• Author Chat with LC Helms on Finding Her Way Home through Writing

    I’m so pleased to introduce you to our first featured writer of 2021 who is both my friend and one of my writing critique partners. LC Helms truly has a gift for writing with a literary style that has moved me to tears more than once. Please join me in welcoming her to the blog today and enjoy our author chat. Q: I love your writing journey and think it will encourage readers. Would you share how you started writing, how “life happened,” and where you are today? I have always loved reading, and my writing experiences began when I was around twelve. I spent hours in the public library…

  • The Better Yes: Beating Your Fear of Missing Out

    One of my greatest joys as an author has come through getting to know other writers, and Jerusha Agen is one of those writers. Although we’ve never met in person, I’ve read some of her inspirational suspense novels and had the privilege of writing for her Fear Warrior blog. Recently, she invited me to be a guest blogger again and share what’s on my heart that might encourage readers who are facing their fears. Below is a re-post of my piece that published on The Fear Warrior blog today. You will definitely want to hop over to The Fear Warrior blog to take advantage of a giveaway I’m offering there…

  • Box Jumps in the Writing Life

    When my husband and I joined a gym together, he introduced me to the box jump. In theory, it’s simple, a metal platform that you jump on with both feet at the same time. You can move to higher levels as you advance in ability. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. In theory, publishing is simple too. You have a great idea. You write it down on paper. You publish it, and it becomes a New York Times’ best seller. And you laugh. Of course, publishing doesn’t work that way. Mastering the box jump isn’t so easy either. In fact, it has many parallels with the writing life.…

  • Italy Adventures: Choose Joy and Enjoy the Journey

    Ciao from Italy! I’m so thankful to be here, visiting some settings in my next novel, exploring this beautiful country with my colleague, and working remotely. However, lest you think the writer’s life and remote work life are purely magical (and oftentimes, they are), keep reading. Here’s what this trip has taught me so far. #1: You can’t plan for everything. Perhaps you’re wondering, Wasn’t Kristen going to blog while she’s traveling abroad? The answer is that yes, I was. However, when I turned on my laptop in Orvieto, I discovered that it would not charge. My colleague and I tried everything from reinstalling battery drivers and various other online…