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Black Spies in Confederate Richmond
A recent review of Spy of Richmond suggested that the title of the novel should really be Spies of Richmond, and I'm actually delighted with her observation. I really wanted to show in my novel that Underground Richmond was made up of many, many people working together. White Richmonders like Elizabeth Van Lew, farmers, immigrants, and my fictional heroine Sophie Kent were part of it, and we'll talk about them on the blog later. But while it's still Black History Month, I'd like to...
The 5 Love Languages for Writers
With Valentine's Day soon upon us, let's talk about love. Many of you know that I had the honor and privilege of co-authoring The 5 Love Languages Military Edition with Dr. Gary Chapman a while ago. Working on that book helped me invest in my own marriage in ways that I hadn't before. It also improved my writing when it came to...
On this Day in 1864: Libby Prison Breakout!
On February 9, 1864, 109 Union prisoners escaped from the notorious Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. The story of this prison break, including the months of secret, dangerous preparations, is so intense and exciting I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't turned it into a movie yet. As for me, as soon as I discovered this historical drama, I knew it would have a prominent place in my novel, Spy of Richmond. And it does.
I don't want to spoil the book for you, but I can at least tell you that...
Great News for Beginning Writers
If you're a beginning writer, and have been discouraged by the stuff that's been dribbling from your proverbial pen, allow me to share some really great news with you. If you can understand this now, and really internalize it, it will help you more than you can imagine. This will set you apart. Writing is hard. "Right," you're saying. "Enough with the preamble, already. So what's the good news?"
Writing is hard.
That's the good news. The good news, dear writer, is that the words on your page do not disappoint you because you have no talent, but because writing----good...
Opium Abuse and the Civil War
As you can image by the title of my novel, ...
Military Wives, Meet Me in Virginia Beach!
Calling all military wives in the Virginia Beach area! Regent University and First Baptist Norfolk Church are offering a free Military Wives Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, February 19, and I'm honored to be the speaker. I'll be sharing about something dear to my heart, and I hope it will touch yours, too: A Legacy of Faith and Courage: Inspiration from Yesterday's Military Wives. ...
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