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How to Budget for Back-to-School Expenses

 

How to Budget for Back-to-School Expenses

Budgeting for Back-to-School Expenses

I hate to say it, but back-to-school expenses are coming. Summer has been flying by and, depending on where you are, the school year is quickly creeping up on us. Here in Georgia, school started the first week of August!

I know for me, last year was hard. Maybe that was because it was the first school year for our family of five–I wasn’t exactly sure how to budget for it. Or maybe it was because there really are so many various and unexpected school-related expenses that happen during the year.

That’s why I believe it’s important to make sure you have at least $100 of wiggle room in your budget each month for the school year and especially back-to-school expenses. I know that sounds like a lot of money (and it definitely is.) However, chances are, when you look back over last year’s budget, you’ll notice that you come very close if not over the $100 a month for all those last-minute purchases.

How to Find Extra Cash for Back-to-School Expenses

Here are just a few ways that can hopefully help you figure out how to find an extra $100 (or more!) in your monthly budget for back-to-school expenses:

1. Cell Phones

Regardless if it’s just you and your spouse or the whole family on your phone plan, paying for cell service can be a little crazy. That’s why if you haven’t already, I highly suggest you switch over to a company like Republic Wireless (who I personally use) or Ting (several of my friends use them and love them).

You still get to have an awesome smartphone but without the high cell phone bill (mine is only $25/mo with data!).

2. Insurance

Yeah, I know, you don’t want to talk about this subject because it’s one of those “necessary evils.” However, if you haven’t called around lately to gather new quotes for your different insurance needs, I highly suggest you do. You could save yourself hundreds of dollars a year just from a simple phone call.

3. Subscription Services

It’s happened to me before. I completely forget that I have a subscription service deducting money from my bank account. It’s like I put it on autopilot and fail to evaluate if it’s a necessary expense or not.

The next thing to do is check for any recurring subscriptions, maybe now is the time to evaluate if they are still necessary. Spend a little time going through and canceling the unnecessary ones. This should add a little more wiggle room to your budget for those back-to-school expenses.

4. Be Inconvenienced

I’m a firm believer in the fact that sometimes, we are just paying way too much for convenience. It’s possible that if we allow ourselves to be inconvenienced, we could save $1,000’s of dollars a year!

One of my favorite ways to be inconvenienced is by not using paper towels. A few years ago, we switched from using paper towels regularly to using bar mop cloths. That one small change has resulted in saving us hundreds over the years! We only have to buy one roll of paper towels twice a year (for draining meats like bacon or ground beef.) Honestly, it has affected us very little.

So, look around your home and find little ways that you could save money by simply being “inconvenienced.” You could end up adding a whole lot more to your school budget than just a $100 a month!

What to Do with Your Savings

Those are just a few ways that you can cut your expenses before the start of the school year. But the key to not going broke this school year is to remember that once you add that wiggle room to your budget, as a result, you must make sure that you add a line item accounting for that.

For instance, let’s say you cut your cell phone bill from $100 to $30 a month (yes, that’s totally possible with Republic Wireless or Ting.) Now you have $70 of wiggle room in your budget that must be accounted for.

Now you’d want to add a line item like “School Miscellaneous” or something with $70 as the total.

Example:

  • Mortgage: $1,000
  • Utilities: $200
  • Car Payment: $400
  • Insurance: $150
  • Cell Phone: $30
  • Groceries: $500
  • School Miscellaneous: $70

Then whenever those random, “Hey we need each child to bring in a snack for our upcoming event on Thursday” happens, you’ll have the money ready to go in your budget. Just make sure that you account for that expense and deduct the total from your category for back-to-school expenses.

Hopefully, this helps you if you’re getting geared up for the back-to-school season. Even if this isn’t a stage of life you’re currently dealing with, send this onto a friend that is in this season to give them a boost!

What is a piece of advice that you could offer someone else for not going broke during the school year?

{More about Jessi Fearon}

10714251_730966356979424_3359439497490871642_oJessi Fearon is the founder of the popular personal finance blog, Real Life on a Budget, where she shares her family’s real-life on a budget in order to inspire others to learn how to manage their money better. Jessi’s work has been featured on Buzzfeed, Rockstar Finance, TIME/Motto Magazine, Money Saving Mom, and The Penny Hoarder. Jessi resides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia with her husband Pat and their three children Conner, Collin, and Charlotte and a rescue dog named Belle.

 

 

Additional Resources

How to Avoid Going Broke This School Year
Saving Money with Groupon Coupons
7 Tips for Living on $7 a Day
Restoring the Art of the Piggy Bank Savings
30 Cheap & Fun Date Night Ideas

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Writer’s Desk with Mandy Boerma

The Writer’s Desk with Mandy Boerma

When Mandy Boerma isn’t hanging out at her favorite coffee shop writing, she’s a busy mom. After meeting Prince Charming, they started their own version of Happily Ever in the Florida Panhandle. Nothing compares to life at the beach. While those early days included romantic sunset walks with sand between their toes, days are now filled with sandcastles, swimming, and school. Mom duties fill Mandy’s days. You know them all— cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring, organizing, helping at school, all the lessons, and practices, homework, etc. And because that’s not enough, she also teaches piano, normally with coffee in hand.

Connect with Mandy on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and sign up for her newsletter here.

