Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Bulletin Bloopers

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Does your church still print a bulletin? Even if they don't, I hope this collection of actual bulletin bloopers will brighten your day! The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and … [Read more...]

Sacrifice

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According to Dictionary.com the definition of SACRIFICE is: To surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else. I love that definition. It means letting go of (surrendering) our own plans, ambitions, or desires, for the sake of someone else. Essentially it means dying to ourselves. After writing over forty books, I've realized that SACRIFICE ends up … [Read more...]

Important dates in the life of an author

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There are many important moments in an author's life, often interspersed with long moments of drudgery in between: The moment lightening strikes and you get that idea for a story that you can't walk away from. The one where the chracters start talking to you. The ideas start flowing. It's magic!Then there's the drudgery of building out a proposal that sells the idea to a publisher. Some people … [Read more...]

You Might Be A Reader If….

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Hi friends, Happy Wednesday! Reading brings such joy to life. It transports us to faraway places and worlds. It takes us on emotional journeys. We laugh. We weep. We are moved by stories. But all stories need readers. They are the heart of why writers pen novels. Without readers, our stories would remain ours alone. Today I thought it would be fun to share some ‘you might be a reader if…’ I’d … [Read more...]

For the Love of an English Garden

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Springtime seems to finally be making its presence known in Minnesota, where winter likes to hold on with icy talons for as long as possible. Despite its best efforts and a lingering chance of snow, my crocuses have pushed forth their heads and the grass is beginning to green. I find myself perusing seed catalogs, visiting greenhouses, and waiting anxiously for the return of hummingbirds. One … [Read more...]

A Nest of Sparrows (and a free e-book!)

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My novel A Nest of Sparrows is free today in ebook format. Of the forty-plus books I've written, this one is my favorite of all time. I don't think I could say that about any of my books until I'd written at least a dozen or so. And interestingly enough, A Nest of Sparrows is the hardest book I've ever written, mostly because of the research involved—and the fact that I turned the book in at a … [Read more...]

Write a Romantic Story in 6 Words!

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I use a lot of words when writing my romantic stories. Of my novels only one, My Stubborn Heart, is shorter than one hundred thousand words. And some (Turn to Me and Her One and Only) are over one hundred and twenty thousand. But can a romantic story be written in just a handful of words? I gave the readers in my Cheer Squad Facebook group this challenge.... Here are some of their … [Read more...]

An Excuse to Smile

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I love to laugh. It's such a great stress-reliever. Sharing laughter bonds people and creates lasting memories. Laughing minimizes pain and brings sunshine into dark corners. It's one of the reasons I incorporate humor in my stories. I want to give others a reason to smile, to lighten their burdens, and encourage their spirits. One of my life verses is Proverbs 17:22. So, with the hope of … [Read more...]

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