Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

The Love Knot

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It's release week!!! The final story in the Ladies of Harper's Station series is now available as an e-single. This story is not new. It released back in January as part of the Heart's Entwined novella collection, but it's been given a makeover with a new cover and a low price point for the stand alone e-version. Claire and Pieter's story is a special one to me because it is the fulfillment … [Read more...]

My book addiction

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  Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be joining the Inspired by Life … and Fiction blog. You will be able to find me here on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. It’s always daunting to introduce myself to a new group of people (though I hope I’m not entirely new to some of you), but I didn’t have to look around too long to be inspired by life (and fiction!) as to how to make your … [Read more...]

Writing real history

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Do you love reading real love stories? Me too! I'm currently heavy into rewrites on With This Pledge—the first full length Carnton novel that hits the shelves in December—and my editor's comments and suggestions are really challenging me (in a great way) to take this story to a deeper level. Captain Roland Ward Jones and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Clouston truly lived—and fell in love—at … [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes of Falling for You’s Cover Shoot

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I'm a fan of cover art!  So I was especially excited to get a glimpse behind the scenes of Falling for You's cover shoot, thanks to the following photos.  It's my hope that you'll enjoy them, too! I began work on Falling for You in September of 2016.  I submitted it to my editors June 1st of 2017.  I rewrote it last August.  This cover shoot took place in … [Read more...]

What are You Reading?

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As a voracious reader, my to-be-read pile never stops. Literally it is towering beneath my desk and next to my bedside...and on a bookshelf. And you get the idea! I love books too much. No. That's not possible. I simply need a vacation to read all the books I have stockpiled. Yes, that's better. [Tweet "What's on your #TBRPile? @Cara_Putman shares some of her recent reads and a … [Read more...]

Revision Time and Journaling Time

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Revising my Latest Book My editorial letter for my next book arrived on March 12, and so I have been hard at work over the last two weeks, brainstorming, adding, changing. I know a few writers who absolutely love the revision process. I wouldn't go that far. Sometimes revisions make my head want to blow up as I try to remember what I have added and what I have removed and what I have changed … [Read more...]

Like Minds

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A few days ago, Karen Witemeyer wrote a lovely blog post (read it here) about the spiritual aspects of a recent writers retreat we both attended, along with Inspired By Life members Jody Hedlund and Becky Wade, as well as authors Katie Ganshert and Courtney Walsh. (Sadly, Dani Pettrey and Katie Cushman were unable to join us this year.) I will just add a few things. There is something so … [Read more...]

Taking some time off

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A week ago today, I turned in my manuscript to my editor. Whew! It feels so good to meet a deadline and complete a project I've been working on for months! (That book, Reason to Breathe, will be in bookstores this fall!) I always try to take at least a week (and sometimes several weeks) off after I've finished a book. Of course, I can't just completely stop working for that long. There are … [Read more...]

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