A few years ago—more than fifteen years ago, to be exact—for the first time since I’d begun writing in 1994, my job as a novelist was beginning to be more than a part-time pursuit. I had several contracts to fulfill, and my calendar was filling up with speaking engagements. Our oldest son had his degree, but our middle son and daughter were in college in Missouri and Iowa, and our youngest … [Read more...]

When His Highness and I learned that Her One and Only had been nominated for a Christy Award, an Autumn trip to Nashville suddenly sounded to us like a great respite from our mom and dad duties getaway.     Several of us then changed into fancy dresses in a public restroom, chatting while we fixed our hair and make-up.  Conversations while applying make-up are, as a … [Read more...]