More about You’ll Be Mine: 

A return to the past sparks a new future…

International hotel manager Ben Carter is not sticking around Hearts Bend. He’s just home to sell the inn he inherited from his grandparents. The place holds all his best memories—especially the ones that include regular summer guest Cami Jackson. But she’s been out of his life for years, and she’s not coming back…

Real estate developer Cami Jackson is ready to take over as VP of her father’s company. When the Hearts Bend Inn comes on the market, she wants to swoop it up, if only because of the sweet memories of her favorite summers. The last thing she expects to find is her first love back to sign on the dotted line.

But for her father, the inn holds memories of a terrible tragedy, and he wants to kill the deal. An impulsive decision could turn into a lost-but-found dream…but only if Ben and Cami can keep the past from tearing them apart—again.

A heart-healing story of second chances set in the charming town of Hearts Bend!

Purchase a copy of You’ll Be Mine.

Be sure to scroll below to enter to win a copy of You’ll Be Mine!

Q&A with Mandy Boerma

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

MB: I’m pretty boring as it is. I mean, I brush my teeth three times a day. I drink coffee, and I put my pants on one leg at a time. I guess you could say, I wear contacts. My favorite color is pink, but I prefer to wear black.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for You’ll Be Mine?

MB: I found my inspiration within Rachel’s books set in Hearts Bend. I love to dig into a bad guy, so I wanted to know more about the infamous Brant Jackson. Turns out he has a family, and so that was what started the plotting of the story.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

MB: I love to write at JoJo’s, a local coffee shop. I start by ordering coffee. I like a light roast with a splash of half and half. I clear my inbox, send a few messages, and dive in.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

MB: I love a set pattern. Coffee. Emails. Messages. Write. But honestly? The best habit to have is to just sit down and write.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

MB: I try not to snack, but I do drink coffee. Sometimes I switch to hot tea if I’m spending a lot of time writing, but coffee is my go-to.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

MB: I like to take a walk. Read a book. Play the piano. Anything other than sit and stare at a blank page, or a blinking cursor.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

MB: Both?

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

MB: I’m still a new writer! I feel like I make a bunch of mistakes. I’m not sure what’s most common.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

MB: Just do it. Seriously, sit yourself down and write.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

MB: I’m working on another book with Sunrise Publishing. This time I will be in Heritage, Michigan—Tari Faris’s fictional town. I love this small town, and Tari is truly amazing. I’m really excited to continue working with Carrie Padgett in this new location.

Enter to win a copy of You’ll Be Mine:

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Don’t miss my conversation with Mandy Boerma (click the image below to view on YouTube)

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Writer’s Desk with Karen Ferguson

The Writer’s Desk with Karen Ferguson

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer and small business owner with a background in K-8 education. A grateful wife, mom, and grandmom she loves words and the Word of God and is passionate about writing stories that grab and hold young readers’ attention while teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths, and His unchanging love for them. She wants every child to know their life matters.

Karen loves reading, writing, staying active, and spending time with her family and their crazy Golden Retriever in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Connect with Karen on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, GoodReads, and sign up for her newsletter here.

Q&A with Karen Ferguson

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

KF: One of my favorite things to do in the evening is read, but if I try to read in bed after 8:30 pm, I immediately fall asleep… 😴

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for Guess How Much God Loves You?

KF: The Bible. This book is about the Creation Account as recorded in the Bible. I know there is some controversy surrounding The Beginning, and just how that happened, even within the Church. But none of us were alive then, and I’m a firm believer in the authority and authenticity of the Bible, so I relied on what God said happened at the very beginning.

But there is more to this book. This is the first of a six-book series, and there is a story thread throughout, with two main characters: Lucy Lu and Papa Joe. I didn’t want to just present facts from the Bible, I wanted those facts to be part of a personal story kids could relate to. And I wanted to create an experience for readers, something along the lines of the Magic School Bus series, so kids feel like they are living it firsthand.

The main motivator behind the book was frustration. I was seeing too many children’s books promoting anti-biblical principles. I remember how important it was for me to teach my girls about God in a way that was engaging, easy to relate to, and Bible-based, and now that I’m a grandmom it seems even harder to find these types of resources.

Young children are so impressionable and, unfortunately, they are bombarded with ungodly messages every day, in ways that would have been unbelievable ten years ago. I wanted to be part of the solution and create something dynamic, fun, and creative – grounded in the truths of the Bible – for parents and grandparents to share with the special children in their lives.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

KF: Not really, although the words do seem to flow a bit better when I have a cup of coffee right beside me. One habit I gave up was obsessively self-editing as I wrote. I used to do this all the time and it really slowed me down and got in the way of creative thought. I’m getting better at letting the words flow freely in the first draft before I start editing too much.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

KF: Waiting to edit until the second draft. Think of your first draft as more of a free write practice. I also encourage you to schedule your writing time just like any other important appointment. This is something I’m working on myself, as I’ve had a nasty habit of putting off writing for other “more important” things far too often. Sometimes those other things are legitimate reasons, but I have found they can easily turn into excuses.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

KF: My favorite coffee: Kauai Coffee Company, Garden Isle Medium Roast. I discovered it when we were in Kauai many years ago and toured their coffee estate. I was thrilled to find it in local stores! The Hawaiian Islands hold a special place in my heart, so when I drink it, it feels like a little bit of paradise at home 🏝

I try not to snack when I write, once I get started it’s hard to stop 😋

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

KF: I take a walk or listen to music. Worship music, primarily. There is something rejuvenating about getting out into green space and fresh air that is so good for my brain and body. It clears the clutter in my head and silences that inner critic that can distract and discourage. Add worship music into the mix, and my heart and mind are ready for new ideas.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

