I recently participated in two online conferences—the Beau Monde conference (for Regency-era writers) and this past weekend I was on faculty with the Northwestern Christian Writers Conference. I have been involved with NCWC over the last few years when the conference was held in-person near me in St. Paul, Minnesota. This year, as with a lot of things, most conferences are either being canceled or … [Read more...]

To generate blog post ideas, I asked readers what topics they’d like me to address. One question raised was: What is your process for creating your characters? How do they then become real to you? Something must happen, because they seem alive to your readers.” Honestly, creating characters doesn't come easily to me, but it's something I've learned to do better. In fact, it's one of the … [Read more...]

Bethany House Publishers recently ran a poll on Facebook, asking, “When did you first discover a love for reading?” An overwhelming 92% replied “From a young age” while only 8% chose, “Later in life.” Those in the first category credited others with instilling their love of books at a young age, including: a pastor’s wife, local book mobile, libraries, siblings, grandparents, and, not … [Read more...]

In the midst of a worldwide pandemic and widespread unrest, my family and friends have suffered a loss that strikes much closer to home. We lost a good friend. Over 22 years ago now, when my oldest was a newborn, I made a group of friends through an Early Childhood Education class. We were all first-time mothers and have been friends ever since. We have shared innumerable play dates and outings … [Read more...]

My husband and I drove to northern Minnesota, an area of charming old-time resorts, kitschy shops, and rustic cafes that serve local favorites like walleye, wild rice soup, hot dish, and many kinds of pie. (Raspberry rhubarb crunch anyone?) We try to make it up there once a year, sometimes in spring, sometimes in summer, and most often in autumn when colorful leaves add to the beauty of the North … [Read more...]