Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Book Life Friends

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I’ve been firmly planted in the writing life for 20 years now, and in that time I’ve made some great friends—both readers and writers. One of the joys of being back in the Dallas area is being closer to many of those people again. In the past couple of weeks I’ve been able to reconnect with a few of these special people face-to-face. Several years ago I posted on my facebook page that I was … [Read more...]

Moving Forward

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For the first time in several years, I’m at the beginning of a story that will see publication. The blank page stares at me, mocking my previously noted ideas of character and plot. I have sudden urges to clean the house, reorganize my pantry, or go shopping. Even when I can hear the characters in my head and see the story taking place in my mind, putting those first words into black and white is … [Read more...]

Say Cheese!

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I’m not a person who loves to get my picture taken, so when it comes to new headshots, I tend to wait far too long to update my look. However, with some exciting new things on the horizon this fall and into next year, it was time for some new photos. A few weeks ago, my niece-in-law, who has done some great wedding photography, agreed to be photographer for this go-round. And as I was smiling—and … [Read more...]

Canton, MO

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I love research trips. They are one of my favorite parts of the research process. Visiting a place always enhances the writing, whether because I’ve gotten a “feel” for the area (even if I later fictionalize it) or because of all the great people who help me along the way. On every trip I have had a providential meeting with someone who knew, or knew where to find, exactly the information I was … [Read more...]

Indulging My Inner Librarian

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I loved going to the library as a child—whether the school library, where teachers often sent me when I had finished my work and was bored or the local library, where I would check out more books than I could carry each week in the summer. Even in college I loved poking around the library just for fun. But in 1986 I got a completely different view of the library. I accepted a job working the … [Read more...]

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