I remember everything my favorite music teacher taught me about music. Odd, though, I don’t remember her name or anything she told me about my own playing, but about music, I remember. I can hear her as if I’m still standing in her little studio, violin tucked under my chin, wrist hanging from the Continue Reading
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Why Do I Blog All the Time? My Top Reasons
While drunks demanded pancakes and bourbon chicken skillets, the woman slid my open planner toward her and skimmed the entries. Yes, she asked before she did, and I didn’t care. I mean, it’s just my editorial calendar—the books that are on sale, the upcoming releases, books I have to ship, social Continue Reading
Just What Is the Future of Christian Fiction?
With a disdainful look at the cover of an overly airbrushed young woman in plain dress and a white kappe, the woman shoves the book back on the bookstore shelf. “I used to like these, but they’re all the same, now.” “Try something with a little more action—like maybe Dee Henderson or Brandilyn Continue Reading
The First Just the Write 10 Best Novel Awards
“Who won the Christy Award?” “I don’t know, but did you hear who won the Carol Award?” “Nope—but I did hear that… oh, what’s his name. The guy who wrote that one about the cult living in a New York high rise? He won the Illumination Award!” “And my favorite author won the Christian Book Continue Reading
3 Reasons Why You’ll Love Lead a Merry Dance
April Hayman sat across from me at Denny’s, planning her next novella in The Christmas Lights Collection: Making Spirits Bright. “I think I’m going to make this year’s novella about Trip going on a cruise— a honeymoon cruise.” The words got my attention. I mean who doesn’t love the idea of a Continue Reading
Why I Wanted to Love Solve by Christmas More Than I Did
“Well, did you finish it?” How I didn’t want to answer the question. When I did, she’d ask if I liked it. But, I couldn’t exactly say no, and anything other than yes would be deception—a lie anyway. I just didn’t want to answer. “Chautona? Did you finish it?” I tried not to show my thoughts Continue Reading
What Do YOU Think I Should Do about My Serial Novels?
"How soon can you get Past Forward ready for publication?" Nothing strikes fear in my heart like Ashley asking me when I can get something done. You see, it usually means I need to do it yesterday, and it usually means a lot of work. It also usually means a lot of success. And it was. It's Continue Reading
What the Dickens Is So Merry about This Christmas Novel?
The book cover appeared in my newsfeed on several sites. Facebook. Instagram. Twitter. In a Facebook group, someone mentioned it. 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. As much as I love them, I don’t often buy Christmas books. I just write them. Weird, I know. But the minute I saw the cover, I knew I’d buy Continue Reading
So, What about Romance makes Annie Want to Run?
The synopsis glowed at me from my laptop. Reality TV star. Golden, glittering life crashing down around her. Running away. Finding an Amish inn. Meeting new friends. Unique, interesting. Of course, the title made me nervous—Runaway Romance. With a title like that, it’d have sap and mush… Continue Reading
What I Loved about The Heart of an Agent
My family were the Pinkertons—the detectives.” I’ll admit it. When my friend told me that, I just kind of nodded. I’d never heard of “the Pinkertons.” It took about two minutes and the help of Google to get a feel for what it was all about—a super-cool detective agency that worked more as Continue Reading
Why Write about Diabetic Alert Dogs in a Christmas Novel?
Today’s “noella” spotlight… Mine! The Second Noel. Note: links in this post may be affiliate links that provide a small commission at no extra expense to you. Why Write about Diabetic Alert Dogs in a Christmas Novel? The message came from a reader who had slowly but surely become a friend. You Continue Reading
Why Is Christmas My Absolute Favorite Time of Year?
I wrote this back in 2006 on my old blog. While some of the traditions have changed as our children have grown and moved from home, most of them stay the same. But this post has always reflected best what I love about Christmas, and I thought I'd share it. It was edited for typos, and I tried to Continue Reading
