December 22, 2004 -- I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's time for Christmas! Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week." I also added holiday music, a snow effect, and several NEW "Opening Lines" from books I've been reading this year, including Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, Once Upon a Gulf Coast Summer by Susan Oliver, The Bad Beginning (Book #1, "A Series of Unfortunate Events") by Lemony Snicket, and LOTS MORE.
November 23, 2004 -- I posted a new "Quote for the Week."
November 8, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week." I also purged old contests from the "Contests" page and included my new email address on many pages in this site.
October 12, 2004 -- OVER 40 NEW CONTESTS on the "Contests" page. Take a look! My column, "From My Heart," coming soon.
October 9, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
October 2, 2004 -- The book I wrote for David and Debbie Bragonier, GETTING YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER, won "Best Christian Non-Fiction Book Award" awarded by an independent panel of three judges chaired by Timothy Wirth of The Simply Agape Project in California.
September 20, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
September 11, 2004 -- In honor of our fellow Americans killed on 9/11/01, I posted a special page in remembrance.
August 26, 2004 -- I posted a new "From My Heart" column about the writing life and several MORE CONTESTS on the "Contests" page. Scroll down to the bottom to see the column. Lots to read! Enjoy. I sent my column to SpiritLedWriter.com, and I have nearly finished my second novel (one more chapter to go!). I am also preparing lesson plans for my new "Famous Authors" series I'm teaching this fall to 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students enrolled in the local homeschool assistance program, while updating two of my clients' websites.
August 24, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
August 15, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
August 12, 2004 -- I fixed the code for the Web site counter, then verified the historical statistics for this site collected by the host server. Wow, nearly 146,000 of you have visited since November 1998! This site now averages 143 unique visitors per day. Thank you. Also, I loaded lots of new "Quotes & Excerpts" with intriguing opening lines, characterizations, and similes from novels I've recently read. Enjoy!
August 10, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week." You can also see NEW contests on the "Contests" page. I also separated the collection of "Previous Quotes of the Week" which originally appeared on one page for quotes from 2001-2004, but now appear on separate pages for each year.
August 1, 2004 -- My family and I spent July touring Pennsylvania, Gettysburg, the U.S. Capitol at Washington D.C. (thanks, Andrew and Senator Leach!), and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Whew! I also got to meet Whitney, a wonderfully talented girl from PA dealing with life and death health issues; I hope to write about her and her family's experience.
I'm back to work on writing assignments, clients' web design, book promotion, and class prep. While you're here, please enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
June 27, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
June 20, 2004 -- Read the latest column at the bottom of the "Contests" page, "From My Heart." Also read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
June 15, 2004 -- ALL NEW CONTESTS on the "Contests" page.
June 11, 2004 -- My family attended the state homeschool convention in Des Moines, Iowa, where I attended workshops on encouraging reluctant writers, using literature in teaching, and more.
June 10, 2004 -- In honor of former president Ronald W. Reagan, I posted a new "Quote for the Week." I'm also compiling new contests, so check back.
April 20, 2004 -- I updated the "Contests" page, including my column, "From My Heart." I also polished up an old article, "Improve Your Work Space," appearing on the Articles page, and which is also included in a "Beginner's Packet" for new NCWA members, based in Washington state (Northwest Christian Writers Association).
April 17, 2004 -- I attended the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference (April 2-6), held annually near Santa Cruz, CA. What a fantastic conference! I have a lot of assignments to follow up, but in the meantime, please enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
March 29, 2004 -- All new contests appear on the "Contests" page. I'm flying to California to attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference on April 1st, so I'll post a new quote when I return. Enjoy your visit!
March 28, 2004 -- In preparation for April, "National Poetry Month," enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
January 26, 2004 -- Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week." Also, check out the new pencil sketch I uploaded today at "Artwork & Illustrations."
January 18, 2004 -- As part of my contract with the local school district, I'm teaching a web site design class this month to 6th-12th grade students enrolled in the homeschool assistance program. Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week."
January 14, 2004 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
January 2, 2004 -- Happy New Year! All new contests appear on the "Contests" page. Also, read the NEW "Quote for the Week." Enjoy!
December 26, 2003 -- 
Merry Christmas! I archived the "Quotes of the Week" for 2001 in a separate page and added links on all the quote pages. You can also read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
November 11, 2003 -- I am working on the new contests column, but in the meantime, you can read the NEW "Quote for the Week." Enjoy!
October 28, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
October 21, 2003 -- My family returned from our trip to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. I've posted a NEW "Quote for the Week." I also added a 'mouse-over' code in the side navigation bar which enlarges links before being clicked, and a date line on the welcome page. Enjoy!
