Interview with Prolific Author Shirley Bahlmann

Shirley is a wonderful person. What can I say? I met her when I first entered the LDS literary scene and she welcomed me with open arms, literally. She is a great support for literacy, new and old authors, friends and family. She is a treasure who rules her roost from a small town in Central Utah. From her website we learn: “My stacks of journals, road shows, plays, and skits attest to the fact that I’ve been writing all my life, but I finally got past the “fear” when I came home late one winter night after selling skin … Continue reading →

Speaking in Sacrament Meeting

At one time or another we will all be asked to speak in Sacrament meeting. I’ve found that there are two schools of thought on the matter: either you run screaming when asked to give a talk, or you are the kind of person that actually enjoys standing in front of all those people. Maybe you’re a little bit of both, depending on the topic. But when it comes down to it, we are all faced with the same dilemma: What to talk about? If you are lucky you are given a topic to prepare on. At least I feel … Continue reading →

Interview with author Tara C. Allred

This week I decided to interview Tara C. Allred, the author of Sander’s Starfish, a Covenant Communications publication. I’ve come to know her through our mutual membership of LDS Storymakers and found her to be a truly nice person. From her website we learn that, “Tara was raised in California. Her philosopher/psychologist father and artist mother provided a critical thinking and creative home life. Their influence helped Tara develop the attributes and belief that she could pursue her writing dreams. In 1992, she was recognized as a California Scholar of the Arts for Creative Writing. Then in 1999, Tara graduated … Continue reading →

The “Easy” Life of a Writer

You know; the writing process is not an easy thing. I’ve heard people say, “Wow, you’ve got the easiest job ever.” I have to laugh, because that is far more socially acceptable than smacking them in the face. Let me give you a rundown of my average day: 4:30 a.m. – Wake up, stumble to the computer and sit there yawning while the thing boots up. Open WordPerfect and write daily blogs for www.families.com. 5:30 a.m. – Blogs must be finished and work must begin on current books, two of which are currently in the works with one having a … Continue reading →

My Secret Wish

For as long as I can remember, I have had a secret wish, an untold goal if you will, to own a bookstore with a marvelous little café included. Not trendy like Borders or Barnes and Noble, but homey, friendly, even inviting. Of course it would have the catchiest of names and I’d want it to be a haven for the reader and the author. I want to host monthly author readings and Q&A’s, I want to hold book launch parties, I want to host book groups and children’s hours. I want the best chef to be in charge of … Continue reading →

Interview with Fresh New Author, Stephanie Fowers

A fresh new voice in the world of LDS chick-lit, Stephanie Fowers, the author of Rules of Engagement (Covenant Communications), is our Monday interview. I’m thrilled to bring her to your attention because she is truly an amazing individual. First off, which makes her near and dear to my heart, she graduated from BYU-Idaho. Here’s a little more about her from her website: “I graduated from BYU Idaho in English and (besides the below freezing temperatures), I loved the small town atmosphere complete with garage bands and pizza joints (Go pizza bombs! That was me, not Stephanie.). Then I served … Continue reading →

LDS Fiction vs. National Fiction vs. Classics

Okay, I have to admit, I’m a little hot under the collar regarding this topic. I’ve just been privy to my work being called, as a LDS writer, “. . . most LDS fiction is a tribute to mediocrity. Plus I pretty much hate sequels, they reflect an amazing hubris on the part of authors that people will remember everything in the other books. Also, they are lazy because they only have to write half a book because the other half is just what was in the last book.” Okay, I’m trying to remember the “Christ-like” thing. I’m also trying … Continue reading →

A Review of Prophets, Priests and Kings by Andrew C. Skinner

I’m a closet theologian. What does that mean? I devour the scriptures. I devour the books by the brethren as well as a few select theologians, Andrew C. Skinner being one of them. There is nothing I love more than learning new things about the gospel and diving into the scriptures and words of the brethren to delve further into that new knowledge. For me it is a grand treasure hunt, one that ends in the ultimate prize. On to Prophets, Priests and Kings by Br. Skinner. Did you know that Melchizedek, the man the higher priesthood is named after … Continue reading →

An Interview with Author, H.B. Moore

Today I decided to interview author H.B. Moore, who wrote the Out of Jerusalem series I mentioned in an earlier blog. Heather was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but spent most of her childhood in Orem, Utah. During these years, her family traveled back and forth between the Middle East and Utah. At the age of eight, while living in Egypt, she was baptized in the Red Sea. Heather attended the Anglican School of Jerusalem from 1987-88, and returned again to Jerusalem with her husband in 1994. Although Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising … Continue reading →

My Top Ten Book List – For Now

I guess you’ve figured out by now that I love to read. But I also love listening to music, going to movies and a great football game. But for today, I’m going to give you my Top Ten List for books. There are three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Religious Non-Fiction so I’ll go ahead, be a little obsessive and give you my Top Ten of both. Most are within the LDS category, but not all. I will never recommend anything that is not appropriate to read with the family. Fiction #10: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriott (although … Continue reading →