Only in Chile

Only in Chile

Whatever the time period or dimension of a story, some things could happen only in Chile. Believe me, I should know. Many writing teachers believe that setting is another character in a book’s cast. That’s certainly true in everything I write. The associations triggered by memory of a place can showcase powerful motifs. Why Chile…

The Quarantine Tales

The Quarantine Tales

How does a writer generate ideas for a story? In my current quest to create the ultimate backdrop for a series targeted toward younger “young adults,” I’ve reinvented a minor character from my original story world and drawn Rachelle Peterson to center stage to prompt a round robin of quarantine tales. Every time my husband…

Faded Flowers

Faded Flowers

It’s a sad story attached to a round Danish cookie tin. Given to me more than 15 years ago, its silver-gray background pops with bouquets of pastel pink roses and multihued garlands. But I can only think of faded flowers and funeral wreaths when I look at it now. Why? Because this thoughtful gift came…

Beauty at the Beach

Beauty at the Beach

Far too much time has passed since I’ve spent an afternoon at our local beach. Some stretches of it have closed during this time of quarantine. Entire beach towns are blockaded. Though we’ve tried to behave and stay away, I miss—desperately—that singular beauty at the beach. Disappointing to say, we only fit in one beach…

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Bridge Over Troubled Water

What’s your biggest challenge with discovering good Christian books? I confess I’ve struggled, sometimes wondering if everyone has crossed over to secular ideals and maybe I should just jump off the bridge. 🙂 Where is that bridge over troubled water for you? What do you seek in a book? Especially one labelled and marketed as…