Heather Ostler's Blog, page 7

February 26, 2014

UVU Magazine


A couple of months ago, Utah Valley University contacted me and asked if I would be willing to share how my education helped me become an author. I gladly agreed to do so because I loved my time there. My classes at UVU were incredible. After I graduated I felt inspired and motivated to jump into a career in writing. 
My husband is currently a full time student at UVU, and though he's studying Political Science and going into a completely different field than me, it still makes me miss school. I tell people that, and they look at me like I'm crazy. I know, school IS hard. It's a huge commitment and requires a lot of work. I remember those late night study sessions and huge paper deadlines. It was difficult. However, the feeling of confidence and accomplishment I received after I finished was invaluable. 
I told UVU about my experiences there and how I felt about my education. I hadn't thought too much about it until a friend texted me recently and said, "You're in my stack of mail!
It was a fun surprise, and I was happy to finally get a copy :) 
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Published on February 26, 2014 15:48

February 17, 2014

LTUE Fantasy Conference

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This last week at LTUE I got to participate as a panelist and speak about two of my favorite things: creating awesome villains, and young adult writing. Both panels went well, but I think the villain panel would have been even better had I dressed up as Maleficent... Maybe next LTUE. 















I love going to writing conferences like LTUE because of how motivated you feel when you leave. After going to classes, listening to panel discussions, and meeting new writing friends, it's hard not to feel passionate about your own writing goals. 
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So, fellow readers and writers, prepare yourselves. It's time to go after those goals. Ready? Charge! 
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Published on February 17, 2014 15:00

February 7, 2014

Porcelain Keys Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Porcelain Keys

Hey everyone, I'm so thrilled to be a part of The Porcelain Key's Blog Tour. I loved this book, and the author is absolutely amazing. This novel is a lyrical love story that will leave your heart singing. Porcelain Keys is a masterpiece with emotional depth, young love, and family angst. Beard takes us on a journey of self-discovery, second chances, and ultimately, sweet resolution. 

Plus, look at that cover! Beautiful! I'm so excited for this release. 
Find out more about Porcelain Keys and enter the giveaway below! 
Aria's life is full of secrets--secrets about her mother's death, her father's cruelty, and her dream to go to Juilliard. When Aria meets Thomas, he draws out her secrets, captures her heart, and gives her the courage to defy her father. But when tragedy strikes and Thomas disappears, Aria is left alone to transform her that will resonate long after the last page is turned.


Buy Porcelain Keys

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

SARAH BEARD is the author of Porcelain Keys, a YA contemporary romance. She has a degree in communications from the University of Utah and splits her time between writing and raising three energetic boys. She is a cancer survivor and a hopeless romantic. She enjoys reading and composing music, and lives with her husband and children in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can follow Sarah on twitter at @authorsarahb, or at facebook.com/authorsarahbeard.

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Published on February 07, 2014 08:59

January 24, 2014

Guess What?!

There are some pretty exciting things happening this year. For my first announcement I wanted to let you know that...
This author is having a baby! Time to do a happy dance! We're incredibly excited and can't wait for summer to welcome our new addition to the family.
Also, as you know I've been working on the third and final book in the Shapeshifter's Secret Series. It will be entitled: The Secret of Darkwood Castle. Though I don't have an exact release date yet, it will be out by June 2014. It's going to be a BIG summer! 
And...
I'll be at a couple author events for spring. February 13th-15th is the LTUE fantasy conference. I'm going to be a panelist as well as part of the signing at the Provo Marriott Hotel on February 14th. On March 1st I'll be signing at the Sandy Barnes and Noble's Authorpalooza, and in April I'll be at Salt Lake's Comic Con. All these events have been so much fun in the past and absolutely packed with incredible authors! 
Plus, I wanted to share this epic white tiger figurine sent to me by the always-amazing Anastasia. It's werecat Julia with the truth ring, AND a key from The Secret of Darkwood Castle. I feel like my series has its very own action figures. Anastasia, you are the best. Thank you so much! 
Here's to a very good year! 
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Published on January 24, 2014 13:48

January 16, 2014

A Well-Read Woman

Hello friends! Sorry that I haven't posted this month. Where did the beginning of January go? No, seriously, I think I'm in a time vortex...Oh wait, I guess I was just writing.
 I'll check in tomorrow, but I wanted to at least say hi and share some of my favorite writing quotes from this week. I better hurry before I blink and it's February! 



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Published on January 16, 2014 21:07

December 31, 2013

Great Things to Come


As I scroll through my Instagram and Facebook feed, I keep seeing videos my friends have put together of highlights from their year. The problem is, they put about fifty pictures together that play in a loop of ten seconds. Even though the pictures look incredible, it's all a bit of a blur. I wanted to show my writing highlights from this year as well, but I thought I'd slow things down. It's not a ten second video, but you can scroll through really fast if you so desire. 
2013 was full of ups and downs for me, but I learned a lot. I am so grateful for the love I received, the opportunities I was given, and for the new friends I made.  
Let's make 2014 a beautiful, positive year.
WRITING HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2013
Barnes and Noble Authorpalooza where I got to sign next to Jennifer Neilsen, Shannen Crane Camp, Lisa Rumsey Harris, and James Dashner. 



The Siren's Secret press tour for Good Things Utah, Daily Dish, and Studio 5. 




The Siren's Secret book Launch party at Barnes and Noble! 






Signing at Costco–especially when princesses came to visit. 

