Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

On Turning Sixty (waaaaahhhhhh!)

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I loved turning thirty. I was one of those baby-faced moms who often was mistaken for the babysitter, so something about turning thirty made me feel finally "legit." I didn't bat an eye at turning forty. My career had just been launched, our kids were finally all old enough that life was worlds easier (and our older kids were helping raise the "oops" baby, born when I was thirty-five). Nope. … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Gayle Roper

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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. Award-winning novelist Gayle Roper has been writing stories for more than thirty-five years. "The nice thing about writing," she says, "is that as long as the mind functions and the hands can still type, you can turn your imagination lose." … [Read more...]

Let’s Party! (With Giveaways Galore!)

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My oldest is graduating from high school this year. Where has the time gone!? Needless to say it's been a very busy few weeks not only in planning and preparing for his graduation party (which is this Sunday June 7th), but it's also been a busy time with going to graduation parties of all our friends who have graduating seniors. Many of these kids we've known since they were wearing diapers and in … [Read more...]

My Latest Cover Story

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As authors, seeing the cover for the first time can either be a joyous occasion or cause for great despair. Thankfully, I've been blessed with some truly lovely covers. And when my editor asked if I wanted some behind the scenes candids she took during the photo shoot for A Worthy Pursuit, I jumped at the chance. It was even more fun to learn the story behind the models selected for the cover. … [Read more...]

In a cathedral in Europe my daughter said I DO!

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Saturday, May 23 was like something out of a movie. My son Nathan (21) walked me down the aisle of a European cathedral built in the 12th century. The sun shone down through stained glass windows, causing the elaborate interior to glimmer and glow. It was my daughter's wedding. My husband was waiting to walk her down the aisle minutes after my entrance. She wore a beautiful gown, and a handsome … [Read more...]

Among the Fair Magnolias

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I had the pleasure earlier this year of writing my first novella, which was quite a feat for me—telling an entire story in 26,000 words. But I had a blast doing it and really learned a lot about pacing and sticking to the action in the process. To Mend a Dream is part of the Southern novella collection Among the Fair Magnolias. What made the experience of writing this novella so … [Read more...]

The Genesis of a Book

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One of the questions authors are frequently asked is, where do our ideas come from. My answer? Everywhere! It seems different for me for each book. Since many of my readers have told me that Candle in the Darkness is their favorite book, here’s the story of how that novel came about. It started when my musician husband, Ken, performed at a Civil War re-enactment with the “Yankee Brass Band.” I … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Deborah Raney

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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. Deborah Raney enjoys writing in the gardens tended by her artist husband, Ken. The Raneys recently moved to the city after many years at their little house on the prairie in small-town Kansas. They are enjoying the challenge of city gardening and … [Read more...]

4 Simple Ways Readers can Help Authors

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Readers often ask me how they can help their favorite authors. I love to get that question because it is so very easy to help your favorite authors. Today I want to share a few of those with you.[Tweet "Love #Chrisfic? Today @Cara_Putman shares 4 ways #readers can help authors."] 1) If you read a book and like it, then please post reviews. Don't give spoiler details, but let other readers … [Read more...]

Sometimes Things Go Wrong

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Well, guess who thought today was Tuesday instead of Wednesday? Holidays do that to me a lot. Being a self-employed writer on a deadline, most holidays don't apply to me. I am usually working anyway. But if mail doesn't come, it feels like a Sunday and my inner clock gets off. Sometimes things go wrong. I am busy trying to wrap up revisions on the third book in the Kings Meadow Romance series, … [Read more...]

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