October 1, 2003 -- Wahoo! Getting Your Financial House in Order: A Floorplan for Managing Your Money is now available, published by Broadman & Holman! I wrote this book for financial counselors David and Debbie Bragonier last year. Hot off the press! It's an excellent resource. Get your own autographed copy today at 20% off. Just CLICK HERE. Thanks for your interest and support.
September 23, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week".
September 3, 2003 -- Several more updates for inspiration: Read the NEW "Quote for the Week". And check out the new first lines, descriptive passages, metaphors, and characterizations in the "Quotes & Excerpts" section. Enjoy!
August 11, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
August 6, 2003 -- All new contests appear on the "Contests" page, including the bimonthly column, "From My Heart." You can also read the NEW "Quote for the Week." I also updated my "Author's Bio" page and "The Write Place Order Form" for special prices on my books, tapes, and writers' products, which help support this website. Enjoy your visit!
July 28, 2003 -- Happy Mid-Summer! Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
July 18, 2003 -- Several updates: Read the NEW "Quote for the Week." Check out the new excerpts in the "Excerpts" section, from OXYGEN by John Olson and Randy Ingermanson, and A Painted House by John Grisham. Enjoy!
July 9, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
June 20, 2003 -- All new contests appear on the "Contests" page, including the bimonthly column, "From My Heart." You can also read the NEW "Quote for the Week." After the SCBWI conference, I spent May preparing for the Write to Publish conference, which was held June 2nd - 7th in Wheaton, IL. Immediately after that I attended the state homeschool convention in Des Moines, IA. Whew! I finally got the column done. Enjoy!
April 25, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week." I'm off to attend the SCBWI regional conference in Des Moines, Iowa. To read about it, click here.
April 19, 2003 -- Happy Easter! Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
April 1, 2003 -- Over 40 new contests appear on the "Contests" page, including the bimonthly column, "From My Heart." You can also read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
March 9, 2003 -- In honor of Fred Rogers, please read the NEW "Quote for the Week." Enjoy!
February 23, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
February 18, 2003 -- Read the NEW "Quote for the Week." I also updated my "Author's Bio" page, and completed teaching a four-week Web design class in the public school district's homeschool assistance program. What great students!
February 6, 2003 -- 
All NEW contests on the contests page, including the "From My Heart" column! You can also read the NEW "Quote for the Week."
January 6, 2003 -- HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sorry for the long silence at The Write Place...my family traveled in November to visit relatives in Seattle, then the holidays and several writing deadlines hit. Now you can see ALL NEW CONTESTS on the "Contests" page, including my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." Read the NEW "Quote for the Week," too.
October 11, 2002 -- Over 60 new contests appear on the "Contests" page, including the bimonthly column, "From My Heart." Now that I've met this deadline, it's time to go snuggle up with a book (for my CLJ reviews).
October 5, 2002 -- I am working on the contests column and all new info will be posted online soon. In the meantime, you can read the new "Quote for the Week."
September 11, 2002 -- In honor of our fellow Americans killed on 9/11/01, I posted a special page in rememberance.
August 11, 2002 -- All new contests appear on the "Contests" page, including the bimonthly column, "From My Heart." I also revamped my "Author's Bio" page, and launched a list of items in The Write Store with goodies for writers. (Detailed descriptions and photos of items coming soon.) Enjoy your visit!
August 8, 2002 -- I am working on the contests column and all new info will be posted online this weekend. In the meantime, you can read the new "Quote for the Week." Enjoy!
August 1, 2002 -- You can read a new "Quote for the Week." Enjoy!
July 10, 2002 -- After many writers have shared their wish to have a Web page, I decided to create a template and offer eighteen background and two format choices. Click here to see how you can get your own Web page for an affordable rate.
June 8, 2002 -- All new contests appear on the "Contests" page, including my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." Enjoy your visit!
June 3, 2002 -- In honor of Margaret Wirt Benson's contribution to children's books as the original ghostwriter of the Nancy Drew series, I posted a new "Quote for the Week" and new music on the welcome page. Enjoy your visit!
May 27, 2002 -- Thank you to all United States military personnel on this MEMORIAL DAY! Enjoy the NEW "Quote for the Week" and patriotic music on the opening welcome page and "Contests" page.
Please note:I have permanently deleted links to the new guestbook due to a continuing problem with inappropriate posts. My apologies to the many visitors who did not abuse this privilege.
