My friend, Kristina, taught me that words are like water. Like a well that goes unused for too long, neglecting to use your words can dry them up. Often the way to get yourself out of writer’s block is to just write—anything—to unclog and let the words flow again. Her words two years ago at…
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Bloom {Five Minute Friday}
My garden was two hopeful raised beds with some found dirt piled in and spread around. My hopes of starting a few Zinnia plants were dashed when the cheap packet of seeds I got at Walmart contained nothing but air. Yeah. A few tomato plants, extras from a friend, showed up and settled in. Then…
Continue ReadingBehind the Scenes of the Writing Life (Spread the Love Blog Tour)
Ya’ll. The writing life is tough. The fighting off of lies and self doubt to get the words on the page, yes, but also fitting in writing amongst all The Other Things. I struggle to keep up the blog when I’m focused on a big project, and I might have let it go entirely this month,…
Continue ReadingTicket to the Heights {All Is Grace, Part Five}
We were barreling down the road somewhere in the middle of Oklahoma two summers ago when I heard my phone ring. We’d been on the road for 3 weeks and I was friendsick, so despite the noise in the bus, I answered it. Little did I know this conversation would be a turning point on…
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When Your Art Feels “Ridiculous”
The other day Jesse came up to me with a solemn expression and made this confession: “Mom, sometimes when I’m in the bathroom by myself, I make up little songs but then I say ‘That’s ridiculous!’ to myself. And I stop.” Because this boy lives in a home that values creativity and celebrates all artistic…
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A Million Little Ways {Why I Love This Book}
Since I first found Emily Freeman’s blog 3 years ago, I’ve regularly turned to her words when my soul needs a breath of fresh air. She’s an author with whom I often personally relate, plus, she’s a really good writer. In her first book, “Grace for the Good Girl” it was like she climbed inside…
Continue ReadingWorship Outside the Box {FMF}
What do you do when you can’t sleep and are up in the middle of the night nibbling on a peanut butter sandwich because baby wanted a snack? Oh, just a little free writing with the Five Minute Friday prompt “Worship”… I’ve been sharing in this story how I was raised with some rather rigid religious…
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You know those things called seasons?
May is always a tricky month for me. I think many of you who live in colder climates can relate. May is when the weather finally begins to moderate, and though we love it, it always brings an interesting challenge: how to adjust our daily rhythm to include as much outside time as possible! (photos are all…
Continue ReadingIt’s time for some story-telling
Whoa, the blog has been quiet this week. Had you noticed? No, probably not. But I did, and it was bugging me. I just feel all awkward that I haven’t shared any good stories or a helpful tutorial, or some awesome links with you here this week. Funny, isn’t it, what I let stress me?…
Continue ReadingFMF “After”
I’m a bit rusty at this. For four months I’ve funneled most of my writing into the shape of a book, and not allowed myself the freedom of writing for even 5 min. just for the fun of it. I’m starting up again today because my friend Gretchen encouraged me…she said “making time for beauty…
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Embracing Beauty Backstory, Part Second
It’s still a surprise to me that I wrote a book on fashion. It was totally not my idea. (Here’s the first part of this little behind-the-scenes tale of self publishing my 3rd book) Last fall, after hanging out at my favorite blogging conference, I was very much in the mood to write another book….
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Embracing Beauty Backstory, Part First
The winter of 2013 was a rough one. Have I mentioned that? I don’t mean to harp, but ya’ll need to see the setting in order to appreciate this story. We got home from our second trek to Alabama just in time to celebrate Christmas, and got sick within a week of getting home. We…
Continue Reading{Cherished} Moments this Week
Sometimes the doubts come flying so fast, you can’t fight back on your own. You need someone else to speak truth into your life, and you need it now. I’m glad I’ve learned to reach out when those moments come. We weren’t supposed to do this alone. I dialed one of my mentors, even though…
Continue ReadingWho is the Author of this Opportunity?
Does opportunity thrill you or scare you? I’m usually in the thrill category. Anything new and exciting, I’m on it. Somewhere I can embrace my passions and serve God at the same time? I’m on it! But lately I’ve had a little root of fear crop up. What if I fail? What if I start…
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We’re Calling it Courage {The Writing Life Today}
(This week I conquered writer’s blog, due in a large part, I know, because of this woman, who gave a killer talk at Allume 2012 on Combating Writer’s Block. Thanks, Kristina!) I’ve come to the library to write. I needed a place I could be by myself. The muse does not like the ever-present threat…
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The Next *Big* Thing around here…
My friend, Kris, tagged me last week in the “Next Big Thing” blog post chain. It was just the kick in the pants I needed to, uh, tell you about my next big thing. See, I’m writing another book, ya’ll. But I hadn’t confessed it here yet because that would be like saying I was…
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