Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

The Story Behind the Story, What I’m Reading, and Giveaway

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Here in Indiana the leaves are beginning to turn signaling fall is on the way, but if you've been to a bookstore lately, you may have noticed the Christmas collections are releasing. Last week my novella Beauty Bright in the We Three Kings Christmas novella collection released. It's been so fun to read early reactions to this collection. I shared the Story Behind the Story on Book Talk with Cara. … [Read more...]

The Hard Sting of Adversity

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Hi friends and happy Wednesday!  Today I’m writing on a hard topic. Well, at least it’s a hard one for me. Adversity comes in so many areas of life. At times, it feels non-stop. Not just in my own life, but in that of some dear friends and fellow authors. Those I know well and others I’ve only met a few times, but my heart aches for their losses. For the adversity they face.  I looked … [Read more...]

Why I Write What I Write . . . .

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On one of the questions I am most often asked is, "Why do you write books set in England?" And considering I am from the midwestern U.S., it is an understandable question! I truly think what we read as young people has a profound and lifelong effect. When I am asked, "Why is a midwestern girl writing about England?" the answer comes back to the books I read at a young age: The Secret Garden … [Read more...]

The Dream of a Lifetime

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Ken and I have been living out the dream of a lifetime these past two weeks—our first time to travel overseas! We spent three glorious days in Paris, then traveled through the United Kingdom—England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. It has been everything I could have ever hoped for—made all the more fun because we are traveling with Ken's brothers and sister and their spouses. (I'll share more about … [Read more...]

Three Lucky Dresses

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I don't often have reasons to wear fancy dresses. As a writer, I work from home and my daily "uniform" is comprised of yoga pants and exercise tops. His Highness and I are much more likely to spend Saturday night on a date at a local restaurant than attending a formal event. That said, I do love dressing in fancy dresses now and then. Author awards galas have given me my best opportunity to do … [Read more...]

Fun with Character Names

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One of my favorite things about being an author is getting to select the names of my characters. I only had three babies of my own, but there are so many other wonderful names out there to choose from! Besides, I love to play with names. Fit their meaning to my characters or even create plays on words. For example, my teacher heroine in Head in the Clouds is Adealide Proctor - Proctor being a … [Read more...]

The Details of the Story

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Hey y'all! D'Ann here. My husband and I are on a much-needed vacation. I'll tell you more about it in October. Today I'd love to introduce you to my dear friend Carrie Stephens. I'm so looking forward to reading this book she wrote with her husband. Now here's Carrie: Two years ago, I convinced my husband to write a book with me based on a sermon series he preached seven years ago. Morgan … [Read more...]

Trips near and far

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Do you love the beach? I do, but not for laying out and baking. God did not gift me with the skin tone for that. Can you say burn and peel? But this past weekend, my daughter Kels and daughter-in-law Kellie—and LEO!—went to the beach. Kellie has skin that turns a deep golden brown (bless her!), so she while she laid out, Kels, Leo, and I joined her under a cabana one day, then the three of us … [Read more...]

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