Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

What’s Coming Next?

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I’ve been hearing from many readers who’ve been finishing the third book in my bride-ship series, A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE, and I’ve been getting questions and comments like: “I don’t want this series to end! Will there be any more books?” “I’m anxious to know if Zeke gets a story!” “Ever since Zeke was introduced, I’ve been waiting . . .” “Zeke is SO READY for a bride!” I’m super … [Read more...]

What Are You Watching?

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Thanks to our not-so-friendly neighborhood pandemic, many of us are spending more time at home this summer. And if you're like me, you're finding the entertainment options challenging. No sports (I'm particularly missing the Olympics as well as the tennis grand slam tournaments) and few normally scheduled summer programming options. I am watching a lot of Food Network, my go-to for clean TV in … [Read more...]

Things That Make Me Smile

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been struggling a bit lately. Not only does the pandemic continue to make life stressful, but here in Texas we’ve now added 100+ degree days into the mix. My condo is feeling more confining than usual these days, and I’ve found myself wallowing in “I wish” and “If only.” So lately I’ve been trying to notice the things around me that make me smile. Perhaps they … [Read more...]

How Do Authors Create Characters?

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To generate blog post ideas, I asked readers what topics they’d like me to address. One question raised was: What is your process for creating your characters? How do they then become real to you? Something must happen, because they seem alive to your readers.” Honestly, creating characters doesn't come easily to me, but it's something I've learned to do better. In fact, it's one of the … [Read more...]

The Life of a Desk

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Last time I blogged, I told you the story of the farmhouse dining table that became my writing desk and is now at home in my oldest grandson’s bedroom. Today, as promised, I want to tell you the story of my “new” (but actually very old) writing desk.  The first history we know of this desk is when it was owned by Maude Berquist, wife of Arthur Berquist, who owned and operated Berquist … [Read more...]

POPPING IN ON A SATURDAY (and a giveaway)

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Hi, friends. Remember me? Last year, when I took a step back from writing bi-weekly blog posts for Inspired by Life and Fiction, I never dreamed I would let so much time pass before I took advantage of my “Bonus Days” status. Because 2019 was a rough year for me personally, I was looking forward to turning the calendar to a new year and a fresh leaf. My word for 2020 is “Revelation” and … [Read more...]

Road Trip Photos (and a giveaway!)

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I schedule my writing year so that my deadline always lands on June 1st. This makes April and May crazy for me, but there's a method to my madness. Namely, a June 1 deadline puts me in sync with my kids' summer vacation. I'm able to enjoy time off from writing during the entire month of June (glorious!) followed by a very relaxed, part-time writing schedule in July. This June, we'd planned … [Read more...]

A Quick Escape and Rediscovering the Fun in Writing

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For years, I've written hard. In the chaos of life, while working other jobs, traveling, and so much more. I love all of my books, and writing them has pushed me in unique ways. Sometimes the pressure has removed the joy from writing. Have you ever had that happen? Something you love becomes a job rather than a joy? It's not wrong or bad, just reality. I'd set myself the goal of rediscovering the … [Read more...]

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