Music and Much More
I’m an inspirational romance author, blogger, and contributor to writer’s blogs and online publications. My swoony debut novel, Call to Love, delivers a good bit of hilarity, passion, and truth.
A Lone Star girl at heart, I moved with my husband Bruce in 1997 from Houston to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.… Read More...
With school just around the corner and music lessons are starting back up, I know I need a pep talk as a teacher and music mom to get my students and children back in musical shape. And who better to ask for advice than my own mom, violinist and vocalist, veteran violin teacher, and mother of five professional violinists!… Read More...
Professional musician, native of Wichita, Kansas, and inspirational fiction author who shares my same maiden name, Amanda Wen is an author I personally couldn’t wait to interview! Listen to the end for a special performance by Amanda and me as we “hymnprovise” on Amazing Grace!
Although surprisingly we aren’t related, she’s a kindred spirit whose books ring true and strike a chord that resonates with me, and countless other readers as well.… Read More...
A couple of weeks ago, my mother Allison and I taught a summer music camp for beginning violinists, and we were thrilled to invite Kim and Phil as guest musicians to teach our string players about other instruments in the orchestra. The students couldn’t believe how many household items could be turned into percussion instruments!… Read More...
I’m on vacation with my family, but I thought this interview was worth revisiting!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download… Read More...
Family, Fiction, and an adorable violin as the main character? How could I resist this fabulous children’s book by music teacher/author Courtney Woodward?
A fellow music fiction author with an amazing passion for bringing music education to students of all ages and stages, I had a blast chatting with Courtney today!… Read More...
I had a wonderful time speaking with author Esther Pannebaker about the role music has played in her life. She particularly emphasized the importance of the pauses in music, which can make the difference between a mediocre performance and a stellar, emotionally satisfying experience.
The Divine Fermata
f r m d /fermata
noun MUSIC
Today, we’re looking at how art and music play a huge role in books. If you haven’t already, take a listen to artist Heather Deiter’s interview about her role as a cover designer and illustrator!
For music, Christian Inspirational Author Esther Bandy shares how hymns have influenced her faith and writing.… Read More...
Bonus Holiday Episode! Listen to our interview where Angela shares how music has played a role in her family and fiction!
a Rafflecopter giveaway| Subscribe to my mailing list for weekly updates. |
Calista Blythe enters the first Miss Snowflake Pageant celebrating Montana at Christmastime to expose the plight of street urchins.… Read More...
Black Friday Sale! Great Deals this Week!
Santa’s Top 3 Favorite Books of All Time (He’s read each of these multiple times.)
Santa’s Current Read: The Last Book of the Poldark Series
Santa’s Favorite Poems: YouTube Playlist: Some A Bit Spooky!
Santa’s Role as Proofreader for A Change in Tune (He’s checked it more than twice!)… Read More...
I was thrilled to have my family on the show to celebrate my new book, along with our amazing host Lindsey P. Brackett! Thanks to all of you who came and participated. I have been blown away by all of your love and support!
For more information about our family music business, check out Uptown Violins!… Read More...
Interview with Author Amy Walsh, from Walsh Mountain Publishing
Hello Amy, I’m thrilled to have you on the blog today. What inspired you to become a writer?
As far back as I can remember, I loved reading about imaginary worlds and creating my own. My brothers and I grew up without a television, so we spent our days playacting indoors and out. … Read More...
Have you ever wondered what music fiction is? Why would anyone write it? This week, I’m excited to be featured on author Deena Adam’s blog All Things Bookish. Enter her giveaway for a chance to win a FREE paperback copy of my book The Chronicles of Music Majors!
An author herself, Deena seeks out authors whose message is one of hope in spite of formidable circumstances.… Read More...
This week I was honored to be on The Daily Writer Podcast to talk with host Kent Sanders about the importance of stories in teaching. We also take a deeper dive into the creation of short stories.
FREE epubs of The Chronicles of Music Majors this month for Student/Teacher Appreciation! Feel free to share with fellow students/colleagues!… Read More...
Concerts and auditions are coming back, and I have the perfect solution to get you, or your students, in peak performance state!
This past week, I had the privilege of chatting with one of my wonderful colleagues and fellow Francophile violinist, Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier. I have loved listening to her delightful Mind over Finger podcast for the past year, and have attended several practice workshops in her Facebook Group.… Read More...
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of touring artists? Are you a musician with a love of all things tech? Check out this interview I conducted with my cousin Shawn Sullivan while he was on tour hiatus in 2020. Great news, he is now on tour again in 2021!… Read More...
A few months ago, I had the privilege of interviewing my own high school violin teacher, my aunt Valerie Sullivan, on this topic.
Over the course of her career, Valerie has served as a violin professor, strings sectionals coach for the youth symphony, orchestral musician, soloist, chamber musician, and private violin teacher.… Read More...
Paul Hemenway was described in an Illinois Times news article as a “punk rock pastor.” Over the course of his career, he has always been dedicated to his faith, music, and service to others.
During the 1990s, he played in a the 8-piece punk rock band Black Happy. The group enjoyed reunion tours in both 2010 and 2018.… Read More...
This week, I had the privilege of speaking with Eric Elder: author, musician, composer, and director of The Ranch ministry!
Several years ago, he wrote St. Nicholas: The Believer, about the man now known as Santa Claus. The book really touched me as I read about the saint’s treatment of the sick during the plague.… Read More...
Many people want to write, whether it’s a blog, a book, a musical composition, or an annual Christmas letter. But where do you begin?
This week I had the privilege of serving on an author roundtable for the podcast The Daily Writer, hosted by Kent Sanders.
Kent, Eric, and I are all musician/authors, and we were joined by my fellow inspirational author Mary Felkins.… Read More...
This week, I was thrilled to speak with Jerry Pollio from Applause to the Musician about the wonderful profession of being a classical musician. We delved into many of the career opportunities it affords, as well as how to keep it relevant and thriving in our 21st-century society.
I hope you’ll check it out, and please share feedback with more ideas on how to make classical music accessible for listeners today!… Read More...
While most people find it daunting to motivate even one child to practice regularly, my mother Allison managed to motivate all four of my sisters and me to practice nearly every day from the age of 3 until we went to college, all of us with violin scholarships in hand. As the mother of a budding music student myself, I wanted to find out her tricks of the trade, not just as a professional violin teacher, but also as a busy mom, with all of the responsibility that entails!… Read More...
In this post, I’m thrilled to feature my uncle and aunt, fellow music educators Philip and Kim Parker! Visit their site at philipparkercomposer.com.
Phil, as a professor of music, what is the best advice you offer to students who want to pursue a career in music?… Read More...
Like many of my fellow music teachers, I’m looking for new ways to connect with students and help them connect with each other. When I found Victoria Kimble’s new Young Adult release The Main Dish with a violin featured on the front, I had to check it out.
As it turns out, Victoria must be my long-lost twin, considering we share a love of music, fiction, faith, and sisters.… Read More...
Mother of ten, grandmother, great-grandmother, fellow musician, and author, this larger-than-life person has inspired so many people over the course of nearly a century. Today, I’m honored to talk with my own Grandmother, Ruth Scheer.
Grandma Ruth, how did you develop an interest in music?
I discovered music for myself when I was about eight years old.… Read More...
Alyssa Hunt is the songwriter, singer, composer and co-producer of all Ascending Music. Inspired by artists such as Steffany Gretzinger, Björk and Sade, she allows her faith to reflect in her words, creating a sort of lounge effect. She also writes short stories under the pen name A. Renee Hunt.… Read More...
