Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Which Comes First? Character or Setting?

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In days, I'll be officially starting writing on two novellas I need to start, draft, and complete before the end of June. Fortunately, each is only 30,000 words, but at the moment I haven't written that many words since last summer. But the spring semester ends for my on Friday, and it's time to shift my focus to writing. The exciting part is that I get to create these two stories as parts of … [Read more...]

What My Dog Taught Me About the Writing Life

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Hi friends and happy Wednesday. I'm super excited to introduce my friend Kelly Goshorn. Kelly is a super gifted writer and I'm honored to have her guest posting on the blog today. She's written a wonderful post. Hope you enjoy, and be sure to comment to be entered to win her beautiful debut novel. What My Dog Taught Me About the Writing Life by Kelly Goshornby Levi Goshornby Kelly & Levi … [Read more...]

Historical Research Love

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My editors are busy working away on The Sisters of Sea View (Book One in my new series, On Devonshire Shores, which releases Dec 2022). So now, I am beginning one of my favorite phases of starting a new novel: the initial research phase. As I plan out the details for Book Two, I am searching out what I can online or in books I already own, and am ordering additional books (often used/out of print … [Read more...]

A Trip Home to Kansas

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Yes, Missouri is home for us now, but I was a Kansan from the time I was five months old until Ken and I moved to Missouri two and a half years ago. My dad and brother and sisters still live in Kansas, along with many beloved friends, so when we go back to Kansas, it still—and always—feels like going home. I grew up on a farm in Rice County, a farmer's daughter. I still wear that label … [Read more...]

Cover Model Interview

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Today I bring you one of my favorite posts of the year! Once again, my cover models kindly took time to answer a few questions for me. And once again they're a real-life couple. Bethany House employees told me that Bryant and Ellie were a delight to work with on Turn to Me's shoot and that staffers were swooning over the romance of their photos (as did I when I saw their cover). Thanks so … [Read more...]

The Woman Who Put Books on Wheels

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I love stories about women in history who accomplished amazing things by holding tight to their passion and showing fortitude in the face of adversity. Even better if they are fellow book-lovers. Mary Titcomb was just such a woman. Mary was born in 1852 into a family who valued education. She graduated from Robinson Female Seminary and set her mind to put her education to use. She discovered … [Read more...]

Two Re-Releases!

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This spring I worked hard to get my second and third novels up for purchase under my real name. I’m happy to say that both At Every Turn and A Home for My Heart are now available! And I have a book trailer for each one!  At Every Turn Caught up in a whirlwind of religious fervor over a missionary project in Africa, Alyce Benson impetuously pledges three thousand dollars toward the work. … [Read more...]

Deb Raney + Garage Sale + $5 = ???

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So a while ago, I gave Deb Raney $5 and asked her to buy me something the next time she and Ken went garage sale-ing. She always comes back with the neatest finds. If you don't already follow Deb's garage sale posts on her Facebook Page, you need to! She finds the best stuff. For example... I love what she did with that pot. So pretty. She's just so stinkin' creative. So...what … [Read more...]

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