Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

How Important Is Talent in Reaching Writing Success?

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How important is talent to a writer? Is talent required in order to become successful? Is talent necessary to rise above the competition? I'd be remiss to throw out talent altogether and say that it doesn't matter in the least. The truth is a bit of natural talent can probably help to a degree. Some people are born with wild imaginations. Some have the ability to embellish a story. Others have … [Read more...]

Books & Tea (+Giveaway)

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One of my favorite ways to relax is with a hot cup of tea and a good book. A comfy chair and some fuzzy socks add to the coziness. In 2019, my daughter and I visited Victoria, BC and while there, I fell in love with Murchie's Tea, a shop that has been in operation since 1894. My history-loving soul adores the idea of sipping a brew my characters could have enjoyed! I found this wonderful … [Read more...]

My Very First Book Trailer!

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I consider myself fairly tech savvy. But when it comes to social media and promoting my books? Not so much.  Recently I watched a webinar on some of the more advanced things you can do on Canva. I’ve been using Canva for awhile and love it. It’s easy to make graphics for social media and my website. But I’d hadn’t ventured beyond that.  Until now.  Being with my husband on … [Read more...]

$20 Bill from Heaven

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Ever had one of those moments when the veil between this world and the next seems to lift ever so slightly, and you feel a "hug" from Eternity?  That happened to me in November 2014 with a $20 bill, of all things. And God kindly reminded me of that gift again when I ran across that $20 bill in my drawer this weekend. I was out running errands that Monday over seven years ago now. … [Read more...]

A Coffeebar Evolution

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About thirty years ago, I spent $100 on this antique cubby that was originally the in-house mailbox at a small-town bank in Kansas. One hundred dollars was a lot of money for us back then, but I had Christmas money from my parents so I went for it! I have never been sorry! I don't know if the alphabet letters are original to the piece, but they were cut out and pasted over each cubby space. … [Read more...]

Long Ago and Far Away

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In March 1981, I took a yellow legal pad and wrote the opening line of what would become my first published novel. While I had toyed with writing both in high school and as a young adult, I hadn’t given serious thought to writing a novel until the fall of 1980. A number of things played into this growing desire inside of me, but the final straw was reading a book with an ending that didn’t satisfy … [Read more...]

How to Read in Ways That Support Authors

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This past week, I posted the below on my Facebook author page. It generated lots of shares and comments and quickly became one of my most-seen posts. A very kind reader reached out to me in response with this question... "I've always wondered if there is a hierarchy of the best ways to support authors. Can you give a breakdown of what is most helpful?" Today, I'm answering her question! … [Read more...]

Some Bookish Quotes + Giveaway

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Next week is spring break at Purdue, and I can't wait to get started writing my next novella. This has been a crazy, busy semester, and I'm eager to pick up my pen or put my fingers to the keyboard and start creating. Up first are two novellas in collections that I have signed or am about to sign the contracts for. Both will be set during World War II, and I am so excited to return to my favorite … [Read more...]

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