A few of us recently shared our favorite personal care items. Today, I thought I’d share a few favorite tools that make my writing life easier. Perhaps you’ll find some ideas here for yourself, or a gift for a writer-friend. (Click on headings for links.) Pentel Energel pen and refills: violet My favorite editing pen. These smooth-flowing purple pens ease the pain of editing. I used to buy … [Read more...]

As you know, I love libraries of all kinds (public libraries, church libraries, university libraries, etc.). In my latest book, The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, Miss Rachel Ashford (a gentlewoman in reduced circumstances), is determined to earn her own livelihood…somehow. Her friends encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she’s inherited. As villagers donate additional volumes … [Read more...]

Yes, I’m completely stealing this blog idea from Deborah Raney’s post yesterday (which has already cost me some expensive online shopping, I can tell you. :) ) I have a first draft due to my publisher in less than a week, so I’m all for a fun and easy post idea! Here are a few of my favorite things in the personal care department: Smartwool Socks When you live in frigid Minnesota, you … [Read more...]

Hello! Since it's my night to post here on Inspired by Life and Fiction, and I'm busy enjoying Christmas with my family, as I hope you are as well, I thought I would simply repost this photo from my publisher's Facebook page... My son in college recently came home for Christmas break. I asked him to pick a few favorite ornaments to hang on the tree. Here are three he chose and how he chose to … [Read more...]

Author events come in all shapes and sizes. Recently, I celebrated the release of my 12th novel at my local bookstore. It has become something of an annual November/December tradition. I was blessed with a large turnout of supportive reader-friends, writer-friends, and family who came to hear me talk about the new book, The Ladies of Ivy Cottage. I also had three special guests who talked … [Read more...]