May 20, 2002 -- Thankfully, my host server was able to take care of the previous problem, and you can access the guestbook again. However, for a short time I am limiting links to it as I monitor the content. Recently, I've been hard at work ghostwriting a finance book under a contract offer from a publisher, but I took a break to update this site. Today you can read a NEW "Quote for the Week", listen to new music on the opening welcome page, and read new reviews in the "Recommended Books & Videos" section. Enjoy your visit!
May 16, 2002 -- I deleted links to my new guestbook after someone posted numerous distasteful messages. I apologize to any visitors who may have seen them. I've contacted ChristianWebHost.com, my host server, on how to delete them.
April 5, 2002 -- All new contests on the "Contests" page, including my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." Enjoy your visit!
March 29, 2002 -- Happy Easter!
I updated several sections in the "Recommended Books & Videos" section.
Your purchases of books help offset the cost to maintain this website. Thanks for your support! I also posted a new "Quote for the Week," and new music on the opening welcome page. Enjoy!
March 17, 2002 -- I posted a new "Quote for the Week."
March 11, 2002 -- On this somber day which marks six months since the terrorist attacks on America, I posted a new "Quote for the Week."
March 5, 2002 -- I posted a new "Quote for the Week." I also loaded new music on the welcome page, "An Irish Lullaby." You can read the lyrics here.
February 27, 2002 -- Read the new "Quote for the Week." Hey, that's three in the past three weeks. Maybe I can call it a weekly quote without guilt.
February 18, 2002 -- See the new "Quote for the Week" and an update to the "Contests Column" page. Enjoy your visit!
February 14, 2002 -- Happy Valentine's Day! See the new "Quote for the Week" and another update to the "Author's Bio" page. Enjoy your visit!
February 8, 2002 -- All new contests on the "Contests Column" page, including my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." I also updated the Quote for the Week and the Author's Bio page. Enjoy your visit!
January 15, 2002 -- Happy New Year! Enjoy new music on the welcome page, and see the new Quote for the Week.
December 26, 2001 -- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I updated the Welcome Page with new holiday music, a new Quote for the Week, and updated the Contests page. Many blessings to you and yours at this special time of year!
December 3, 2001 -- ALL NEW CONTESTS on the contests page, along with my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." I also updated the "Previous Quotes of the Week" page. And please sign my NEW guestbook.
November 4, 2001 -- My new guestbook is now online! Please honor me by signing it. Thanks! Click HERE to sign my new guestbook. LINK REMOVED 10/12/04 DUE TO INNAPPROPRIATE POSTS.
November 3, 2001 -- Last month I attended the Glorieta Christian Writers' Conference, which I enjoyed immensely! I picked up several assignments and renewed friendships. Conferences offer classes, networking, and publishing opportunities, so try to attend one soon if you can. Today, I posted a new "Quote for the Week," updated the "Contests Page," and added a link to the Sept. 11 ribbon, "We Will Remember" with a quote from Anne Graham, Billy Graham's daughter.
October 7, 2001 -- I loaded new music and a new "Quote for the Week" on the welcome page, and ALL NEW CONTESTS on the contests page, along with my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." I also updated the "Previous Quotes of the Week" page.
September 12, 2001 -- I posted a note of sympathy for the victims' families of the attack September 11th.
September 5, 2001 -- See the new "Quote for the Week." I also archived the previous Quotes of the Week (1999 and 1998), and cleaned up the Contests page. Enjoy your visit.
August 11, 2001 -- See the new "Quote for the Week" and NEW CONTESTS posted today. Scroll down to the bottom to read the bimonthly column, "From My Heart." I'm still working on the new guestbook, so please be sure to sign it as soon as it's up and running. Thanks!
July 17, 2001 -- I updated the contests page.
June 24, 2001 -- See the new "Quote for the Week" posted today. I'm developing a new guestbook since the old one crashed, so please come back and sign it later. Thanks!
June 6, 2001 -- ALL NEW CONTESTS posted today on the Contests Page! You can also read my bimonthly column, "From My Heart" (scroll down to the bottom of the Contests Page). I also fixed links on the Quotes & Excerpts pages, so you can access the collection of metaphors and character studies. In addition, a new Quote for the Week appears on the welcome page. On a personal note, I finished teaching poetry at the local school, and signed a contract to teach one day a week again next year. I'm excited about some new writing projects, as well as diving back into my juvenile novel. Enjoy your visit today, and come back to see what I add this summer.
April 3, 2001 -- I loaded ALL NEW CONTESTS on the Contests Page. There's a lot to choose from! Please take time to read my bimonthly column, "From My Heart," located at the bottom of the Contests Page. This week, I start teaching a four-week session on POETRY to 7th & 8th grade students. What fun!
