Do you remember the joy of finally leaning to ride a bike without training wheels? Or swimming across the pool for the first time? Or learning to read and finding a whole new world of books? We get to experience the joy …
Where Do Your Ideas Come From?
This is a common question for writers. I often have this question myself when reading a historical novel, especially ones by author Elizabeth Camden, who tends to find the most unique historical backdrops for her stories! But …
Three One-Year Anniversaries–and a Giveaway!
It’s hard to believe, but it has been one year since I launched my new website and republished my first novel, both using my real name! But perhaps the thing I’m most proud of is that this past Saturday I hit the 52nd edition …
My Office Space
Back at the beginning of 2022—yes, eight months ago!—I realized no one had slept in the dedicated nursery room upstairs for the entire year we'd lived in the house. What would be better, I surmised, was a playroom for when …
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 …
It’s All in the Simmer
I’m not a cook. I don’t like it. I’m not good at it. But there is one category of food where I feel somewhat confident: soups. Not complicated cream soups, mind you. I’m talking basic broth soups here. I think a lot …
God Doesn’t Give Busy Work
I’m sure you are familiar with the concept of “busy work.” It’s the work given in an educational setting that keeps the students occupied for a period of time but doesn’t contribute much to the overall educational goals. …
Two Re-Releases!
This spring I worked hard to get my second and third novels up for purchase under my real name. I’m happy to say that both At Every Turn and A Home for My Heart are now available! Here is a blurb and a book trailer for each …
A Writing Retreat
Way back in March of 2020 (which seems a hundred years ago, not two!), my long-time critique partners/friends and I planned to take a writing retreat. Then you-know-what sent us scurrying back to our homes, unsure what, …
Don’t Overlook the Big Picture
This post originally appeared on the Lawson Writers Academy teacher's blog. I’ve been writing historical fiction for a long time, so you’d think by now I would have learned. But when I am at the beginning of a new project …