My favorite time of the year has arrived. (Not Christmas, which is probably tied for my second favorite along with rodeo season.) It is the Oregon Christian Writer’s Summer Conference! What can be better than hundreds of writers together, encouraging each other and a stellar faculty of editors, agents, professional writers and beyond. Ok, sales pitch over. Writer’s conferences are essential. Why? Networking – I learned this early on in college and cannot emphasize it enough. Networking, networking, networking. Whether it is social media or face to face, success is often about who you know. Now, I don’t mean that you use your connections for your own gain. No –...
Upon finding out my writer idols are, in fact, human!
Do you remember the first book you stumbled upon in the genre you now love and adore? Did you ever write a hand-written note to that author when you were young and dreaming of being a bona-fied, published author? (Back in the day, publishers listed mailing addresses in the back rather than the author’s email, website, Twitter or Facebook…) Well, I did. One of the first authors I ever wrote to, while I never heard back, remained one of my favorite authors to this day. Then, one day, I get an email that the author is following me (little, ol’, unpublished me) on Twitter. I direct message a thank you...
Review: The Preacher’s Bride
Description: In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher–whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John’s protests of her aid. She’s even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family. Yet Elizabeth’s new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John’s boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher’s enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she’s more...
Research Notes: the Vancouver Barracks, 1940s
Photos all from the Clark County Museum’s Research Library. Spent three hours with a notepad and my iPad camera. In. Heaven. More tidbits and photos in future posts – I promise! The barracks were home to the Vancouver District of Civilian Conservation Corps – part of FDR’s New Deal. More than 40,000 men from across the country passed through the Vancouver District during the life of the CCC. Below is an image of the CCC working on National Parks –
Two Years of Blogging: My favorite posts
What got me into journalism and history at the same time? Hint – An old friend of my grandfather’s and his crazy stories. What legendary horse inspired my first “real” novel? What WWII author tucked me under her wing and answered all my annoying questions via Facebook and email? Two years later, she’s still my idol! 🙂 What book changed my outlook on writing, characters and the meaning of book clubs? Hint – it’s not my typical genre. And the movie comes out March 23, 2012. (Yes, I’m counting down the days.) Finally – what blog series did I start in 2010 that I’m still continuing to this day? Hint...