Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Cover Creation: The Bridge to Belle Island

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I always enjoy getting a behind-the-scenes peek at how book covers are created. Here is a video and a few photos that describe the cover design process for my newest novel, The Bridge to Belle Island. I hope you enjoy them as I did. First a 3-minute video. Turn up your volume control! Once the design direction is chosen, designer Jennifer Parker hires a model based on my character description … [Read more...]

A Room of Her Own

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After writing my first three novels at our kitchen table and the next few books from a corner of the living room in the small duplex where we raised our four children, I was thrilled to get my first dedicated office when the kids started leaving for college and we bought our first home. I've now had three delightful offices in which to write, and each one holds special memories for the books I … [Read more...]

My Favorite Covers of 2019

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I'm thankful for the talented designers who wrap stories in such beautiful packaging. Thus, at the start of each year I love to look back and admire Christian fiction book covers from the past year. I'm continuing that tradition with this post! Here are a few of my 2019 favorites (in no particular order): I'm sure that I've forgotten about some of 2019's most fabulous … [Read more...]

The Joy of Serving & Giveaway

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Last March, my husband and I lead a team of young adults from our church to Turkey over Spring Break. It was one of those unexpected delights as we spent a week in Instanbul exploring the city and culture. While we were there, I really connected with the team lead (it's amazing what happens when you make coffee for 30 people and wash dishes together!). While there I asked how our church could come … [Read more...]

Goal Getting!

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Hi friends,  I so look forward to this time with you each month. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy day to spend some of it with me. I don’t know about you, but I’m a planner addict. Yes. There is such a thing, at least according to my family. Every season new planners come out and I spend weeks deciding which one I’ll pick. You may be asking why, and I don’t blame you. But … [Read more...]

Favorite Website Features

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Not long ago, I took an informal poll of readers' favorite features of authors' websites and found it very interesting. To that end, I'd love to know what you like best about authors' sites. What information you appreciate seeing when you visit an author's online home. In response to reader feedback, I added a "Bonus Features" page to my site which includes a slew of icons that lead to other … [Read more...]

Little Women

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My husband and I went with friends to see the new “Little Women” movie, last night. It was wonderful, but, oh, the memories and emotions it stirred up for me! I could so relate to Jo’s longing as a young writer to create stories and to be published. I cried with her when her sister burned her manuscript in the fire. I once lost several chapters after a power outage in the days before … [Read more...]

20 Easy Ways Readers Can Promote Books in 2020

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Dear readers, did you know authors need YOUR help in promoting their books? Yes, they really do! Many readers already do a superb job promoting the books and authors they love. I’ve had the blessing of being on the receiving end of some of those awesome readers who go an extra hundred miles to support authors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do! On the other hand, there … [Read more...]

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