KF: I used to edit obsessively as I wrote, which slowed me down and caused a lot of frustration. After hearing from several writers about their editing practices, I either wait until the second draft if I’m writing something short or until the end of my writing session to do some light edits if it’s longer.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

KF: Expecting instant success. Like anything in life, something worthwhile takes time to achieve. The reality is very few people achieve instant success in any field. We just don’t see all the baby steps those ‘successful’ authors took to get to that place. Also, comparing yourself with other writers. Don’t do it! 😊 Too often we compare our beginning with someone else’s middle or even end. God has a unique plan for each of us as writers, so don’t let small beginnings discourage you. Each step forward is important, no matter how small.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

KF: Don’t overfocus on building your platform at first. Focus most of your energies on learning how to be the best writer you can be. This is a paraphrase, but it was solid advice from Francine Rivers when I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting with her one on one at a writer’s conference in 2019. Of course, platform building is an important piece of the writing journey, but she explained how essential it is to first study and develop our writing skills, so we create something worth reading and sharing.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

KF: The second book in the Guess How Much God Loves You picture book series. It’s about the First Family of God (Adam, Eve, and the Garden).

TG: What book(s) are you currently reading?

KF: Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills for fiction, and Mysteries of the Messiah by Rabbi Jason Sobel for non-fiction.

TG: What is your favorite place on earth?

KF: The library of course… ;-). I have often said to my husband that besides home and church, it’s my favorite place, and it’s true. But if I had to pick a more exotic location, it’s the Hawaiian Islands. As my dad used to say, Hawaii feels like “Paradise on earth.” There’s a beauty and feeling of wellbeing that goes along with it that’s hard to explain. More recently I’ve fallen in love with Seaside Florida (30A) on the Gulf of Mexico. Or the Emerald Coast as it is called – and for good reason – the water is amazing!

TG: Cats or dogs?

KF: Dogs all the way (sorry cat lovers ;-)! Growing up I had both, but my husband is allergic to cats, so after 30 years with just dogs, I’m not sure I’d know what to do with a cat now. Dogs are intensely loyal and loving, a true gift from God.

TG: What is one thing you can’t live without?

KF: Jesus.

TG: What is the best song to blast when you need to be pumped up?

KF: I love worship music, and mostly listen to that genre, but I have to say, “We Will Rock You” by Queen pumps me up every time! When it starts playing my reflex is to stomp and sing the lyrics aggressively no matter where I am…😁

TG: If you could time travel to any point in history when would it be, and who would you be hanging out with?

KF: The 1950s. There is something about that period that is nostalgic, but still current enough to have things I appreciate like easy access to clean water, bathrooms inside homes, and cars to drive. I’d be hanging out with Elvis, for sure. I’ve been a big fan of his ever since I was a kid listening to my mom’s records after school and dancing in my bedroom. As an adult, I appreciate not only his sound but his contribution to gospel music.

TG: If you weren’t a writer, what job would you have?

KF: I’ve worked in many different fields over the years. There was a point when I referred to myself as a ‘multi-passionate professional’ because it was hard for me to choose just one path. In fact, I started my business doing a little bit of several things, as the idea of a niche was intimidating, and next to impossible to decide at first. But if I wasn’t pursuing this writing dream now, I’d probably be working in human resources, which was my last major gig before stepping out to write exclusively.

TG: Who is your dream co-author?

KF: Ted Dekker. I’ve enjoyed his stuff for years. Some of my favorites are the ones with intense (and sometimes creepy) plots. The way he writes is adrenaline-laced and never fails to pull me in, but what I love most about his work is each story has a redemptive quality to it. He always points to Jesus. Sometimes subtly, other times more boldly. It was his work that inspired me to write fiction so I would love to finish the manuscript I’m working on with his help 😉

Enter to win one of five copies of Guess How Much God Loves You:

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More about Guess How Much God Loves You:

Guess How Much God Loves You is the story of seven-year-old Lucy Lu, a colorful, creatively curious first-grader, who is starting to have serious questions about God.

  • How old is He?
  • Does He sleep?
  • What does He do all day?
  • And the biggest one of all—does God love me?

After one particularly hard day of being bullied by her classmates at school, Lucy feels like she doesn’t matter. She sits with Papa Joe, who has promised to answer her questions about God, launching them onto a journey to discover God’s never-changing, never-failing, never-ending love.

What follows is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her papa find themselves in the middle of each page of the exciting story of God’s love and faithfulness for all people throughout all of history.

Purchase a copy of Guess How Much God Loves You.

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Writer’s Desk with Misty M. Beller

The Writer’s Desk with Misty M. Beller

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Connect with Misty on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Q&A with Misty M. Beller

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

MB: It takes me all day to work through my daily Bible reading. I have five kiddos, ages 7 months through 14 years, and it seems like I never get to sit down and focus for very long. I used to try to push through and read even with distractions, but I found myself just reading to get through the text. Now I let myself stop when there are too many distractions, then come back at a quieter time and read again. So…it often takes me all day to make it through my daily portion.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for Grace on the Mountain Trail?

MB: Great question! In the early 1800s when the book takes place, it was more common than many people realize for men to have a family in the east and a family in the west. Sad, but true. The two families usually didn’t know about each other. As I brainstormed with writer friends about how that could play into a story, the idea for Grace on the Mountain Trail was born!

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

MB: I actually dictate my writing as I walk on our driveway. I’ve found that the movement helps my creativity, plus I get some exercise. A win-win!

