Appalachian Blessings
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Book Covers and Wine Labels
You can't judge a book by its cover. Yeah, I know. But you can sure judge the cover by the cover! I'm often drawn to books by their lovely or dramatic or emotional cover artwork. I'm not always delighted with what's inside, but a junky cover almost guarantees I won't...
Just Ten Questions to Measure Success
Troy Keur is a salesman, a speaker and an evangelist. I stumbled across his 10 questions for measuring daily success a while ago and thought they were fabulous. I don't remember to ask myself these questions every day, but when I do remember, they're telling. See how...
Why I Write
There are several reasons that I write. 1) I love writing. Even before I knew how to write, I would find blank paper and fill it up with scribbles. I liked how those lines and lines of pretend words looked. Imagine how thrilled I was once I learned the alphabet! 2) I...
I Remember . . .
Here's what I remember: Playing ring around the rosey in the side yard where the sweet william bloomed. Games of button, button, who's got the button, hide and seek, crazy eights and old maid. Cutting roses, flags (irises), mountain laurel and peonies from the front...
Burla Fitzgerald Loudin
Today is my grandmother's funeral. She was 97, so it's one of those things that's a blessing--even though I don't like it. I'll tell you all about her on Friday.
A New Shot to the Head
Errr. Rather, a new headshot. Why is it such torture having a photo taken? One of the things I need as an aspiring author is a great headshot. I can use it on my blog, on my business cards, on the cover page of my proposals and one day on the dust cover of my actual,...
Cleaning Behind the Couch
Early in our marriage, my mother-in-law dog sat for us while we went on a trip. She stayed in our house and tended to our three dogs (since gone on). When we returned, I was horrified to find that she had not only cleaned my house, but had moved furniture in order to...
Best, First Line?
Opening lines. No, I'm not talking about lines like, "Do you come here often?" or "Want some fries with that shake? (I know, I should get out more often.) I'm talking about awesome, amazing, make-you-want-to-read-the-whole-book first lines. Sometimes, at the library...
Meet Sarah
