Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

6 Ways to Keep Readers Up Past Their Bedtime

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One of my favorite compliments from readers is, "I stayed up really late reading your book." Story tellers would much rather have their books keep readers awake until unreasonable hours rather than having their books put readers to sleep. So how can writers make readers bright-eyed, excited, and turning the pages rather than bleary-eyed, yawning, and closing the book? Here are 6 ways to … [Read more...]

A Blog Full of Bargains!

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I love a good sale. Don't you? Well, today, my friends, we're all in luck. There are some fantastic sales going on in the world of Christian fiction. When my publisher notified me that I would have two books discounted this month, I decided to ask around and see if other author friends had promotions going on as well. Several did! Take a look: The first book in my Ladies of Harper's Station … [Read more...]

Day Trip: Taylor, Texas

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When we moved to Austin almost 4 (gasp!) years ago, my husband said we’d spend our weekend taking day trips around Central Texas. Little did he know his job would be so all-consuming and travel heavy as to make that nearly impossible! But just before Christmas, when the frenzy of holiday parties had ended and we hadn’t yet left to visit family, we had a rare, free Saturday and beautiful weather, … [Read 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...]

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