Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Research Road Trip

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During the last weekend of January, I took a research trip to explore the setting of my current work in progress. Not only did I get to dig into the local history of Kingsland, TX, but three writing friends met up with there and turned the weekend into a writing retreat. So wonderful to be blessed by the fellowship of fellow writers and friends. Fellow IBLF blogger, Anne Mateer, was part of the … [Read more...]

Coming in July, Colors of Truth

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It's always a pretty good feeling (#majorunderstatement) when you finally get a book finished, edited, and submitted to your publisher. And when you get the final cover, too! That's where we are with my next release, Colors of Truth, the second full-length novel in The Carnton Novels Collection, releasing July 2020. Based on the real history of Carnton, an antebellum home that served as a … [Read more...]

At a Loss for Words

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Monday is coming and I have to write my regularly scheduled blog. The problem is, I’m all out of words. I have no more stories to tell. That’s because the deadline for my next novel is two weeks away. I’ve been writing it for a year, and it has turned out to be 130,000 words long. That’s a lot of words—which is why I’ve run out! The novel is finished but I’m spending the final month … [Read more...]

6 Ways to Keep Readers Up Past Their Bedtime

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One of my favorite compliments from readers is, "I stayed up really late reading your book." Story tellers would much rather have their books keep readers awake until unreasonable hours rather than having their books put readers to sleep. So how can writers make readers bright-eyed, excited, and turning the pages rather than bleary-eyed, yawning, and closing the book? Here are 6 ways to … [Read more...]

Goal Getting!

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Hi friends,  I so look forward to this time with you each month. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy day to spend some of it with me. I don’t know about you, but I’m a planner addict. Yes. There is such a thing, at least according to my family. Every season new planners come out and I spend weeks deciding which one I’ll pick. You may be asking why, and I don’t blame you. But … [Read more...]

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