Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Finishing One Series and Starting Another!

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Next month I’ll be winding down my orphan train series with the release of the third book, Searching For You (which involves the third and youngest Neumann sister). Look for the book on shelves Dec. 4. You may be asking (or at least I hope you are!): What are you working on next? I’m super excited to introduce you to a brand new series involving bride-ships! In the beginning stages of … [Read more...]

How Do You Come Up With Characters Names?

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This is one of the most common questions I get when interacting with readers. And to be honest, it's a fun question to answer, because naming characters is one of my favorite things about being an author. I only got to name three people in real life (my children), but I've been able to name DOZENS of fictional people! Names are important to a story. They help define a character in the reader's … [Read more...]

Launch Team INVITE for With This Pledge

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Hey friends! It's launch team time! With This Pledge, a Carnton novel, releases January 8, 2019, and HCCP and I are looking for avid readers of my novels who would like to partner with me to help spread the word!   READ MORE ABOUT With This Pledge, a Carnton novel   If you're interested in being considered for the launch team, please sign up for my eUpdates TODAY (if you … [Read more...]

Clearing up the Confusion About Launch Teams, Influencers, & Book Reviewers

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Launch Teams, Influencers, Book Reviewers. If you’ve been around online book communities long enough, chances are you’ve heard those words tossed around by other readers or authors. The terms can often cause a lot of confusion. Since I’m in the process of forming my Influencer list for my upcoming release, Searching For You, I thought this might be a good time to clear up some of the … [Read more...]

The Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt & Facebook Live Woes

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Today I wanted to let you know about the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. These are so much fun, and a great way to meet new to you authors. I love the way that Christian authors come together to support each other like at Inspired by Life & Fiction. The scavenger hunt is another way we spread the word about each other. This time we’re giving away one of each of our books, a Kindle, and I’m … [Read more...]

The C’s of Creativity – Craft

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Hi friends, I’m excited to be back with you this week, and today I’m going to share the final C of Creativity and that is Craft. As a writer whether just starting out or an author of a dozen or a hundred books, I believe it’s vital to continue to study the craft of writing. I don’t believe the learning should ever stop, and craft can always be improved. Just as filling our well of creativity via … [Read more...]

Celebrating a Friend’s Release with a Giveaway!

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It's always a pleasure to attend a sister-writer's book launch and help her celebrate a new release. I recently joined other friends and readers at the launch of Michelle Griep's new Dickens-inspired Christmas novella, A Tale of Two Hearts. She looked gorgeous in her new gown, spencer, and bonnet! Michelle is quite talented. She writes vivid, quirky characters, heartwarming romance, and … [Read more...]

Tomorrow is the Day! REASON TO BREATHE!

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I've been waiting for this week to come for a very long time! Tomorrow, the first book in my new Chandler Sisters Novel series releases from Gilead Publishing. It's been more than a year and a half since I had a brand new book release, and this one is from a brand new publisher as well, so I'm pretty excited! Because of my writing schedule, as often happens, this book is releasing at the very … [Read more...]

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