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

MB: Find your most creative time of day. For me, it’s the afternoon. The words flow so much better from about 2:00 – 5:00 pm, and I can be much more productive! It took trying lots of different times and watching for patterns to learn that fact about myself.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

MB: Lots of coffee in between writing walks.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

MB: If it’s writer’s block in a particular writing session, usually just brainstorming ideas can help. Or sometimes if I stop writing and do something different when I come back to the story, more ideas are there. Occasionally I need to skip ahead to the next scene to find my rhythm again.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

MB: I do like to edit as I go. I always have one pass to clean up my dictation, one pass as the first edit, one pass by my critique partner, then a final read-thru before the book goes off to the editor.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

MB: So many answers for this one, things like not showing instead of telling and not taking the reader deep enough in the character’s mind. One I think many new writers don’t even realize is that they often start the story in the wrong place. An excellent book that helped me understand this (and many other things!) better is Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. It belongs in every writer’s tool kit!

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

MB: Not sure if I could pick one best thing! Maybe I can give you a resource instead? I’ve already mentioned Plot and Structure, so the other book that’s been instrumental in helping me learn how to create better stories is The Story Equation by Susan May Warren. This book is SO FULL of good stuff! I use it every time I plot a new story.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

MB: I just started writing Calm in the Mountain Storm, the next book in the Call of the Rockies series. It releases in September, and I’m already LOVING the characters!

Click the graphic below to watch my conversation with Misty M. Beller!

Enter to win the first seven books in the Call of the Rockies series (open Internationally!):

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More about Grace on the Mountain Trail

This epic journey is her last hope to find her lost brother—the only family she has left.

When Lola Carson’s father died, his last words spoke of a half-brother she’d never known about. And now, to claim her own inheritance and come to terms with her father’s secret life, she must find this mysterious man—whose last known whereabouts are somewhere west of the wild Rocky Mountains. After hiring family friends to accompany her on the trek, she sets out for a wilderness few white women have ever seen. She doesn’t expect the majestic peaks to captivate her so, nor the half-dead brave they find on one of the slopes.

White Owl left his village and his broken heart behind when he set out for a fresh start. His newfound faith is the one anchor in his life. He’s desperate to learn more about the God he’s committed to following and become an interpreter for the missionaries who led him to faith. But he barely starts his journey when a hunting accident nearly kills him. The woman who discovers him in the midst of his fevered delirium seems to be a gift from above.

But the more White Owl learns about Lola’s companions and her dangerous quest, the more he realizes his own calling is clear—to take her safely to her brother. The question is, will he have to sacrifice more than his heart to accomplish that goal?

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, that lives will never be the same.

Purchase a copy of Grace on the Mountain Trail here.

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Writer’s Desk with Sami Abrams

The Writer’s Desk with Sami Abrams

Sami Abrams grew up hating to read. It wasn’t until her 30’s that she found authors that captured her attention. Now, most evenings you can find her engrossed in a Romantic Suspense. In her opinion, crime and a little romance is the recipe for a great story.

Sami has finaled over 15 times in writing contests, including receiving first place in American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis Contest in 2019 and 2020, and Faith Hope and Love’s Touched By Love Awards in 2018.

She lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list.

Connect with Sami on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, GoodReads, and sign up for her newsletter.

Q&A with Sami Abrams

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

SA: I’m terribly boring with my choice of foods. Plain and simple makes me happy.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for Impending Strike?

SA: When applying for the Elite Guardians season with Sunrise, Lynette had chosen three secondary characters—Lizzie being one of them. And she had a side note about Lizzie and Charlie together. I thought it would be fun to have the two bodyguards together. I mean, who guards who? Given the normal storylines of EG, obviously, Lizzie had to guard Charlie, but why? That’s when I came up with him hurt and not being able to remember, and it went from there.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

SA: I love to listen to music in the background. If I’m writing, I’ll blast Christian Pop Hits on Alexa or K-Love. If I’m editing, it’s either quiet or the music is turned down low.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

SA: Sit down to write every day (or as many days as possible) even if you only get in two hundred words. AND find yourself a writing partner. Virginia Vaughan and I Zoom most days and write together. Sometimes we work and never talk, other times we brainstorm or just enjoy a conversation in between writing sprints.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

SA: If you would’ve asked me that a few months ago, I’d have given you a different answer. But now, I always have a big glass of water sitting next to me and usually, M&Ms are somewhere within reach.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

SA: I call up my writing partner and we either brainstorm, or she tells me to get to work. Haha! I usually just need a kick in the pants to sit down and do it.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

SA: I’m a combination of the two. I do edit as I go, but not excessively. I’ll go back and delete and rewrite if it doesn’t sound right, but it doesn’t have to be perfect either.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

SA: The most common mistake is trying to please everyone because you don’t trust yourself. It’s a hard thing to overcome, but you’re new and everyone else “knows what they’re doing.” There comes a point when you listen to others then you have to go with your gut on what is right.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

SA: Listen to others, but trust your gut. It was hard at first. As a new writer, you try to take every comment and suggestion at face value. But that only leads to confusion and frustration. I’ve learned to listen to critiques, understand why the person made a comment, then do a gut check. Does this work with my story? Do I need to address this? Many times, the WHY is more important. If you know why then you can fix it in a way that stays true to the story and your voice.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

SA: ACK! What a question. LOL! I have an Elite Guardians Christmas Novella with Sunrise coming out in 2023, and another Elite Guardians full-length novel in 2024. I also write for Love Inspired and have Love Inspired Suspense novels coming out on August 23, 2022, February 28, 2023, another around November 2023, and my final one in this series in 2024. Phew! I’m already tired just thinking about it. Hehe!

