Beyond Cozy: The Real Story Behind My Holiday Novel
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-typewriter-machine-typing-on-white-printer-paper-1303835/
I thought I was writing a crime novel.
Then God said, “Write about Me.”
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of writing a novel.
Over the years, I started several but never finished any of them.
A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to try again. My first attempt was a crime novel with a gripping opening, plenty of action, and some colorful language. I was making progress until I got stuck.
This time was different. I had been getting to know Jesus in a deeper way, and I had started bringing every challenge to Him. So one day, I asked, “Where does this story go from here?”
A thought that I knew was not my own came: “Write about Me.”
A Story Shift
At first, I did not know what to do with that. How was I supposed to turn a gritty crime story into something that pointed to Jesus? I waited for more details, but none came.
Isn’t it like God to tell you something but not map out the whole plan for you?
Eventually, I felt led to set aside the crime novel entirely and follow a story that felt more honest, more redemptive, and more personal than anything I had written before.
That is the journey I have been on for over a year, shaping what has now become my work in progress, a holiday novel titled In Vain.
In Vain (Work in Progress)
As the holidays approach, Laura’s life begins to unravel. Recently fired from her job, she numbs her frustration with late nights and empty habits.
Haunted by her father’s abandonment and her mother’s accident, she has long let go of her dream of becoming an artist, settling instead for a life that feels safe but hollow, a stark contrast to the hopeful young woman she once was.
Reluctantly, she accepts a temporary role at a local homeless shelter. There, she meets people who challenge her guarded heart, including Theo, the shelter’s compassionate director, and Patricia, a resident with a resilient faith.
Through raw honesty, unexpected friendships, and the transformative power of surrender, Laura begins to rediscover what hope and purpose can look like, even as she faces her toughest obstacle yet.
Not Your Average Holiday Story
From the start, this novel felt like it belonged in the fall, eventually moving toward Christmas. While the setting may be cozy, the story is not all twinkling lights and warm cocoa.
It is gritty and real, with deep moments of suffering and tragedy. It is about searching for peace in life’s harder moments, and the holidays make a powerful backdrop for that journey.
Set in a season meant for gratitude and renewal, In Vain is a heartfelt story of healing, hope, and finding love even when you do not feel worthy of it.
Trusting the Process
Writing this book has been one of the most challenging things I have ever done. I have learned that a story cannot simply go the way I want it to. It has to follow what the characters would actually do. In many ways, it feels like the story is telling itself.
I have rewritten my outline more times than I can count, and I will keep refining it until it feels right. But I am finally falling in love with this story.
This time, I am not forcing it. I am walking with it. Praying through it. Letting it take shape in God’s timing.
Why I am Sharing This
Your support and encouragement mean more than you know. I hope my journey inspires you to pick up a dream you have set aside or start one you have been afraid to try.
It is never too late to pursue something God has placed on your heart. He writes the best stories, and He is not finished with yours.
If you want to follow along as In Vain takes shape, I would love for you to subscribe. You will get progress updates, honest reflections, behind-the-scenes moments, the struggles, and everything in between — all sent straight to your inbox so we can walk this journey together.
