Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Writerly Gratitude

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Hi friends, Happy Wednesday! I always look forward to spending today with you! Thanks so much for dropping by. It’s the season of thankfulness and gratitude, but instead of doing a ‘traditional’ list of what I’m grateful for, I thought it would be fun to share some things I’m thankful for as a writer. I will give a disclaimer. Several of these pictures were taken many years, wrinkles and pounds … [Read more...]

The Mystery of Mysteries

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My 18th novel, Shadows of Swanford Abbey has begun releasing into the world. (Official release date is 12/7, but some pre-orders are already being delivered.) Release time is always exciting, as well as nerve-wracking, as we authors wait to see how a new book will be received. My publisher describes the novel as “Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen,” which I have to say I love since I greatly … [Read more...]

Is it too early?

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When you're a person who almost always takes down your Christmas decorations on December 26, you like to put them up early. I know some people prefer not to hear anything about Christmas until at least Thanksgiving is past, so if that's you, just click away from this post now. 😉 I actually put the Christmas tree up about a week ago, but last night I found a whole box of ornaments and other … [Read more...]

Welcome, Angela Hunt

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Readers were already told in Lynn Austin's parting blog post that Angela Hunt is joining the family of bloggers here on Inspired by Life and Fiction. But this is our official welcome and introduction. You can read Angela's bio by visiting her author page, but I wanted to share something a little more personal. Before I met Angela, I read one of her early novels as a judge in a contest. … [Read more...]

How Far Will You Read Before Giving Up on a Book?

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One of my daughters got a book in the mail and squealed with excitement over the new book. Sadly, once she started reading the new squeal-worthy book, it fell into the book graveyard. It had a gorgeous, captivating cover. A catchy title. An interesting blurb. And it promised to be a fun, light read.So why did it die and get buried?After she read the first chapter, I asked her how she liked it. … [Read more...]

A Sale, a Giveaway, & an Extravaganza

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Do you enjoy giving books as Christmas gifts? I do. My daughter and husband usually end up with books beneath the tree. My boys are not really book people, so they get computer gear instead. This year, several extended family members will be receiving books as well. I couldn't resist. As much as I enjoy giving books, I am a hard person to buy books for, because I tend to be really picky. My … [Read more...]

Guest blogger–Erica Vetsch

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Hey, y'all! D'Ann here. I'm 2 weeks from my book deadline and a week from Christmas/Thanksgiving with all my kids, so meet the lovely Erica Vetsch! (Her books are great, by the way.) “You have to follow your own voice. You have to be yourself when you write. In effect, you have to announce, ‘This is me, this is what I stand for, this is what you get when you read me. I’m doing the best I … [Read more...]

Life in pictures

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Do you take a lot of pictures? I do. I save a ton of pictures sent to me too. Aren't we grateful we live in a day and age where we have the ability to snap so many precious moments of life for safekeeping? Think about how much more we might have known about the past if our ancestors could have taken pictures of their lives so readily. So here we go... In no certain order, these are … [Read more...]

Can An Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

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My two little granddaughters were here for a visit recently, and I couldn’t help noticing how very different the two of them are. Three-year-old Ayla is not afraid to try new things. When no one was looking, she dashed up to the top of my library ladder like an experienced fireman. She should have been afraid! We have cathedral ceilings in our living room and the bookshelves and ladder go to the … [Read more...]

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