Heather Ostler's Blog, page 3

Welcome to Adventures in Writing. This blog is not u...

Welcome to Adventures in Writing. 
This blog is not updated often, but please feel free to read past posts about writing, reading, and everything related to The Shapeshifter's Secret Series. Recently I've been working on a new young adult series and will post more when I have updates! Until then, you can find me at hezface.blogspot.com and Instagram. 
Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to Adventures in Writing!This blog is not updated...

Welcome to Adventures in Writing!
This blog is not updated often, but please feel free to read past posts about writing, reading, and everything related to The Shapeshifter's Secret Series.
I'm usually over at Hezface.com, posting about the happy things in life, and you can also find me gallivanting on Instagram (@happilyhezface.com).
Thanks for stopping by!

A Little Change

Hello!

So I have to apologize for my lack of posts this year. Obviously taking care of my little one is a full time job, but I have so many projects in my life that I feel like my head is spinning. I'm currently working on projects involving acting, ballet, photography, a new happiness blog, and a new novel. And honestly, I'm feeling a little lost for what I should do with this blog.

I have absolutely loved sharing my writing experiences on this blog. And I can't even begin to say how grateful I am for all your support here at Adventures in Writing. However, I do feel like I need to change things up! I've wanted to write about a broad spectrum of topics in my life (happiness, photography, acting, family, etc.), but I also wanted to stay true to what this blog is about: writing. I'm still trying to get the right balance.

I'm trying to figure out to how bring these different worlds together without driving myself insane. I've bitten off a little more than I can chew! But I know I'll figure things out soon. And don't worry, I will keep writing books! I just love it wayyyyy too much.

For the moment you can find me on my new happiness blog: Hezface.com, as well as on Instagram: @HappilyHezface, and Twitter: HeatherOstler.

Thank you for your support.

Happy Easter!

Wishing you a wonderful week and a happy Easter!

Epic Reads Book Challenge

I was tagged by the wonderful Kathryn Cooper for the Epic Reads Book Challenge, which you can find below. Annnnnnnnnd now I tag YOU! 
Just for fun, answer these questions: 
What book turned you into a reader? If you could have dinner with any author, EVER, who would you choose? If you could have two characters from two separate novels meet, who would you choose? 
You can tweet, blog, or make a video with your answers. Tag me when you complete the challenge so I can see your answers!

P.s. I said the challenge name wrong, but I was so close! And the video is kind of long (to put it lightly). Asking an author to answer these questions is just a recipe for ranting. So it's long. And the lighting is dark. And I'll stop typing now! 

What's in YOUR future?

Hey guys! How is your 2015 going so far? January has been a little nuts at our house. But Kenzie just keeps exceeding my expectations of adorableness. I mean, really, how can you look at that face and not smile?


The husband is a full-time student, prepping for law school, and currently working to save Utah mountains. I've decided to start some new classes, including photography, archery, and dance, as well as start a new lifestyle blog--and continue to work on my latest writing project. Which, by the way, the archery class will be great research for this new novel! And Kenzie has decided she wants to start teething. Yeah, it's been busy. But I'm happy that both The husband and I are diving into things we're passionate about. I just hope Kenzie isn't passionate about teething, because, yikes, it's sounds unpleasant.

I've been wanting to share this drawing for some time. Remember that amazing, talented, wonderful fan named Anastasia? Well after reading The Secret of Darkwood Castle, she sent this image of Caleb and Julia. It just really made my day. One of the most rewarding feelings as an author is meeting readers who were inspired by your writing. Thank you so much, Anastasia! I love it.


I don't know why, but reality has just decided to hit me. I feel this sort of sadness knowing that The Shapeshifter's Secret trilogy is done. It's weird. 
Anastasia's drawing reminded me of something from long ago. I pulled out these sketches I drew when I young and daydreamed about being an author. Next to my drawing of a girl is a list of possible character names. One of the names is Julia. As a thirteen year old, I had already picked out my main character's name. 


