If you write, no doubt you’ve been asked, “Why do you do it?” Is it for the neck cramps, back aches, carpal tunnel, or crossed eyes? Our 10+ hour days at the computer? How about the bonbons on a silver tray via our assistants? Perhaps, we write for the fame, fortune, and accolades. Hmmm…So many reasons. So difficult to decide. …
As we mature, we realize life is all about seasons. Some are longer or shorter than others. Some are filled with unparalleled joy while others are marked by heartache and despair. There’s no magic pill, wand, or fairy dust to enhance the best or lessen the worst. Seasons are inevitable. They’ll arrive when we least expect them. About ten years ago, our …
I hope everyone had a great Labor Day and didn’t work too hard! Welcome back! Congratulations to the winner of my August blog giveaway, Steven A.! Steven has won some wonderful goodies, plus another surprise thrown in for good measure. Please contact me privately, Steven, with your mailing info and I will get your prize in the mail. Remember, you, too, …
Do you ever wonder what causes us to keep going? To persevere? To march forward toward the light despite the dark shadows? Is it ambition? Courage? The prompting of the Holy Spirit? I believe we all possess “the stuff dreams are made of.” It’s not so much what we believe about ourselves as it is about God’s truth for our lives. …
In Monday’s post I told you I’d accepted author Beth Vogt’s fun challenge. In Beth’s recent blog post, Taking the Challenges: The Letter ‘T’ and Twenty-Five Things About Me, she revealed twenty-five (enlightening!) things about herself and challenged her blog commenters to do the same. I like challenges like this because (1) It’s a creative blog post idea and (2) challenges like …
On Friday, superfab author Beth Vogt (Wish You Were Here–Howard Books, May 2012) issued this little, ol’ challenge: “I invite you to join the fun and share something about yourself (starting with the letter ‘T’ or not) in a comment below — and then post your own Twenty-five Things About Me blog post!” I left a comment on Beth’s wonderful blog (forgetting …
Last year’s American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference was held in downtown St. Louis and it was amazing! I talked about it here and here if you’d like to check out my impressions of the 2011 conference. This September, the ACFW conference heads to Dallas. I understand, like last year, we’re expecting 700+ members, and I’m beyond excited to connect with my writing friends …
While growing up, one of the phrases I seemed to remember the most was “Don’t burn your bridges.” Uttered in stern admonition with an almost Sunday morning reverence, those words seemed to roll off people’s tongues easier than any other piece of advice. I discovered the general meaning associated with those words early in life, and I took them to heart, …
Like many of you, I grew up during the “simpler times.” At least that’s how it seemed to me when I was a youngster. Life was less harried and moved at a slower pace. Until my pre-teen years I lived in a small town in a small house and attended a small school. My mother was a stay-at-home mama for many years …
On Wednesday I spoke about “Pat” and the emotional wounds she still carried from childhood. Specifically, I talked about the relationship between Pat and her mother during her growing years and the effect of negativity upon Pat’s life even as an adult. Pat’s mother was critical of everything from A to Z. She put herself down and often found fault with her …
