This quote by author George Saunders came from a college commencement speech he delivered at Syracuse University this past May. When I read Saunder’s speech, posted in the New York Times, I stumbled into this quote — Err in the direction of kindness — and knew I’d be posting it on this blog. Erring in the direction of kindness. A …
In Others’ Words: Surprise
Obviously, this week’s quote refers to those wonderful surprises that cause a smile to burst across our face … and maybe even cause our feet to tap out a hApPy DaNcE … our fingers to fast dial our spouse or closest friend … Those kinds of surprises. They can be as simple as an unexpected, but oh-so-needed rainbow curving across …
In Others’ Words: Reflect
My friend, author Edie Melson, stopped me in my mental tracks this weekend. In a post titled “Only Still Water Reflects,” posted this past Sunday on her blog The Write Conversation, Edie wrote of the busy-ness of life, and how a recent seven-day vacation at the beach helped her realize that only by slowing down, by living in God’s rhythm, can …
In Others’ Words: Remain
Circumstances are powerful. For all their changeability, circumstances have one steadfast quality: They can change me. I can start the day off feeling settled, self-assured, at peace with myself and others. And then circumstances do an about-face … or maybe they do a complete end-over-end. And suddenly that oh-so-confident me has left the building. The whole “Who am I?” question …
In Others’ Words: Spine Poetry
It’s getting late on Thursday night. I’m not feeling particularly productive or creative … and there’s a blog post to write. So I’m taking advantage of others’ creativity and sharing some of the Spine Poetry fun that’s been happening on my Author Facebook page. I’ve run into some incredibly imaginative people this past week — and they’ve all created some …
Speaking of Book Covers: Somebody Like You (May 2014)
I’m in love with the cover for my May 2014 release, Somebody Like You! And yes, developing this cover included wonderful give and take with my editor and the talented people in the art department at Howard Books. My heroine, Haley, is beautifully rendered — and there’s subtle symbolism woven into her depiction too. And once again, we’ve retained the …
The Making of a Book Cover: Catch a Falling Star
There’s a lot I like about being an author with Howard Books. A lot. One of the things I appreciate the most? My editor, Jessica Wong, and the art director, Bruce Gore, invite me to participate in discussing the covers for my books. It’s an interesting process to get from my manuscript all the way to a cover that represents …
In Others’ Words: Love is …
I’ve come across many a “Love is …” attempt to define an emotion that is, in essence, undefinable. Even the “Love is patient, love is kind … ” distillation so often read during wedding ceremonies, often stumps me before I get very far into the verses in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient … kind … it does not envy …
In Others’ Words: Live Well
It’s been a week. A good week … but one of those fasten-your-seat-belts kind of weeks. And I don’t know about you, but it’s Friday and I’m feeling all “Whew!” and “Whoa!” and “When can I have a nap?” And then it came time to write this post. And I’m thinking: Which quote do I pick? How do I want …
Celebrating Book Clubs, Readers & Romance!
httpv://youtu.be/ZE02mnin-QM I’m looking forward to having some fun this month as I celebrate book clubs over on my Author Facebook page. As I mention in the video, I love connecting with readers. I also helped start a Mother-Daughter Book Club several years ago with my youngest daughter, CJ, as well as visiting with several book clubs after Wish You Were …