Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Three words…and listening to God’s whisper

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This "love one another" message is popping up all over Nashville, and it all started when this "firecracker" of a woman, Shirley Bachelder, who's 95, listened to her Lord… Bachelder, 94 (at the time), said the inspiration for the message came to her one day when she asked God, “What can I do for you?” “He told me just what he wanted,” Bachelder told The Huffington Post over the phone. … [Read more...]

The Enduring Feast

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The Feast of Passover begins this Friday at sundown. My Jewish friends, who call it Pesach, are busy cleaning their houses in preparation, careful not to leave a single crumb of leaven. They even vacuum their sofa cushions, something I probably should do more often. The table will be beautifully set with all the traditional items in place. Family and friends will gather for this annual dinner … [Read more...]

Can Covers Make or Break a Book?

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“The book was GREAT, but the cover and title were...well....wrong--they cheapened the great story.” That’s a line from a recent message I received from a reader about my debut book, The Preacher’s Bride. I remember my reaction the very first time my publisher showed me the cover. “She’s wearing a bonnet,” I squeaked in mortification. “People will think the book is Amish.” Since that … [Read more...]

How to support a writer on deadline

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I'm literally in the last hours of a race toward deadline on my next book. God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll turn it in tomorrow. If you're on Facebook or Instagram, you'll occasionally see posts from authors about going dark, so that got me thinking...how can readers encourage writers in those drudgery days of little sleep, blocked creativity, and panic-induced, wild-eyed mania?[Tweet … [Read more...]

And the Two Shall Become One

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Last weekend, my oldest granddaughter got married. We had incredible weather. 82 degrees and sunny on the 9th of April in southwest Idaho. Amazing. And perfect because the bride and her attendants arrived in a horse drawn wagon and the couple departed in the same. The ceremony and reception took place in a barn that is used for community events, which meant no heating or air conditioning. It was … [Read more...]

Banoffee Pie: A Slice of British Life

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I am racing to finish revisions on my next novel set in England, and so my mind naturally goes to...dessert.   Banoffee pie is a popular dessert in Great Britain. The first time my husband and I had it was not in the UK, however, but in Minnesota, when we were invited to dinner at Jeff and Susan’s house. Jeff is from England, and Susan had kindly learned to make the pie for him—and … [Read more...]

What are You Passionate About? (an anniversary post)

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This week I am celebrating two years as a blogger here on Inspired by Life...and Fiction. It has been such a wonderful experience to get to interact with our wonderful readers, and I am so honored to be a part of this group of amazing author friends. I could never blog every day (how do people DO that??) But being part of this group gives me a chance to share my heart (and a few more frivolous … [Read more...]

Tea Traditions (and a giveaway)!

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It's a treat for me to welcome my friend Jill Kemerer back to Inspired by Life and Fiction!  When Jill visited last time, I mentioned that she wrote 12 novels before finally receiving her first publishing contract.  This month, her third novel releases!  Jill has released THREE NOVELS in one year.  Praise to the One who is, "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."  Ephesians … [Read more...]

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