Life in the trenches—that’s what I called it, you know. In the trenches. Those days of waking up half an hour early, bleary-eyed, hoping for five minutes in the shower, five minutes alone with the Lord, and twenty minutes to make those two things happen. Hey, a girl has to be realistic, Continue Reading
General Information
Why Traveling Alone Is Awesome + My Top 5 Destinations
South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceana. Done. Have a great day! *crickets* Oh, all right. So, maybe that’s cheating. For the curious, I left out North America since I live here (despite it being vastly broader than I’ve explored) and Antarctica for obvious reasons. I love to travel—by Continue Reading
To Dream Impossible Dreams: My Greatest Desire
No, my name isn’t Susan Boyle. No, I will not start singing. Yes, I know that she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" instead of "The Impossible Dream." Work with me here. It’s the feel… the tone, right? Something? Okay, whatever. The point is, we all have dreams, right? Some dream of travel. That sounds Continue Reading
The Best and Worst Social Media Sites for Authors Like Me
To jump right to the nitty gritty of the best and worst social media sites, click HERE “So, last night, I killed the Doctor.” How do you respond to that? I didn’t know. My cursor blinked as I tried to think of what she could mean. After all, sweet Mary who is terrified of birds didn’t just go Continue Reading
Argosy Junction’s Unexpected Symbolism
What happens when "the rules" become more important than the people they're meant to help? Note: Links in this post may be affiliate links that provide a small commission at no extra expense to you. In Argosy Junction, a small group of like-minded families grows more unified of mind until Continue Reading
Torturing My Characters: One Inspiration at a Time
The sun has gone down.” My friend's disappointment shrouded the restaurant table. Now I can’t give you the koliva.” How do you respond to that? I don’t know. I just asked the obvious question. “Why?” The veil of dismay lifted. Her eyes lit up. And she began to explain. Note: Links in Continue Reading
A Helpful New Podcast: What happens When 3 Writers Get a Wild Hair
“I want to do a new podcast.” We blinked. I swear, Clark and I just blinked. Sometimes, I think we should have run. But we would have missed so much fun. Creating boxes to put microphones in to reduce feedback and echoes? Check! Not using them after all? Check, check! Having a cat Continue Reading
A Super Easy Way to Discover Your Greatest Weakness
"You have no personality. Please return and take the test again at another time." That was the result of a very intensive "career advice" personality quiz I once took. The thing wasn't some bogus Facebook quiz with ten questions that determined how you tick by asking if you like the picture of Continue Reading
How to Use Mind Games for Inspiration & Overcoming Weaknesses
Dishes piled in the sink, laundry piled on the couch, stuff piled everywhere else. I'd love to say it never happens. Oh, how I would. But, it does. Usually, in the last couple of weeks of a book, I get tunnel vision and everything kind of falls apart. And that's when it happens. Note: Continue Reading
How I Found My Greatest Strength
So what would you say is your greatest strength?” Pen tapping, eyes piercing through and reading my panicked, racing heart, I saw it. You know what I’m talking about. That moment when someone realizes you are a total fraud. It’s always worse when they know before you do. Um… I take orders really Continue Reading
How Murder Ruined My Mystery
Leon Czolgosz is my new nemesis. He’s dead, but he ruined my book. No, really. The guy totally destroyed the opening pages of Such a Tease. Now, these days, not a whole lot of people remember the name of Leon Czolgosz. I didn’t. But I’ll never forget him now (although I may never remember how to Continue Reading
So You Think Modern Life Is a New Concept?
Links in this post may be affiliate links, which provide me with a small commission at no extra expense for you. Modernity is relative. “Our grandmothers would turn in their graves, but after all, these are modern times.” I don’t know if that’s an exact quote or a paraphrase, but Ma Ingalls said Continue Reading
