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Bishop Leo Michael, Blank Pages, Blog, Boulder, Boulder Colorado, Charleston, Charleston South Carolina, Colorado, football, Holly Michael, Houston Texans, Jake Byrne, Kansas City, Laura Gilbert, Leo Michael, Mark Gilbert, NFL, Nick Byrne, Novels, photography, scenes in novels, South Carolina, University of Louisiana-Lafeyette, Writing, writing goals, www.writingstraight.com
Caught up in the busyness of all that encompasses my life, I haven’t blogged much lately. Ministry situations keep my husband (Bishop Leo Michael) and I busy, writing has kept me occupied, but sometimes we grab fun time, too, especially when family and friends visit. Had a great time over the holidays with the kids. (all back in college now.)
Note to self: Don’t take your adult children to toy stores.
In his off-season with the Houston Texans, Jake (left) will finish his classes at the University of Wisconsin and graduate this spring. Congratulations on signing for next season, Jake! And congratulations to Nick (right) on his football scholarship to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. (He began this semester). Betsy is back in the US and has returned to college, too.
Speaking of family visits, last week my brother Mark and my lovely sister-in-law Laura, visited from Wisconsin. We had a blast showing them around Kansas City.
Ate barbecue at the famous Arthur Bryants
Visited the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Could spend days there! Below Mark and Laura playing outside the museum:
Also visited the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, where we crossed over a glass bridge with 9000 poppies underneath, each one representing 1000 lives lost in WWI. (Total of nine million).
After wandering around the museum, we climbed steps to the top of Liberty Memorial Tower, where we took in a lovely view of Kansas City.
Now, I’m settling into some serious writing. Like climbing the stairs to the top of that tower to find spectacular views, writing takes focus and forcing myself, each day, to take the next step toward writing goals, which I’ve set high for 2013. (below my photo from Boulder, Colorado).
Now, I’m doing rewrites on two novels, while working toward a solid first draft of my latest novel, Blank Pages. This new novel takes the main character, Anna, from a low place in the low country of Charleston, South Carolina to lofty Boulder, Colorado.
Blank Pages begins with Anna taking this photograph, lying on a Charleston boardwalk near her home:
I love that my photos from places I visited during ministry tips last year became inspiration for this year’s novel!
Back to the novel:
An address found behind photos in a locket, dropped on the church floor by a dying man, leads Anna to Boulder (photos by me):
The novel, Blank Pages, is a difficult journey of discovery and self-awareness. It’s about relationships and finding out the truth about family, friends, and new loves.
Hoping by spring, all of us will have climbed a little higher toward our 2013 goals and can stand on the mountaintop and breathe in success. Now, back to Anna and chapter three.
Looks like you had a grand time with family! Great pictures. Good luck with the book. It sounds like you have some great ideas Holly. May you have fun making your dreams come true in 2013!
Thanks Darlene! Working at it!
What was it the reporter in New Orleans said about Jake making an NFL team? It’ll take a miracle- I believe was the quote. Well, we serve a BIG God. Too bad he’s not with the Cowboys, at least he’s in Texas. Give it your all Jake!
Thanks Wade! Glad you reminded me of that. God is in control of Jake’s future. Gotta love Texas!
It surely does seem that your opening scenes of Real Life 2013 hold abundant promise and loads of excitement! Wishing you and your family the gentle (sometime rollicking) flow of continued blessings. Loving the premise of your WIP.
Thanks Barbara. 😊
I, too, haven’t spent much time blogging. Hopefully after my daughter’s wedding things will get back to normal (whatever that is.) Congratulations to Jake for being picked up by the Texans! I wish you the best on your new book. I really like your premise and of course your photography!
Thanks Kristina, Congrats on the upcoming wedding. That takes a lot of work! Haven’t got there yet.
I like the way you described your writing goals. I always figure that as long as I take the next step, even if it’s just a baby step, is the most important part of eventually reaching a goal.
Sheryl, your right. A small step forward is still a step forward.
Holly,
Congratulations to Nick. U of L Lafayette is a great school. I’m very biased. Received my undergraduate degree from there over 25 years ago (University of Southwestern Louisiana back then). Served as student government vice president while there. I’m a Louisiana boy now in Atlanta Georgia. We have a few other things in common as well. I’ve been doing foreign mission work over the past 20 years (West Africa, South Africa, Haiti, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, England, Thailand, Dominican Republic and more). I’m being encouraged to write my first book. Now knowing someone of your statue (published author and experienced writer) likes some of my quotes inspires me make it happen. Be blessed.
Malcolm
Thanks Malcolm. My oldest got a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin and is now signed with the Houston Texans. Nick graduated early and is now attendign U of L.-La. I think you should write your first book. Greaty to get to know you a little bit better.