Interview with recent IBPA Award winner Roma Cordon!
Read moreInterview with the multi-talented Betsy Thorpe, aka Hope Carolle
I love when characters are at a crossroads, and I have to figure out whether they’re going to make a good decision or a bad one, and most of all, I love it when they make an unexpected decision and then I have to figure out how the heck I’m going to get them out of a difficult situation. — Hope Carolle, aka Betsy Thorpe
Read moreBeing Bruiser Woods, Part 3
Caitlin had made blue and pink t-shirts for all of us that said, ‘Joni’s Crew,” on the front, and we each had our role spelled out on the back. I was “Joni’s Manager,” Caitlin was “Joni’s Personal Chef,” Josh was “Joni’s Agent,” Kelsey was “Joni’s Costume Designer,” Seph was “Joni’s Financial Advisor,” and Jeff, of course, was “Joni’s Veterinarian.”
Read moreBeing Bruiser Woods, Part 2
“Mom, you have to get her cute outfits,” Kelsey texted.
Caitlin, who was blessedly feeling fine now after her bout with Covid, agreed. “Bruiser wears a different outfit in every scene.”
“You’ll have to be my consultants.” I realized that much of my joy in this project was the thought that our daughters would love it. And the rest was the thought that Joni would enjoy it, too.
And Jeff? After those initial objections, he jumped fully on board.
Read moreBeing Bruiser Woods, Part I
“Wow,” I said, feeling a sudden frisson. “That’s funny. We have a chihuahua that looks exactly like Bruiser Woods.” I pulled out my phone, and showed her a picture of our fawn-colored chihuahua, Joni. When we’d adopted her six months ago, she’d charmed us. She had an outgoing and sweet personality; in spite of the fact she’d been rescued from a house teeming with thirty chihuahuas breeding and vying for food. We were told she was about four, and had almost certainly had at least one litter. One of the people at the adoption agency had assured us, “She really knows how to work a room.”
“I’ll text you,” Breanna said just as the theater went dark for Act Two.
Read moreA Conversation with Award Winning author Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Imagery of books by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
I read and loved Joyce Moyer Hostetter’s historical story Blue, which has become a classic, become required reading for many schools, and has even inspired a play. On her website, she says that she writes about tough topics because she is trying to understand the world’s sorrows. I so admire the way she addresses these tough topics in such an authentic and straightforward way. For this month’s blogpost, I’m honored to have the opportunity to ask her some questions about her excellent and thought-provoking new book, Equal, which is the final book in her popular Baker’s Mountain series.
Read moreThat's a take!
Photos by Lisa Williams Kline.
When we started thinking about music for the ceremonies, the girls said they’d love for their dad to play guitar, but he has FOB responsibilities and, besides that, he gets stage fright when he plays in front of people.
Read moreHappy 126 th Birthday to my Grandmother!
Photo by Lisa Williams Kline.
I wrote my first novel, Eleanor Hill, about my grandmother who would have been 126 this March. It’s a fictionalized story, based on her letters and photos, about her young adulthood in Atlantic and New Bern around 1910.
Read more“The Mindful Joy of Painting”
Photo and painting by Lisa Williams Kline.
I’ve taken up watercolors as a method for being mindful and keeping my anxiety at bay during Covid times. Read more about my experience.
Read moreFollow-up on the turtle nest
Photo by Lisa Williams Kline.