Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Readers Are Superheroes

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Those of us who live in the frozen Northlands share an annual experience of coming out of our homes after a long, cold, dark winter, and wincing up at the bright orange orb in the sky and having to grow accustomed to warmth again. This year, I experienced something similar, but at the end of July. Attending an in-person readers retreat (Mississippi River Readers Retreat) was like a Minnesota … [Read more...]

The Writer’s Process

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As I dive back into working on a new book to be released next year, I'm going to be sharing about a writer's process of taking a book from the seed of an idea to an actual book on the shelf. My plan is to post each Monday and Friday about a different aspect of the writing life and a book's journey to publication. If you'd like to come along as I share the various aspects of writing a novel, please … [Read more...]

A Brand New Series

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Whew! This week I wrapped up my editing on a brand new medieval series, Knights of Brethren. This is a six-book series, and the first two books release later this year. After the past month of intensive editing (I just love my editor!), now books 1 & 2 are with the proofer (and I love my proofer too!). After proofing, the books will head out to a select group of awesome first readers (who … [Read more...]

An Amazing Weekend

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This last weekend, I took my first writing-rated trip since before COVID hit, and it was a weekend worth waiting for even if it started with a delayed flight and ended with a cancelled one. I arrived in Minneapolis too late to join in the Bethany House author dinner, but my roomie, Regina Jennings, brought me a chocolate chip cookie that brought a touch of sweetness to my first night. Good … [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...]

Coeur d’Alene #18 is in the books!

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Late last night I returned from my 18th annual writers retreat in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where, each July, I meet with ten other women to plot, to play, and to pray. What a precious time we had together this weekend. Although we dearly missed three of our number who couldn't make it this year. Sniff, sniff. This year actually should have been our 19th retreat. But due to Covid, we didn't meet … [Read more...]

Summer Memories

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For the past week, our new ten-year-old grandson, Aiden, stayed with us while his parents were away on their honeymoon. He came into our life after our son married his mom last weekend, and having grandparents was a new experience for him. We are his first and only ones. I think he had a great time with us, biking the nearby trails on his new bicycle, going boating, learning how to find geocaches, … [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes on Writing with Other Authors

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People often ask me about writing a novella collection with other authors. Most of the time writing is me alone at my computer. Most people can imagine that. When you add other authors to the mix, they begin to wonder what the process is like and how it differs. I've been a part of several novella collections in addition to writing several cozy mysteries for Guidepost with my friend Tricia … [Read more...]

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