Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Day in the Life of a Best-Selling Author

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  How do you picture the day of a best-selling author? Sitting in a beautiful setting, sipping tea, reading classic literature, and penning prose? Or perhaps having time to sit and ponder major plot complexities. Or maybe ... just breathing life to words on this page this way. In real life this was my day: 7:45 a.m. woke up and realized I slept in and my three little … [Read more...]

Signs of Spring

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Last Thursday, April 9th, it snowed a few inches here in Minnesota. I was so thrilled, that I wrote a little song about it: "Oh, the weather outside is frightful Snow in April is NOT delightful But it’s better than 40 below So let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...." The next day, my family and I did the only logical thing—we drove to a state even colder than ours—North Dakota. It was … [Read more...]

Another Fun Book Cover Story

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Some of my favorite posts here on Inspired by Life...and Fiction have been those telling how our book covers came to be. I've loved seeing the photo shoots, the model makeovers, dressmaking, settings...the whole thing! Seeing a final book cover has to be one of the most exciting moments in the life process of any book. I got a peek at the new cover for the Dutch edition of my second Chicory Inn … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|DiAnn Mills

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. DiAnn Mills is the author of more than fifty-five books. Her titles have appeared on bestseller lists and won numerous awards, including the Christy Award. A founding member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she speaks and teaches writing … [Read more...]

The Making of a Book Cover

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Jennifer Parker, the graphic designer who has designed all four of the covers for my Bethany House novels, is a very gracious person.  I may have a bit of a frustrated graphic designer within me because I always ask Jennifer inquisitive questions about my covers.  She always answers them with great patience.  She sends me 'behind the scenes scoop' on the creation of my covers.  And I send her … [Read more...]

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