{"id":97626,"date":"2025-03-17T09:43:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T16:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?p=97626"},"modified":"2025-03-19T16:35:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T23:35:19","slug":"the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-cux8ibe-2b946502766494f603efe218d31b33d8\">\n.avia-section.av-cux8ibe-2b946502766494f603efe218d31b33d8{\nbackground-color:#f3f3f3;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1' aria-label='SOU English Stories - Blog Roll Template - Intro Section' class='avia-section av-cux8ibe-2b946502766494f603efe218d31b33d8 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_submenu  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-97626'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce{\npadding-bottom:0;\nfont-size:36px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:36px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-c66obne-fb849116fd4dab85d7b59a4c64b56bce av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-1  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  av-inherit-size av-linked-heading'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >English Stories<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div class='clear'><\/div><div id='sub_menu1'  class='av-submenu-container av-boogztm-964e1d475f0def67776907f0253be2a0 alternate_color  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  goofy-foot no-border av-sticky-submenu submenu-not-first container_wrap fullsize' style='z-index:301' ><div class='container av-menu-mobile-disabled av-submenu-pos-center'><ul id=\"menu-english\" class=\"av-subnav-menu\" role=\"menu\"><li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-61578\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">English<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-61581\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Programs<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-75932\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/stories\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Stories<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-93739\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/careers-for-english-majors\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Careers<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-93947\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/teaching-english-faq\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Teaching English FAQ<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-94248\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/oregon-writing-project\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Oregon Writing Project<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-61585\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-7\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/about\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">About<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-61579\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-8\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/faculty\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Faculty<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-61580\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/contact\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Contact<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class='sticky_placeholder'><\/div>\n<div id='av_section_2' aria-label='SOU English Stories - Blog Roll Template - Blog Section' class='avia-section av-aai1pa2-048ea6a8c3296c7bec71c6a94c592f72 main_color avia-section-default avia-shadow  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_submenu  avia-builder-el-last  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-97626'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-9qi6hqy-e450b6b3d80f7d5f91b58b025408185b\">\n.flex_column.av-9qi6hqy-e450b6b3d80f7d5f91b58b025408185b{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-9qi6hqy-e450b6b3d80f7d5f91b58b025408185b av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-4  el_before_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-9h5hv5m-d7a4a41ed6320cc2cf4fca5c79fd6c18\">\n.flex_column.av-9h5hv5m-d7a4a41ed6320cc2cf4fca5c79fd6c18{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-9h5hv5m-d7a4a41ed6320cc2cf4fca5c79fd6c18 av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-8v2o6ka-e96593a7a94b076a293b1f5c633e8cad\">\n.avia-image-container.av-8v2o6ka-e96593a7a94b076a293b1f5c633e8cad img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-8v2o6ka-e96593a7a94b076a293b1f5c633e8cad .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-8v2o6ka-e96593a7a94b076a293b1f5c633e8cad av-styling-no-styling avia-align-  avia-builder-el-6  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey.webp 1200w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-300x169.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-1030x579.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-768x432.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-705x397.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey.jpg\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-1030x579.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-705x397.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-97653 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-97653 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"The Adventure of Writing A Look into Holly Searcy&#039;s Author Journey\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3{\npadding-bottom:0;\nfont-size:28px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:28px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:18px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8d9k7u3-30da31e97d379c3a9d3d96f192a8d6e3 av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock  top-30 av-inherit-size av-linked-heading'><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-8kkdcsa-34833318aa5ebebaa559e231db9685dd\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-8kkdcsa-34833318aa5ebebaa559e231db9685dd .