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Lately I've been looking at characterization in an entirely new light. I've been watching my baby grand daughter discover the world.

She approaches every new experience with a sense of wonderment and awe, from lingering over the texture of carpet fibers to delighting in the sound of clanging one block against another.

And watching how a baby explores the world adds new meaning to the verse "

This summer my husband and I visited Algonquin National Park in Northern Ontario, a wilderness brimming with pristine lakes, winding rivers and spectacular views. Being avid hikers, we chose one of the more difficult climbs, and as we sweated our way up a very steep, very long incline, I began contemplating how very much like the writing journey this hike was becoming.


A few mosquitoes buzzed around taking chunks out of me, not unlike how I felt after reading the first few critiques of my writing.

The air was unusually humid and several times we were tempted to stop and turn back. Then we’d arrive at a plateau and feel the sweet cooling breezes and catch a glimpse of the spectacular view awaiting us at the top.

With the ACFW hoopla behind me, I’m finally returning to the primary focus of this blog—conversations about characters.


At the end of Deep Cover, the hero realizes that he’s been trusting in his own strength to protect the heroine, rather than God’s.

Believers often seek God’s help or guidance as a last resort, don't we?

Or, like me, we go to Him, but� sometimes we don't stay still long enough to hear His answer.

With so many things vying for our time and attention, oftentimes, it’s difficult to shut out the clatter and just rest in Him.

FB Fan Donna U. 
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For those who are wondering who all the smiling Love Inspired Authors were in Wednesday's Post ...

The answers are:


#1 Kathryn Springer and hubby
#2 Debra Clopton and hubby
#3 Kelly Anne Riley
#4 Merrillee Whren
#5 Betsy St. Amant...

I like to watch people when I'm traveling. It's a wonderful opportunity to gain character ideas.

I struck gold on my flight home from the ACFW conference this past Sunday.

When the plane stopped, a six foot, broad-shouldered guy sitting in the seat in front of me jumped into the narrow aisle and began tugging his carry-on luggage out of the overhead compartment.

At the same time, the woman

For those of you who read Love Inspired books, I thought it'd be fun to share some photos of LI authors. 

How many you can name?  You get one point for each author you're the first to name correctly...yes, there's a prize. :DSkip the guys, 'cause we're all gals.


Romance writers #1 and #2 with their real-life hero husbands


 Hint: Couple #2 are newlyweds


Hint: writer #3 is a Golden Heart

St. Louis' famous arch--the gateway to the West
As always the 2011 ACFW conference was a wonderful celebration of the best in Christian fiction and a blessed opportunity to fellowship with, and encourage fellow authors and soon-to-be authors. The highlight of the weekend is the Awards Gala, and this year, many watched it streamed live.

Today, I'll share some photos and stories and then

A late good morning to everyone! I'm still recovering from yesterday's trip home from the ACFW conference in St. Louis and hope to post more pictures and fun stories a little later today.

 I've been having so much fun meeting old friends and making new ones that I'm afraid I haven't taken many photos. Internet access is also difficult, but here are a few that I've managed to download. Later, I want to add a cool photo I took of The Arch emerging from the fog behind the state building. Tracie Peterson gave the opening address yesterday...very entertaining. Hopefully, later I'll get