There’s a common belief that writers are a lonely lot. They tuck themselves away in remote cabins, huddle over computers at isolated tables near bathrooms at local coffee shops. They write in basement offices, surfacing only to stumble into bed and return at dawn to dark caves before the first glimmer of light (maybe that’s… Continue reading Dispelling the Myth of the Lonely Writer
Cover Appeal I love meandering through book stores and relishing in the visual smorgasbord of colors, images, fonts, and witty words crafted into titles, cover copy, and tantalizing taglines. If I’m lucky enough to land myself in a store with a built-in coffee shop, the scent of printed paper mixed with the waft of my… Continue reading The Birthing of a Beautiful Book Cover
Capturing Two Worlds I’ve been on a treasure hunt the last several weeks, and oh, yes, I can get use to this kind of adventure! Minutes turn into hours. Daylight transitions to darkness. My backside is numb and my stomach rumbles–all in the pursuit of digging up and collecting a treasure trove of images to… Continue reading Images, Imagery, & Imagination
Back in 2014, when Andrea Merrell was assigned as editor for my debut book, I may as well have died and gone to heaven. I was spoiled from the get-go–my learning curve shot straight to the moon with her edits and suggestions–all with a loving, kind, and genuine heart. Now, it’s my privilege to share… Continue reading Andrea Merrell– Author. Editor. Blogger. Instructor. Mother. Grandmother. Wife. All with a Heart for Jesus
Time to Round Up the Posse Those who know me well will attest I’d rather head off on an adventure with sidekicks than being the Lone Ranger. I wear that hat enough while I’m writing–countless hours at the computer and hanging out with my imaginary characters can make for a lonely ride. So, a girl’s… Continue reading Helping an Author Bring a Book to Life
Not To Rain On the Parade, But… When the final crepe paper, flag-laden bicycle rides by, parade watchers stow away folding chairs, last fireworks pop and fizzle, and I swear never to eat another hotdog (well, maybe just one at the ballgame next week), July 4th draws to a close. For a few days, the… Continue reading 4 Reasons to Celebrate the 4th of July
Who Are These Brave and Courageous Women? Not who you might think. I’m not talking about Wonder Woman or Jamie Sommers the Bionic Woman (okay, I just dated myself, plus we share the same name and, therefore, she was my childhood alter ego). Admittedly, I sped around my elementary school playground with superhuman agility, strength,… Continue reading Warrior Women & Why They Matter in Story and Life
Author. Artist …Â It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I stepped out of the formal classroom after a wonderful twenty year career in elementary education. It was a difficult decision but one that allowed me to breathe new life into my long-time art studio, Piggy Toes, and provide the freedom of time… Continue reading Creative Instruction Makes Learning Memorable & Fun
The Tale of “Oklahoma Grandma” I grew up hearing the tale of Mary Louisa Roberts, my great-great grandmother–a red-headed, feisty, and determined woman who successfully staked claim to one-hundred sixty acres in what later became part of Oklahoma. Her hard-drinking and “rounder” husband, Tuck, made a poor decision to seek gold in Colorado, leaving Mary… Continue reading Oklahoma Land Run Comes Alive Through Historical Fiction
HOW DO I LOVE THEE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS . . . Elizabeth Barrett Browning surely had her mojo on when she penned the famous words from Sonnet 43. So as we leap into the love month, why not take a moment to reflect on how (and when) to share with someone in your… Continue reading How To Say “I Love You” on Valentine’s Day
Jayme H. Mansfield 