Great news! Standard Publishing will be publishing one of my stories in their teen publication, ENCOUNTER—The Magazine! This is a special thrill because it is one of my favorites. This story grew out of a fun assignment for a writing course with the Institute of Children’s Literature. The instructions were to go to a public … Continue reading One Story’s Path to Publication
A Summer Full of Kids’ Books
I’m back working at school and this summer is officially over tomorrow morning, so this is a good time for a round-up of what I’ve been reading during the long, lazy days of the holiday. Lately, I have been reading and writing about old books, serious books. But browsing through the library feeling the full … Continue reading A Summer Full of Kids’ Books
7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers — now available on Kindle
The life of a writer can be an isolated one, and a writer’s group can be an encouraging and educational help. I joined Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship several years ago in order to find writing tips and a supportive community of likeminded wordsmiths, and to grow in my faith. One of my first experiences … Continue reading 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers — now available on Kindle
Review of Your Sacred Yes by Susie Larson
For the past year or two I have been working at de-busying my life and my concerns, in order to focus my energies and quiet my mind. This includes weeding out the unnecessary activities and commitments. I have a tendency to want to say "yes" when I am aware of a need that I can … Continue reading Review of Your Sacred Yes by Susie Larson
Discovering Out of Town Book Stores
While on holiday visiting relatives in the Denver area, I decided to check the yellow pages for used bookstores, just in case I had some time to visit them. And I lucked out and got to go to three of them! The Bookworm in Boulder, Colorado This bookstore came highly recommended by a friend of … Continue reading Discovering Out of Town Book Stores
Book Review of Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas
I am excited to have found this excellent writer! Until the Harvest is a masterful illustration of how hearts and lives are transformed through continued offers of friendship, food and forgiveness. It is a story of family, community, relationships and love; the hardships that they cause; and the beauty that only people can bring to … Continue reading Book Review of Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Book Review of The Pleasure of His Company by Dutch Sheets
“Pleasure is not only determined by the things we do, but by the company we keep.” Some say that Almighty God wants us to have a close relationship with him, and enjoys spending time with us. One part of this idea naturally appeals to me, but another part resists it. It seems a little too … Continue reading Book Review of The Pleasure of His Company by Dutch Sheets
Packing Lightly for a Writing Retreat
To avoid having to pay for and wait for checked baggage, I decided to only bring carry-on luggage on my trip, so that meant that there was no space for unnecessary items. And since I'd planned a do-it-yourself writing retreat and hadn't decided yet which projects and exercises I'd be working on, I had several … Continue reading Packing Lightly for a Writing Retreat
The Junior Instructor, my First Encyclopedia
The other day I got out two of my favorite books from my childhood, The Junior Instructor, Books 1 and 2. These were originally published in 1916, and the ones my mom gave us as small children were published in 1956. I was looking for some of the children’s prayers I’d learned, and while I … Continue reading The Junior Instructor, my First Encyclopedia
Valentine’s Day Review of Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day—in a literary way—than to read an excellent romance? (Well, chocolate might go head-to-head with a romance novel. But it is February and, as usual, the momentum from holiday chocolate intake has resulted in somewhat of a chocolate addiction, so I’m doing a cleanse. Guess I should have waited … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Review of Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
Happily Writing 