4 Facts About the Goodness of God: Is God Good? All The Time? by Janet Chester Bly Most everyone at some time doubts: is God good? Can He be trusted? Adam and Eve knew better than any of us. They saw creation before evil entered. They experienced the original – first bloomed, freshly fruited, newly scented. God […]
Ketch My Saddle: Western Slang Devotional
Ketch My Saddle, Boys No one likes to get bucked off a horse, old cowboys especially. But if his broomtail decided to ‘hop for mama,’ ‘take ya to church,’ ‘chin the moon,’ or ‘wrinkle his spine,’ he plowed the ground with his face. Then he must catch the rude horse and holler, “Ketch my saddle!” […]
My Dad & Louis L’Amour: Finishing His First Novel by Guest Blogger Rebecca DeMarino
First Novel Family Project by Rebecca DeMarino June 2010, my dad, age eighty-seven, lay on a hospital bed, prepped for an angiogram. His aortic valve about closed, his cardiologist ordered the test as a first step to open-heart surgery. The heart surgeon would not want any surprises when he went in to replace the valve. […]
Six Plot Kickers for Authentic Western Fiction
Authentic Western Fiction Plot Kickers by Stephen Bly It’s knowing the little facts that can produce the most authentic western short stories and novels, the truth in fiction. Some of the details of the Old West like those below can provide an extra shot of realism and emotion for the western genre and kickstart a […]
STORY DOODLES, Stephen Bly’s Story Worksheet
All About My Story Worksheet What’s a story worksheet? It’s for homeschoolers, future writers, and anyone with writers’ block. I’ve used them at writers’ classes, workshops, and conferences. Do you remember (or your parents or grandparents) those cardboard matchbook covers that said, “Draw Me!” If you’re not of a certain age, probably not. They often […]
What Empty Nest? Parenting Adult Children
What Empty Nest? Parenting Adult Children by Stephen Bly Sometime between the ages of 18 and 20, our kids challenge us with a dramatic turn of events in our parenting. Like an eaglet stumbling from the aerie on its first flight, our child appears as a fully grown adult. Ready to take his or her plunge […]
When My Kids Drive Me Crazy: Who Am I?
When My Kids Drive Me Crazy, Am I a Bad Mom? It’s a challenge to keep an identity while kids grow up. Who am I really, apart from them? “My kids drive me crazy,” every mom says at least once. When your life is so tied to them and their issues, it’s hard to remember […]
Mothering Is Easy & Other Good Mom Myths
Myths of Motherhood from How To Be A Good Mom by Stephen Bly and Janet Chester Bly Family life and parenting begins with a woman knowing the joy of her baby’s first cry. Or smile. Or rocking her child to sleep. But it’s also the time she bumps against certain good mom myths. Such as … Good […]
Western Research: 12 Incredible Montana Factoids
12 Incredible Montana Factoids, western research by Stephen Bly I’ve set lots of books in Montana, including the recent historical western romance, Creede of Old Montana. In fact, we came close to moving to the Treasure State over thirty years ago. Somehow, Idaho snagged us instead. Even though there were a dozen towns in western […]
3 Reasons To Read Historical Western Romance by Gilbert Morris
Reason #1: Santa Fe Woman historical western romance by popular Christian author Gilbert Morris With more than seven million books in print, Gilbert Morris is best known for his historical fiction. Santa Fe Woman portrays historical western romance along the Santa Fe Trail. Ever since her mother’s death, twenty-two year old Jori Hayden has lived safely […]
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