Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Brainstorming, Here I Come

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I’m so excited. Today is the day I depart for my brainstorming retreat. This is the 12th annual retreat for this special group of writers. I’ve shared photos in the past and no doubt will share photos again, although I may not be first. Tamera and Tricia are also part of this “Plot, Play, & Pray Retreat.” Whenever I’m asked what is my favorite part of writing, my answer is “Brainstorming!” … [Read more...]

The Myths & Realities of Being a Published Author

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Most writers start off naïve to the realities of publication. I suppose in some ways the ignorance is a good thing. If I’d known years ago what I know today, I might not have jumped in the publication waters with as much vigor or determination. Writers only have to begin swimming to the opposite shore before we realize the distance is much longer and harder than we’d planned. Unforeseen … [Read more...]

Inspiration To Keep On Keeping On

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Writing is work. Sure, we authors like to pretend it's just a bunch of daydreaming and story crafting, but in truth, some days I feel like I have more in common with a dentist pulling teeth than an artist floating high on the creativity clouds. Stories can bog down. Characters can become uncooperative. Real life can steal time and energy away when deadlines loom. So how do we keep on keeping … [Read more...]

A writer’s aches and pains

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Like anyone in a profession that requires one to sit for long periods of time, I occasionally get a stiff neck or back. And I once suffered from wrist tendonitis for six months during a time when I was on deadline (excruciating!) But other than that, in more than twenty years of being a professional writer, I've rarely had any of the usual physical aches and pains that often plague writers. I'm … [Read more...]

Looking Back: God’s Miracles in my Writing

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I love #ThrowbackThursdays on Facebook. I love looking at photos of big hair and bell bottoms. I love noting changes in my friends and in my kids. (They were such cute babies!) Likewise, I enjoy taking time to look back and see how my writing has changed. More than that, I like to replay how God showed up, meeting me as I worked. When I was researching for my novel, Arms of Deliverance, one of … [Read more...]

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