“Etiquette — a fancy word for simple kindness.” ~ Elsa Maxwell, labeled the “Hostess with the Mostest” by the press in the mid-Twentieth century, columnist & author You hear the word “etiquette” and I bet you groan, thinking “rules, rules and more rules.” Should I offer my seat to the elderly woman who just got on the subway? How do …
Why This Romance Writer Believes in the MBT Frasier Contest
Picture this: Me, in an overcrowded elevator at the 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference. I’m standing nose to name tag with a petite blonde woman. Her nose. My name tag. The conversation goes like this: Woman: Oh, you’re Beth Vogt. You finaled in the Frasier. Me (uncomfortable & now a bit surprised she could even read my name …
In Others’ Words: Books
‘A book worth reading is a book worth buying.’ John Ruskin, English art critic (1819-1900) The Wedding Dress, by award-winning author Rachel Hauck, comes out in April. I pre-ordered it months ago. I’ve been waiting to read this novel since Rachel first shared the story behind that beautiful book cover as we walked along the streets of Indianapolis during …
In Others’ Words: Potential
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives … not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer prize winning columnist I know, I know … …
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: 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 …
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 …