Some readers choose not to rate memoirs. After all, who are we to judge someone’s real life? I respect that, but I’ve landed in a different place. I do rate memoirs, though not in the same way I rate fiction. Here’s why.

Ten powerful red-letter teachings of Jesus. Words that challenge greed, hypocrisy, and division — and call us to live differently.

“No one has a constitutional right to a TV show. But when the consequence for criticizing a political figure is cancellation, while violent rhetoric gets a pass with a quick apology, something feels broken.”

Friday nights in our house mean two things: pizza and movies. With Cheese Pizza Day landing on a Friday this year, it feels like the perfect excuse to share our favorite tradition…and the ultimate list of must-see 80s and 90s family movies!

Bees are vital to our environment… and our gardens. In Iowa, you can help protect pollinators and fight colony collapse disorder by planting native flowers like purple coneflowers, milkweed, and bee balm. These blooms not only support local ecosystems, they add beauty to your outdoor space (and make gorgeous backdrops for family portraits).

What do personality tests have to do with writing fiction? A lot, actually. In this post, I explore how being a Type 9 INFJ impacts my creative process, my characters, and even the scenes I avoid writing. (Spoiler: it’s conflict.)

The world has felt impossibly heavy lately. My stomach’s been in knots. But even with that weight, there are lunches to make, sprinklers to run through, and stories to tell. The guilt of holding joy while others suffer is real. It’s also part of why I started writing again. Not to ignore the hard things, but to make space for what’s still good. In this post, I’m reflecting on what it means to parent, feel deeply, and keep creating in a world that’s on fire.

Hi, I’m Amanda! Aspiring author, photographer, and mom of three. This space is where I plan to share the real-life moments that shape the fiction I write, along with the occasional photo I can’t keep to myself.