Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

MBAs and Milestones

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Joe and I are proud parents! This past weekend our son Kurt graduated with his MBA from Belmont University—where my husband is Associate Dean of the Massey School of Business, and where both of our children did their undergrad, and where the Belmont Mansion is located...we really are a Belmont family! My dad, who's the last of Joe's and my parents still with us on earth, came from Atlanta with … [Read more...]

Dad and Charlie

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My husband Ken had a best friend growing up named Charlie. In a time when kids rode bicycles all over town, explored down by the creek, and played outside until the stars came out, Ken and Charlie did it all together. They were in the same Cub Scout Troop, attended the same elementary school, built model cars together. When Ken’s dad took him fishing and on overnight camping trips in the woods, … [Read more...]

12 Reasons Why Books Make the Best Christmas Presents

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  Every year one of my local friends buys my books to give as Christmas presents to her friends and family. I’m not talking about four books. No. She buys ALL my books for the year and gives them to ALL her closest friends and family. Like forty books. And I sign a message in each one. It’s a delight to do this for her. And she loves being able to give such personalized gifts. As … [Read more...]

Texas Writes – Loving on Libraries

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On December 3rd, I had the honor of participating in a fabulous program called Texas Writes. The Writer's League of Texas, supported by a grant from the Tocker Foundation, established the Texas Writes program in 2013. Their mission is to bring accomplished authors into rural libraries for half-day workshops and panel discussions on writing. Each event is free and open to the public. The program … [Read more...]

Ben-Hur, A Tale of the Christ

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I suppose, when most people think "Christmas reading," Ben-Hur is not the first title that comes to mind. But for me, reading this novel again (a good 45 years after I read it the first time) during the month of December, the story has made me ever so much more thankful for all that the Christmas season represents. The 1959 film starring Charlton Heston, a favorite movie of mine that I watch … [Read more...]

Confessions of a Non-Decorator

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Two other Inspired by Life and Fiction Authors have posted photo-tours (here and here) of their festively decorated houses that are beautiful and deserve to be printed in glossy magazines. In case that makes you feel inadequate, here are a few photos from my house to make you feel better. I don't have a Martha Stewart bone in my body. Zero knack for decorating. Plus, I'm on deadline, so... I'm … [Read more...]

Decking the Halls…Under Duress

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My title is tongue-in-cheek, but I will confess that I had no intention of putting up a Christmas tree this year. Our kids are always here the week between Christmas and New Year's so Christmas is officially over before they arrive. I usually make the house look festive, and there are some decorations I always put out, but the tree wasn't even on my radar for 2016, especially since we will have … [Read more...]

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