Enter to win a copy of Impending Strike*:

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*Due to shipping costs, the giveaway for the physical copy is open to US mailing addresses only.

More about Impending Strike

He loves her, but he can’t have her…

Elite Guardian Charlie Lee knows that there is no future with the woman he loves—fellow Guardian Lizzie Tremaine. And he gets it. Lizzie’s a single mom focused on protecting her daughter, and Charlie’s got his own baggage anyway. It’s easier, and safer, to keep things the way they are.

Then, the unthinkable happens. While Charlie is undercover, he’s seriously injured…and his memory of the past four years is gone. But maybe it’s the fresh start he didn’t know he longed for.

And now he’s getting too close…

Lizzie cares for Charlie, but she’s lost all the men she’s ever loved and can’t risk her heart again. Still, she’s determined to protect Charlie, and help him discover who attacked him—and why.

But in the process, she begins to discover an unburdened, impossible-to-resist version of the man she knows. And—along with the details of his attack—Charlie seems to have forgotten their reasons for keeping things platonic. Suddenly, all of their self-imposed rules are gone, and Lizzie needs things to get back to normal, stat.

It’s her heart…or his life.

Problem is, the closer Charlie gets to uncovering his memories, the closer he gets to trouble. What will protecting Charlie cost Lizzie?

Purchase a copy of Impending Strike here.

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Writer’s Desk with Jody Hedlund

The Writer’s Desk with Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate. Connect with Jody on her website, Instagram, Facebook, BookBub, and sign up for her newsletter.

Q&A with Jody Hedlund

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

JH: I like eating casseroles. Yes, I’m a Midwestern girl through and through and grew up with church potlucks where we ate casseroles!

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for To Tame a Cowboy?

JH: This book is set in the high country of Colorado. I lived in Colorado (in Middle Park) when I was little, and then I also lived in Denver for a few years while my husband was in grad school. Because of that, Colorado has always had a special place in my heart.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

JH: When I’m in first draft mode, I give myself a daily word count six days a week, and then I make myself write until I hit my goal even if that means I have to write all day and into the evening (most days that doesn’t happen though, thankfully). I’m pretty tough on myself about making my daily goals!

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

JH: I believe every writer should set realistic goals for whatever life season they’re in. For example, when my kids were younger and I was in the thick of homeschooling, I set my daily word count goal at 500 words a day. That was realistic for me at that stage. I made myself write that amount every day so that I built good habits of self-discipline and focus.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

JH: Coffee all the way! Black and lots of it!

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

JH: Because of my stringent daily word count goal (and not allowing myself to veer from it), I push through writer’s block by simply writing whatever comes to mind, even if it’s not particularly inspiring.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

JH: I start my writing day by re-reading a portion of what I wrote the previous day. I edit that lightly before moving on. But mostly I wait until the end to turn on my internal editor.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

JH: It’s normal and natural to get excited about finishing the first book. But I’ve seen many writers eager to publish (and even rush into publishing) that first book. It’s almost always wise to wait to seek publication (or indie publish) until you have completed several books, taken classes, read writing craft books, and had critique partners.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

JH: In 2022, I’ll be publishing four more books in my Knights of Brethren series (a medieval romance series). I’ll also have another book in my Colorado Cowboy series releasing in the fall. And somewhere in all that, the third book in my Waters of Time series is coming out.

Don’t miss my conversation with Jody — now on YouTube! Click the image below to watch!

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They share a passion to heal what is broken, but it’s their own hearts that need to be made whole.

Brody McQuaid is a broken man, and he knows it. While his body survived the war, his soul did not. Besides loving his little niece, his only sense of purpose comes from saving the wild horses that roam South Park. Ranchers in the area have taken to killing the horses, which are competing with their cattle to feed on the open grass.

Savannah Marshall is a veterinarian on her family’s Colorado ranch. She longs to keep her father happy following the tragic death of her older brother, including marrying a man of his choosing. But days before her wedding, she gets cold feet and disappears to South Park. As she learns more about the destruction of the horses, she joins Brody in an attempt to save the wild creatures. But when Savannah’s family and the resentments of the area cattlemen catch up with them both, Brody and Savannah will have to tame their fears if they’ve any hope to let love run free.

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Writer’s Desk with Gabrielle Meyer

The Writer’s Desk with Gabrielle Meyer

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. Connect with Gabrielle on her website, Instagram, Facebook, BookBub, and sign up for her newsletter.

Q&A with Gabrielle Meyer

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

GM: I live less than a mile from where I was born and less than half a mile from where I grew up.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for When the Day Comes?

GM: I’ve always been a fan of time-travel books and movies, but one of the things that most of them have in common is the protagonist falls into another time period and struggles to get back to their “normal” life.

As I was thinking about this one day, a thought came to me: what if the person’s “normal” life was both time periods? What if they fell asleep and woke up in their other life, going back and forth each day? Instead of struggling to get back to “normal,” what if they had to choose between two equally fulfilling lives? The moment I began to think about it, my imagination went wild with possibilities.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

GM: I can’t think of any. I started writing when my children were seven, five, two, and two, and I learned very quickly that if I wanted to find time to write, I had to be flexible. I’ve written in almost every room of our house, with televisions blaring, children and pets climbing over me, in the midst of Nerf-bullet fights, neighborhood children running in and out, kids pounding on the piano, and my husband remodeling in the next room. I’ve written in restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, gymnasiums, vehicles, parks, churches, and by the beach. All I need is a computer and my phone (to look up research questions).

