Today, I sit down with my sister from another mister…the multi-talented, multi-genre driven Sarah Bennett! (aka S.E. Clancy) Sarah and I reminisce about the first time we met in a comedy writing class…and boy, did the instructor’s words make us snicker! We chat about how a sarcastic momma survives raising teens, the lack of quality stories for young people, reader expectations, and the power of failure. Sarah shares the authors that first thrilled her heart (Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery) and what it was like Read More
Blog
Food, Creativity, and Lakeside Retreat with Marci Seither
Welcome to Tara’s favorite episode ever! Today, Tara sits down with mother, grandmother, author, baker, all-around-creative, and drone flyer…the incomparable Marci Seither! The ladies start by talking about recipes and Marci’s love of preservation, which quickly flows into a conversation about hospitality, showing love through meals, and being present in the everyday tasks of raising a family. Marci shares what first inspired her love of stories (her grandparents) and the power of curiosity. The women discuss how families grow by creating in the kitchen together Read More
The Beauty of Family with Robin Pearson
Tara sits down to laugh and chat with her writing friend extraordinaire Robin Pearson! This show is all about family–from homeschooling and watching kids fly away into independence–to walking out faith, especially during the hard times. Robin shares about her transition for ‘doing things for God’ to having a relationship with God, and her earliest influences in Christian fiction (Karen Kingsbury and Francine Rivers), along with her least favorites (We’re looking at you Moby Dick). She tells Tara about her transformation from writing great books Read More
Worthy to be Loved with Jean Shepard
Today Tara chats with her sweet friend Jean Shepard who is a speaker, pastor’s wife, and first-time author of Worthy to be Loved! The ladies talk about the dangers of comparison, women’s conferences, and what’s it like to feel like you never measure up. They discuss bullying, knowing our worth in Christ, and the enemy’s lies. Also in this episode… Failure, inadequacy, Washington D.C. traffic, losing children, The Grand Ole Opry, and hope for the hurting. Buy Jean’s book here: WORTHY TO BE LOVED: BY Read More
Christianity Deconstructed
Deconstructing is all the rage these days. You can see it on cooking shows. Deconstructed lemon meringue pie or apple crumb cake. You can see it in political speeches and written texts. You can even find deconstruction when it comes to faith. If you haven’t heard of this latest fad in Christian culture, it’s a focus on untangling beliefs a person has held on to for years to see if it aligns with truth. This can be related to traditions, the way we ‘do’ church, Read More
How to Find Joy in the Uncomfortable with Erica Vetsch
Today, Tara chats with a phenomenal author and woman of God, Erica Vetsch! Erica talks about her passions–history, teaching, and museums–and has discovered the greatest stories of local lore come from small county museums. Tara tells Erica about the Ganster Museum near her town in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Erica shares that St. Paul, Minnesota is the gangster capital of the world. Who knew? Erica talks about her transition from writing stories based in cowboys and westward expansion to Regencies, and how Julie Klassen and Read More
God Didn’t Call You to be Nice
My family was chatting Bible over dinner one evening and I asked my nine-year-old son if he could remember the Ten Commandments. Nate nodded and put down his fork. “Sure. God is number one. There is no one before Him. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not lie. Thou shalt be nice.” “Whoa.” I felt my eyes bugging out as my fork paused in mid-air. “The Bible doesn’t say to be nice.” “Sure it does,” my teenage daughter piped up. I arched an eyebrow. “Where Read More
Theatre, Story, and Laughter with Ane Mulligan
Tara can’t wait to introduce you to her talented friend, writing partner, and cup of sunshine Ane Mulligan! The ladies start off talking coffee and how Ane got her start in writing. Tara and Ane talk drama in church, the stretch between writing for stage versus novels, theatre roots, and drama for kids. Ane shares her passion for theatre and how it allows people to let down their guard to receive the message of the gospel. Also in this episode: Planting seeds, criticism, what readers Read More
All Things England with Michelle Griep
Today, Tara chats with her critique partner, award-winning author, and dear friend Michelle Griep! The ladies discuss Michelle’s love of story, even back when all she used was Crayolas. Michelle shares that she started writing to escape her kids (lol) and the women discuss all things England and their passion for the quirks and beauty of the land beyond the sea. Michelle inspires Tara with a story about Iron Bridge and they brainstorm ways to be called into ministry in the U.K. Michelle discussed her Read More
YA and Fly-by-Faith Fiction with Amy Earls!
Today I’m hanging out with my fun-loving, ever-talented friend Amy Earls! Amy is surprised to learn Tara was born in her hometown of Corvallis, Oregon. The girls talk about all things Corvallis and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Tara talks about how her husband doesn’t listen to female Siri and Amy shares how her tagline was inspired by youth adult fantasy blended with faith. The ladies talk about the supernatural and how story can show us much about God through parallel worlds. Tara learns Read More