My novel, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about accomplishing plans … or wishes coming true … or something more? Today’s post is the fourth in the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” Wednesday blog series, 11 guest posts by authors and writers, including Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, and Susan May Warren, who explore the question: What do you …
In Others’ Words: Direction
Where are you headed? There are 28 days left in December and then it’s time for a new calendar and a new year. Where are you headed in 2013? If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know I abandoned New Year’s Resolutions years ago — way back in 2006, to be exact. Instead, I focus on one …
Wish You Were Here: What’s Up with the Llamas?
So, let’s talk llamas. I know, I know. I write romance. I should be introducing you to the hero in my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. But the llamas — Kuzko, Pacha and Banzai — have have always attracted a bit of attention along the way to publication. The conversation usually goes like this: Interested person: So what’s your …
In Others’ Words: You
“The better part of happiness is to wish to be what you are.” ~Desiderius Erasmus (1466? – 1536) , Catholic priest I gotta be honest with you: I wasted a lot of time thinking the only way I could be really, truly happy was if I was somebody else. Someone more like you, maybe. I spent a lot of time …
In Others’ Words: Progress
“The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth — which means leaving things inside us.” G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), English writer I came across this stop-me-in-my-tracks quote as I read author Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience blog. I was reminded of it today as my husband measured the pencil …
Guest Post: Debut Author Katie Ganshert
Today my friend and fellow debut author, Katie Ganshert, shares a quote with us. Katie will be joining me, Dani Pettrey and Olivia Newport for an a-ma-zing launch party on May 15th! Mark your calendars & plan to join us. “Even if we do everything right, things are still going to go wrong.” –Evan Price from Wildflowers from …
In Others’ Words: Doors
“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.” ~Flora Whittemore, author Open doors and closed doors. Sometimes I’ve had no choice in the matter — a door has been slammed in my face with the finality of, well, the slap of a hand across my face. Sometimes I’ve chosen to shut a door. While that …
In Others’ Words: Joy
“Joy is the best makeup.” ~Anne Lamott, novelist & nonfiction writer Sometimes I don’t want to look in the mirror. Well, really, sometimes I look too closely in the mirror and I get all uptight about this wrinkle and that wrinkle and that one there! and there! and there! Sheesh. I’m surprised I don’t go running through the house with …
In Others’ Words: Pleasure
“It isn’t the great big pleasures that count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones.” ~ Jean Webster, pseudonym for Alice Jane Chandler Webster, American author My 11-year-old daughter often reminds me to enjoy simpler things like: snow angels snuggles on the couch spending time with family — because her favorite thing in the world …
In Others’ Words: Success
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” ~Maya Angelou, poet & novelist I’m certain we could debate the “proper” definition of success. But let’s not. I like Maya Angelou’s definition. I remember the specific day when I realized that, yes, I liked myself. It was a hard-fought battle, I assure you, coming to …