My Christmas Prayer

I have a confession. Sometimes, I read a book so fast the first time through, that as soon as I’m done, I need to re-read it. Why? Because I have the patience of a gnat? Possibly. Mainly because I...

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The Best Story Ever

My son is two and he loves to help me around the house. But the reality is that when James helps—whether it’s with the dishes or the laundry or the vacuuming—it takes me at least twice as long and often...

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Writing Will Mess with your Dreams

I've had some of the most vivid and disturbing dreams of my life in the past few months. And I know what the problem is. I take a shower before I go to bed. Did I lose you? Maybe I should explain. I...

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Book Review: The Master's Wall

I love historical fiction. I particularly love historicals set during and shortly after the time of Christ, when the church was young and the oppression of the Roman empire intense. The Master's Wall...

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An Interview with My Internal Editor

As you may know, my internal editor and I got quite chummy a few months ago as I edited every single word of my first manuscript. However, during NaNo . . . well, I had to tell her to hush. Quite a bit. I...

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NaNoWriMo 2010 - We have a Winner!

A few of you have asked what it means to be a "winner" - well, for NaNoWriMo, all it means is you finished 50,000 words in 30 days. There's no judging. No prizes. No limit on the number of winners....

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Paper, Diets and Other NaNoWriMo Hazards

I have a paper cut. It’s on the tip of my right index finger. Every time I type, pain shoots through my fingertip and hand. I press on because I’m tough. But it made me think of things we should avoid...

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Have I Lost My Mind?

Have you lost your mind? These were the exact words my sister uttered when I announced my plans to participate in this year's NaNoWriMo. She pointed out that I was busy. She pointed out that I don't...

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She Can Be Taught . . . Maybe

If you follow this blog regularly, then you know that September was a roller coaster for me. Lots of writing and editing, interspersed with ridiculous amounts of drama. But, I'm learning. Maybe. November...

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I Want More

There are a couple of things I really want. I'm not talking about the way I really want a mocha, or a slice of pizza, or to weigh less. Although, let's face it, the mocha and pizza aren't helping the...

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Directionally Challenged

I like detailed directions. Extremely detailed. If you ever need directions to my house, I don’t just say turn left on this street and right on that one. Oh no. I include important information such...

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Plot & Structure

I'm guest blogging today over at The Write Conversation. Come pay me a visit and read my thoughts on Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell (yes, the same one I dreamed left me a Facebook comment...

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Finished

image courtesy of photobucket.com Several weeks ago, when everything seemed to be falling apart, I was sitting at my desk praying. And I felt strongly that I needed to read Psalm 119. I can’t say that...

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Priorities

image courtesy of photobucket.com My blog has been fairly serious over the past few weeks. My life has, too. But I can’t be serious all the time and as my month long revision process winds down, I’ve...

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Lesson Lived

image courtesy of photobucket.com Several months ago, I wrote a piece about the importance of being prepared to put into practice whatever you blog about. Probably within twenty-four hours of your post. It...

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The Best Laid Plans

image courtesy of photobucket.com Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. (ESV) In Mid-August, as the school year got under way and...

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Why am I doing this?

I’m currently in the midst of an intense revision of my manuscript. It is NOT fun. I have to force myself to do it.  I keep finding excuses to do everything else. Maybe I should whip up a blog...

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Change? Me?

image courtesy of photobucket.com I. Hate. Change. Some weirdos people thrive on change. I, however, am perfectly normal. You can stop laughing. OK. Now that you've got control of yourself, I’ll...

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A Different Kind of Book Review

Miraculously enough, Edie continues to allow me to guest blog on her fabulous site. So come visit me over at The Write Conversation for my review of The Power of Body Langua...

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Demon: A Memoir

Did the title of this post get your attention? 'Cause it sure got mine! So, what on earth would make me pick up a book entitled Demon: A Memoir? I have serious issues with all things horror. In particular,...

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What a Difference a Year Can Make

image courtesy of photobucket.com I don't know the exact date. I didn't mark it on my calendar. I probably should have. It was a pretty big deal. Oh. Who am I kidding? It was huge. To me anyway. A...

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Devotion

I've been writing a few devotions for my parent's church website. This is the first one that hasn't already appeared on this blog. So, please hop over to Grace Community Fellowship and check it out! image...

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The View from the Backseat

image courtesy of photobucket.com We recently spent quite a bit of time on the road and my husband, being a wise and loving mate, knew that the best place for me was in the far back seat of the van....

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Book Review

My friend, Edie Melson Edie Melson is a gifted author, co-founder of The Christian Writer's Den, and a faculty member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Her...

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A Good Word

image courtesy of photobucket.com Proverbs 12:25 - Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (ESV) I have an acquaintance who never fails to compliment me on some aspect...

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Wimpy Wimpy Wimpy?

image courtesy of photobucket.com I’m a wimp. A cream puff. A marshmallow. I’m so not cut out to be a writer. I’m anaphylactically allergic to criticism. And this doesn’t apply only to my writing...

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Memorization

image courtesy of photobucket.com I can't remember not knowing Bible verses. Lots of them. It should be noted that my mother claims I could quote John 3:16 at eighteen months. As the mother of a twenty-two...

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Embrace your Geekness

image courtesy of photobucket.com Today is “Embrace Your Geekness” day. I am not making this up! The definition of geek is difficult to pin down. But I think we tend to apply the term “geek” to anyone/anything...

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The Favorite

image courtesy of photobucket.com A few weeks ago, I woke up in a bad mood. While on vacation. With the entire family. I needed an attitude adjustment. Fast. So I took my grouchy self to the balcony...

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Living Into God's Story - Part 4

***Please know that I am not claiming any of this as an original idea of mine. Like I said previously, our pastors spent weeks fleshing out the concept of Living into God’s Story and if this idea intrigues...

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