Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

The Power of an Idea + Dedication

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When my husband and I were new new new newlyweds, he took a job as the Tennis Pro at Cap Juluca Resort on the tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla.  Mind you, we'd never heard of Anguilla before his company told us they were sending us there.  We had to look it up on a map, and even when we did locate it on the map, we had to squint to see it.  Anguilla has an area of just 35 square miles and a … [Read more...]

The Wild West Lives On!

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In July, I had the privilege of attending the Romance Writers of America national conference in San Antonio, TX. I came home with a suitcase full of new books, a brain full of great information, and a camera full of pictures. This was the first time my hubby tagged along for the ride at one of these conferences, so he and I had a lot of fun exploring in the evenings. The River Walk was gorgeous, … [Read more...]

Diagnoses, Driving, and Dads

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You might remember that I was in Atlanta with my dad when I posted a month ago, and I'm back here again. I've been with Dad and Esta for about week now, staying with them as Dad's been struggling with continuing nausea and sickness following a stroke and subsequent gallbladder surgery. Dad had an upper GI last Thursday, and the doctor called us Friday saying the results were in but that she … [Read more...]

Summer

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It’s August already. I can’t believe how quickly this summer has flown past! I’ve only begun to enjoy all of my favorite things about this season—and I do love summer. In fact, I love all four seasons. With only two exceptions, I’ve lived most of my life in places where the four seasons were evenly spaced with three full months to enjoy each one—the cool, daffodil days of spring; the hot, … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Melody Carlson

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares with our readers a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Prolific author Melody Carlson and her husband, Chris, are in the process of packing up for a move, but while we wait for garden photos of their new home, here's a last view of their cozy cabin-style home in the beautiful Cascade Mountain … [Read more...]

Leaving a Legacy

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Last weekend my family packed into our little mini-van and drove eight hours to visit my grandma in Iowa and celebrate her 95th birthday. Let me tell you, it's not easy scrunching eight of us (including my mom) along with all our bags and backpacks into our van, especially because I have three growing teens. I heard plenty of "You're taking up all the room" and "It's hot back here" and "When is … [Read more...]

The Power of Nature (Guest Blogger, Sara E. Ladd)

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Is there anything more intriguing that nature? As a writer, I find inspiration all around me: A thunderstorm’s electric energy and brooding skies. The crispness of a cool autumn breeze. A new-fallen snow’s quiet stillness. The delicate fragrance of spring’s first blooms. I live in the Midwest, and this summer has been one of the most pleasant I can recall.  The temperatures have been mild, … [Read more...]

Cover Candy (Guest Blogger, Laura Frantz)

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When prepping this post, I debated whether to title it “cover love” or "cover candy” and the candy factor won out. A good cover really should be as delightful as a big box of chocolates! It should “pop” in industry lingo. Cover art is my favorite part of publishing. When that much-anticipated cover file arrives in my inbox for the first time, I always say a prayer before I open it, hoping for the … [Read more...]

A Writer’s Passion (Guest Blogger, DiAnn Mills)

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How can a writer expect readers to be excited about a novel unless the writer feels the same passion? Does enthusiasm for story mean having passion for every word? Absolutely! Every grueling step of the process must be met with a committed spirit. Passion for Firewall kept me spellbound, as though the world around me had stopped while I wrote the novel. Research captured me with intrigue and … [Read more...]

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