As the weather here in Oregon turns cold and rainy, it makes me want to curl up in a cozy chair with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of cocoa and a good book. I recently found the perfect book for that moment: Robin Jones Gunn’s Finding Father Christmas. Miranda Carson uses her Christmas holiday to travel to … Read More
The Name Game
Back in my college days, I was a big soap opera fan. Lots of us girls would rush back to the dorm at lunchtime with our to-go boxes to watch our soap of choice. As soon as our episode was done, we would filter out and another group of wild-eyed girls would plop down in … Read More
The Hurt
Ow, ow, ow! Have you ever asked someone for a critical eye and then actually gotten your wish? I sent my first two chapters off for a professional critique. I’ve been critiqued before — it’s part of the learning process. You get great advice and come out the better for it in the end. But, … Read More
Wearing My Father’s Coat
I’ve been thinking about coats today. Winter coats, rain coats, cute coats vs. useful coats. I snapped at my kids this morning about how they needed to take their coats to school. But, did I take mine? Nope. Did my mom always tell me to wear a coat? Yep. Did I listen? Nope. When I … Read More
…And then…and then…
All writers have their pet words — and I don’t mean “fluffy” or “spot.” I recently discovered that, like a hamster running the same wheel day-in and day-out, that I keep re-using two words in my writing: “okay” and “then.” “Are you okay?” “Is it okay to go back in the house?”, “Okay, I don’t know what you … Read More
Friday Book Pick — Sushi for One? by Camy Tang
Welcome to the weekend! For those of you looking for a few quiet reading hours over the weekend, I try to spend each Friday blog recommending a great read. I generally emphasize fiction titles with Christian themes. Today’s pick is Camy Tang‘s Sushi for One? I fell in love with Tang’s writing after picking up … Read More
Nothing but good news…
I am way overdue for a blog update on my writing… Here’s the skinny! Guideposts Magazine has contacted me about printing my story “A Birthday Wish.” This is a rewrite of one of my favorite blog posts. They are going to edit it down (way, way down) and hope to print it in their February issue. … Read More
Happy 100 Posts!
Wow! I have reached a major blogging milestone today. This is officially blog post #100! I feel like I should have some sort of blog party or celebration. Instead, I’m going to do what television shows usually do… a “clip show.” Many readers have only joined my blog recently, and like most bloggers — I … Read More
Friday Book Pick — Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer
If you have been following my blog for awhile, you may remember that last July I chose the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller as a Friday Book Pick. Playing off of the title of this successful book, Christian author Tricia Goyer has recently released her version, Blue Like Play Dough. I love the way she describes … Read More
The Magic Word
“Come OOOOONNNN!” my ten-year-old griped at me this morning when we were getting out of the car and heading for school. (Usually that’s my line, but he was the one in a hurry this morning.) I answered with HIS usual line, “I’m coming! Sheesh!” (“Sheesh” seems to be his favorite word lately. I don’t really know what … Read More