>I’ve anticipated having my friend, Myra Johnson, here at the café for months. This time last year we both lamented whether we would EVER be published. Myra got the first contract, and honestly, I couldn’t have been happier. I’m looking at her to pave the way! Myra’s first book – from Abingdon Press – officially releases TODAY, but it’s actually …
>COLLOQUIALISMS, EUPHEMISMS, & MALAPROPRISMS
> Language is a peculiar and yet magical way that we communicate ideas, tell stories, persuade others, and learn vast amounts of both trivial and essential knowledge. Since the first grade when I mispronounced “Nancy” in my reader—I said Nancky—I’ve been on a mission to conquer this world of words. I love finding a new word or phrase that dances …
>THE ESTATE SALE
>I noticed the For Sale sign in the yard first. A quaint Tudor with cheerful daffodils and peonies lining the grill work in front of the entrance area. The home is on our daily dog-walking route, and often the elderly couple who lived there would wave from their webbed lawn chairs. During football season, OU and OSU flags stood staunchly …
>GENESIS 2009 FINALISTS
>Today the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) announced the 2009 Genesis Finalists. This annual contest for unpublished authors is gaining more recognition each year and is a contest that’s very close to my heart. The past two years I’ve been fortunate enough (thrilled and humbled) to final and then win my category. It’s a nerve-wracking, exhilarating learning experience, but when …
>NYT Best Seller JODI THOMAS on WOMEN’S FICTION
> The first writers’ group that I belonged to back in my writing infancy days was the Panhandle Professional Writers in Amarillo, Texas. It was there I tried my fledgling wings and first heard of romance writer Jodi Thomas. In the ensuing years, Jodi has been on numerous bestseller lists, won three Rita awards, been inducted in the RWA Hall …
>BREAKFAST WITH TESS GERRITSEN
> I’m just back from the annual OWFI (Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.) conference. As always I ate too much, stayed up too late, and basked in the company of four hundred other people who understand the concept of creating characters on paper who somehow are braver, more handsome, kinder or even more vindictive that the real people in our lives. …
>INTERVIEW WITH AMY DEARDON
> I’m privileged to have Amy Deardon visiting the blog today. Hope you’ll sit back and read about Amy, her book, A Lever Long Enough, and her insights about writing. After the interview you’ll find Amy’s article – Story Structure. Thanks, Amy, for visiting the Café today and allowing me to share your research with my readers. Congratulations on your …
>THE SWEET SORROW OF PARTING
> I use to frequent antique stores, where invariably a kindly shop owner would ask if there was a specific item I was looking for. A gentle shake of the head would send them scurrying behind their counters and leave me to peruse the wares at my leisure. The thing was, I often didn’t have anything in particular in mind, …
>Guest Blogging Today at On The Write Path
>Erica Vetsch has been on of my faithful cheerleaders on this writing journey. We were finalists together in the 2007 Genesis contest. How fortunate I am to have become good friends with her. She has me on her blog today if you’d like to read more about my writing journey.
>MEET THE THERAPISTS at My Book Therapy
>Please join me in welcoming once again the creators and geniuses from My Book Therapy on their LOVE TO WRITE tour. Today, some personal thoughts from Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, and Sarah Sumpolec. Thoughts from Therapist Susan May Warren: Writing the story of your heartQ: Have you ever had a story that you wanted to write, a spiritual message …