Building your life like a robin builds its nest Our backyard abuts a Natural Growth Protection Area. We have a very vocal pack of coyotes, some swooping owls, and a fluffle of bunnies as neighbors. (At the risk of angering the highly vindictive crows, isn’t a  fluffle so much nicer than a murder.) A veritable zoo of native species has passed through over the years feeding my natural fascination with the behavior of animals. Watching them gives me great insight into myself and human nature overall. With spring inching its way in, the songbirds are returning to build their nests.

Building your life like a robin builds its nest

Our backyard abuts a Natural Growth Protection Area. We have a very vocal pack of coyotes, some swooping owls, and a fluffle of bunnies as neighbors. (At the risk of angering the highly vindictive crows, isn’t a  fluffle so much nicer than a murder.)…

It’s raining. Or is it? Challenge your perspective I check the weather report every morning. It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I do not simply listen to the report on the news. I check the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service website. Doesn’t everyone? I’m not planning to scale Mt. Rainier or do a little ocean kayaking. I just want to pick the best time for a walk and make sure I am dressed appropriately. Imagine my delight today, when I read 46° F and increasing clouds. Even with the windchill, it would still be above freezing.

The weather chart was wrong. It was pouring. This simple moment taught me a huge lesson about the power we give away to "experts" and the algorithms that feed our biases. It’s time to look out the window and see what’s really happening.

My new goal: Beat Fredrik Backman in Best in Show. Last spring, I wanted to be Fredrik Backman. I don’t mean famous. Or Swedish. Or brilliant. Or a guy. No, I wanted to be the writer whose words could cause a quinquagenarian former high school principal, not prone to emotional outbursts, to weep openly in an auto repair shop full of men to awkwardly examine the ceiling tiles while praying  for their trucks to be done soon. I’ve been devouring his work. His novels knot my heart and mind until I can’t unravel where all the feelings start. I have to pause and do that Navy Seal breathing strategy from TikTok just to be able to analyze how he can turn ten ordinary words into a tornado of universally felt emotion.

Comparing and competing in any endeavor are easy to slip into. As I reflect on the many authors I admire, I've been thinking about how I want readers to remember my work. Do I want to be remembered "as good as" or "just like"? Or do I want to be remembered as uniquely me?

Embracing clouds in the sky and in life. “The bluest skies you’ve ever seen in Seattle." That lyric, from Bobby Sherman’s theme song to Here Come the Brides, has been stuck in my head since I was five years old. It is so true and so not true. And I am grateful that it is both. Last night, my husband and I took advantage of a late summer breeze to sit on the patio.

Embracing clouds in the sky and in life.

“The bluest skies you’ve ever seen in Seattle." That lyric, from Bobby Sherman’s theme song to Here Come the Brides, has been stuck in my head since I was five years old. It is so true and so not true. And I am grateful that it is both. Last night, my…

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Re-inventing yourself—or an organization or  a nation—only works if you face the truth.

The concept of re-inventing oneself seems consummately American to me. As the grandchild and great-grandchild of immigrants, this idea,…

catherinematthewsauthor.com/2025/04/10/re-inventing-...

According to My Science
Jen Sinclair
Masterfully crafted story of a brilliant woman made small to serve the fears & jealousy of others finding the courage to embrace herself. Emotional journey with characters you can’t help but fall in love with or love to hate, enthralling plot, & the best ending.

So excited to share the cover for Roadside Sisters coming May 21!
#womensfiction #sistersnovel #roadtrip #familysecrets

Picture of woman and man and book title for new book Tangles. RSVP for event held TODAY December 2, at 3 PM EST. https://www.kaysmith-blum.com/events

TODAY! My friend Kay Smith-Blum's debut!! www.kaysmith-blum.com/events

#WF #WomensFiction #WritingCommunity #Books
#BookSky
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Brilliant! This is now a thing for me too. How was I not giving myself credit for all those invisible list things!!

Amen!

Sneaking in a few words while bread rises. My fav tradition is making bread for family & friends. It's been cold fermenting overnight. I'm up getting the fireplace and ovens ready by 0330.

What's your special Thanksgiving tradition?
#thanksgiving2024 #thanksgiving #breadmaking #writerslife #readers

I feel your pain LOL

Things may be strongest where they’re broken, but they could still use a little support . . .  or what I learned from an arthritic foot. We are strongest where we are broken, AND when we advocate for ourselves, face the problem, and support each other.

New Blog: With the exhausting vigilance of facing threats to women’s safety and rights, I am buoyed by the reminder I am strongest where I’ve been broken. But then I thought of my foot, and I realized we are stronger still when we support each other.
#blog
catherinematthewsauthor.com/2024/11/25/t...

Thank you!

So thrilled!! Releasing the Reins won the American Writing Awards in Western & Thriller/Adventure & Finalist Women's Fiction
#PNWAuthor #WomensFiction #AlaskaFiction #WomensFictionAdventure #writer #writersnetwork #fictionadventure #western #indieauthor #readers #bookclub

Well done!

Same💓💓