Does anyone else ever get frustrated with how the fairy tales end? And they lived happily ever after … The End. Close the book. Dim the movie screen as the music fades. Sigh. Isn’t it romantic? Well, yes. It’s romantic. But is it reality? Sometimes the realist in me wants to add another chapter to the book, one detailing life …
In Others’ Words: Time
“The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” ~C.S. Lewis, author Stop for just a moment and think about the last 60 minutes. An hour ago, those minutes were your future. Now? They are your past. What did you accomplish in that span of time? And before …
Picking Favorites: Fact or Fiction?
In my debut novel Wish You Were Here (Howard Books, May 2012), one of the themes I explore is the issue of favoritism. What happens when one child is given preferential treatment? The topic of picking favorites isn’t a new one. Consider the biblical story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25). In that instance, parental favoritism tore a family apart as …
In Others’ Words: Compliments
“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” ~Mark Twain, American author & humorist Ah, compliments! For someone to take the time to say something encouraging. Something positive about you. To start a sentence with the words, “I like you because _____________” and then they fill in the blank with a reason. And you hug those words to …
In Others’ Words: Fun
“Fun is about as good a habit as there is.” ~Jimmy Buffet, singer & songwriter I know someone who once made this New Year’s resolution: He was going to have more fun. Loved it! I loved it so much I made the same resolution the next year. One of the fun things I did that year: When my kiddos decided …
Video: James Scott Bell’s Best Writing Advice
httpv://youtu.be/8ixZJzrkZ2g Yes, I’m in the thick of the ACFW conference. So I decided to hand this blog off to someone else–namely, best-selling suspense author James Scott Bell. This is, I realize, a calculated risk. Some of you may become Kill Zone converts, the blog JSB contributes to on a regular basis. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. Enjoy JSB’s …
In Others’ Words: Friendship
“True friendship is a plant of slow growth.” ~ George Washington, first U.S. president The “who” of this quote surprised me. George Washington talking about friendship? Really–a guy pondering relationships? I expected this quote to be a pearl of wisdom from some other woman who, like me, knows how we women need our girlfriends. Because we do. One thing …
Video: James Scott Bell on Writing Frustration
httpv://youtu.be/fOSR9JcRHTk All writers get frustrated with their stories. Yes, even a best-selling suspense suspense author like James Scott Bell. I enjoyed hearing why he thought frustration was a good thing. And if you want a double-dose if JSB fun, you can read my previous blog post about how he helped me conquer frustration. In Your Words: Ever get frustrated …
In Others’ Words: Home
Photo by John Skiba Photography “My home is not a place, it is people.” ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, American author I had a definitive definition of home for many years–and it was most definitely a place. Then I married my husband, who was in the Air Force. My idea of home had to change. Uncle Sam determined where home was …
In Others’ Words: Life
“A new dress doesn’t get you anywhere; it’s the life you’re living in the dress, and the sort of life you had lived before, and what you will do in it later.” ~Diana Vreeland, fashion columnist I like to go shopping for new clothes. I like finding something–a cute top, a fun dress–that makes me feel good when I wear …