was trying to block them all out, thinking that she was being strong, but she was really just being stupid.“Amber, look at your mother when she is talking to you,” their father said sternly.Amber swallowed, her gaze dropping to her bowl before she shoved it away. “I am so tired of y’all always picking on me. Just because Mom is fat, doesn’t mean I have to follow in that direction. And I do eat! I am just on a special diet for the Snow Queen Pageant.”Jared winced and wished back the awkward silence. It was bad, but it was better than the angry words being hurled like daggers. He felt that he, at sixteen, should be able to do something to stop it.“Amber –” Her mother started.Amber stood. “If you keep on bugging me I won’t come and eat breakfast here anymore. Most parents are supportive of their kids when they eat healthy and want to win a beauty pageant. You just want me to be fat, so that you will feel better about letting yourself go.”“That not only unfair, it is a lie,” her father said, pushing his plate with waffles and bacon away from him. “We support you wanting to eat healthy and we have bought you all the special foods you wanted. You know this isn’t about what you are eating, it is about how little you are eating.”“I eat enough,” Amber said defensively.“Amber,” her mother tried again, “you are not eating enough to be healthy. You are losing too much weight too fast. It isn’t healthy. I will support you in losing weight, but in a healthy way. And you know why we have a problem with the pageant.”
Amber crossed her arms and looked away.Jared stared down at his plate. His days were on repeat. This had been the scene at breakfast every morning this week, as his parents had decided to confront Amber on Monday. She had denied that it then, refused to go to counselling on Tuesday, and laughed at the idea of speaking to the pastor on Wednesday. Today she again was rebuffing any attempts to help her.“Honey, you have to admit you have a problem and we can help you,” her father said, sounding near tears. “We will help come up with a balance. We are not trying to say you can’t eat healthy and excises a lot, but you are going to do major damage to your body this way. That Snow Queen has become an obsession for you, and that is a problem.”Amber turned back, furry in her eyes. Her green eyes almost looked golden. “My problem is you! All of you! You are just trying to make me fat like the rest of you so I will fit in, and it isn’t fair.” She stomped off to her room, leaving an even more profound silence in her wake then when she her arrived at the table.Jared watched his mother rise from the table and rush to her bedroom, a sob escaping within his hearing.“Mary,” his father followed after her and raced to comfort his wife.Jared stared down at his plate feeling sick. He thought back to what things were like only the year before. He remember very well the week after Thanksgiving last year, it had been so filled with laughter and fun. The Fillmore Four, as their family called themselves, had spent hours planning their Christmas display and Amber had made up a batch of cookies almost every day.What had happened to her in the past year? She had slowly started to pull away from all of them, becoming obsessed with being thin and healthy and that stupid beauty pageant their town put on. Amber had always been a bit larger, but she was quickly slimming down, at an alarming rate.Jared left is plate on the table and grabbed his jacket from a peg in the hallway. Things couldn’t stay this way. He had to find some way to change them.
Want to read the rest? Buy it here.

16 days until Christmas