Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Bookish Delights

By

Ever since I was a pre-schooler, books have filled me with delight. Walking into a library or bookstore filled me with wonder as a child, and I still get that same adrenaline rush as an adult. With all the responsibilities of adulthood, I find I don't have as much time to read as I would like, so I compensate by surrounding myself with other bookish delights. I collect Willow Tree figurines, … [Read more...]

Top Summer Picks

By

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE to travel. In fact, we’re heading today down to the Outer Banks for ten wonderful days of sun, sand, family, and reading. I can’t wait! It’ll be my first vacation since I signed the contract for my debut novel nearly a decade ago, that I’ve taken a vacation off. Normally, I’m up early, writing before my family wakes for the day. Then I’ll write while we’re … [Read more...]

A Day at the Beach—Regency style

By

It’s summertime here in the northern hemisphere. If you’re having hot, sunny weather where you live as well, perhaps you've cooled off with a visit to the beach. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the beach myself. Not in reality, but in researching a future novel set on the English seaside. I’m guessing some of you may have watched the fairy recent miniseries, Sanditon (based on Jane … [Read more...]

Fun Interviews (and a Book to Win)

By

[AND THE WINNER OF BRIDGES IS...Betsy Hale! Congratulations, Betsy. Please e-mail me at debraney@mac.com for details on how to get your book.] Since in-person conferences, book signings, and other gatherings have been so slim (to none!) this past year, it's been extra fun to be part of some Zoom interviews recently. Yesterday, my Books & Brew interview with author Andrew Huff went live … [Read more...]

Who will roll the stone away?

By

Today, I thought I'd share a passage of scripture that never fails to encourage me... in the hope that it might encourage you, too. In Mark 15:40-41 we learn that some of the women who'd followed Jesus and cared for his needs were present at His crucifixion, including Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James and Salome). Later, in Mark 16:1, we catch up with the two women again. "When … [Read more...]

A Trip without a Laptop

By

There once was an author who forgot how to live without her laptop. She began to feel like she needed to have it with her all the time...just in case. And that small laptop became a weight that reminded her all the time what she SHOULD be doing. Then this author realized she was exceptionally bad at taking a break. Even when she traveled overseas she had a job: teaching in study abroad, giving … [Read more...]

Canton, MO

By

I love research trips. They are one of my favorite parts of the research process. Visiting a place always enhances the writing, whether because I’ve gotten a “feel” for the area (even if I later fictionalize it) or because of all the great people who help me along the way. On every trip I have had a providential meeting with someone who knew, or knew where to find, exactly the information I was … [Read more...]

Want to chat tonight?

By

TONIGHT at 7:30pm CST our own Cara Putman and I will be chatting about life, love, Southern fiction and, specifically, my next novel tentatively entitled A Thousand Little Choices that will be out next year with Focus on the Family. And knowing Cara, this is going to be fun! I hope you'll join us. CLICK to go to Cara's Facebook Page where the chat will take place If you can join us LIVE, … [Read more...]

My 4th of July Favorites

By

I’ve been reminiscing this Fourth of July about all the things I love most about this holiday. I have to say that at the top of my list are outdoor band concerts. My family lived near the West Point Military Academy when I was a girl and we usually attended their outdoor concerts on the Fourth of July. The academy perches on a mountaintop overlooking the Hudson River, and we would gaze out at the … [Read more...]

Recent Posts