She came while I was doing sales time at market, and I asked if I could help her with anything. She asked some questions about our products, made a purchase, and was about to leave…
Category: Writing
The Advisors
Just like kings and generals and politicians, every writer needs a group of advisors. I’m so grateful for mine—and the fact that I didn’t need to look beyond my own household to find them. I…
The Fight for Fiction
The battle is being lost. Oh, not all at once—we’re compromising in small areas, but small areas lead to bigger ones. We’re letting in half-hearted soldiers who may turn traitor. We’re lowering our guns, inch…
The Rebel Writer
on bending and breaking rules I’ve picked up many books about writing over the years. I’d hear of a title and think, “Oh, I need that one!” I’d look at lists of recommendations on different…
More Novel Ideas
what I learned writing my first book I often hear people say, “Oh, I could never write historical fiction. All the research that goes into it …” Mm-hmm. Welcome to my world. Really, historical fiction…
Transparent Treasure
Inspiration is evasive. Here one minute, gone the next. Just when you need it, it runs off, and you can hear it laughing at your shaking fist. Sometimes you don’t even realise it has gone—until…
Novel Ideas
what I learned writing my first book There are two ways to learn something—hearing of it, or experiencing it. And the experiencing often leaves a much deeper imprint on our lives. I didn’t enjoy creative…
Forever Changed
As authors, we write to change readers. Every book you read changes you, whether for good or bad. Every story opens your mind to some new thought, perspective, idea, or understanding. I recently read a…
Fearful of Change
It’s true—most people are afraid of change. You probably are, too. It’s so much easier to stay in the familiar atmosphere of the wilderness than try to conquer the Canaanites. At least you know you’ll…
It’s Greek to Me: the Five Types of Readers
I cannot keep my books a complete secret. I know of people who can, who won’t give me any more answers than whether the main character is a boy or a girl (well, it’s not…