He wasn’t supposed to be a major character. I pictured him sweet. Kind. The sidekick best guy friend who showed up to save the day now and then. Because everyone needs a sidekick best friend to save you from yourself, right? But the first thing Joel Hudson did was kick off an inciting event in Continue Reading
Blog
How a Dear Friend Inspired an Interesting Minor Character
I met her on a homeschool message board—one of those old-school things where great long multi-nested threads went on and on about everything from math curricula to that oh, so annoying, “But what about socialization?” question. She was a quiltmaker. So was I. She loved dressmaking. So did I. Continue Reading
How One Fluffy Read Betrayed Me & Why I’m Thrilled
The post promised a great historical read—FREE through Tuesday, August 14. Well, the last time Smitten Romance informed me (through a friend) that I’d love this “great historical book,” I’d found myself lost among the pages of Among the Poppies. So, I dashed off to Amazon. Then I saw it. Free for Continue Reading
When a Unique Premise Really Is Enough
A sign greeted us as we entered, but not just any sign. This four-foot silver-framed blackboard hinted at the amazingness within. It makes sense, actually, because it was the launch party for the Kingdom of Ruins, and we were about to enter “the lands within.” Author D.C. Marino knows how to Continue Reading
What Do You Do When You Release 2 Books on the Same Day?
Confession. This post was supposed to say something like “two months in a row.” And that would have been back in April! Then it became, “In the same week.” Yesterday, I thought it would be “Two Days in a row.” But no. Never to do things the ordinary way, I would be the one who just happened to Continue Reading
What I Loved about These Books & How I Fail at Specials
The place? Facebook—Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. The thread? Got no clue. I can’t remember what the thread was about anymore. But something about it caught my attention, and I began scrolling through the pictures posted by readers who wanted to share their suggestion. Or, maybe it was one Continue Reading
What Happens When I Interview One of the Prairie Characters?
“How did you get the idea for the Journey of Dreams series?” It wasn’t the first time I’d ever been asked the question. As usual, I launched into a description of the recurring dream that had prompted me to write Prairie. I told about hearing the “Theme from a Summer Place” over and over in my Continue Reading
What I Loved about Running and What I Hated
He joined our group as if he’d been there forever. Laughing, joking. The two of us were the disruptive influence that night. That probably shocks everyone… that I could be a disruptive influence, I mean. I love fun repartee. Dave knows how to do it and do it well. So, when he asked on the Continue Reading
What Characters Do I Love to Write Most & Why?
The question didn’t surprise me. People ask all kinds of things. Where you get your ideas, what your favorite genre to write is, what your favorite genre to read is… So asking what kind of character is my favorite to write seemed reasonable enough. “Kids, I think.” That earned me a blank look Continue Reading
Wanted: Readers Who Love the Agency Files & Will Help Me!
About six months ago, I got an email. I can’t recall the exact wording, but it went something like this. Hey! I just finished A Forgotten Truth, and at the end, it said there’d be book five in 2016. But I can’t find it. Can you tell me the title?” I fired back an apologetic reply assuring him Continue Reading
Another Way I Was Surprised at the SoCalCWConference
I already told you how God slapped me upside the head and taught me how to lay down my preferences and focus on Him in worship at the SoCalCWConference HERE. But that wasn’t the only way I was surprised. Amid all the hubbub, the people asking for help with this, offering encouragement for Continue Reading
3 Reasons I Have Nothing but High Praise for This Book
“Mom… there’s this guy at church. His name is Kevin HAVOC!!! Can you believe it? His poor wife.” “Mom! Remember Kevin Havoc? The quiet, shy guy at church? Guess what his nickname is? Mayhem! Isn’t that like calling a giant of a dude, ‘tiny?’” The day eventually came. “Hey, Mom. Kevin Havoc? Continue Reading
