One of the things I love about writing is discovering who my characters really are. Strength is easy to write. Bravery is harder because real bravery rarely looks the way we imagine it should. Often, it is something others recognize long before we do. It shows itself in what we do despite the situation or circumstance—how we react when we’re scared, tired, or full of doubt. It’s choosing to move forward even when no one’s cheering us on. Getting up each morning knowing the day is going to do...

I have a confession. I hate New Year’s resolutions. It’s not that I don’t have goals or hopes for the next year. I do. But I’m not one to plan things out that far in advance. I’m more of a short-notice planner. I work better under pressure where there’s a defined timeline somewhere in the near future. To plan for a whole year? That stresses me out.  What if I change my mind or life goes a different way partway through? What if I picked the wrong goals and should have been focused elsewhere?...

When I first started writing Sojourners , I worried my characters were too nice. That they were too good. Who wants to read about perfect people? I surely don’t want to write about them. But as the story progressed, I realized that perceived perfection wasn’t accurate.  The main character's flaws are up front and on display because the story is told from her perspective. Most of her insecurities and internal wounds are known or revealed early on, but the secrets of those around her have to be...