One of the best things about joining a "local" (I drive 3 hours to get there so not super local) ACFW chapter is that you get to meet some amazing people. We're all crazy different--appearance, lifestyle, career, writing genre, and I suspect theologically as well. There's Michelle the creative Continue Reading
The Birth of a Born Sleuth
Have you ever wondered how famous detectives such as Jane Marple or Lord Peter Wimsey discovered their penchant for sleuthing? What makes a good sleuth? How does one go from "average Jane" to Patrick Jayne? (note: I linked to my favorite film versions of these sleuths... just because I love them Continue Reading
That’s it. I’m not writing another word!
I'm just done. I mean, what's the point? I'm sitting here at Denny's, laptop open, outline book ready to go, notes in the document, and the Scrivener project open and ready to use. I'm telling you, it should be perfect. But it's not. And so, I'll say it again. I'm not writing another Continue Reading
Unlikely Inspirations: Or how writers fake it.
Inspiration: Oh, you thought writers are geniuses who write with creative inspirations and know exactly what they are doing? You read "unlikely inspirations" and think, "What?" Yeah. Let me tell you. I never know what will inspire me. And yeah, I fake it. A lot. For example, the other Continue Reading
Books for 2016: It’s gonna be a prolific year
What do I mean about it being a "prolific year?" Some would say I am always prolific. And well, I am. But last year I had a goal--twelve books in twelve months. And really, if you consider HearthLand, I almost made it. So that was cool. I had a prolific year, but not to the extent I'd Continue Reading
You Know How Mom Always Said, “Life’s Not Fair?”
Mom was right. Life's not fair. One of the best and worst parts of being an author is how many people bring you their work and say, "Can you tell me what you think?" I'll be brutally honest. I hate it. I want so badly to stick my fingers in my ears and sing "How Great Thou Art" and hope they Continue Reading
Fowl Tears: or how the world changed when a bird died
"Stephen's hurt. Going to the ER. Gotta go." Click. Three super-short sentences that changed a family's life--our family's life. Our world changed that day. Of course, at the time, if you asked Stephen what happened, he'd say, "A bird died." A raven. Just one or the grouping name Continue Reading
Lessons on the Armor of God: A Devotional
So the other night, Luke was studying the Word, trying to see how he, as a husband, needed to "live in an understanding way" with a miserable, pregnant wife. But things took an unexpected turn, and this happened. So what does the armor of God have to do with being a good husband? Continue Reading
4 Reasons NOT to Have a Large Family (# 3 is the kicker)
In case you hadn't heard, we have nine children. Nine. Count 'em 1, 2, 3... yeah. Nine. Additionally, we have five grandchildren (and that's just #1Daughter's contribution). A large family is a blessing and... well... yeah. It's a blessing. Let's go with that one. And although all but one of Continue Reading
Why This New Series Is Destined to Be a Favorite
"These red roads are so peculiar!" Those words are some of the first I remember from the delightful Anne Shirley. Until I read about the red-headed orphan, I'd never heard of Prince Edward Island. I didn't know about the old-fashioned notion of "romantic" that meant more than hearts and Continue Reading
Productivity from a Booth
The sound of an airplane pierces through slumber. Eyes open. Head snaps up. Whiplash first from the aforementioned snapping, then from getting tossed aside by said airplane. Note: It really isn't an airplane. It's just a fan with a motor that sounds like a single-engine plane and a blade the Continue Reading
Taking Thoughts Captive = Spiritual Warfare?
I was writing in Ante Up! last month and looked up the reference for "taking every thought captive..." Can I just say, whoa? I always think of that Scripture in light of fixing my mind on Jesus. Not letting my thoughts run away with me. Not lying to myself. Controlling where my thoughts go and Continue Reading
