My second book in Guidepost’s Secrets from Grandma’s Attic series came out this month. I had so much fun researching and writing this story. For the historical mystery in this book, I latched on to a fact from a previous …
Immersed in Research
For the first time in many years I am excited about researching for a novel of my own design. It combines several of my loves of place and time period. It’s more a family relationship story (at least in my mind at this …
Canton, Missouri
I recently took a research trip to Canton, Missouri! Visit Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction to see some pictures and read about the trip! …
Creating That Historical Feel Class starts Monday!
I'm teaching Creating That Historical Feel again through Margie Lawson's Writing Academy! If you or someone you know is new to writing historical fiction or is having trouble with their historical novel "feeling" historical, …
Online Class: Creating That Historical Feel
Have you always wanted to try writing a historical novel but feared you couldn't put all the pieces together? I know that feeling--and have worked through it several times. Now I'm teaching a class on how to do just …
Gardner’s Candies giveaway
Tomorrow night I'm doing a talk at the historical society where I did much of the research for A Home for My Heart, so I thought what better time for a giveaway! One of the "real" landmarks I inserted into A Home for My …
On ACFW Blog
I'm on the ACFW Blog today with a post called: It's partly about research, partly about faith and life. I'd love for you to click over and visit! …
Tangible History
I was talking with someone not long ago about things that defined me. One of the things that came to mind was my love of history. I've always enjoyed discovering things about the past. Growing up, that was mostly from books. …
Did You Know . . .
In 1916, A cast iron, medium-sized range, with cooktop and stove, able to burn both wood and coal, cost about $25 from Sears. A new Ford or Chevrolet cost $345-$550, depending on the model and features. A loaf of bread …
Research Day!
I left home early this morning to spend the day in the research room at the Oklahoma Historical Society. I have no idea what I'll find there, but I know what I hope to find. I hope to find pictures to inspire characters. …