March 13, 2001 -- I deleted an advertisement on my guestbook page, and am now experiencing problems with the sign-in page. Argh. Please be patient while I try to fix the code to get the guestbook working again, and in the meantime, enjoy your visit.
February 28, 2001 -- I learned that I won Second Place from ByLine Magazine for my article, "Advice for Beginning Writers." I updated my "Author's Bio" page with the information, and fixed some old links there. I also posted a NEW "Quote for the Week," and deleted expired contests from the "Contests" page. On a personal note, I'm teaching my third session on FICTION to 7th & 8th grade students enrolled in the public school's home school assistance program. They are working on their own full-length fiction stories for class. Fun!
February 14, 2001 -- Happy Valentine's Day! I finally scanned and posted a copy of my guest opinion piece that appeared in The Gazette regarding the punch-card ballots in Florida. Click here to read it.
February 12, 2001 -- I posted a new Quote for the Week and updated the Previous Quotes page. I also split this "What's New" page and archived the previous entries for 1998 and 1999. If you're curious, click here.
February 4, 2001 -- Check out the all new contests list on the Contests Page, including my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." You can also read the new Quote for the Week while listening to the "1812 Overture" on the welcome page. Enjoy!
January 24, 2001 -- Happy New Year! Today I updated the music on the welcome page, added a new QUOTE FOR THE WEEK, deleted old contests on the Contests Page, and updated my Author's Bio. This month I'm teaching a four-week session on VENTRILOQUISM and having a ball. Enjoy your visit here at The Write Place!
December 6, 2000 -- Check out all the new contests on the Contests Page, updated the "Quote for the Week," added holiday music to various pages. I finished teaching the four-week session on non-fiction, and now we're off for a holiday break. Enjoy your visit!
November 4, 2000 -- I deleted old contests from the Contests Page. The writing classes are going well; we are now into the session on "Nonfiction." My students are analyzing ads, editorials, and writing opinion pieces.
October 9, 2000 -- I posted the new Quote for the Week for your enjoyment. I taught my third creative writing class in my series, "Writing for Fun and Profit." Last week we covered "Descriptive Writing: Similes, Metaphors, and the Five Senses." What fun!
October 1, 2000 -- Check out the list of ALL NEW contests here! My second class with the 7th and 8th grade students went very well, covering the parts of a sentence, "Adjective? What's an Adjective?" and "Cutting the Fat (combining sentences)." What a great group of students!
September 25, 2000 -- I uploaded the NEW "Quote for the Week" and deleted old contests from the Contests Page. Last week I started teaching creative writing to 7th and 8th grade students enrolled in the Marion Home School Assistance Program in the local public school district. I'm excited for this opportunity to interact with these middle readers who are also eager young writers! My contest column deadline moved up to October 1st, so check back this weekend for more contest news. Enjoy!
September 10, 2000 -- I uploaded the NEW "Quote for the Week" (which has turned out to be more like a quote of the month due to our settling into our new home, neighborhood, and church). Thank you to all my visitors for the kind comments and encouragement! For your enjoyment, I also loaded a new song for the welcome page, and updated the contests page. Have fun!
August 12, 2000 -- ALL NEW CONTESTS appear on the contests page, along with my bimonthly column, "From My Heart." I also added a NEW "Quote for the Week". I also made more code corrections for visitors trying to access my guestbook, and I loaded a new opening song on my WELCOME page. Have fun browsing! As for me, I'm getting ready to teach a creative writing class in September, and I'm preparing to homeschool our boys again. We're enjoying our new home in Iowa. I will now be posting a new "Quote for the Week" every Sunday night, so please be sure to stop by for a bit of inspiration each week. God bless you!
July 3, 2000 -- See the NEW "Quote for the Week". My "Previous Quotes" page has grown too large to load, so I'm in the process of rebuilding it in smaller sections. You'll be able to see it later. In the meantime, enjoy your visit, and please sign my guestbook while you're here. Happy Independence Day!
June 26, 2000 -- I'm back!! Today I added the NEW "Quote for the Week", and new music on the "Contests Page". My guestbook is working again! Please sign my guestbook and tell me how you found this site. And please--enjoy your visit!
June 23, 2000 -- See the updated list of contests on the "Contests" page! My guestbook is not working, so please feel free to e-mail me your comments. Thanks!
May 16, 2000 -- For my Netscape users, please accept my sincerest apologies--some of you wrote to say you couldn't view my website, and I finally tracked down the problem--a piece of code I'd inexplicably deleted during a previous revision/update. It's fixed. You should be able to access the site now. (Sigh--the world is right again...)
