Bøker av Sarah Bates

People often pull me aside to say they have an idea for a story I should write. Story ideas come to me in every way except that way. I've learned to listen for an emerging tale when my mind is creating. Sometimes the idea for a complicated novel arises from that mass of gray matter, and I hurry to write down the central theme. Often-like in this collection of short stories, there's an urgency to start writing immediately and get it done fast. A short story might barge in between two chapters of a novel. I give it plenty of air, treat it tenderly, and write it. Handful of Pencils fiction is for readers seeking a short creative interlude. Read one story at a time, or all of them at once. The stories are varied and include settings in Spain, Italy, England, and America.¿This book contains the best of those stories.

To have a son adopt his father's dream as his own is rare. But that is exactly what Rod Strong does when in 2006 he enlists in the Army to join The Old Guard. Serving as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery is all his father ever wants, until he dies in the Gulf War. Now Rod decides to honor his father by taking his place.He forges ahead, naively believing sheer will and hard work are all he needs. As he perseveres through Basic Training and Ranger School at Fort Benning, self-doubt begins to plague him. Still, holding firm to his father's goal, he overcomes hurdles he never anticipates. Finally he reaches the legendary 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer, the home of The Old Guard, with his goal in sight. Then an unexpected deployment to Afghanistan derails his plans and when a firefight erupts, Rod confronts an overwhelming obstacle that threatens to defeat him completely.