Behind the Scenes - Alycia Holston - Typical Writing Day

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week Alycia Holston talks about what her 'typical' writing day is like.

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The Deadwood Forest

We were so excited about our summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park this year! As we got  ready to go, we researched everything - the geysers, the falls, the lake, the wildlife - we just couldn't wait to see the beauty of the national treasure.
   The first day of the trip we were eager to stand in awe of Old Faithful and the amazing show it would perform just for us. Our expectations were about as high as the mountain tops that create Yellowstone’s landscape.
   But an hour inside the gate, I turned to my husband and had to wonder if he was following the right road. It was silly, of course - there is only one road- but the path we were on, wound through what I quickly labeled The Deadwood Forest. Huge trees, remnants of a fire, stood in stark contrast to the lush vegetation that defined the rest of the park.

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Behind the Scenes - Alycia Holston - Book Inspiration

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week Alycia Holston describes her inspiration for her children's book, 'While the Giant is Sleeping.'

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Nighlights, dog food and Parmesan cheese

I had just returned from one of those shopping trips that makes your cart look like you were trying to win the contest for how much you can fit in one cart without anything falling out. As I put the groceries away, I discovered three items I'd left behind - nightlight bulbs, dog food and Parmesan cheese.
   Like it or not, they couldn't wait and would require another trip to the store. My bark machine surely wasn't going to wait until the next restocking trip and my youngest feels more comfort when her little light shines. As a one income household with three children, pasta is often on the menu and while the cheese wasn't a neccesity, it sure makes those dinners a little more fun.

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wake up sunshine!

Working in a nice career, becoming a mother, getting my kids to school...all events that I kept hoping would magically transform me into a morning person. You know, one of those people that actually enjoys waking at the crack of dawn and has never had the need for an alarm clock because they couldn't possibly sleep past 6 a.m., no matter how hard they tried.

Yeah, one of those people.

I admire them so much but after 40 years, I've had to reconcile something within myself - I am a night owl trapped in a morning person's body.

My preference is to stay up late, finish my cleaning chores, catch up on what needs done and wind down with a movie. On the other hand, I am required to get up each morning, care for my zoo animals, get them to their designated educational outlets and fulfill any household responsibilites. For the most part, I'd like to think that I wake up with a nice attitude and cheerful disposition, although, other members of the family could dispute this I'm sure.

My wonderful cup of hot, brown liquid fills the house with the smell of the start of another day. I so desire to mix my cup of coffee with a morning Bible reading, quiet time with God and a peaceful beginning to my day. It's a goal I have to work on...not one I've actually begun working on mind you, but you know, it's out there. Just as the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, I envision that blissful morning time to be the ideal setting in a perfect little world.

Well, as anything in my life that I resist doing, my hand has been forced and a new morning routine is becoming a requirement. I feel so overwhelmed with happenings in my life right now. Friends that are suffering, family members in pain and I'm tired of putting it off until tomorrow. Our pastor told us recently about when he ran cross country in high school. The coach told him that the training happened in the off- season. Train when you don't have to and you'll be ready when it's time to step up. My training began at the crack of dawn this morning. I can't guarantee I'll have the same 'get up and go' as I am used to but I pray that my mind and spirit are calmer, better prayed up and ready for the surprises that come with the unknown hours ahead.

A new routine is not welcomed but eagerly desired and hopefully, starting the day with the Son before I see the sun will bring about a new sense of peace that is overdue. The coffee will be a bit stronger than usual, the house will be a bit darker than normal and hopefully, my monkeys will be shocked when they awake to a refreshed and prayed up zookeeper.

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Alycia Holston lives in Helena, MT with her husband and three children. Her heart has always been in women's ministry and has spent the last ten years loving and supporting her fellow mothers. Now she's reaching out in ministry. Alycia is new on the writing scene as Cross River's first children's author. The combination of her love of children, geography and God's amazing creation is what led to 'While The Giant Is Sleeping,' coming May 2011. To learn more about Alycia, her three beautiful and energetic kids, life in Montana and her growing ministry, check out her blog at alysnewchapter.blogspot.com.

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keeping score

Some sure signs of spring are the warm breezes blowing through the trees, flowers poking through the ground and lawnmowers humming over the greening grass. 

One of my favorites is watching the practice fields begin to fill with kids warming up with their new teams, preparing for a new season of baseball and soccer. After a long winter of rest, they venture back out to stretch their legs and begin a new year of running and scoring.

The coaches brush off their rulebooks, parents mortgage their homes to pay for the uniform and equipment and those youngin's ready themselves for a new season of competition.

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the gift of neighboring

Who are the people in your neighborhood?  These days it seems we're so wrapped up in our own daily lives that we tend to forget those around us. I searched the term 'neighbor' in the NIV on BibleGateway.com and there are 141 verses instructing us on how to treat our neighbors. Over half of them are teaching us how to love them, just as we love ourselves. 

Now, I wasn't born a hundred years ago, so know that when I say, "It wasn't like this when I was a kid", I don't mean it from the 1800s. I grew up in an extremely small town in the 70s and staying indoors just wasn't an option. In fact, most of the time it was considered a form of punishment. 
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