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

GM: It’s the age-old debate between plotting or pantsing through a story—but the reason I can write six books a year is because I plot before I start writing. I have a rough outline of my story laid out, with character sketches, so when I sit down to write, I know where my story is going and what I need to accomplish that day. It also eliminates a lot of revisions, which gives me time to work on a new story.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

GM: A glass of water, but that’s about it. As a mom of four teens and preteens who homeschools, I only get about three hours to work a day, so my writing time has to be productive. When I sit down to write, I usually keep my hands on the keyboard the entire time! I might stop between scenes to grab a sip of water, but that’s about it.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

GM: I plot out my story, scene by scene, so I have a rough overview. I’ve never had writer’s block because I know exactly where the story needs to go next.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

GM: Each day, I try to write at least one chapter (about 3,500 words). The next day, before I write, I read and edit what I wrote the day before. It helps refresh my memory and bring me back into the right frame of mind for my character. When I’m done with the book, I go back through one more time and edit it again.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

GM: Staying with the same story for too long. I’ve seen some writers who have worked on the same story for five-ten years. The best thing you can do is set that story aside and start on the next one, and then the next. You grow as a writer with each story. After you have a few under your belt, go back and revise that first story with all the skills you’ve developed.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

GM: Use your disappointments and rejections to fuel your passion, don’t let them derail you.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

GM: I just finished the second book in my Timeless Series, releasing with Bethany House in May 2023. I’m now working on one of two cozy mysteries I’m writing for Guideposts and then I have two more Love Inspired romances to write this year.

Click on the image below to watch my conversation with Gabrielle Meyer!

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How will she choose, knowing all she must sacrifice?

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she’s the same person at her core in both times, she’s leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives—and any hope of love—are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about—women’s suffrage—is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she’s not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other—but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

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Writer’s Desk with Ashley Bustamante

The Writer’s Desk with Ashley Bustamante

Ashley Bustamante has created stories from the moment she could scribble and staple sheets of paper together. She simply cannot recall a time when writing was not a force in her life. When not running through lines of dialogue in her mind, she enjoys taking photographs and spending time with her husband, three children, and any furry, feathered, or scaly creature she can find. She currently works at Arizona State University. Connect with Ashley on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and sign up for her newsletter!

Be sure to sign up below for a chance to win a signed hardbook copy of Vivid! 

Q&A with Ashley Bustamante

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

AB: I like chocolate. I feel like everyone likes chocolate, so that’s not very exciting.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for Vivid?

AB: It came from a dream I had about a young lady in a yellow dress and a charming young man in a top hat. They had a brief adventure together, which is now part of Chapter 5 in Vivid. The young lady had such strong, conflicting feelings. She was terrified to be with this boy, but when he left, the only thing she wanted was for him to come back. I could not get the characters and the scene out of my mind. I needed to know the rest of their story! I finally had to write that scene down and it grew from there.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

AB: It’s not always possible depending on when I have writing time, but I like to have a shower before I sit down and write. It just seems to wake me up and clear my mind, plus it gives me time alone to think before I start writing.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

AB: Sleep! I’m really bad about this one myself. But I think it’s pretty common for writers to keep odd hours. We really shouldn’t. I find that my writing is so much better when I’m well-rested, and I’m able to work faster.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

AB: Nothing! For some reason, I can’t focus on writing if I’m eating or drinking. However, I do like to treat myself to something sweet after a writing session. Anything chocolate works.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

AB: I will read for a little bit and then come back and try to write again. If I’m really feeling stuck I sometimes have to take a break for a few days. Sometimes it’s because I’m just not feeling motivated. When that happens, I go back and read some of my favorite scenes and that helps me get excited about the story again.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

AB: I do some of both. For the most part, I wait until the end, but if I get stuck and don’t want to lose productivity, I’ll go back and edit until I feel ready to write more.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

AB: Submitting their work too soon. I definitely did this and I still cringe when thinking about the poor editors I sent my early drafts to. It’s normal to feel really excited once you finish writing a book! But if you submit it before you’ve put in sufficient work to refine it, it won’t serve you well. I think for new writers there’s a common misconception that as long as your concept is cool enough you’ll get a publisher because it can always be edited later. While it’s true most manuscripts will go through several rounds of edits with the publisher, they still need a polished product to start with, otherwise, it’s going to be a ton of work and they don’t know if you can deliver.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

AB: A friend once told me “It’s not over until YOU say it is.” It can be really discouraging trying to get published and sometimes it can feel like it’s never going to happen. But if it’s something you really want, you put in the work and don’t let anyone tell you to quit. It might mean writing a new story. It often means attending conferences and workshops. It means researching. It means revise, revise, revise! But if you keep at it, the right opportunity will eventually come along.

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Danger Lurks Behind Every Color

Ava Locke dives into the mysteries of forbidden Yellow magic and discovers a dark path filled with secrets and injustice.

When Ava Locke was five years old, she began a journey to join the Benefactors—the leaders of the magical continent of Magus. Twelve years later, she unwittingly started down the road to betray them.

On Magus where colors fuel magical abilities, yellow is banned in an effort to protect people from its mind-controlling capabilities. When a rogue Yellow magic-user named Elm escapes imprisonment Ava becomes innocently fascinated with his story. Once this mysterious Elm shows up at her school, Ava pushes her interest to the next level by helping him evade the Benefactors. Ava grows increasingly conflicted as her intrigue leads her down a dark road of secrets about her world. As she learns more about Yellow magic’s potential to control its victims, Ava now must question whether her rash decisions are all her own or if someone else is pulling the strings.

