Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Which Comes First? Character or Setting?

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In days, I'll be officially starting writing on two novellas I need to start, draft, and complete before the end of June. Fortunately, each is only 30,000 words, but at the moment I haven't written that many words since last summer. But the spring semester ends for my on Friday, and it's time to shift my focus to writing. The exciting part is that I get to create these two stories as parts of … [Read more...]

Important dates in the life of an author

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There are many important moments in an author's life, often interspersed with long moments of drudgery in between: The moment lightening strikes and you get that idea for a story that you can't walk away from. The one where the chracters start talking to you. The ideas start flowing. It's magic!Then there's the drudgery of building out a proposal that sells the idea to a publisher. Some people … [Read more...]

Book Talk with Cara: have you listened?

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In January 2021, I started what I thought would be a short lived experiment. I missed my writing friends and decided to host a handful of Facebook lives where I could reconnect with some. I've had so much fun chatting with authors like Bethany Turner and Becky Wade. Katherine Reay and Sarah Sundin. Rachel McMillan and Toni Shiloh. Rachel Hauck and Robin Lee Hatcher. Tamera Alexander and Pepper … [Read more...]

Some Bookish Quotes + Giveaway

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Next week is spring break at Purdue, and I can't wait to get started writing my next novella. This has been a crazy, busy semester, and I'm eager to pick up my pen or put my fingers to the keyboard and start creating. Up first are two novellas in collections that I have signed or am about to sign the contracts for. Both will be set during World War II, and I am so excited to return to my favorite … [Read more...]

Is Your TBR Pile Groaning?

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There are so many good books coming out this year. There are already so many wonderful choices for your reading pleasure. Last time I was on here, I posted about my friend Sarah Sundin's latest novel Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Today I thought I'd share four more I'm excited about. Three I've already read, and one is waiting patiently on my to be read pile. Let's dig in! I wanted to start … [Read more...]

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