It got me thinking. 
It seems that undoubtedly what we fill our heads with daily will affect our future. Our day to day actions will add up and one day we will look back and reflect on them. If we constantly think negative thoughts, how will things turn out? But on the opposite side, what if we constantly think positive thoughts? What if we dream big NOW and fill our heads with hopes, goals,  kindness, and world-changing ideas? Where will that put us in the future?
It's something to think about. 
Oh, and by the way, it's never too late.

Happy New Year!

What a year! Isn't it crazy to look over the past twelve months? Though some days might feel insignificant, all together the ups and downs of everyday life make for an amazing year in review. I decided to share some of my favorite memories from 2014.

The husband and I were thrilled to find out we would be having our first baby.

And after endless guesses, we found out it was going to be a girl! 

A little later in the year, I was so excited and absolutely honored to be a part of UVU's Alumni magazine.

Then the pugs and I celebrated birthday month in March--like party animals.

At the end of march, I was a apart of Barnes and Noble's Authorpalooza, which is always one of my favorite events. 

Then came third trimester in late spring.

My writing friend Shannen Crane Camp and I were involved with Salt Lake Comic Con and were so happy to sign and speak on writing. 

LDStorymakers was wonderful in April. I loved being there with my writing group clan, Mikki Kells and Lisa Harris. 

Then in May I released the final book in my Shapeshifter trilogy, The Secret of Darkwood Castle. I was overwhelmed by your support! 

In early June I celebrated my five year anniversary with the love of my life. 

Then.........Our sweet baby girl came in late June! 

Our lives became completely centered around our little girl, and were were so excited to bless her in September.

A little later in fall we went on our first family trip to Florida (traveling with a baby was a whole different experience). We loved seeing Disney World and both Harry Potter parks. 

In the past couple of months, we watched this blue-eyed babe grow up WAY too fast before our eyes. 

So much happened in 2014 to our little family and I can't what to see what new adventures 2015 has in store. I hope you had a wonderful year and wish you much happiness and success in this new year! 

Thank you for a great year!

Writer's Group: Wedding Edition

Can I tell you  how much I love my writer's group? Sometimes we dress up when we meet together and this month's theme was the wedding edition. Yes, you heard right. We dressed in up wedding gowns, ate wedding cake, and took wedding pictures. You can see more proof below.

I love these girls a) because we can have fun and be silly, but mostly because b) they help me so much with my writing, and their friendship has been invaluable. If you are serious about your writing and want to meet your full potential as an author, I highly recommend finding or creating a writer's group. How do you do this? Network, connect with and make friends with other writers at events like LTUE, Storymakers, Comic Con, or even author signings. I met some of these girls at Barnes and Noble's Authorpalooza and one through an English class. Find a few writers who write similar genres to you and make it happen!

The New Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida

The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter is incredible. I'm sure you could have guessed that with how Hogsmeade turned out in Islands of Adventure. Universal has researched every detail perfectly to not only get the fans approval, but also J.K. herself. Yeah, they've done their work, and it's paid off. The rides, the shops, the interactive wand experiences–it's all as it should be, making you feel like you've been transported into Diagon Alley. (That might sound cliche, but that's just how it is). 
You'll probably just scroll through this to the pictures, but I thought make a list of what you'll encounter below:  
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.Potions everywhere.The Knight bus complete with Stan Shunpike.Hedwig and Harry's trunks at King's Cross station.
Platform 9 3/4 (you actually disappear into the wall as you enter).
My baby trying to eat Butterbeer ice cream, which was way too good to share with her.
The queue line for the Escape from Gringotts ride with plenty of glaring goblins.
My favorite parts that I wish I could show you: 
Knockturn Alley. My Nikon died right then. But guys, it was freaky and amazing.
The whole ride Escape from Gringotts. It's everything you want it to be, and pardon the cliche again, makes you feel like you are really there.
The train. It was different going each way from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley with magic happening on the windows outside as well as the compartment inside the train.

Enjoy the pictures and the surprise videos at the end!