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Writer’s Desk with Tosca Lee

The Writer’s Desk with Tosca Lee

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels including A SINGLE LIGHT, THE LINE BETWEEN, THE PROGENY, THE LEGEND OF SHEBA, ISCARIOT, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages and has been optioned for TV and film. A notorious night-owl, she loves movies, playing football with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband.

You can find Tosca on social media or hanging around the snack table. Visit her on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, TikTok, and sign up for her newsletter here.

Q&A with Tosca Lee

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

TL: Sometimes, when I lay in bed watching TV on my phone, I fall asleep and drop the phone on my face.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for The Progeny?

TL: A fan asked me to write about “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory. I had just come off writing about the Queen of Sheba and needed a break from historical fiction and heavy-duty research. I wanted to write something modern and breakneck. So I decided to write about Bathory’s modern-day descendants and a centuries-old blood feud complete with secret underground societies.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

TL: I pray before I begin. It sounds a lot like begging.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

TL: Set goals for what you want to get written and by when. Do everything in your power to stick to them. If you don’t feel you can spend a big chunk of time trying to make tracks, then tell yourself you’ve only got 25 minutes and see how much you can get done. Write for that 25 minutes even if it’s bad.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

TL: Buttered movie popcorn. Which makes typing really awkward.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

TL: I take a break, fold laundry, and then come back and remind myself to have some fun already.

Or, I take a break, pig out on the kids’ pizza rolls, go mope in bed and stare at some stupid TV show until my husband comes in and tells me to go make it fun again.

Usually the second one.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

TL: I used to wait until the end, but these days I’ve kind of shifted. I’m not sure how I feel about it because I always felt in my early books that I got a lot of good stuff by just writing without heed and coming back to cut and chop later.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

TL: Trying to get it perfect. Procrastinating because it won’t be.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

TL: It’s the one I have to tell myself: write like no one will ever read it.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

TL: My new WWII historical with Marcus Brotherton, currently titled The Long March Home.

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I’m twenty-one years old and my name doesn’t matter, because it’s about to be erased forever.

When you wake up, you remember nothing. Not your name, or where you were born, or the faces of the people you knew. Just a single warning written to yourself before you forgot it all: Emily, it’s me. You. Don’t ask about the last two years… Don’t try to remember and don’t go digging. Your life depends on it. Other lives depend on it. You start over in a remote place with a new name, a fresh life. Until the day a stranger tells you you’re being hunted for the sins of a royal ancestor who died centuries before you were born. You don’t believe him, until they come for you. Now you’re on the run. Every answer you need lies in a past you chose to erase. The only thing you know for sure is that others are about to die and you need those memories back. But first, you have to stay alive.

Read a sample chapter here.

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Writer’s Desk with Carrie Padgett

The Writer’s Desk with Carrie Padgett

Carrie Padgett has lived in northern, central, and southern California and declares them all wonderful places. She writes small-town contemporary fiction with romance. She believes in families, fun, and happily ever after. She and her husband live in Central California with their cat and dog and are within driving distance of their grandchildren. Visit Carrie online at her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Follow her on Bookbub and Goodreads.

Q&A with Carrie Padgett

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

CP: My feet have been cold since 2005. I wear slippers, often with socks, year-round.

TG: Where did you get the inspiration for One Fine Day?

CP: I read a couple of books about young widows and knew I wanted to write one also. I wanted to explore the concept of “moving on,” and what that would look like. In One Fine Day, the heroine, Chloe LaRue, returns to her hometown of Hearts Bend, TN, to help her mother and hopes to heal from the overwhelming grief of losing her husband. One of the books that really affected me was The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel. That’s an early book of hers, she now writes mostly historical fiction.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

CP: I have to play my daily Wordle and Quordle before I get started. Sometimes I’ll catch up on Words With Friends, too.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

CP: Be consistent. Show up, Butt in Chair, Fingers on Keyboard.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

CP: I drink a ton of water, so my water bottle is always nearby. Snacks are anything salty. My husband is allergic to nuts, but he feels he has to have them around. Crazy, right? So, when he brings nuts home, I keep them in my office and try to eat them before he realizes they’ve disappeared from the kitchen.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

CP: Take a break. A walk around the block (that’s 1.4 miles where I live!). Weed the yard. The walk especially, I think it’s something about the rhythm of one foot after the other that creates a brain pathway. I almost always figure out where I’ve gone wrong when I’m on a walk.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

CP: I definitely edit as I go. I rarely do more than two drafts. Which made working with Rachel very interesting, since she does multiple drafts. We were able to make it through One Fine Day with only four drafts. Low for her and high for me.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

CP: Expecting success to come quickly and easily. And overestimating the quality of their work. I know this by experience, by the way. I’ve been writing for more years than I want to publicly admit to, and I’m still learning.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

CP: Go deeper. My local writing mentor used to say that to me all the time. It took me literal years to figure out what she meant, but it’s been invaluable.

TG: What is coming up next for you?

CP: In my day job, I work for a company that does online continuing education courses for pesticide applicators to keep their licenses current. I report the credits they earn to their licensing agency, and I write and update the course offerings. I’m currently working on Weed Resistance in Cotton. 😊 Fiction wise, I’m writing a romance novella about a reality dating show with jilted-at-the-altar brides and grooms. It’s very fun!

