Thanks for your input! Last month, I asked you to help me settle on a surname for my antagonist by providing a poll of options including suggesting your own. I didn’t expect such a great turnout. I received nine suggestions and others voted on the listed names. Since I wanted the name tied to Jordan’s personality, I looked up each surname’s origin and meaning. Based on the …
You Write the Story! Guest Post from Author Karen Grunst
A Scholastic Book Order, Circa 2008 If you’re an avid reader like me, you probably remember the excitement of buying new books as a kid. The spring and fall book fairs, the monthly Scholastic book order. As a mom, I enjoyed the experience anew when my boys were in elementary school. Although, I had to temper their enthusiasm when they …
Experienced Christmas like my Character and Vote on a Character’s Surname
Personal Corner Like my protagonist, Garrett Bettencourt, in my Christmas novella, Robert and I spent Christmas in Northern Michigan. Thankfully, we arrived before the snowstorm and left after it blew over. Similar to a chapter in Christmas at Sonshine Barn, we went snowshoeing. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring warm enough gloves, so Robert let me wear his. He wore a less …
Vote in the Christmas Giveaway
Personal Corner One fall day, I looked outside at the pond behind our house. There, these beautiful birds were gracefully dancing above the waters like a ballet troupe. I hadn’t seen them before and their sweeping aerial flights mesmerized me. My husband looked them up in a field guide and discovered they are a type of gull. They fly south …
Meeting My Goal and Is Jason in Love?
Meeting my Goal: Last month, I shared about joining an accountability group for writing. I was slacking on making my morning writing top priority. So, I teamed with my writing group, Lady Lits, and we created an accountability system. My October goal was to write for 25 hours a week and spend additional 10 hours on writing-related activities. Drum roll, …
Need Your Vote on the Final Book Cover
Appreciate all the helpful feedback on the book cover! We had a three-way tie. The winners were: the stairs close up, the stairs farther away, and the boat. We need another vote, but this time, I included the book title and author name. Thanks to author Mary Felkins for pointing out that the pictures needed space for the book title …
Let’s Get Jason’s Restaurant Opened and How I’m Kickstarting My Writing
Personal Corner: Robert and I are getting settled into our new home and loving it. We’re enjoying walks in the nearby park, getting acquainted with our neighbors, and beautifying our place. I admit, unpacking has overwhelmed me. It didn’t help I started with the kitchen, the largest area to unpack. I felt as though we’d live with boxes forever. But …
Vote for a Book Cover for The Amalfi Rescue
Vote Since I’m wrapping up my short story, “The Amalfi Rescue,” I need a book cover. (It won’t be a print short story but a PDF. Yet, I still need an appealing cover.) To help you select the cover, here’s context for “The Amalfi Rescue.” Twelve-year-old Garrett Bettencourt is vacationing in Italy with his family. He is visiting Amalfi, a …
Help Me Write a Fun Story
We Bought a House God goes above and beyond. My hubby and I moved into our home this Labor Day weekend after house searching on and off for 2-1/2 years. We endured the turbulent housing market, skyrocketing prices, and the red-hot seller’s market. We watered this journey with lots of prayer and patience. (Alright, I’ll admit, my hubby was much …
Chocolate, Radiators, and Photography: How They Connect with my Writing Life
Personal Corner: July started with a fun trip to my hometown in Gaylord, Michigan. Since it’s about 1,000 miles from Tulsa, Robert and I stayed overnight in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Gawh, that twelve-hours of driving wasn’t for me! I’d rather fly than drive, but we wanted our car, so we could incorporate some writing research. At least, we only had …