I’m fortunate to be part of a fantastic local writers group, MN NICE (Novelists Inspiring Christian Excellence), the Minnesota chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). We’re scheduled to meet once per month–usually we invite a speaker or teacher to share with us, but about once a year we escape the meeting room and take a field trip. (Is that what …
Midsummer Already???
If you’re like me, you can’t believe it’s midsummer already, especially if you live in Minnesota where our long-for-us winter seemed to last till mid-May. Spring made a very brief appearance, but I was too busy to notice. And finally this week, I have a breather. That’s when I noticed that summer’s already half gone! And our baby goes off …
May Book Preview – WHILE LOVE STIRS by Lorna Seilstad
I’m so excited! My friend and critique partner, Lorna Seilstad, has another book out: While Love Stirs, the second novel in her Gregory Sisters series. And this one is extra-special fun because it’s based in Minnesota in the early 20th century. Lorna took me to places I hadn’t ever heard of and then she brought me down familiar streets that have barely …
Lucy & Schroeder in Rice Park
I’ve gotta admit, I’m at a loss trying to think up a blog post for today … so since it’s not even a week since Valentine’s Day and since I talked about music this past Tuesday and since snow is still two-feet deep in Minnesota with a forecast of four to eight more inches falling today, I thought you’d enjoy …
Research Along the North Shore
One of the great pleasures of being a writer is doing location research. With the advent of the Internet and wonderful tools such as Google Earth, it’s easy to research locales we’ve never visited. Still, there’s nothing like actually being there where you can capture the sounds and scents. The experience becomes tactile rather than visual. A week ago my …
Minnesota Bucket List
I must admit, I love my state. I love all the seasons, including winter. I love nature’s landscape, the rich theater scene, the wealth of music–I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Our family manages to cross a few items off of our Minnesota Bucket List every year. Over the last decade we’ve visited the Sculpture Garden, Mill City Museum, the Stone …
June 2013 – Novel Anticipation, Minnesota Edition
It just so happens that the books topping my list for June are all written by Minnesotans! It shouldn’t be a surprise as our state boasts many talented authors. What’s extra fun is that I know most of the authors listed below. I eagerly anticipate reading all their books. 🙂 A HEART DECEIVED (David C. Cook) by Michelle Griep (Michelle …
Springtime
Spring is here. Honest! Even though we Minnesotan’s and upper Midwesterners aren’t seeing a lot of evidence right now. Several blankets of snow still coat the grass, the temperatures are hovering in the single digits, and the winds are howling like they do in January. Yet, the calendar tells us spring is here. Just in case you doubt, here’s a …
March 2013 – Novel Anticipation
All the books I’m anticipating reading this month are written by authors whom I’ve read before, authors who are gifted storytellers. I’m certain I won’t be disappointed with their newest releases. ORDINARY GRACE: A NOVEL by William Kent Krueger – This novel is quite a departure from normal for Krueger, whose fame comes from writing his NYT bestselling Cork O’Connor …
Hot Dish Thursday
What’s a hot dish you ask? Well, if you’re asking that question, you likely don’t live in Minnesota where hot dishes are a staple at all potlucks and many family dinners. A hot dish is created by using a mish-mash of ingredients. Cream of xxxx soups are often involved, as is hamburger, noodles, chicken, rice, veggies, tuna … well, you …