May 15, 2000 -- I re-arranged and uploaded my "artwork pages" into the new domain, added several missing graphic images, loaded my author's bio, and updated the "contests page." The new guestbook is not yet working, so thanks for your patience. Enjoy your visit!
April 17, 2000 -- See the updated list of contests on the "Contests" page! I also changed the music, fixed some typos and missing graphics, and added the visitor counter for my new domain. I'm still unpacking, so please enjoy your visit. Until I get my guestbook working, please feel free to e-mail me your comments. Thanks!
March 24, 2000 -- WELCOME TO MY NEWLY ACTIVATED DOMAIN NAME! Thanks for taking time to check it out. Additional news: My family loves our new home in eastern Iowa--we're slowly unpacking, locating lost items, and settling in. My husband and I ordered new desks for our home office, unpacked the computers (the newest one was damaged), and hooked up. I appreciate your patience during this major transition for us. I think it all caught up with us and we're down with our second bout with flu/colds (ugh), but we love it here in the midwest. I am looking forward to getting involved in the local writers' critique group (listed in Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide--what a great book!), as well as the Iowa chapter of SCBWI in the coming weeks. In the meantime, it's great to be back online and I am able to receive e-mail! Please enjoy your visit. My next contests column is due around mid-April, so
bookmark this site and come back.
February 15, 2000 -- After a long silence, you can now view the new "Quote for the Week" AND the updated "CONTESTS". My family is still in a hotel until next week, when we FINALLY move into our new home. Russ and I can't wait to get back online with e-mail. Until then, enjoy your visit at this site, and please check back for news.
January 3, 2000 -- I updated the "Contests" page and added "Your Mission" for 2000. I'm moving with my family to Iowa next week, so I may be offline for the rest of the month. We're heading south to Disneyland, then east to the Grand Canyon, then a blitz through New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and finally, IOWA. My next contests column is due in February.
December 31, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for January 2000" and changed the music on the welcome page.
December 20, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" and added two new contests to the "Contests" page. Now I must wrap wrap all our Christmas gifts...augh!
December 14, 1999 -- I updated the Author's Bio and posted ALL NEW CONTESTS along with my regular column, "From My Heart," at the bottom of the contests page.
December 8, 1999 -- CLICK HERE to read my family's BIG NEWS. I also posted a new "Quote for the Week." While you're here, please honor me by signing my guestbook. Thanks.
November 29, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" and added a new contest to the "Contests" page. Enjoy!
November 22, 1999 -- HAPPY THANKSGIVING! See the new "Quote for the Week" and the updated
"Contests" page.
November 14, 1999 -- Thank you for your comments and concern, everyone. I've been busy with writing proposals for new projects, homeschooling my youngest son (second grade), and some additional factors (major announcement made on Dec. 8th--see above). But I'm back. See the new "Quote for the Week" and the cleaned-up "Contests" page. My "Recommended Books and Videos" section is currently under reconstruction due to the acquisition of Books.com by Barnes and Noble. Since Amazon.com offers a better discount price to my visitors, I've decided to delete links to B&N. I also plan to add new books I've purchased and found helpful. Check back later and see the new reviews!
November 2, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" in honor of Payne Stewart and Walter Payton. I also updated my "Author's Bio" page.
October 22, 1999 -- You might notice a new background song on the opening page and contests page. I also added "Play/Stop" buttons at the bottom of those pages so visitors can control or stop the music if they prefer. Sign my guestbook and tell me what you think.
October 21, 1999 -- Read my column, "From My Heart," at the bottom of the contests page. Scroll down to view it. I also added a new contest for MOPS International (deadline is Oct. 31!). See the new "Quote for the Week" posted today (this one's just for fun), and since I'm teaching at the Oregon Christian Writers' one-day conference this weekend, this quote will appear for the next two weeks. Enjoy.
October 11, 1999 -- ALL NEW CONTESTS! Click here to check the new list. I will add my column, "From My Heart" (at the bottom of the contests page) soon. I also posted the new "Quote for the Week."
October 4, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" and deleted expired contests from the "Contests Page." My next deadline for the all-new list is this week, so keep checking back.
September 25, 1999 -- New information on the Children's Writer Writing Contest -- check it out on the "Contests" page. While you're here, please do me the honor of signing my guestbook. Thanks!
September 21, 1999 -- I updated my "Author's Bio." For my friends with older browsers, I had trouble uploading the original 2.0 version of my opening welcome page earlier this week, but I believe you can access it now.
