Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Death By Details

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While creating a novel, a writer (and eventually her editors) go through many stages. From early brainstorming on plot and characters, to research, to proposing the premise, to writing a first draft, to gaining feedback from trusted early readers, to revisions, and then onward to the editorial process. I admit I enjoy certain phases more than others. I like dreaming up situations to put my … [Read more...]

♫♪ And There Was Music ♫♪

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Let me first admit that I took piano lessons for three years as a kid and I hardly EVER practiced. I played by ear, so whenever I sat down at the piano bench, I was much more interested in working out my own version of the latest pop song than practicing. My poor music teacher did manage to teach me a couple of songs, including the one in the video at the end of this post, but when I realized that … [Read more...]

Seven European Road Trip Favorites

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Our family recently returned from a two-week-long road trip to Europe in celebration of our oldest daughter's graduation from college and our 30th wedding anniversary. Here are my favorites from the trip, in the order in which we experienced them... 1. Nostalgic Frankfurt, Germany We began our trip in Frankfurt, Germany where I lived with my family when I was 9-13 years old. I'd never … [Read more...]

The Challenge of Comparison

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One of the things I've been piloting in my day job is a program for graduating senior women to help them with the transition from college student to first job and the first six months. This week we met for our first Zoom session post graduation. Beyond it being wonderful to see these young women who I've invested so much time into -- a true joy! -- it was fun to listen to our guest speaker give … [Read more...]

Mom and Dad’s 60th Anniversary

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Next week, my parents will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, and we’ve pulled out all the stops to honor this achievement!  This past Saturday, the whole family (minus three grandchildren out of town) gathered in a suite at the Texas Rangers’ game. For all 51 years the Texas Rangers have been a club, our family has been a fan. We have spent many happy days at games throughout … [Read more...]

Focus on the Family Launches Fiction Titles

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Seeing my book pictured alongside Angie's and Chris's books makes me smile big time. But to know they'll all release together on November 7 as part of a new fiction launch with Focus on the Family/Tyndale is especially exciting. The following was recently featured in Publisher's Weekly... "Focus on the Family has announced that it will publish fiction for the first time under the Focus … [Read more...]

I don’t have a bucket list–

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I have a to-do list. I was with some folks the other night--don't even remember where--and someone mentioned a bucket list. I started thinking . . . I don't really have one. There are things I might like to do (like spend a week on a dude ranch or visit Rome), but I'm not dying to do those things. So I wouldn't say they're on a bucket list. Instead I have a to-do list, things I'd like to do … [Read more...]

Since we last met…

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Soon after writing my last post, the revisions for my biblical novel about the Queen of Sheba arrived in my inbox. To my delight, the editors love the book. That doesn't mean there wasn't work for me to do, but it is always a relief to get a thumbs-up from editors. I'm still working through the manuscript, making changes and polishing, but I'm on schedule which also feels good. I'm waiting to … [Read more...]

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