California book tour for The Siren's Secret. 




Salt Lake Comic Con. 

And lastly, helping welcome freshman at Utah Valley University (and finding my doppelganger). 

Happy New Year everyone! 
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Published on December 31, 2013 13:33

December 23, 2013

Merry Merry Christmas!



Wishing you safe and happy holidays!
Love, Heather.
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Published on December 23, 2013 16:52

December 18, 2013

Jerusalem, Israel


I'm ending my travel log with Jerusalem, Israel. It was amazing to visit a place so rich in history, and a place held very dear to many religions. This is outside the gated walls of the old city. 

These are remains from David's Palace in The City of David, as in David and Goliath! 

These underground tunnels led us from the remains of The City of David, through the Hezikiah Tunnels to the pool where Christ healed the blind man. 


The Pool of Shiloh, where the miracle was performed. 

Because Jerusalem is built on layers of ancient cities, some of these homes and buildings behind us were built on tombs.

The old city in the gated walls is split up into quarters, Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.

The Western Wall. 

Not far from the gated city, you'll find Skull Hill or Golgotha. 

The Garden Tomb is also at this location. I loved the feeling here, it was so incredible to imagine the Resurrection happening at a tomb much like this. 

On the door, inside of The Garden Tomb. I loved this! 

The Garden of Gethsemane.

The Dead Sea, just outside of Jerusalem in the West Bank. All those rocks were caked in layers of salt. 

The Mount of Olives. You can see in the golden roof of the of The Dome of The Rock in the background. 

I bought this beautiful hand carved nativity. I have it up for Christmas right now, and I love the fact that a scene depicting The Savior's birth is from a place where he lived. 
Merry Christmas! 
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Published on December 18, 2013 17:33

December 17, 2013

Petra, Jordan


Hello, I hope you are having a wonderful December! Can you believe Christmas is so soon? 
I wanted to finish my travel logs by posting about Petra today, and Jerusalem tomorrow. After that I'll just be wishing you a Merry Christmas! 
After visiting Turkey, our group traveled to Israel, then crossed the Jordanian border. A two-hour drive through the desert later, we made it to Petra. 
To get to the rock carved Treasury, you wind through a series of narrow rock passageways. 

Then, the magnificent Treasury comes into view. 

It is absolutely incredible. I can't even fathom the time and energy it took to carve and create this palace of stone. What's even crazier is that Petra wasn't known to the Western World until 1812, even though it is believed to be built 312 BC. 

Though the Treasury is the most well known (and seen on movies such as Indiana Jones and Transformers) there are several other carved buildings beyond the Treasury. 


The Urn Tomb.

2,000 years ago, this theater was originally carved by the Nabateans to hold 3,000 people. Later, the Romans expanded it to hold 8,500 people. 

There were plenty of donkeys, horses, and camels throughout Petra. I was lucky enough to ride a camel in front of the Treasury. This, everyone, is Petro the camel. 

Did you know that camels don't actually spit? 


Some of the architecture carvings are so intricate! And unfortunately, Indiana Jones was wrong, there was no Fountain of Youth inside the Treasury. But it was still amazing. 

Many of these pictures were taken by my friend Malissa, and I'm so glad she captured certain details that I missed. There was so much to see! 

Visiting Petra was one of my favorite parts of the trip. History was brought to life as I got to see this beautiful rock architecture. Once again, I've received so much inspiration for future stories!  
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Published on December 17, 2013 15:26

December 9, 2013

Istanbul, Turkey


Hello! This girl is back from her travels and so excited to tell you about visiting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Let the pictures begin! 

Obviously Turkey has a lot of Turkish delight! It reminds me of the White Witch on The Lion, the witch, and the Wardrobe. Remember when all Edmund wants to eat is Turkish Delight? I loved that it was in every dessert shop, as was Baklava and anything pistachio flavored. 

One of said yummy dessert shops.

The Blue Mosque is absolutely breathtaking. Everyday a prayer is played throughout the whole city, starting at five in the morning and heard every hour until well into the evening.

Inside the Blue Mosque. The ceiling detail and artwork is beautiful! 

My cute friend Malissa and I inside the Blue Mosque courtyard. 

The Hagia Sophia dome. 



Inside the Basilica Cistern. This is an underground system that used to bring water to the city. 

There's fish in there now. Maybe not the best drinking water currently, but still amazing. 

These statues of Medusa were placed in the underground Cistern during the Roman period. The weird part? No one knows why the statue heads were put in upside down and sideways (pictured below). It's a mystery, which of course just makes it so intriguing. I'm so going to write a story about this someday. 

Why is it sideways?! 

Topkapi, a Turkish palace. Learning the history of the royal family is so interesting. Did you know that brothers would battle to become king? They would either win the sword fight and secure their place as king, or die battling. 

Toblerone McFlurry and a cute stray cat. Unfortunately there were so many stray dogs and cats throughout the city, it was painful to see. 

Pomegranate juice stand.

No big. Just balancing a huge tray of bread on his head with no hands. 

The Grand Bazaar was bigger than I ever could have imagined. Honestly, we got lost, but ended up seeing a lot of beautiful lights, lamps, and wood carvings. 



One of the coolest things about Istanbul is that it's the only major city to straddle two continents. We spent most of our time on the European side, however this evening we were on the Asian side. We took a ferry over there to enjoy the freezing, but incredible sunset. 
Stay tuned for adventures in Petra, Jordan! 
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Published on December 09, 2013 18:03