For writers, there’s nothing quite as thrilling as breathing life and love into our characters and stories. Our hearts beat for those creative moments when fact meets fiction in bold, new worlds. We’re eager to get words on the page and begin our journey. From the first moment I envisioned the sleepy, little town of Ruby, Missouri, ideas flowed. The …
Success… Is It Too Late?
There comes a point in life, maybe during a career crisis or a season of self-reflection, our confidence dips. Our belief wilts. Is it too late? Has my chance already come and gone? Has the moment of opportunity slipped past, despite my desire to move forward? For the baby boomer generation, advancing years are a reality. There’s no denying the …
Summer Update
Ahh, how quickly summer goes. It wasn’t always this way. When I was a little girl, the long, hot days of summer stretched before me like a ribbon of taffy waiting to be savored. Sleeping in, lingering over lunch, and reading filled my days. I had some chores, but after I finished those, my time was my own. Often, …
How Do We Keep the Dream Alive?
Often, new writers plunge full steam ahead into their fledgling careers, barely giving thought to everything writing entails. Pursuit of “the dream” and all the glorious fantasies that go with it play out in delightful, creative scenarios because, after all, that’s what writers do best—we live in bold, imaginative worlds where anything is possible. It’s only when—oh, say, maybe five, …
Good News Calls for Chocolate… Take Two!
Ahh… I love good news. And you know what good news calls for, right? Good News Calls for CHOCOLATE… Take Two! *slices cake and passes it your way* Don’t be shy. There’s plenty for everyone. (And no worries. I’ve prayed the calories right out of it!) *tosses confetti* Remember when I announced I was a 2017 ACFW Genesis Semi-Finalist? Today …
In the Meantime…
Do you ever fantasize about a much-anticipated event? Ever imagine the outcome surpassing your wildest expectations? Of course you have. We’ve all envisioned a goal mastered, a dream obtained, or a deeply held desire coming to fruition. In our mind, we may even visualize each step, each success or blunder, it took to get there. Sometimes, the mere mental walk-thru is …
When in the Ozarks… It’s All Relative
Here in the Ozarks we’re blessed. Ours is a slower-paced way of life, though, that doesn’t mean we’re entirely immune to busyness. We simply approach it a little differently, and perhaps, on our own terms. Say, after three cups of coffee and a morning chat with Neighbor Nelly or Preacher Bill. Some folks resist change and cling to old ways and …
Courage to Hang Tough
Sometimes, in light of world events, we find it necessary to pause—to step back from the craziness of evil and process the senselessness of it all. Some people rail and bemoan injustice while others seek solitude and retreat to their quiet places. Because we’re human, each of us grieves differently. We act and react in ways that are, perhaps, inherent to our …
In Celebration of Mothers
Recently, a memory surfaced as I watched a little girl tug her mother’s hand. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, but something about the bond between mother and daughter moved me. Blue eyes, bright with adoration, lingered on Mom. Mom laughed and the pair shared a knowing look—one of those silent, happy exchanges between parent and child. A love language uniquely …
Good News Calls for Chocolate
Ohh, my goodness. After the torrential downpours and record flooding the Ozarks had over the past week, it’s time for some good news. Combine good news with chocolate cake and we have a party! You may remember, I scaled back on blogging over the past month, as I craved some much-needed R&R. I continued writing during that time, too, so …