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:12px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-8kkdcsa-34833318aa5ebebaa559e231db9685dd '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>By Annalynn Mueller, senior English Major<br \/>\nMarch 17, 2025<br \/>\nPictured above: Holly Searcy<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-7xyunsq-624915b101890af7e43f46ca6046dd0d\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-7xyunsq-624915b101890af7e43f46ca6046dd0d .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-7xyunsq-624915b101890af7e43f46ca6046dd0d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollysearcy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Holly Searcy<\/a> graduated in 2009 from Southern Oregon University with a degree in <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/\">English<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/creative-writing\/\">Creative Writing<\/a>. She originally pursued her English degree, wanting to go into editing, but found that English classes \u201creignited [her] passion for writing stories.\u201d She has emeritus professor Bill Gholson to thank for that \u201cfortunate change in [her] trajectory.\u201d During college, Holly felt compelled to create a career in editing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8d9oe1w-0411a08993be274c7df65cd4b227045d\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8d9oe1w-0411a08993be274c7df65cd4b227045d .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:26px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8d9oe1w-0411a08993be274c7df65cd4b227045d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock rising-quote av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<p class=\"dig-4\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Being an English major <span class=\"amaze-ultra madrone\">\u201creignited my passion for writing and stories\u201d<\/span> and <span class=\"amaze-ultra madrone\">\u201cboosted my vocabulary and affinity for wordsmithing.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-8\" style=\"font-size: 0.6em; text-align: right;\">\u2013 Holly Searcy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8d9ppwg-7547c34c4c150b579b9a37eb17cc2ff3\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8d9ppwg-7547c34c4c150b579b9a37eb17cc2ff3 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8d9ppwg-7547c34c4c150b579b9a37eb17cc2ff3 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Near the end of her undergraduate journey, Holly learned about Blackstone Audio (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackstonepublishing.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">now Blackstone Publishing<\/a>). She was intrigued by the audiobook publishing world and got an internship there the summer after graduation, thanks to emeritus Professor Ed Battistella.<\/p>\n<p>Holly enjoyed her internship so much \u201cthat [she] kept showing up even after [her] intern hours were completed.\u201d Her persistence paid off. Soon after the internship, Blackstone offered Holly a position in the copy department, where she helped grow a full team to work on book descriptions and website copy.<\/p>\n<p>After seven years at Blackstone, Holly took a job at Pacific Retirement Services as an in-house marketing agent. She advanced from marketing agent to senior copywriter and creative director in her four years there. However, Holly\u2019s passion was never in copywriting, and she was thrilled when someone from Blackstone reached out, letting her know that they were looking for manuscript readers: \u201cI jumped on the opportunity to freelance for their reading submissions. I\u2019m still doing that for them now, which means I get to read and write books for a living.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As a manuscript reader, Holly is \u201clooking for all those little details, the things that make the book work or not work, the areas that can be improved, the character motivations and development.\u201d During college, Holly had \u201ca particular dislike for dissecting books\u201d because she liked to read for entertainment. Now, she separates herself into two readers: one for work, one for fun.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-7o48vwa-7cdf68c4cf269f6699f1a4a765f27673\">\n.avia-image-container.av-7o48vwa-7cdf68c4cf269f6699f1a4a765f27673 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-7o48vwa-7cdf68c4cf269f6699f1a4a765f27673 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-7o48vwa-7cdf68c4cf269f6699f1a4a765f27673 av-styling-no-styling avia-align-  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  pop-20'   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone.webp 1200w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-268x300.webp 268w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-920x1030.webp 920w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-768x860.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-630x705.webp 630w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone.jpg\" height=\"1343\" width=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-268x300.jpg 268w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-920x1030.jpg 920w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-768x860.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/Holly-Searcy-showing-off-her-first-novel-at-Blackstone-630x705.jpg 630w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-97629 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-97629 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Holly Searcy showing off her first novel at Blackstone\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-71d6uze-04c723ee3378873e903b7a867a7486a8\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-71d6uze-04c723ee3378873e903b7a867a7486a8 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:12px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-71d6uze-04c723ee3378873e903b7a867a7486a8 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Pictured Above: Holly Searcy showing off her first novel at Blackstone.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-6hz1z16-f8f164aa013e7fc8080d18e0c937b11f\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-6hz1z16-f8f164aa013e7fc8080d18e0c937b11f .