Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

A Clear View

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The azalea bush outside my living room window is putting on a glorious show this spring. I can see it from my favorite living room chair where I sit for my quiet time every morning. But I can also see how dusty and rain-streaked my windows are after the long winter months. So last Saturday, when the temperature climbed to nearly 70 degrees, I got out the buckets and rags and window cleaner to … [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes of Her One and Only’s Cover Shoot

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Like many readers, I'm fascinated by the creative process that results in a book cover!  For every book in my Porter series, I've shared a 'behind the scenes' peek into the cover shoot.  I'm delighted to continue the tradition today with this post about the making of Her One and Only's cover! A few fascinating facts: Every Porter Family cover features a real life couple!  Both Undeniably … [Read more...]

Lessons Learned on Igniting Passion

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Yesterday, Purdue University had a massive fundraising event. It was only the third year, but this event (Purdue Day of Giving) raised more than $18 million from close to 13,000 gifts. As you'll see from the photos, I kind of had fun with it. [Tweet "What can authors learn from #PurdueDayofGiving? @Cara_Putman shares. #amreading"] Through out the day there were different competitions. I … [Read more...]

Movies for the Romantic at Heart

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My Wednesday came around before I was ready for it. Isn't that how life goes? So, mind full of my work-in-progress, I'm going for one of my next favorite things besides books: Movies. I love romantic movies. I love that ahhhh feeling when all things turn out the way they were meant to at the end of the film. I even love shedding a few tears during the movie and/or at the end. I have lots … [Read more...]

Under The Covers… Book Covers, That Is

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At a recent meeting of the Minnesota chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers, our guest speaker was Jennifer Parker, Senior Graphic Designer at Bethany House Publishers. Jennifer began by asking us what we thought made a good cover, and then went on to explain her thoughts, and the process she goes through to create the beautiful covers she designs for many bestselling authors, … [Read more...]

Garden tour

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We have wind, hail, and even tornadoes predicted in Kansas as I write this, so I grabbed my camera and went to shoot a few photos of our flowers just in case they all blow away tonight. Won't you join me on a garden tour? It's been an early spring here in Kansas and after a long spell without rain, we got several inches and everything is just beautiful … [Read more...]

My Writing Closet (…and a giveaway!)

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Please extend a very warm welcome to my friend Jill Lynn!   Jill and I met a few years ago at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference.  Then, Jill was an unpublished writer who'd been nominated for (and went on to win) a Genesis award for her work.  Now, she's multi published!  AND she's giving one Inspired by Life...and Fiction reader a copy of her brand new release.  Check the bottom of … [Read more...]

A Blooming Texas Spring

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Spring is by far the most beautiful season in Texas. Rain brings out the green of the land before the scorching heat of summer burns it to a well-baked brown. Wildflowers bloom in yellow, pink, red, and iconic blue. The state flower of Texas, the bluebonnet, reigns supreme and steals my breath every time. Where I live in West Texas, we only get a sparse scattering of bluebonnets, but to the … [Read more...]

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