Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Brainstorming & Birthdays

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I love brainstorming books. I love the endless possibilities at the outset, all the combinations of what ifs, and the "Oh, have you ever thought about trying this?" suggestions. Brainstorming is definitely one of my favorite stages of the writing process. That, and discovering who the characters are as I write and rewrite, digging deeper with each pass. Part of our brainstorming … [Read more...]

First Book

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Do you remember the first book you ever read? Not a book that someone else read to you—I heard hundreds of books read to me by my mom, grandparents, and my older sister, Bonnie, before I learned to read one myself. But what about the first book you actually read on your own? I think mine was this one: I was introduced to Dick, Jane, and Sally in first grade, and their story intrigued me. I … [Read more...]

What I’m Working on Now

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Instead of typing out a post, I thought I'd try something new. I'm "vlogging" my writing update this time. Here's what I'm working on now! These graphics that my publisher provided are too pretty not to share! Plus, they give a great overview of the Misty River series and characters.... What are YOU up to this summer? … [Read more...]

Book Inspired Movies: Romance Edition

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Hi friends, Happy Wednesday! Hope you’re having a wonderful week. I always look forward to spending mine with you. I wanted to share some of my favorite book-inspired movies, and I realized there are so many different genres to choose from so being a romantic suspense author and loving romantic movies, I decided to stick with classics-inspired romances. Upcoming posts will cover contemporary … [Read 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...]

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