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-6hz1z16-f8f164aa013e7fc8080d18e0c937b11f '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Holly started writing her novel <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollysearcy.com\/the-shiver-tree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Shiver Tree<\/a><\/em> during the COVID-19 lockdown. <em>The Shiver Tree<\/em> is inspired by a six-year Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) campaign that Holly played in. <em>The Shiver Tree<\/em> is directly inspired by Holly\u2019s campaign, telling the story of her character. After finishing this novel in 2021, Holly had her \u201cI-want-to-do-this-forever moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8d9txu6-b7802af715e8cb0d09b3b6b68c8150eb\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8d9txu6-b7802af715e8cb0d09b3b6b68c8150eb .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:26px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8d9txu6-b7802af715e8cb0d09b3b6b68c8150eb '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock rising-quote av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<p class=\"dig-4\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><span class=\"amaze-ultra madrone\">&#8220;I wanted to be a part of bringing the best stories to readers.<\/span> Once I found the story I wanted to tell, that was it. I just want to keep doing it.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-8\" style=\"font-size: 0.6em; text-align: right;\">\u2013 Holly Searcy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-5hat92y-11afc568201520abad18a4ba11694996\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-5hat92y-11afc568201520abad18a4ba11694996 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-5hat92y-11afc568201520abad18a4ba11694996 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>According to Holly, the journey to getting published was \u201clong and crazy, but oh-so worth it.\u201d Because she worked at Blackstone and had contacts in publishing, she was easily directed to several literary agents. Before submitting to these agents, Holly got feedback from beta readers and did many rounds of edits. <em>The Shiver Tree<\/em> stuck out to one of the agents because, like Holly, she too was an avid D&amp;D player. This partnership seemed like an excellent fit. Holly\u2019s agent submitted <em>The Shiver Tree<\/em> to multiple publishers. When Blackstone said they wanted to publish it, Holly \u201caccepted the offer and never looked back.\u201d To her, \u201cgetting to publish through a company full of people I already knew and liked was perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Holly views her writing as \u201cless of a process and more an adventure.\u201d While she acknowledges that outlining can be sound advice, she feels it drains her creativity \u201clike a leaky barrel\u201d and boxes her in. She describes her process as organic: \u201cI know where the characters need to end up (usually), and I let them get there in their own way.\u201d Her favorite thing about writing is \u201cdeveloping characters that have distinct enough personalities to guide their own journey.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Holly loves writing fantasy because she gets to make up all the rules, and \u201cthe freedom for creativity is boundless.\u201d She often likes to read books as an escape, \u201csomething to get lost in and revel in.\u201d Holly hopes to offer \u201cfictional friends\u201d to people to \u201cput smiles on their faces.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8d9xqxz-7050a522ca66dcd979e74ff720f63596\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8d9xqxz-7050a522ca66dcd979e74ff720f63596 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:26px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8d9xqxz-7050a522ca66dcd979e74ff720f63596 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock rising-quote av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<p class=\"dig-4\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u201cI love bringing stories to people that have the <span class=\"amaze-ultra madrone\">potential to add a little joy to their day.&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-8\" style=\"font-size: 0.6em; text-align: right;\">\u2013 Holly Searcy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-3qmxtyy-cef764f43acffff85973b63da0011c7d\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-3qmxtyy-cef764f43acffff85973b63da0011c7d .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-3qmxtyy-cef764f43acffff85973b63da0011c7d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>When she feels stuck, Holly works to engage with content that inspires her: \u201ca podcast, another book, or even a video game.\u201d Recently, she went on a research trip to the UK after getting stuck on her current book. After listening to a podcast about British folklore while on a train to Scotland, she had \u201cthat beautiful \u2018aha\u2019 moment that got the story moving in [her] head again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Holly encourages aspiring authors to find what they are passionate about and stick to it. Even if the first draft might not be the version they hope to share with the world, it is essential to have a starting point. She firmly believes in the old adage \u201cWrite what you know.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8da0xfv-50ca43251b69bed38cbb3c158a371208\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8da0xfv-50ca43251b69bed38cbb3c158a371208 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:26px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8da0xfv-50ca43251b69bed38cbb3c158a371208 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock rising-quote av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<p class=\"dig-4\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><span class=\"amaze-ultra madrone\">\u201cFind the story you are truly passionate about telling and stick with it.<\/span> If you write the stories you\u2019d love to read, other people will almost certainly want to read them as well.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-8\" style=\"font-size: 0.6em; text-align: right;\">\u2013 Holly Searcy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8da14u9-b0541e19942d72c977826ff3d48eab61\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8da14u9-b0541e19942d72c977826ff3d48eab61 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8da14u9-b0541e19942d72c977826ff3d48eab61 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Currently, Holly is writing her third book, a contemporary fantasy that she is \u201chaving an absolute blast with.