Twenty years ago, in 1996, I started keeping track of how many and which books I'd read. It was the year my first novel was published, and I had quite an impressive list of books I'd read—55 books over the course of twelve months. In 1997 I was working on writing my second and third novels, but I still managed to read forty books, recording each one in a pretty spiral journal. In the years between … [Read more...]
The Plot Thickens | Jennifer Slattery
Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Besides her novels, Jennifer Slattery, author of When Dawn Breaks, writes columns and devotions, and manages social media and a blog for an Omaha Metro ministry that serves the working poor and homeless. She and her family garden inside the city … [Read more...]
California Dreamin’
How's summer treating you? So far it's treating me very, very well. Thank you, Lord! It's hot here in Dallas, yes. And my kids are underfoot and either always making a mess or always starving. But I've been on a vacation from writing for the past month and I've been glorying in sleeping in, watching movies, reading, and traveling. I needed some down time! This slower, more relaxed pace … [Read more...]
The Search for Creativity
As writers, we are always on the search for the next new idea. As a reader, I know that I want more books from my favorite authors. So I thought you might enjoy seeing the timeline to the creation of a book. I'm going to use Shadowed by Grace because it's a pretty typical process though a bit longer than some. [Tweet "Creativity is intelligence having fun. #Einstein says and @cara_putman … [Read more...]
First Amendment and First Commandment
Recently, a friend said in an email, "I believe in the First Amendment and the First Commandment." Those words have resonated in my heart ever since. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition … [Read more...]
Delayed Promises
"God's promises, even though delayed, are not endangered. Danger and doubt don't change his promises." I jotted that note down a few weeks ago in church when one of our pastors was sharing from the Word, and I've thought of it several times since. The fact that God doesn't change, that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow has long been a comfort to me—and it's becoming more so all … [Read more...]
A Woman’s Place
I attended a baby shower last week for a young woman who is expecting her first baby. As we munched on muffins and spinach quiche, the discussion meandered to a controversial subject—working mothers versus stay-at-home moms. The new mother-to-be, who was happily ripping open presents, won’t have to choose between the two. She has a job that she loves in her family’s business that will allow her to … [Read more...]
The Plot Thickens | Kim Vogel Sawyer
Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Kansas author Kim Vogel Sawyer spent a season of her life running a lovely bed & breakfast with her husband, Don. They have relocated to a new home, and while they work on the garden at that home—where frequent visitors include three daughters and their … [Read more...]
Cherishing and Protecting Our Freedom
The concept of "freedom" has been on my mind a lot this year, especially since I taught U.S. History this past year to a group of high school students. I learned a LOT about the freedom that Americans purchased with their sweat, blood, and often their very lives. Teaching the class reminded me of all of the many brave and intelligent people who came before us, people who lived with integrity, … [Read more...]
I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a multi-author book signing in Fort Worth, TX. I usually only do one book signing a year, by myself, at my local Christian store in Abilene. Book signings are a great way to maintain relationships with bookstore managers and staff and it is always fun to meet the dedicated fan who is excited to get an autographed copy of your book. … [Read more...]
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