September 20, 1999 -- With the start of school and a speaking opportunity regarding writing conferences--along with some new opportunities I'm pursuing--I haven't been online until today. You can see the new "Quote for the Week" and browse the other pages here at The Write Place. Don't forget to sign my guestbook and let me know what you think of the place. Thanks!
September 9, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" and added three new contests to the "Contests Page." Look for the spinning "new" symbol.
August 23, 1999 -- I added two new illustrations on my "Artwork & Illustrations" page (look for the spinning "new" tag).
August 22, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week," updated my "Author's Bio" page with good news, and added several NEW EXCERPTS and METAPHORS from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott, and The Testament by John Grisham. CLICK HERE TO SEE and look for the spinning "new" symbol. Don't forget to sign my guestbook, too. Thanks!
August 16, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week," added a new contest on the "Contests" page, and updated my "Author's Bio."
August 8, 1999 -- Check out all the NEW CONTESTS on the "Contests Page," along with my bimonthly column, "From My Heart" (scroll down to the bottom of the contests page).
August 2, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and updated the "Contests" page.
July 23, 1999 -- In light of our nation's loss with the death of JFK Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister, Lauren, I added a new "Quote for the Week."
July 19, 1999 -- My family returned safely from our adventurous trip. It's good to be home and back online. I added the new "Quote for the Week." Enjoy your visit!
July 6, 1999 -- Happy Independence Day! I added the new "Quote for the Week" and deleted old contests from the "Contests" page. My family will be out of town for several days, so this quote will be posted for two weeks. Enjoy your visit to The Write Place.
June 28, 1999 -- I added the new "Quote for the Week." I also replaced the photo on my bio page, and scanned the cover of the new curriculum I'm working on for Through the Bible/Treasure Learning Systems.
June 24, 1999 -- I posted NEW INFORMATION received from The Children's Writer regarding their current contest--click here to check it out. I also made a few minor revisions to the "From My Heart" comments at the bottom of the contests page. (Simply scroll down to the bottom of the contests page to see.)
June 19, 1999 -- Happy Father's Day! I added the new "Quote for the Week."
June 15, 1999 -- All new "CONTESTS" and my column, "From My Heart," at the bottom of the contests page. Take a look, and enjoy your visit!
June 7, 1999 -- I added the new "Quote for the Week."
June 5, 1999 -- I added four new contests to the "Contests" page. Check 'em out.
June 2, 1999 -- I received an Award of Excellence for this Website, which you can see on the "Site Awards" page. I also updated my "Author's Bio." (Note: I'll be unable to add book and product reviews under "Gift Ideas" for some time while I work to meet deadlines for the curriculum project I'm under contract to complete for Treasure Learning Systems--see bio.)
May 31, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" in honor of American veterans and Memorial Day.
May 24, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week." I also updated my "Author's Bio," the "Contests" page, and the "Hot Links" page. I also reorganized the "Quotes & Excerpts" section to make it easier for visitors to find "Descriptive passages," "Metaphors," and "Character descriptions."
May 17, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week." Enjoy your visit--and please sign my guestbook. Thanks!
May 9, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week."
May 3, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week." Don't forget to check out my Mother's Day gift ideas, "featured picks of the month" for April/May, and books for spring.
April 27, 1999 -- My site was chosen as the "Christian Web Site of the Day." You can see the award on my home page by scrolling down to the Quote for the Week.
April 26, 1999 -- I added more illustrations to my "Artwork & Illustrations" page and posted the new "Quote for the Week."
April 19, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week."
April 17, 1999 -- I posted three more contests on the CONTESTS page, along with my column, "From the Heart" (at the bottom of the CONTESTS page).
April 14, 1999 -- I posted ALL NEW CONTESTS. (My "From the Heart" column on the bottom of the "Contests" page will appear later this week.) ALSO, you can view samples of my artwork now on my "Artwork & Illustrations" page.
April 12, 1999 -- LOTS OF UPDATES: I posted the new "Quote for the Week" and added several new items in the "Quotes & Excerpts" section. I also added Mother's Day gift ideas, "featured picks of the month" for April/May, and books for
spring in my "Seasonal" section of my "Recommended Books & Videos." Last, but not least, I updated the "Contests" list.
April 5, 1999 -- I posted the new "Quote for the Week" and worked on my guestbook code over the weekend. Please e-mail me with any problems. Also, as designer, I decided to delete my welcoming "splash" page (after a very brief stint), to save visitors that extra step in entering my website.
