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Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Counting Down to Christmas

December 15, 2021 By D'Ann Mateer

As we get closer to the day on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the frenzy of parties and gift-buying, school programs and charitable drives dies down, leaving days in which it is finally possible to enjoy some seasonal delights. While our Christmas Day celebration will be very subdued this year with all of the kids elsewhere, there are still some of my favorite things to look forward to as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Assorted & Sundry Tagged With: candlelight, Christmas, lights, movies

Done!

December 1, 2021 By D'Ann Mateer

Yesterday afternoon I sent my book off to my editor, so I did a happy dance! I have to say, I’m both exhausted and pretty proud of myself! After all, I haven’t written on a deadline in 8 years, so I was a bit rusty as far as rhythm goes. But I managed to get back into the groove. This was also a much shorter timeline than I’ve ever written on before, which was both a challenge to meet and a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: book, deadline

Guest blogger–Erica Vetsch

November 17, 2021 By D'Ann Mateer

Hey, y'all! D'Ann here. I'm 2 weeks from my book deadline and a week from Christmas/Thanksgiving with all my kids, so meet the lovely Erica Vetsch! (Her books are great, by the way.) “You have to follow your own voice. You have to be yourself when you write. In effect, you have to announce, ‘This is me, this is what I stand for, this is what you get when you read me. I’m doing the best I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: Erica Vetsch, voice

My Favorite Mysteries

November 3, 2021 By D'Ann Mateer

I’m currently working on a mystery novel for an upcoming Guideposts series, so I’ve been thinking a lot about mysteries lately. The truth is I love mystery stories. I love reading them and watching them. But before now, I was scared to tackle writing one! And yet here I am. It’s been a learning curve, for sure, but it’s been fun to figure out how to set up the clues and the tension and them make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Movies & TV, Reading Tagged With: msytery, mysteries

Christmas Reading Reward

October 20, 2021 By D'Ann Mateer

Every year I set aside the time from Thanksgiving week through New Year’s Day to read Christmas-themed novels. It’s one of the ways I enjoy the season. However, this year my Christmas reading can’t start until Dec. 1, the day I turn in my book. And so Christmas reading will be my reward for finishing. Only I had no idea how motivating this would turn out to be! Three of my (many) favorite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: Christmas

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