Looking Back and Looking Forward

Audio By Carbonatix

Looking back at where we’ve been is so much fun. Recently, I dug up an old “Ask Me Anything” post from twenty years ago. At the time, I was living in the shadow of the Montana Rockies, homeschooling my older kids, and just beginning to navigate the balance of a growing writing career.

So much has changed since then! We’ve moved to the beautiful rolling hills of Arkansas, I’ve graduated seven homeschoolers (with three high schoolers still at home!), and my library of books has grown in ways I never could have imagined. But as I revisited these questions, I realized that while the scenery changes, the heart behind the work remains the same.

Here is a little update on those “writer life” questions, viewed through the lens of where I am today.

1. If you could travel to any time period, where would you go?

Twenty years ago, I said World War II for the research, or the future for the fast travel. Today, my answer is a bit more grounded. While I still love historical research (and I’ve spent many years “living” in the 1940s through my novels!), I think I’d choose the present.

Looking back, I realize that Psalm 118:24 is a daily invitation: “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” With kids still at home and new grandbabies to snuggle, there is no place I’d rather be than right here, right now. Though, I still wouldn’t turn down that “fast and cheap” travel to see my far-away friends for lunch!

2. Which is easier to write: Fiction or Non-Fiction?

My answer hasn’t changed much! Non-fiction still feels like building a house with a very clear blueprint. I can tackle one “room” at a time. Fiction, however, is more like a cross-country trek through a forest. Looking back now, the first half is still the hardest part for me—I still question everything and dive into research rabbit holes!

But I’ve learned to trust the process. I’ve realized that God often uses the “struggle” of the first half of a novel to refine the message He wants me to share.

3. How has your family influenced your writing?

In Montana, I called my family the “color” in my Wizard of Oz world. That is even truer today. Raising ten children—each with their own unique stories, struggles, and triumphs—has given my writing a depth I couldn’t have achieved on my own. They are the heartbeat of my work. They remind me that life isn’t lived on a laptop; it’s lived in the kitchen, in the car, and in the quiet moments of prayer together.

4. Lake breezes or mountain vistas?

Back then, I had the Rockies out my window but dreamed of a lake. Well, God is so good! While I loved those Montana peaks, I now get to enjoy the lush, green vistas of Arkansas. I’ve learned that whether I’m looking at a mountain or a forest, the message is the same: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).

5. How do you balance homeschooling and writing?

This is the question I still get asked the most! Twenty years ago, I sat in a wraparound desk with my kids. Today, my “office” looks a little different, but the philosophy is the same. My three youngest are in high school now, so they are much more independent, but we still share our lives.

Homeschooling is a lifestyle of discipleship. It’s not just about the textbooks; it’s about walking, working, and praying together. I’ve leaned heavily on Deuteronomy 6:7: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

6. Where would you drive if you had a full tank of gas?

I used to say Washington, D.C., for the history. Now? I’d drive to wherever my kids and grandkids are. There is no historical site more precious than the people God has placed in my life. A road trip with a car full of family is still my favorite kind of adventure.

7. What do you cherish most in a friend: Honesty, wisdom, or humor?

I still choose honesty. I am so thankful for the friends in my life—the ones who love me enough to tell me the truth even when it’s hard. We all need those people who will encourage us when we’re down but also pull us back when we’re drifting. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” I wouldn’t be the writer or the woman I am today without those sharpening friendships.

What questions would you want to ask me? Let me know in the comments!

A Prayer for Your Season

Lord, thank You for the way You lead us through different seasons of life. Whether we are in a season of “mountain vistas” or “thick forests,” help us to trust Your hand. Thank You for the gift of family and the friends who sharpen us. Give us the grace to be present today, to teach our children well, and to reflect Your beauty in everything we create. Amen.

Ready for a New Season?

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