April 1, 1999 -- I returned from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference exhausted, but excited about writing. As an experiment, I created a new "Welcome" splash page with links to both versions of my website so all browsers can access it. I also deleted old contests from the "Contests" page. Enjoy your visit, and be sure to sign my guestbook, which I also updated. Thanks!
March 21, 1999 -- I'm teaching at a writers' conference this week and next, so today's new "Quote for the Week" will be posted for the next two weeks. Enjoy your visit!
March 15, 1999 -- Yesterday I received another award for this website, "The Page ONE Award for Literary Contributions" (thank you, John Weaver). You can view it on my "Site Awards & Memberships" page. I also added a new
"Quote for the Week" and updated the "Contests" page.
March 13, 1999 -- I added all new EASTER GIFT IDEAS in the seasonal section of my "Recommended Books and Videos" list.
March 8, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and added several new links on the "Hot Links" page. I also added background music to my opening home page, an original MIDI composed by Gilberto Barreto, from selections offered at Songs of Praise.
March 6, 1999 -- I added a line of code to my "Contests" page to allow my guests to break out of frames when visiting from other sites.
March 5, 1999 -- I uploaded an all-new, redesigned "splash page" (the opening page of a website, otherwise known as the "home page"). And no, I didn't use any software to design it--I hand-coded it using HTML. (You can do it, too! See my handbook here.)
March 4, 1999 -- I received the "Sharing Spirit" award for my site from "The Reading Garden" (thank you, Linda Opdyke). You can see it on my "Site Awards & Memberships" page. My site was also approved for the "eToys.com" Associate Program, which allows me to link to their site with my personal list of recommended educational software and toys (coming soon in my "Books & Videos" section--check back to see what I add). Last but not least, I fixed old links and cleaned up some of the HTML code to improve the look of my website on wider monitors.
March 3, 1999 -- I updated the "Contests" page.
Februrary 28, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week," added my "Featured Picks" for March in my "Recommended Books & Videos" section, and fixed a link to WinePress Publishing on my "Hot Links" page.
Februrary 26, 1999 -- I updated my "Author's Bio" page.
Februrary 25, 1999 -- I updated the "Contests" page and "Hot Links" page. A link change came from the Poetry Forum for an award my site recently received, so I updated that link on my "Awards" page.
Februrary 21, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and updated the "Contests Page."
February 12, 1999 -- My site was approved for the Books.com "Affiliate Program" which allows me to link to their site with my personal list of recommended books. Get your gift ideas from my list at "Books & Videos."
Februrary 11, 1999 -- Received a "Great Site Award" from the Poetry Forum/Poetry From the Heart site (thanks, Connie Perry), which I added to the "Awards" page. I also added several "HOT LINKS".
Februrary 8, 1999 -- Added new "HOT LINKS" and a new section for author websites.
Februrary 6, 1999 -- All new CONTESTS now available, along with the bimonthly column "From My Heart," on my "Contests" page.
Februrary 4, 1999 -- I posted a new "Quote for the Week."
February 2, 1999 -- I added featured picks for February under "Book & Video Reviews" and added a few new items for Valentine's Day in my expanded "Seasonal" section. I also added a list of my professional memberships on my "Author's Bio."
January 31, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and updated a few things on my "Personal Page."
January 25, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and fixed a link for the Christian Online Publisher's Guide on my "Hot Links" page.
January 23, 1999 -- I updated the "Contests" page and added links on my "Hot Links" page.
January 22, 1999 -- I added links to Publisher's Weekly Online and the Colorado Christian Writers' Conference on my "Hot Links" page.
January 20, 1999 -- I corrected typos in Anne Lamott's name in my "Quotes & Excerpts" section.
January 19, 1999 -- I added a review of What a Writer Needs by Ralph J. Fletcher in my "Books for Writers" section. I also added new links on my "Hot Links" page and fixed a link to the American Christian Writers' web site.
January 16, 1999 -- I revamped my "Quotes & Excerpts" section and updated my "Contests" page. I added quotes from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and Writing and Publishing for Children in the 1990's by Olga Litowinski in my newly organized "Quotes & Excerpts" pages.
January 15, 1999 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" two days early. I also added biographical dates for famous people quoted on my "Quotes & Excerpts" page.
January 13, 1999 -- I updated my "Author's Bio" page and created a new Seasonal section under "Book & Video Reviews."
I also added three new book reviews under "Books for Writers." Check 'em out.
January 1, 1999 -- Happy New Year! I updated my "Contests" page.
December 31, 1998 -- I added the Featured Picks for January in "Books & Videos." I also added new excerpts from New York Times bestsellers in my "Quotes & Excerpts" section.
