Clik here to view.
No Smiles for the Camera
Have you ever eaten at Cracker Barrel and noticed all the old pictures hanging on their walls? Those stern ancestors of some family that didn’t care enough to keep their pictures? They are always...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blessings Only Come to Those Who Notice
May your troubles be less, your blessings more and may nothing but happiness come through your door. –Irish Blessing Blessings only come to those who notice . An unthankful heart is like a finger...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cover Reveal – Along a Storied Trail
“Good cover design is not only about beauty… it’s a visual sales pitch. It’s your first contact with a potential reader. Your cover only has around 3 seconds to catch a browsing reader’s attention....
View ArticleClik here to view.
An Appalachian Christmas
Have you ever wanted to attend a book event hosted by an author you’ve wanted to meet? Well, now’s your chance to meet at least three authors, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Cindy Sproles, and me. All of us...
View ArticleClik here to view.
E-book Sale on a Christmas Story from Harmony Hill
What fun to see that my Shaker Christmas novel, Christmas at Harmony Hill, is on special e-book sale right now at most internet sites for the very low price of 99 cents or less! That gives me the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Zooming with Appalachian Writers
One of the nicest things about writing for the inspirational market is making friends with other writers who are ready to cheer you on and tell their reading friends about your books. While some...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Christmas Story from Sassy Creek
Hope you all will give Shelia Stovall a fond welcome as she visits One Writer’s Journal today to tell you about her Christmas novella, A Sassy Creek Christmas, and her inspiration for her town of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Christmas Stories from Readers
When I sent out a newsletter recently, I invited readers to share a story about a special way they celebrate Christmas or favorite ornament or gift they remember. I love hearing your stories and I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Do Authors Get Ideas?
This is my month for e-book specials. First I got news that Christmas at Harmony Hill (Amazon link) was on e-book sale for 99 cents or less and then last week I found out that Murder at the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Remembering Christmas Morning 1964
Christmas Week 1965 Jocie Brook here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Christmas is almost here. I don’t see how Christmas 1965 can top Christmas 1964, but maybe it will. I guess I’ll have to wait...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Christmas with Perdita Sweet from Along a Storied Trail
Merry Christmas. What a great time of the year when cheer and goodwill fill the air! If you’re like me, memories of Christmases past bring smiles. I like thinking about the times I’ve celebrated...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV) Whenever I autograph a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shaker Day of Atonement
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ~Colossians 3:13 (NIV) This morning on my Facebook page today for my weekly...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Lesson in Gratitude
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – Gilbert C. Chesterton It may be a little late for Christmas gifts although I still...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Peace that Passes Understanding
If you’ve ever attended a Vacation Bible School as a kid or as an adult teacher, then you have probably sung the song “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” (down in my heart) many times. It’s a great song that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Orchard of Hope – Narrated by Me!
You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things.” –Nate Berkus Have you ever wanted to try something...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Facing the Page
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash At some point, you have to sit down and face the page alone. At some point, the final decisions need to be yours. At some point, you have to give yourself deadlines...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Value of Perseverance
Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other. –Walter Elliot (1888-1958), Scottish politician Sometimes when I give a talk about writing, I’m asked what characteristic...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Throwback Thursday, Remembering the Release of Words Spoken True
Wednesday slipped by me. I don’t know about you all, but so much staying at home during this pandemic has me sometimes having to think twice about what day it is. Then, I did have final edits show up...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Are You a List Maker?
We will never finish everything on our to-do lists. It’s not possible, and that is life! ~Susan L. Taylor Do you make lists of things you want to get done? I do. Sometimes then I do lose those lists...
View Article