critters and such

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered, you will never grow. ~CR Lawton

I'm sure my dear friend, Lori Benton, will do a double take once she stumbles onto today's post. That's her blog banner at left and here's her picture to the right. She might very well shoot me as I didn't ask permission to post this but wanted to honor her for being such a good friend and the best ever critique partner, or critter! We've both been writing since childhood and love history, particularly the 18th-century with all its drama and romance and bloodshed:) Lori has quite a personal story of her own but I won't include any spoilers here. Sometimes she posts excerpts from her WIP's on her blog. Her writing is amazing! I've had more than a few, "OH, I WISH I'D WRITTEN THAT!" moments when I read her work. And I'm confident you'll be reading her books one day, too. We need more 18th-century fiction out there. So write on, Lori B:)

I've never had a critter before and feel blessed to have Lori to exchange work with. She recently finished reading The Colonel's Lady which is due to my editor August 1st. I'm currently reading her WIP entitled, Willa, which she sends me chapter by chapter. Reading her work makes me a better writer and editor plus I always learn new historical info along the way. She has a wonderful ability to create multi-dimensional characters that linger in your mind once you disengage from her story, which is hard to do. She also has a lovely knack for being fresh and original when describing the natural world or the faces and emotions of her characters. It's such a blessing to know her. I'm really excited as we get to meet for the first time at a writer's conference this fall. I think the Lord brought us together. Writing friends are such an important part of the journey.

In my mailbox:
The Family Greene by Ann Rinaldi
The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed
Tailor Made, Trail Worn by Robert J. Moore, Jr. and Michael Haynes

Scripture of the moment:
I am not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies. ~Genesis 32:10