December 30, 1998 -- I added a link to The Children's Writing Resource Center on my "Hot Links" page.
December 27, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and updated my "Author's Bio" page.
December 21, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week." I also received another award for my site, which I added to my "Site Awards & Memberships" page.
December 20, 1998 -- I fixed an underline problem on my "Author's Bio" page.
December 19, 1998 -- I created an "Awards & Memberships" page after receiving three more awards for my site for content and design. I also also added new book reviews to my Books & Videos page under "Families" and "Web Page Design."
December 15, 1998 -- I upgraded items on my "Hot Links" and "Contests" pages.
December 14, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week." I also added contests to the "CONTESTS" page, including the Highlights for Children annual fiction contest, a young adult novel contest sponsored by Delacorte/Bantam Doubleday, four SCBWI grants, and ByLine's Annual Poetry Chapbook Competition. Check them out here.
December 10, 1998 -- I added my thoughts on the writing life under "From My Heart," a bimonthly feature on my "Contests Column" page. I also removed the new link for The Association of Christian Web Authors while it is being upgraded. During upgrades, visitors to the ACWA site are redirected to the host site; I prefer to wait until ACWA is back online for good. If you'd like to check it out later, the new address is http://www.webauthors.org/.
December 8, 1998 -- I removed a bad link for The Association of Christian Web Authors until I can track down the new URL.
December 7, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and included the new link for Bible Advocate Online on my "Hot Links" page. I also updated my bimonthly "Contests Column."
December 5, 1998 -- All my guest log entries disappeared; if you're visiting, please pop in and sign my guest book again. Thanks!
December 4, 1998 -- I added new categories to my "Books & Videos Reviews" section: Featured Picks, Seasonal, Christian Self-Help, Families, Fiction, Get Organized, and Books for Writers, all on my "Books & Videos Reviews"
page.
December 1, 1998 -- My site was approved for the AMAZON.com "Associates Program" which allows me to link to their site and create my own list of recommended books, videos, and music. Get your gift ideas from my list at "Books & Videos."
November 30, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week."
November 25, 1998 -- I moved the form for signing my guestbook to a separate page, creating a link from my home page so visitors have the choice of viewing the guestbook before signing it.
November 24, 1998 -- I added a counter and a guestbook. Please take time to sign my guestbook. Thanks!
November 22-23, 1998 -- Happy Thanksgiving! I added a new "Quote for the Week," updated the "Contests" page, and added new items to my "Quotes & Excerpts" page. I also created a page for those interested in seeing quotes that appeared previously as a "Quote of the Week" (click here).
November 15, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week."
November 10, 1998 -- I received a Gold Level Award for Creative Web Site Design from an independent review site. I added the award graphic to my "Copyrights" page. (Note: I moved it to my "AWARDS" page on 12/19/98.)
November 8, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week."
November 1, 1998 -- I added a new "Quote for the Week" and updated the "Contests" page.
October 25, 1998 -- I updated the "Quote for the Week," revised the layout of my "Author's Bio" page, and added a new link on my "Hot Links" page.
October 22, 1998 -- I updated my "Author's Bio" page, corrected a typo on the "Contests" page, and added hyperlinks on the "What's New" page.
October 18, 1998 -- I updated my "Quote for the Week" and added a small photo on my Home page.
October 13, 1998 -- I added my thoughts on the writing life under "From the Heart" on my "Contests" page.
October 12, 1998 -- I updated my "Author's Bio" page, added the new "Quote for the Week", and fixed the link to Pockets Magazine on my "Hot Links" page.
October 6, 1998 -- I uploaded my bimonthly Contests Column--LOTS of new stuff! I also corrected a spelling error on my "Quotes & Excerpts" page.
October 5, 1998 -- I fixed a link on my "Hot Links" page and added a menu bar between each section for easy navigation.
October 4, 1998 -- I updated my "Quote for the Week."
October 1, 1998 -- I added a new entry to my "Quotes & Excerpts" page, from a wonderful book called The Velvet Room. I also corrected a punctuation typo on my "What's New" page.
September 28, 1998 -- I made several major changes: I created the "What's New" and "Copyright Information" pages (for updates and proper copyright notices). I also moved my resume from my home page to a new page titled "Author's Bio." I also created a new menu table at the bottom of each page; this allows users to click on any destination of their choice without going back to the home page to find the master link list. I also updated my "Quote for the Week," modified my "Contests"page, and added some new items to my "Quotes & Excerpts" page.
Look here to see a list of any and all changes from this date forward.
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