Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Open to the Sky

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Last month, we celebrated the Feast of Sukkot with our Jewish friends and family members. One of my favorite things about the holiday is building and decorating a Sukkah or booth on our back deck. First, we constructed a frame out of two-by-fours then enclosed three of the sides using tarps. Next comes the fun part—decorating it with natural materials such as cornstalks, cat-tails, and pine … [Read more...]

Giveaways Galore!

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Every spring and fall a variety of authors join together to host a Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. That hunt is going on RIGHT NOW! If you’ve never participated in the hunt, then don’t miss out! There are over 30 authors taking part in the hunt (including me on my personal blog), so about 30 blogs to visit. (Don't worry! You don't have to go to all the blogs at once. You can spread out the … [Read more...]

Taking Time to Dance with Monarchs

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Don't you love that definition? Even though our Declaration of Independence imbues us with the inalienable right to pursue happiness, I think too often we get stuck in the pursuit phase and never sit down to enjoy the blessings our Creator surrounds us with every day. If I just get this new job, I'll be happy. If I just hit the bestseller list, I'll be happy. If my ill child will get … [Read more...]

Happy November! Starts and Finishes!

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Hello. I can't believe it's November! My summer and early fall went so fast! I just finished working on a book yesterday, over a month ahead of schedule. But I'll tweak it a bit more before I turn it in later. It's always a good feeling to finish a project early. Especially when you start with a blank page and create it with a lot of sweat and tears and joys and cheers. The End Yes, I did a … [Read more...]

BEWARE the editor!

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"Beware the editor! They'll try to change your voice!" That was one of the first bits of "advice" I got when starting out on my writing journey. And I have to tell you… In my experience, it was complete hog wash. My editors—and I've worked with several through the years—have only made my work better. Yesterday was my Bethany House editor's last day, and I'll admit I got a little teary over … [Read more...]

A Peek into Thorncrown Chapel

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His Highness and I just returned from a trip to Eureka Spring, Arkansas.  Are you familiar with Eureka Springs? It's an historic town that became popular around 1880 because locals believed its many natural springs had healing powers.  Eureka Springs' Main Street runs down the bottom rib of a valley.  The rest of the streets and structures snake upward from there.  What's absolutely astonishing … [Read more...]

Finding Our Communities

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Last weekend, my family and I did one of those crazy road trips. We left Indiana at 10:30 in the morning and drove all day to Lincoln, Nebraska. There we spent time with family all with the excuse of a football game pulling us to town. Then Sunday morning the kids and I drove back while Eric stayed for work. Crazy. You can call us that. Surely at some point in time you've done something … [Read more...]

We Are Your Symphony … Along With a Gratitude Challenge

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I did not write the blog post below, and I already shared it on my personal blog last week. But I wanted to make sure it was seen by as many of my readers as possible. I could have just given a link to the devotion on the church website, but not everyone clicks on those links. Thus, I am doing the old cut and paste in hopes that more will take the time to read it. The following was written by … [Read more...]

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