Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Grace Changes Everything with Pepper Basham

By

I'm so delighted to welcome Pepper Basham today. I just finished reading her marvelous book, The Mistletoe Countess, and I was so captivated by her delightful heroine, that this book has climbed to the top of my list for Best Reads of 2021. Such a fun story! The heroine is a sun-shiny book nerd and absolutely adorable. This story has is all: whimsy, humor, mystery, and lots of romance. All at … [Read more...]

6 Things I Tell Myself Once I’m Done Writing a Book

By

I just finished writing my last novel of 2021. I always feel like breaking into the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah after typing the last word of a book. However, as usual, right on the heels of my relief comes a burst of anxiety. I start second-guessing the plot, characters, and a hundred other issues. And then I wonder if I should just throw the whole thing in the trash. Over the … [Read more...]

Done!

By

Yesterday afternoon I sent my book off to my editor, so I did a happy dance! I have to say, I’m both exhausted and pretty proud of myself! After all, I haven’t written on a deadline in 8 years, so I was a bit rusty as far as rhythm goes. But I managed to get back into the groove. This was also a much shorter timeline than I’ve ever written on before, which was both a challenge to meet and a … [Read more...]

Guest blogger–Erica Vetsch

By

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...]

What Do You Love About Series?

By

Not long ago, in my Facebook group, The Posse, a reader asked me this question: "When do you begin planning a new series? What is that process like?" Unlike some authors who have a constant fount of ideas bubbling through their creative centers, I tend to have tunnel vision. I focus on one idea at a time. So I always feel a bit anxious when a current series is coming to a close and I'm faced … [Read more...]

Recent Posts