\u201d Starting off, she does not have a plan, \u201cjust a general premise,\u201d and finds \u201cnew pieces of the adventure that fall into place\u201d every time she sits down to write. She is excited to continue to engage with this story and share it with readers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-3mxxlfe-2e3d2d769880c5d61b5f057b49ff4c8a\">\n#top .hr.av-3mxxlfe-2e3d2d769880c5d61b5f057b49ff4c8a{\nmargin-top:0;\nmargin-bottom:20px;\n}\n.hr.av-3mxxlfe-2e3d2d769880c5d61b5f057b49ff4c8a .hr-inner{\nwidth:100%;\nmax-width:45%;\n}\n.hr.av-3mxxlfe-2e3d2d769880c5d61b5f057b49ff4c8a .av-seperator-icon{\ncolor:#d31d22;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-3mxxlfe-2e3d2d769880c5d61b5f057b49ff4c8a hr-custom  avia-builder-el-21  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  hr-center hr-icon-yes'><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><span class='av-seperator-icon' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue837' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-32xndru-047d4a7f2fdf5af9461f5d86aca0ec40\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-32xndru-047d4a7f2fdf5af9461f5d86aca0ec40 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-32xndru-047d4a7f2fdf5af9461f5d86aca0ec40 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>You can stay up-to-date with all of the exciting things happening in our department by following the English Program on Instagram (souenglish) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUEnglishProgram\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> and by <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdB-YJRDHj3QYJJkUw4TuSh2eYZGSXo7GW60qGcOGUj2wLAWw\/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">subscribing to this blog<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>Interested in being featured on the English Program blog? Or know someone who is interested? Contact English Program blogger Annalynn Mueller at <a href=\"mailto:muellera1@sou.edu\">muellera1@sou.edu<\/a> .<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"heavy=man\">Learn more about SOU&#8217;s English Programs:<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/\">English Home Page<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/english-ba\/\">English BA\/BS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/english-minor\/\">English Minor<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages\/\">TESOL Certificate Program<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2m6ezne-1926604707c4d8a7b457af28821892af\">\n#top .hr.av-2m6ezne-1926604707c4d8a7b457af28821892af{\nmargin-top:0;\nmargin-bottom:20px;\n}\n.hr.av-2m6ezne-1926604707c4d8a7b457af28821892af .hr-inner{\nwidth:100%;\nmax-width:45%;\n}\n.hr.av-2m6ezne-1926604707c4d8a7b457af28821892af .av-seperator-icon{\ncolor:#b31d22;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-2m6ezne-1926604707c4d8a7b457af28821892af hr-custom  avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading  hr-center hr-icon-yes'><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><span class='av-seperator-icon' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue837' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811{\npadding-bottom:20px;\nfont-size:24px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:24px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-1yov6be-bc7caf06afc0cacf31a182cc84940811 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-24  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_button  av-inherit-size'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Get notified when new English stories are published!<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-6jrlq2-887ba8c4cc71486e575abdaf329965b7-wrap avia-button-center  avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_social_share '><a href='https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdB-YJRDHj3QYJJkUw4TuSh2eYZGSXo7GW60qGcOGUj2wLAWw\/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0'  class='avia-button av-6jrlq2-887ba8c4cc71486e575abdaf329965b7 av-link-btn avia-icon_select-no avia-size-large avia-position-center avia-color-theme-color'  target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"  aria-label=\"SUBSCRIBE HERE\"><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >SUBSCRIBE HERE<\/span><\/a><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='av-social-sharing-box av-15zh3mi-b8369e8d50cfb8478b0392ded1eea1bd av-social-sharing-box-default  avia-builder-el-26  el_after_av_button  avia-builder-el-last  av-social-sharing-box-fullwidth'><div class=\"av-share-box\"><h5 class='av-share-link-description av-no-toc '>Share this Story<\/h5><ul class=\"av-share-box-list noLightbox\"><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-facebook' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href='https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/&#038;t=The%20Adventure%20of%20Writing%3A%20A%20Look%20into%20Holly%20Searcy%E2%80%99s%20Author%20Journey' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f3' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Facebook'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-twitter' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on X\" href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=The%20Adventure%20of%20Writing%3A%20A%20Look%20into%20Holly%20Searcy%E2%80%99s%20Author%20Journey&#038;url=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?p=97626' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue932' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on X'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on X<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-linkedin' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn\" href='https:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;title=The%20Adventure%20of%20Writing%3A%20A%20Look%20into%20Holly%20Searcy%E2%80%99s%20Author%20Journey&#038;url=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8fc' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on LinkedIn'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-mail' ><a  aria-label=\"Share by