As I create fictional characters, I decide when they’ll dine on their “just desserts.” Sometimes, it’s hard to let Polly Perfect make an imperfect choice, and harder still, to let the poor girl suffer from that choice. Isn’t that how it is in real life though? We realize poor choices can often lead to bad outcomes, but we still mess up. …
I began blogging in 2011. Today’s blog post marks my 305th post. (Congratulations, me!) I remember when I cranked out my first post thinking how easy it would be. (I’m a writer, I believe in fairy-tales, and yes, I sometimes wear rose-colored glasses.) Initially, I blogged daily. I began with a simple WordPress theme and learned about things like SEO, format, plugins, photo …
Wow! It’s great to be back in the blogging saddle again. I’ve missed you! I hope you had a joyous Christmas season and that you rang in 2013 with a smile, a dream, and a goal (or two)! I’m not a New Year’s resolution kinda gal. I’m more of a goal-setter. I make lists. I write goals. I reassess. In short, I examine the past, …
My goodness, can you believe it? Eleven days until Christmas! I hope you’re able to revel in the excitement of this blessed time of year and that the busyness of the holiday season hasn’t put a dent in your joy. I hope every time you’re met with a “Happy Holidays,” you’ll respond with a “Merry CHRISTmas” in return. I hope you’ll smile …
For many, the Christmas season is a difficult one. The hurting have perfected their smiles and cued the proper phrases. Facades are in place and sorrows safely tucked away. Memories are tamped down, snuffed out, and extinguished until it’s deemed appropriate to resurrect the past. (After all, Christmas is a happy time and it wouldn’t be fair to rain on someone else’s holiday.) …
Years ago, we approached the Christmas season so differently. For one thing, there was a welcomed pause between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Christmas wasn’t announced or even thought about until turkey drumsticks were eaten and the last slice of pumpkin pie had been served. We upheld tradition and savored the holiday at hand before ushering in the next one. Now we hear Christmas music …
For many, Christmas is a favorite time of year. It’s when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and cherish our loved ones. There will be school parties, church cantatas, and family dinners. We’ll plan, shop, wrap, and bake. We’ll make new memories. We’ll uphold tradition. We’ll wish for more hours in the day just to get it all done. The …
Like other little girls, I often played “pretend.” I dreamed I was a princess, a Barbie, a mermaid, or a teacher. It changed from day-to-day. Between the ages of seven and eight, something else stirred within me. I realized I wanted to tell stories, too. I don’t know that I thought about it in terms of “writing.” I just thought it would be fun …
I love nostalgia. I think it’s because it calls to mind homespun values and simpler times. A few decades ago, the family was the heart of the home. Sundays were reserved for worship, neighbors helped neighbors, and tradition held meaning. We were less concerned with keeping up with the Joneses and more interested in the result of due diligence. We …
Over the past 20 years or so, Christian fiction has evolved. No longer do we dance around delicate issues or insinuate difficulties; Today, we broach sensitive topics with truth, finesse, and grace. Christian authors recognize that in a world of heartache and suffering, our readers long to identify with others who have walked the same road or with those who share …
