Welcome back! I’m so glad you joined me today! Pull up a chair, have some coffee, and let’s chat. (Don’t let the photo fool you. Yes, I am going to talk about blogging today, but I wanted to offer you some deelish cyber treats first.) Last week was spring break at our house and I’ve been on a blogging hiatus. Beginning this week, I’m …
April Blog Break
I hope you had a very blessed Easter! Just a friendly reminder: I’m taking a blogging break this week and I will return on Wednesday, April 10th. Meanwhile, I’ll pop in on Twitter and Facebook, and I’d really like to connect with you there. My schedule’s changing a bit, too. After the 10th, I will blog on Wednesdays and Fridays. …
I’m Doing It. You Can, Too: Start Something New
It’s that time of year when most of us transition from the sleepy doldrums of winter to the gentle birth of spring. We can’t wait to shrug off the cold mantle of sunless days and think about brighter times ahead. This is the season that a lot of writers contemplate change–personally, professionally, and physically. Many of my friends restructure their blog schedules …
Writer Courageous
If you’ve been writing for any length of time, you’ve grown accustomed to hearing words like thick-skinned. Tough-as-nails. Not-for-the-fainthearted. Resilient. We may not like their connotation, but unless we approach our craft with a realistic mindset, those words can propel us forward or freeze us in our tracks. Writers on the publishing journey understand that the road is long and labor-intensive. Still, it …
Writer Wanna-Be…Be Gone!
A few years ago at a writing conference, a young woman introduced herself. “Hi. I’m ‘Sally’. A writer wanna-be.” (I’m substituting a fictitious name today, but this was her introduction then.) Sally was shy and lacked confidence. She even said the word “writer” with reluctance, as if uttering it in broad daylight was taboo. My heart immediately ached for her. I wanted to respond, “No, Sally. …
The Bosom Buddy Connection
While growing up, many of us had “best friends” or at least a close-knit circle of friends. Our “bosom buddies” often shared our interests, kept our secrets, and listened with a well-trained ear. Today, because of the depth and breadth of social media and online connections, it’s easier than ever before to hook up with like-minded and fun-oriented folks. Granted, some …
The Essence of Our “Brand”
Two of my favorite, feel-good television shows are The Andy Griffith Show and The Waltons. They remind me of the hometown where I grew up. There’s a sense of nostalgia, simplicity, and homespun values, yet there’s also a delicious taste of bitter and sweet. In The Waltons, especially, hardships were often underscored by lessons learned, truths conveyed, and love demonstrated. I grew up in …
Goals to Set NOW and the Encouragement You Need
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, …
Revealing Christ through Our Characters in a Fallen World
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 …
Our Bling Thing: The Story
I’m a very visual person, but then again, I suppose a lot of creatives are. I revel in the sights, sounds, and people around me. I want to experience life full-steam-ahead. I want to know what makes folks tick. I’m passionate about Christ and I want to share Him through the stories I create. I believe as Christian writers we’re called to bring …