Click on the graphic below to watch my interview with Carrie Padgett on One Fine Day + what it’s like writing with Rachel Hauck!

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All she wants is a fresh start…

Chloe Beason LaRue left Hearts Bend after high school, determined to never look back. She shed her unrequited crush on Sam Hardy, moved to Paris, went to pastry school, found a good job, fell in love, and got married. She was happy in France. Then her husband tragically died. Now, Chloe just wants to move forward…but when her mom’s health is in jeopardy, Chloe heads right back to Hearts Bend where she’s hired as head baker for Haven’s, the premier bakery in town. She has no idea that moving home will push her right into the arms of the man who broke her heart.

He’s not looking to fall in love…

Nashville Titans quarterback Sam Hardy has too many broken memories in Hearts Bend to Return. But when he’s sidelined by an injury, he desperately needs to invest in something to safeguard his future. Haven’s Bakery is up for sale—and his business partner believes the deal is too good to pass up. He has no idea that the owners have hired the one girl he can’t seem to forget…and the last thing he expects is to be her boss.

But it’s a recipe for romance…

Back in Hearts Bend for the first time in ten years and thrown together at Haven’s Bakery, Chloe and Sam have a second chance at first love. Indeed, the more time Sam spends selling donuts, the more he sees a new future. But when Paris beckons Chloe back, where does her heart belong? Can they find the recipe for leaving regrets behind and start something new?

Escape to Hearts Bend for a sweet story of romance, faith, and an unexpected happy ending

Pre-Order a copy of One Fine Day here — releasing May 24, 2022!

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Writer’s Desk with Tricia Goyer

Writer’s Desk with Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is a USA Today bestselling author of seventy-five books and more than 500 articles. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award finalist. She won the Retailer’s Best Award in 2015 and has received starred reviews from publications such as Romantic Times and Publishers Weekly; she is also a member of the blogging team at TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. In addition to her roles as wife, mom, and author, Tricia volunteers in her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana and currently leads a Teen MOPS group in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is also the author of this blog.

Q&A with Tricia Goyer

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

I love watching America’s Test Kitchen. It’s my favorite cooking show, even the episodes from fifteen years ago.

TG: Why did you write Heart Happy?

I had planned to write a book on generosity and hospitality, which got shelved because of Covid. As I prayed about what to write instead, I saw that so many people struggled with trying to find happiness amid chaos. During the pandemic, we had so much stripped away. No longer able to cover my unhappiness with busyness, I was forced to find ways to nurture my soul. As I dug through the layers of pain, shame, and regret, I realized that my busyness had allowed me to keep God at bay. As I searched to discover my heart happy, I found tools that I believed could help others too.

TG: Did you have any surprises or learning moments while writing this title?

I was surprised that there were so many layers that had kept my heart unhappy. Each chapter was formed as I considered what keeps our hearts separate from God.

TG: What do you hope readers take away from your book?

I hope readers will see that the most important thing we can do each day is getting our hearts “happy in the Lord.” Even in the middle of chaos, we can pause and find God there. I need to find my “happy heart” before the day starts. If I don’t, my whole family suffers, and I do too. If I rush into my day without spending time with Jesus, worries, fears, and frustrations are quick to overwhelm me. If I don’t take time to fix my thoughts on God, my mind jumps from disturbances to distresses, and soon it becomes too much.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

I love to wake up early. I get up and make a cup of coffee or tea, and then I sit down with my Bible and a devotional book. Then, after reading, thinking, and praying, I pull out my writing. When my heart is full of God, then the writing flows. Sometimes I’ll write for one or two hours and then even go back to bed.

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

Before I fall asleep, I think through my writing priorities for the next day. It’s then that I set my goal for my actual writing. Then, because I already know my priorities, I work on that first the next day.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

I love earl gray tea. I also love coffee and a bit of creamer. I drink hot drinks when I write all year long.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

Please don’t be mad, but I don’t struggle with writer’s block. With a house full of people, every moment I have to write is a gift, and I see it that way. There’s always something to write. And if I do get stuck with specific words, I pray.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer, or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

I write very messily to start. I’ll note whatever thoughts come into my mind. I don’t judge them. Instead, I write them down. I write for the first few months, moving around the book, and adding ideas here or there. Then, when I have about half of the book written in chunks, I go back to the beginning and fill everything in.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

The most common mistake is that writers give up too soon. They get discouraged and don’t keep going. I write for many months before I come up with anything worth sharing. I believe new writers think that everything needs to look fantastic right from the start. I’ve learned that it isn’t the case.

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

It takes 20 years to be an overnight success. Agent and publisher Steve Laube told me this about thirty years ago. It was a great reminder not to give up. Good things take time.

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Heart Happy*

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More about Heart Happy

Tricia Goyer Heart HappyHeart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love Through Chaotic Circumstances takes readers on a journey to discover where their true strength, peace, and joy come from—the Lord—no matter what life offers up. Tricia Goyer—author, podcast host, volunteer, homeschooling mom of ten children, and caregiver to her grandma—understands what it’s like to be pulled in different directions with the longing and intention to do all things well. In the midst of chaotic circumstances (which all of us face), she’s found uncomplicated but effective practices for nourishing the soul—because everything stems from the heart.

This hope-filled guide will inspire you to stay tethered to the Lover of your soul. By taking time to make your heart happy in the Lord, you’ll grow closer to the Heavenly Father, fostering true transformation from the inside out. Heart Happy will help you discover the beautiful life you’ve always hoped for through a connection with God that never seemed possible … until now.

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