Why write the things that I write?

I've heard it a few times: what inspired this, why do you write about these things? For those of you interested in that subject, you're in the right place. My books might seem a little depressing and dramatic for some readers. For others, they'll say "This is nothing!". I like feelings. I like emotion. I like analyzing how emotions dictate decisions and manifest themselves as fears. Like my characters, I like viewing and reading things that make me feel something. I hope that translates to you all through my words.

I appreciate journeys; literally and figuratively. I like seeing how both real people and fictional characters navigate grief and tension and love--all journeys in their own right. I've read certain books that I've looked back on and thought that was exactly what I needed to read right at that moment. A few books have done that for me, namely Divergent and Me Before You. JK Rowling's words saw me through many of life's trials. It's a lofty goal, but I hope that one of my books provides something for you at a time in your life when you need it. Which brings me to my next point:

I write to get through things. When I was a kid, I was the youngest of five, my four other siblings being older brothers. I had an enchanting childhood that I'd never trade for anything, but it was also controlled chaos most days. I was dealing with the loss of my dad while at the same time learning my place in a family of seven. Writing was my sanctuary in the midst of so much noise. It was a place only I could escape to, which was a rare experience in our household. More recently, when life threw some of the people I love curve balls and placed seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their paths, I fled to writing again. (I also supported them and was there for them emotionally, don't think I abandoned my loved ones!) Thus, FG and ATPTYL were born. These stories are my way of addressing some very real emotions and coming to terms with them. Even now, as an adult, writing is still my sanctuary in the midst of the noise, and I hope you find somewhere to escape to or connect with in those pages.

ATPTYL Release and Other News!

Happy Friday everyone! It is with utmost excitement that I announce that All the Pieces That You Left is now live! Get it on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks

This book focuses on a slightly younger age group than Forever Grace (early college days), but the feelings and emotions are just as complex. I hope you all enjoy meeting Ansley and Kyle; I definitely had fun revisiting my small town days for inspiration.

In other news, Forever Grace is now part of the Kindle Select program. This means that although it's $.99, it's FREE for Kindle Unlimited users. So for anyone who's a KU user and has been waiting to try it out, get it now! You have nothing to lose. You can find FG on Amazon here.

What's next on the agenda? Well, I've already got pages of notes for my next book, which will involve a musician, a divorcee, a crime family, guns, and characters that will keep you captivated. More on that soon!

If you've made it to this page by chance, come say hi on social media and catch other news/updates/random thoughts/super necessary photos:
www.facebook.com/hollyhallbooks
www.twitter.com/hollyhallbooks
www.instagram.com/hollyhallwritesthings

Have an awesome Friday, and happy reading!

Cover Reveal & Blurb: ALL THE PIECES THAT YOU LEFT

This project was put on hold when I started writing Forever Grace, but it's since been completed, and I'm now working on the final round of edits and rewrites. I'm always interested in cover reveals, so I thought, why not give you guys a peek at it? If I stay focused and fight off the distraction of ALL THE THINGS, I anticipate that it will be live before the end of the month! Without further ado, I give you, All the Pieces That You Left

Waterview, Texas is good for a few things, but getting over your boyfriend's death isn't one of them. In the aftermath of an accident that claimed her boyfriend's life, Ansley Carpenter finds herself virtually smothered by her tiny hometown and the memories of Dean Ryker that seem to lurk around every corner. Hardly anyone is taking the loss as hard, except for one person: Dean's old best friend, Kyle.

Kyle O'Connor is the only one in the world who seems to understand the depth of Ansley's sadness, yet he's the one person that most people in Waterview expect her to stay away from. After all, it's usually never a good idea to date your ex-boyfriend's best friend. Though they try to deny a connection, the days of the summer after senior year just push them together, and the attraction between them only grows stronger as time before college runs out.

Thinking that a new start is just what she needs, Ansley tackles bonding with her new roommate, finding a new job, and attending college parties, but there is more to overcoming grief than just trying to forget. As she and Kyle try to navigate a relationship post-Waterview, they discover that there's no guidebook to love and loss, and that dealing with the past is the only way to guarantee their future.

...Interested? I hope so!! Keep an eye out for this one to go live.

Holly