Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Authors on Autumn

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Welcome, autumn! Red maples, crunchy leaves underfoot, crisp air and crisp apples, and a return to routine. To usher in the new season, I thought I’d share what 10 classic authors (including some of my favorites) have written about autumn. Some quotes you probably know, while a few may be less familiar. If I’ve missed your favorite, please add it in the comments below. “Life starts all over … [Read more...]

Eight National Parks

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Today Ken and I are beginning Week 5 of a six-week loop through ten states, eight national parks, and many state parks. We have seen so many beautiful sights and have been reminded daily, hourly, that God's glorious creation is very, very good! Do you see both of the moose in the photo above? I captured that amazing photo (if I do say so myself) while hiding behind a BIG tree. We had just come … [Read more...]

Trials and Deliverance

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A number of years ago, a follower of my blog left this comment: How do you personally reconcile the two thoughts — embracing trials and praying God’s deliverance? I grew up in a church that strongly teaches pain and suffering are to be endured – almost to martyrdom, as some sort of penance, even as a way of offering a prayer up for others (i.e. if I have brain cancer I should just suffer and … [Read more...]

A Tribute to My Beloved Writer Dog

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Our wonderful 11.5 year old dog, Sam, passed away at the beginning of this month. As a tribute to him, I'm re-running this post I wrote more than three years ago and adding a brief update at the end. -Becky I'm reminded for the thousandth time of one key component of my career: the indispensable Writer Dog. Ask many a writer, and they'll tell you.  Writer Dogs (and Writer Cats) are … [Read more...]

Fall Flowers and Novella Samplers

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Yesterday the calendar flipped to Fall. The equinox where the day is balanced between day and night. Summer and Winter. Over the weekend it was 90 degrees here in Indiana. Today I need a jacket. I love the mildness of fall. The thought that we could soon be snuggled up in front of a bonfire. The smoke and rich aroma of burning wood surrounding us. There's also something about the richness of … [Read more...]

Do You Believe in (Book) Fairies?

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Hi friends, With great pleasure, I want to introduce my guest blogger and friend, Joy Tiffany. She's a voracious reader and author-supporter extraordinaire. If there was reader superhero--it would be her. She's blessed me with gift bags full of deadline items to keep me going and to surprise me daily. She's made me awesome scrabble-letter coasters with names of my characters and book titles. She's … [Read more...]

Not-to-be-missed encouragements

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Hey friends! Do you need some encouragement either in your writing or personal life? Me too! First, for writers... Royal Writers Conference is coming up and, bless them, they've asked me to keynote for the conference. Tons of fabulous writers will be teaching and sharing their knowledge and journeys as well. I'm so excited to be part of this ONLINE event and invite you to join us! … [Read more...]

Setting the Setting

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Have you ever been in a place where you didn’t want to be? Or how about being in a place that you loved, and that quickly became your happy place? I’ve experienced both, and each time, the setting always seems to affect my mood and my emotions. A dreary place brings me down, while a beautiful place lifts my spirits. That’s how I’ve learned the importance of choosing the settings for my novels very … [Read more...]

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