Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Recommendations make a difference

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When considering a purchase, I seek advice from others. Maybe they've traveled that particular road before and will have a suggestion or recommendation. Like two weeks ago when I asked for recommendations for toddler locks on doors and drawers. Thank you again, Susan Sines, for recommending the magnetic locks. I ordered the ones you mentioned, installed them with ease, and love the fact that … [Read more...]

I love spring, but ugh–the bugs!

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I do love spring--my trees come back to life, the oaks gleam with yellow-gold new leaves, and I stand outside and recite "Nothing gold can stay," the poem by Robert Frost. That tradition began when I was in high school. Every year Mrs. Williams would lead us out to a second story balcony beneath a sprawling live oak, where she'd recite the poem and we'd marvel that Nature's first green really is … [Read more...]

What does basketball have to do with writing?

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I grew up loving college sports...but football. I'm from Nebraska after all. But when I moved to Indiana, Purdue wasn't very good at football. Drew Brees had graduated and let's just say it wasn't necessarily the glory days. Still I ADORE college football. There's just something about it. And part of that is that Nebraska has been traditionally really bad at college basketball. I went to a … [Read more...]

Where Risk and Faith Collide

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Hi friends and happy Wednesday! I’m working on the second book in my new Jeopardy Falls series, and I have a character who shies away from risk. He feels safer remaining in his comfort zone. His hesitance to risk isn’t because he lacks courage. He’s very brave, but he was raised by one parent who believed risk was foolish. Everything was to be a calculated decision.  I’m finding it an … [Read more...]

Writers, You Are Invited

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I can’t wait! In one month, the inaugural Going Deeper Conference begins. This writers conference is the brain-child of author-friend Erica Vetsch, and will be held in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota April 25-27.   Yes, I will be co-teaching a fun class with Erica and Michelle Griep, but what I’m most looking forward to is a weekend with sister writers. There is something so … [Read more...]

Because of the Rain

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My second novel was published in 1998 with Bethany House Publishers under the title In the Still of Night. It was a title I really liked and one that I had suggested to the team at Bethany House. Traditionally published authors don't always get to choose the title for their book, so I was pleased. But when I got the rights back to the book years later, another book by the same title (actually … [Read more...]

Join Me at a Reader or Writer Event!

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When I took the Myers-Briggs personality test several years back, it pegged me as an "INFJ" type. The "I" in that stands for introverted. However, I didn't rank far over on the introverted side. I was closer to the middle of the introverted/extroverted scale. For me, that means I get my energy from being alone. But I truly do LOVE gathering with other people. For that reason, reader/writer events … [Read more...]

Reading & Recipes

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Much of family life happens around food. Special occasions are celebrated with a favorite meal followed by a yummy dessert. People connect as they chat around the dinner table. Difficult problems are hashed out over a cup of tea or a shared pot of coffee. Illness is battled with chicken soup and a sympathetic touch. It can be the same in fictional worlds. So, when my characters share a meal, I try … [Read more...]

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