Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

My Summer Watch List

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I admit it. I enjoy watching television. My husband and I unwind almost every evening with a show or two previously recorded on the Tivo while we sit in our recliners--he with his computer in his lap, me with my cross-stitch. It's relaxing, entertaining, and helps maintain my creative well. The only problem is that there are some shows I enjoy that Wes refuses to watch. So my compromise is to … [Read more...]

Oh beautiful for spacious skies …..

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Hello. I hope you had a great Fourth of July. I thought it might be nice to take a thankfulness tour for the freedoms we hold so dear in our country. So here are some of the things I'm grateful and thankful for because I live in a country that I love and cherish. Beautiful sunrises: Interesting friends: Those who forged our freedom: Gardens that grow: Those who protect … [Read more...]

4 Things You May Not Know About the Declaration of Independence

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Happy 4th of July, friends! Here are 4 things you may not know about the U.S. Declaration of Independence… Did you know that… The Declaration of Independence wasn't actually signed on the 4th of July in 1776?  Three days earlier, on July 1st, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the next day 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of the motion for independence. But … [Read more...]

When Plans Change

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My husband and I planned our summer vacation months ago. All spring, we’ve looked forward to exploring the wilds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with our friends, seeing Tahquamenon Falls, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and taking a boat tour through the Soo Locks. But then a family medical emergency cancelled our plans. We’re thankful that God … [Read more...]

A Favorite App plus Puppy Photos!

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Last week a PDF copy of my first pass pages of You're Gonna Love Me arrived in my inbox, with a print copy arriving at my door a few days later. Depending on the publisher, these can be called different things, but basically this is the author's last chance to catch typos and other errors in her manuscript before it goes to press. Although most authors probably still write their … [Read more...]

Love Yurts

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How’s your summer going? Mine has been a blend of writing time and family time so far. Nothing too exciting, but you might find one of the things we did interesting. We went camping in a yurt.  YURT yərt/ noun A circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey. For years, my husband has been saying he wants to sleep in a … [Read more...]

Deb’s Semi-annual Garden Tour

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🎉 UPDATE: The winner of a copy of RIGHT WHERE WE BELONG is Tonya Robinette. 🎉 (Congrats, Tonya! See my instructions in the comments for getting your book.) I haven't taken you on a garden tour yet this summer, so thought I'd show you around our yard before the squirrels and rabbits destroy everything! I don't want to complain too much because we do love our wildlife. The animals and birds … [Read more...]

What I’m Working On Now

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Last fall, I had the pleasure of hanging out with authors Karen Witemeyer (who we all know well here at Inspired by Life), Kristi Ann Hunter, and Sarah Loudin Thomas at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference.  We all write for Bethany House and Karen, who's become quite the matriarch of Bethany House novella collections, floated the idea of a multi generational novella … [Read more...]

A Walking Tour of Florence & Giveaway

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Today I thought I would do something a little different and take you on a walking tour of Italy. The last week of my stay, I was on my own. Being me, that meant finding reasons to walk as far as I could. On this particular day I actually got out a tour book and selected a walking tour that would take me to some sites I already knew and a few that I didn't. [Tweet "Join @cara_putman for a … [Read more...]

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