Mail\" href='mailto:?subject=The%20Adventure%20of%20Writing%3A%20A%20Look%20into%20Holly%20Searcy%E2%80%99s%20Author%20Journey&#038;body=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue805' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share by Mail'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share by Mail<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-rk8yyi-76ab3120b2da2142749062bcd9d54a31\">\n.flex_column.av-rk8yyi-76ab3120b2da2142749062bcd9d54a31{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-rk8yyi-76ab3120b2da2142749062bcd9d54a31 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-27  el_after_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"pop-4 heavy-man\" style=\"font-size: 13px\">By Annalynn Mueller, English Major<\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-0\">Holly Searcy, 2009 English and Creative Writing Major, has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares her path, process, hopes for readers, and advice for aspiring authors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"avia-button-wrap avia-button-left\"><a class=\"avia-button avia-color-dark avia-size-large avia-position-left \" href=\"\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about this story here.\">READ MORE<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":97654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[296,284],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-featured","post_format-post-format-aside"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey - SOU Academic Programs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Holly Searcy has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares advice for aspiring authors.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Holly Searcy, 2009 English and Creative Writing Major, has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares her path, process, hopes for readers, and advice for aspiring authors.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SOU Academic Programs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUAshland\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-17T16:43:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-19T23:35:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Story-on-Facebook.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"wulfl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Holly Searcy, 2009 English and Creative Writing Major, has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares her path, process, hopes for readers, and advice for aspiring authors.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Story-on-Twitter-X.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@souashland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@souashland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"wulfl\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"wulfl\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/c05ce37e05849dda3cf78b331e7a731f\"},\"headline\":\"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-17T16:43:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-19T23:35:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\"},\"wordCount\":3765,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"English\",\"Featured\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\",\"name\":\"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey - SOU Academic Programs\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-17T16:43:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-19T23:35:19+00:00\",\"description\":\"Holly Searcy has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares advice for aspiring authors.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":432,\"caption\":\"The Adventure of Writing A Look into Holly Searcy's Author Journey Read\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/\",\"name\":\"Southern Oregon University Academic Programs\",\"description\":\"SOU Academic Programs\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"SOU Academic Degree Programs\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Southern Oregon University\",\"alternateName\":\"SOU Ashland\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/04\/SOU-LOGO-HZ-CMY-POS-scaled-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/04\/SOU-LOGO-HZ-CMY-POS-scaled-1.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":621,\"caption\":\"Southern Oregon University\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUAshland\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/souashland\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/souashland\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/southern-oregon-university\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/SouthernOregonUniv\"],\"description\":\"Southern Oregon University - SOU - is a Liberal Arts University in Ashland, Oregon. Serving the Southern Oregon and Northern California regions, SOU provides offers many higher education degree pathways, including: Major degree Undergraduate programs, Masters degree Graduate programs, Minor degrees, Certificate programs, and Micro-credential pathways. Southern Oregon University also provides Summer Youth Programs for students in the region from K-12, as well as continuing education programs through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Southern Oregon University welcomes students from abroad through SOU's International Programs, which also provides current SOU students opportunities to study away across the country and internationally through a multitude of partner universities. The beautiful SOU campus, nestled in the hills of Ashland, OR welcomes the surrounding community to come and enjoy many hosted events, including: sporting events at the SOU Raider Stadium and Lithia Motors Pavilion, theater performances hosted by the SOU Theatre program , musical performances at the SOU Musical Recital Hall, and art exhibitions at the Schneider Museum of Art and other campus art galleries. Southern Oregon University has many specialized programs which help lower tuition costs, grant in-state tuition, provide accelerated graduation, give opportunities to adult learners, and allow students to graduate with internships leading to job placement.