Can you believe it? One-twelfth of 2025 is already behind us. It was a busy start of the year for me, writing- and book-wise, so I thought I’d share the craziness with you in my post today. First, starting in December, I refreshed my website. I installed a new framework and theme. I tweaked colors. I tweaked them again and again. Finally, just last week, I created a new logo. I love the new … [Read more...]
Cover Reveal + Book Goodies
Covers are such an important marketing tool for a book. They make a first impression on a reader before any of our words can. I've been blessed with some lovely covers, and when I decided to publish a book independently, I worried about finding a designer that would be able to match the work done by my traditional publisher's art department. This book cover had the extra pressure of continuing … [Read more...]
Burns Night Supper
So my husband and I did a thing we never in a million years thought we’d do. We hosted a dinner party for twenty in our home. And not just any dinner party, mind you. No, we had a full-on Burns Night Supper! Do you know what a Burns Night Supper is? Well, let me enlighten you if you don’t! Every year on January 25, Scots all over the world—and especially in … [Read more...]
Ode to My Latest Amazon Finds
I got so tickled at Angie's post yesterday when she wrote about her velveteen pants from Amazon. If you didn't read her Ode to My Stretchy Velveteen Pants, please do! It'll make you smile. Now to continue the Amazon thread... While I don't own a pair of stretchy Velveteen Pants—yet!—I do have some favorite Amazon items I've ordered (and reordered) recently. #1 Do we have any candle … [Read more...]
Ode to My Stretchy Velveteen Pants
A couple of years ago, I lost a lot of weight. I ruthlessly culled my closet and got rid of lots of too-big clothes, including three pairs of stretchy velveteen pants: red, black, and navy. (We don't wear velvet much in Florida). But the pounds came back, and winter arrived, and I desperately wanted some more stretchy velveteen pants. So I ordered three more pairs from Amazon--thank the Lord … [Read more...]
D’Ann’s Favorites
The authors of Inspired by Life...and Fiction are offering a new weekly post featuring some of our favorite things. We hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about us—and we'd love to hear your answers to these "favorites" questions in the comments below. Favorite Holiday: I love everything about the Christmas season! Favorite Vacation Spot: Ever? Scotland, hands down. We … [Read more...]
Movies I Watch (Almost) Every Year
I know many people watch a lot of movies over the holidays (both Christmas movies and other types as well). With my annual manuscript deadline falling in January, most of my movie-watching occurs after the holiday season traditionally ends. But once I reach that deadline, I reward myself with a few movies that have become treasured old friends. Here are five of my go-to movies I like to watch … [Read more...]
Patterns of Life
My brother-in-law Jeff asked my husband and me a question when they were in Missouri for a visit a few years ago, and I haven't quit thinking about this topic since. I've found it so fascinating and such a great conversation starter that I thought I'd ask you, our wonderful blog readers, to share your answers! Jeff asked us what "patterns" we've seen in our lives—numbers or dates or seeming … [Read more...]
Julie’s Favorites
The authors of Inspired by Life…and Fiction are offering a new weekly post featuring some of our favorite things. We hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about us—and we’d love to hear your answers to these “favorites” questions in the comments below. Favorite Holiday: I suppose like many others, my favorite is Christmas. Although Christmas is not what it used to be, now that … [Read more...]
So Exciting!
In all my years of writing and publishing books, I've never been invited to give a TV interview. Until now! Texas Today is a local lifestyle show that airs on NBC here in Dallas/Fort Worth. One of their producers reached out and asked me to visit and chat about the topic of balancing motherhood and writing. It was clear that he'd found inspiration for the segment in this post that I shared on … [Read more...]