Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

New Carnton Novels video!

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Two weeks ago, I shared that HarperCollins and I filmed some video vignettes for the Carnton series on location at Carnton in Franklin, Tennessee. We had such fun! Here's the first of those videos! I'll share the other videos once they're edited and ready—and would love to hear your thoughts on this one! I love making these videos for several reasons. I enjoy sharing real history. And … [Read more...]

Family readers (and a Cyber Monday deal)

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My family members were some of my earliest critics, reading my manuscript before I ever even tried to get published. Ken, the world's most supportive husband, first read the prologue of the manuscript that would become my first novel, A Vow to Cherish, and deeply encouraged me. I'm not sure I would have continued without his affirming words. But he gave me the courage with his words: "This is … [Read more...]

A Few Goals for 2018

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The first month of the new year is awfully close to being over already. Amazing, isn't it? But it isn't too late for me to share a few of my goals for this year. So here goes: Read Through the New Testament Three Times In 1997, I began the practice of reading through the entire Bible in odd-numbered years and reading through the New Testament multiple times in even-numbered years. Last year I … [Read more...]

One Essential Way to Boost Productivity

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Last year I hit a new record. I wrote five full-length novels. Three of the five were YA (Young Adult) books which are slightly shorter in length (and require less research) than my adult historicals. However, five is quite the accomplishment for me considering my busy schedule with five children and homeschooling. I’m often asked, “How do you do it?” I never have a perfect answer. Mostly … [Read more...]

Deadlines are my life lines and other musings

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Hello! I'm a bit giddy since I just hit SEND on two big projects for two different publishers. For some strange reason that I have not figured out, I usually work on more than one manuscript at a time. This is fun and scary and somewhere mid-through I stop and have a mini-panic attack and think "I will never make these deadlines". But I always do, somehow. Chocolate helps. Caffeine definitely … [Read more...]

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