\",\"email\":\"provostsoffice@sou.edu\",\"telephone\":\"541-552-6114\",\"legalName\":\"Southern Oregon University\",\"foundingDate\":\"1872-09-01\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/c05ce37e05849dda3cf78b331e7a731f\",\"name\":\"wulfl\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f231c43b0e117a5a358aa67b4b91374c04a7fa01ec38499070f45c48fb0945a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f231c43b0e117a5a358aa67b4b91374c04a7fa01ec38499070f45c48fb0945a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"wulfl\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey - SOU Academic Programs","description":"Holly Searcy has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares advice for aspiring authors.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey","og_description":"Holly Searcy, 2009 English and Creative Writing Major, has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares her path, process, hopes for readers, and advice for aspiring authors.","og_url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/","og_site_name":"SOU Academic Programs","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUAshland\/","article_published_time":"2025-03-17T16:43:32+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-19T23:35:19+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Story-on-Facebook.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"wulfl","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_description":"Holly Searcy, 2009 English and Creative Writing Major, has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares her path, process, hopes for readers, and advice for aspiring authors.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Story-on-Twitter-X.jpg","twitter_creator":"@souashland","twitter_site":"@souashland","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"wulfl","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/"},"author":{"name":"wulfl","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/c05ce37e05849dda3cf78b331e7a731f"},"headline":"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey","datePublished":"2025-03-17T16:43:32+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-19T23:35:19+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/"},"wordCount":3765,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg","articleSection":["English","Featured"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/","url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/","name":"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey - SOU Academic Programs","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg","datePublished":"2025-03-17T16:43:32+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-19T23:35:19+00:00","description":"Holly Searcy has always loved to read and recently harnessed that passion into becoming a fantasy author. She shares advice for aspiring authors.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/03\/The-Adventure-of-Writing-A-Look-into-Holly-Searcys-Author-Journey-Read.jpg","width":1024,"height":432,"caption":"The Adventure of Writing A Look into Holly Searcy's Author Journey Read"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/the-adventure-of-writing-a-look-into-holly-searcys-author-journey\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Adventure of Writing: A Look into Holly Searcy\u2019s Author Journey"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/","name":"Southern Oregon University Academic Programs","description":"SOU Academic Programs","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization"},"alternateName":"SOU Academic Degree Programs","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization","name":"Southern Oregon University","alternateName":"SOU Ashland","url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/04\/SOU-LOGO-HZ-CMY-POS-scaled-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/04\/SOU-LOGO-HZ-CMY-POS-scaled-1.jpg","width":2560,"height":621,"caption":"Southern Oregon University"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUAshland\/","https:\/\/x.com\/souashland","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/souashland\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/southern-oregon-university\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/SouthernOregonUniv"],"description":"Southern Oregon University - SOU - is a Liberal Arts University in Ashland, Oregon. Serving the Southern Oregon and Northern California regions, SOU provides offers many higher education degree pathways, including: Major degree Undergraduate programs, Masters degree Graduate programs, Minor degrees, Certificate programs, and Micro-credential pathways. Southern Oregon University also provides Summer Youth Programs for students in the region from K-12, as well as continuing education programs through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Southern Oregon University welcomes students from abroad through SOU's International Programs, which also provides current SOU students opportunities to study away across the country and internationally through a multitude of partner universities. The beautiful SOU campus, nestled in the hills of Ashland, OR welcomes the surrounding community to come and enjoy many hosted events, including: sporting events at the SOU Raider Stadium and Lithia Motors Pavilion, theater performances hosted by the SOU Theatre program , musical performances at the SOU Musical Recital Hall, and art exhibitions at the Schneider Museum of Art and other campus art galleries. Southern Oregon University has many specialized programs which help lower tuition costs, grant in-state tuition, provide accelerated graduation, give opportunities to adult learners, and allow students to graduate with internships leading to job placement.","email":"provostsoffice@sou.edu","telephone":"541-552-6114","legalName":"Southern Oregon University","foundingDate":"1872-09-01"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/c05ce37e05849dda3cf78b331e7a731f","name":"wulfl","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f231c43b0e117a5a358aa67b4b91374c04a7fa01ec38499070f45c48fb0945a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f231c43b0e117a5a358aa67b4b91374c04a7fa01ec38499070f45c48fb0945a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"wulfl"}}]}},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97626\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}