Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Books from My Childhood

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Do you need a guaranteed smile today? Just think back to your favorite children's books. There is something about remembering the utter delight of being a child diving into a favorite picture book that never fails to lighten my heart. Even at the ripe old age of 51 (Yikes! How did I get to be so old?), I can still vividly recall some of the picture books I fell in love with as a child. Not … [Read more...]

My Advice to New Writers

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Recently, a woman who's writing her first manuscript reached out to me. She was feeling discouraged because she heard experienced writers talking about how many manuscripts they wrote before penning one that was strong enough to publish. She asked me for my thoughts. I'm sharing here what I shared with her, in case it's helpful to aspiring writers or insightful to readers who enjoy learning about … [Read more...]

Life Changes, Storyfest, a Podcast, & a Giveaway

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As I write this, we're in the final push to my daughter's wedding in a week. Can I be honest? I am so thrilled for her and her fiance...we've known him and his family for years. His parents are even some of our best friends, but I'm still a bit in denial. How is my first born old enough to get married? And by extention...how am I old enough to have a child who is getting married? I often joke that … [Read more...]

Unexpected Gifts

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Hi friends,  I'm excited to introduce today's guest blogger, Traci Abramson. She's sharing about the friendships we make along our writing journey, and I'm blessed to have met her on my own. I know you'll enjoy her post today! And, be sure to comment to be entered in the giveaway.  I’m often asked what I consider to be the best part of being an author. The answer has been the … [Read more...]

How Many Hours A Day Do Writers Write?

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Today I thought I’d address one of the common questions authors receive: “How many hours a day do you write?” What do you think? Do authors spend eight hours a day writing as in most other professions? Or do they stay up all night burning the midnight oil? Or do they sit down and dash off chapters in no time flat? Before you read the following answers, make a guess in your own mind, or share in … [Read more...]

An Anniversary Trip

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As you read this, we are headed out on a little trip in our trusty 1998 Chinook camper. We're celebrating our anniversary (a few days late) with a few days of camping in beautiful Tennessee. Now that we've had the Chinook for a year and a half, we've outfitted it with most everything we need. We've found an extra toaster, pots and pans, mugs, etc. at garage sales, and these stay in the camper … [Read more...]

A Busy Life … and I love it!

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Recently a friend and I were commiserating about our crazy fall schedules. And this autumn seems especially busy-busy-busy to me. I’ve got lots of friends and family who have retired or are planning to retire soon. While I am certainly old enough to retire, that word doesn’t seem to be in my vocabulary. And I’m good with that. I'm loving my full life. Writing My fall writing schedule … [Read more...]

Favorite Tropes

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There are certain plots that readers love. Those common plots are known as tropes. While we writers don’t always use tropes in our stories, sometimes we do use a trope, or four. Yes, in my latest release, ENFLAMED, which released on Tuesday, I used four tropes. Somehow the book ended up with these: Friends to Lovers. Sir Espen has always kept Lady Sylvi at arm’s length all throughout their … [Read more...]

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