Inspired by Life and Fiction will be taking a break through the rest of May while we move web hosts and get a new look (if all goes well). Also, for our subscribers, the emails of new posts failed to go out for a few days earlier this week. You might wish to visit the site and check to see what you might have missed. See you in June. … [Read more...]
Here’s to new adventures and new books
Yesterday I had the most fun mailing a box of autographed copies of The Targeted to my friends at Naughty Dog Books for inclusion in the special limited edition bookbox they have curated for The Targeted. I am so excited to get my box. If you haven't ordered one and are interested in supporting me AND an indie bookstore, here's a great chance to do that. I'm struggling to believe that this book … [Read more...]
DNA Revelations (and a giveaway!)
Please give a very warm welcome to debut author, Deena Adams! She's sharing about an astonishing event that happened in her own life and how that impacted her novel. Plus, she's generously giving away a paperback to one of you. Glad you're here, Deena! -Becky DNA testing expanded exponentially over the past decade, and experts project the trend will continue. Some want to delve into their … [Read more...]
Creating a Hero
This week I am brainstorming characters and plot ideas for Book 3 in my Secret Society of Spinsters series. Things are a little easier with an established series, since I have a good feel for the setting and the heroine. However, I'm bringing in a new hero character, and I have a very blank slate. Initially, all I knew was that he was going to be a new schoolmaster brought in by the school board … [Read more...]
The Beginning
Beginnings are my nemesis. The beginning of the day. Of a new season of life. The first attempt at a new skill. The first meeting with a new person. The first chapter of a novel. I don’t mean novels I read. I mean the ones I write. Beginnings upend me every single time. When I say this, I don’t mean that I have to revise my … [Read more...]
Novel Recipes—then and now
Inspired by Angie's post yesterday, I was reminded of all the recipes I've included in my novels through the years . . . The chocolate chess pie from To Wager Her Heart is a long time family favorite, and so easy. I love one bowl pies. The Carrot Cake from To Whisper Her Name is absolutely delicious, too, and worth the extra effort. Tennessee Teacakes, also from the Belle Meade … [Read more...]
Smacked by my own principles . . .
When I teach writing, I often start out by explaining the four stages of competence: unconscious incompetence, when you don't know what you don't know; Conscious incompetence, when you realize how much you don't know and how far you are from the goal; Conscious competence, when you develop some skills, but boy, you still have to work at it; and Unconscious competence--when you can do … [Read more...]
Advance Notice: We’re taking a break
We are so very thankful for our faithful readers, those of you who subscribe to our posts via email and those of you who visit the blog on a regular basis. Inspired by Life and Fiction was birthed in March 2014, and many of you have been with us from the start. Twelve-plus years!! That's a lot of blogging. Recently, we've run into some technical issues with our website host, as well as with our … [Read more...]
A Dog Story
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who loved animals. Pretty much all animals, but especially horses and dogs and cats. However, horses aren’t welcome in most houses, so she had to wait until later to own horses, and so dogs took the top spot in her life. When she was about seven, Nicodemus, the newly-acquired cocker spaniel, set off her big brother’s asthma to a dangerous degree, and … [Read more...]
Travel With Historical Fiction Authors: 2027
Love history and Christian Historical Fiction? Mark your calendars for an unforgettable travel experience. Join award-winning authors LAURA FRANTZ and T. ELIZABETH RENICH in October 2027. Visit historical settings of novels like The Lacemaker, The Indigo Heiress, and A Heart Adrift, plus The Sovereign Liberty Series. See first-hand the places important to America’s founding more than 250 years … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 348
- Next Page »