Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

“Inspired by Scripture” coming to a Sunday near you

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For a year and a half now, Inspired by Life...and Fiction has been sharing novelists' gardens with you each Sunday from my blog, The Plot Thickens. Those lovely garden posts are still there for you to browse any time you like, but alas, we've come to the end of our supply of new garden posts. But we're excited to bring you a new Sunday feature, Inspired by Scripture. Each Sunday, thanks to Ken … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Roxanne Rustand

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Roxanne Rustand is an award-winning author of forty romance and romantic suspense novels. She is now living her childhood dream of a place in the country, on an acreage in Iowa with her husband, three horses, two goofy rescue dogs, and six fluffy … [Read more...]

Merry Christmas!

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"I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11 Merry Christmas, everyone! Throughout December, we've listened to Christmas sermons, sung carols, attended Christmas programs.  We've been filled with awe over the BIG THING that God did for us when he sent Jesus to us in … [Read more...]

A Few of My Favorite Christmas Movies

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Ever since I researched 1940s Hollywood for Stars in the Night, I've been a bigger fan than ever of classic movies. Growing up, my favorite movies were from the 30s and 40s...that hasn't changed. There's something I love about the simplicity of that time that shines through in movies that make me laugh and feel. So today I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. (Be sure to read to the end to … [Read more...]

Glory Be To God in The Highest

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Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the … [Read more...]

Ghosts of Christmases Past

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I recently attended the annual Christmas celebration of my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society (JASNA), where our speaker, author Maria Grace, shared a fascinating talk about Regency Christmas Traditions, based on her book, A Jane Austen Christmas. I won’t attempt to describe all of the many traditions observed over the twelve days of Christmases Past, but since I’m hosting Christmas … [Read more...]

Christmas Traditions

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For many years now, my book deadline has been January 15. That means I’m always racing to finish my novel during the holidays. With three children and a musician-husband whose busiest season is also Christmas, I decided several years ago to stop trying to produce a perfect “Hallmark” holiday. I sat everyone down and asked which traditions were most important to them, and together we came up with a … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Ginny Yttrup

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration.   Ginny Yttrup dreamt of becoming a writer most of her adult life and pursued her dream by learning the craft and honing her skills. When she's not working, she loves spending time with her two college-age sons or with friends. If she can spend time … [Read more...]

Two Ways to Cope With the Demands of the Holiday Season (and Life!)

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The holiday season is full of demands. We have our to-do lists that run longer than a novel: baking an old-fashioned fruit cake, mixing fresh snow into ice cream for the kids, and hand-embroidering a Christmas stocking for the pet hamster. Okay, so not really. :-) But most of us feel the increased pressure in one form or another. Even without the holiday, we already struggle to keep up with the … [Read more...]

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