I love seeing movies inspired or based on true events. The first two books I wrote were inspired by true events, and when people ask about them, I feel a need to go through the explanation that inspired by and based on are not the same. One can be inspired by a song to write a novel, but that novel …
About a Boy
The first time I met him was on the middle school quad. It was my turn for yard duty, and the quad was a desirable post. It’s where all the action happened and only steps from the office in case of an emergency. We were near the end of the school year, so the weather was perfect. The only downside …
The Art of Counting
When I was in high school, I worked at Woolworth’s—a variety store that no longer exists. It had everything from window treatments to pets. It was my first job and I took it very seriously. I learned a lot working at this store off and on for nearly four years. But the most memorable lesson I learned came by way …
Review of Meet the Misfits
About the Book Book: Zoey: Meet the Misfits & Zoey: Odd Girl Out Author: Melody Carlson Genre: Middle grade fiction for girls Release Date: April 15/ August 15, 2019 Zoey’s pretty sure her life is over when her wannaba-rockstar mother uproots her from from their home in Seattle and deposits her in Nowheresville, Oregon to live with her whackadoodle grandparents. …
We Are Family
This has been a summer of family connection. A trip to Idaho in July (my paternal family) and this past week, another to Maine (my maternal family). I’ve traveled more to see family since my parents passed away than in all my adult years combined. Why is it that it often takes a great loss to realize the importance of …
Purpose-Driven Heart
When I was 20 and preparing for my (first) marriage, my mom urged me to rethink what she felt was a rash decision. She wasn’t against my first husband (that was my dad’s argument) but that I was quitting school. Of course, I threw logic back at her, “But that’s what you did.” What was good for her was good …
Joanne Kraft
Let me introduce you to my friend, Joanne Kraft. This is one woman who never ceases to amaze me. When I first met her at the Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2009, she was already widely published in parenting magazines. At that time, she was working on her first book—Just Too Busy: Taking a Radical Sabbatical. I think she’d be …
The Measure of Success
My debut novel, Surrendered, was released just over three months ago. There was much anticipation, excitement, and a little anxiety warring inside me as that day approached. This has been a dream of mine since childhood, and I know it was God who put the desire to write (and to be published) on my heart. So, of course, I prayed …
Picture Perfect
“One of the main reasons we struggle with insecurity: We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes with everybody else’s highlight reel.”—Steven Furtick #crashthechatterbox I love this quote because it’s so true, especially in today’s society. In my parents’ generation it was about keeping up with the Joneses, but it takes on a whole new level with the implementation of social media. My Space …
Crash the Chatterbox
May I be completely transparent here? When people tell me God speaks to them, I’m more than a little envious. Why them and not me? Is it because I’m not spiritual enough or important enough? Am I not praying correctly or meditating enough (or at all)? Am I too self-involved to hear His still, small voice? If any of you …
