Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

The camera doesn’t lie. (Or does it?)

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I had to shoot some video recently for promoting my new novel series and after I'd gone to the trouble of setting up the flood lights and getting the window blinds just-so to capture the best sunlight in my office, then rearranging things so no plants or coffee mugs were growing out of my head, my husband suggested that he may as well shoot some new headshots for me while I was all dressed up with … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Jamie Carie

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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. Born and raised in Vincennes, Indiana, Jamie Carie began writing as a young girl. Many poems, short stories, and song lyrics later, she grew up and married, and when her eldest son turned five she decided to try her hand at novels. Her … [Read more...]

Fiction Inspired by Real Life Love

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It's a treat to introduce you to my author friend, Hillary Manton Lodge, who is guest-blogging at Inspired by Life..and Fiction today.  Her latest novel, A Table by the Window, has garnered rave reviews.  Here's just a sampling of what readers are saying: "Sumptuous women's fiction with a foodie twist," and, "I love reading books about travel, food, and romance. This book was all of that and … [Read more...]

A Weekend to Remember

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I often talk about how writing is a hard career for an extrovert. So often my writing is done in front of a computer and I wait for electronic feedback from my agent, editors, friends, readers. It can feel solitary because the face to face contact usually comes once a year at ACFW. This past weekend, my daughter and I changed that dynamic. We put over 600 miles on the car as we drove around … [Read more...]

Brainstorming, Here I Come

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I’m so excited. Today is the day I depart for my brainstorming retreat. This is the 12th annual retreat for this special group of writers. I’ve shared photos in the past and no doubt will share photos again, although I may not be first. Tamera and Tricia are also part of this “Plot, Play, & Pray Retreat.” Whenever I’m asked what is my favorite part of writing, my answer is “Brainstorming!” … [Read more...]

Happy Places

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This past week, my sons were both at camp, so my husband planned a getaway for just the two of us. I believe it is the first trip he has planned since our honeymoon. He was enthusiastic about the itinerary and teased me with hints of a few secrets in store for me. (P.S. I really dislike secrets.)  We stuffed the car with our stuff (including a camp stove and sleeping bag for one night at a … [Read more...]

Dexter

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This is Dexter, a rescue-cat. He was found wandering the streets of Chicago and brought to the Red Door Animal Shelter where my daughter, Maya, sometimes volunteers as a foster parent for stray cats. We call her the “Cat Whisperer” for her ability to calm and tame strays like Dexter—and he needed a lot of taming. Big, boisterous and street-smart, Dexter didn’t get along with the other cats and … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Candace Calvert

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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. Former ER nurse Candace Calvert gives readers a chance to “scrub in” on the exciting world of emergency medicine with her Grace Medical Series — an encouraging prescription for hope. She’s always found peaceful joy in gardening … [Read more...]

The Myths & Realities of Being a Published Author

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Most writers start off naïve to the realities of publication. I suppose in some ways the ignorance is a good thing. If I’d known years ago what I know today, I might not have jumped in the publication waters with as much vigor or determination. Writers only have to begin swimming to the opposite shore before we realize the distance is much longer and harder than we’d planned. Unforeseen … [Read more...]

Inspiration To Keep On Keeping On

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Writing is work. Sure, we authors like to pretend it's just a bunch of daydreaming and story crafting, but in truth, some days I feel like I have more in common with a dentist pulling teeth than an artist floating high on the creativity clouds. Stories can bog down. Characters can become uncooperative. Real life can steal time and energy away when deadlines loom. So how do we keep on keeping … [Read more...]

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