My “One Little Word” for 2023 is “Ordinary.” I have been intentional in listening and watching for the sacred and beautiful in everyday, ordinary life. These five encounters really touched me recently. A Simple Flower The Stargazer Lily above suddenly appeared in our backyard this year. We’d purchased its great-great grandmother pre-Covid at a small farmer’s market and a bunny made a quick snack of it. It never sprang up again until this year. Now she sits directly in my line of sight when I sit at our kitchen table, and she always makes me smile. A Different Flower On Read More
Tag: inspiration
Can Washi Tape Change My Life?
I’d never heard of washi tape. (*audible gasps resound*) That is until two members of my writers’ group presented a program on how to use bullet journals in writing. Washi tape was involved. Colorful, patterned, floral washi tape. And stickers. Yes, stickers. I have to admit, my first instinct was to sit back, fold my arms, and think, This is a way to avoid writing. But I scolded my judgmental self (I’m a one on the Enneagram) and said, Shhh. You might learn something. And I did. I’m often complimented on how disciplined a writer I am. The truth is, Read More
3 Inspirations that Did Not Lead to a Sparkly Vampire
Don’t you wonder how Stephenie Meyer came up with the idea of a sparkly vampire? How did Diana Gabaldon decide on a portal in a standing stone that whisked Claire off to a Highlander hunk named Jamie? And Hobbits? Really? Where do authors get their ideas? Well, I can only speak to what’s worked for me with Love’s Courage: a word, a photo, and a visit. A Word Rich and I are word nerds. Okay, I’m a word nerd and Rich indulges me. Every morning at breakfast, we look up Merriam Webster’s Word of the Day. On Feb. 26, 2016, Read More
When Did You Know You Were a Writer?
At a recent book signing, I was asked, “When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?” I was stumped, as I am whenever I’m asked that question. Other authors seem to know, almost to the exact moment, saying “Oh, I was riding my tricycle, and the plot for my first piece of literary fiction fell from the sky into the basket on my handlebars.” I never seemed able to pinpoint my moment of divine revelation. Until a memory surfaced from out of the blue. I was only four years old when my muse, Boris, first inspired me. Read More
5 Reasons Why Writers Need Support Groups
I’m basking in the glow of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Romance Writers of America’s (MMRWA) annual Retreat from Harsh Reality. Our speaker this year was Katharine Ashe, author of historical romance novels. She was amazing! Once again, I realized the need for writers to spend time—quality time—with other writers. Here are only five reasons why: Shared Excitement Over Writing Craft (or “The Writing-Geek Files”) I’ve been scratching my head over the term “high concept” since I first heard it a couple of years ago. Katharine’s presentation “What is High Concept (and How Do I Write It)” was the best Read More