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Brandi Easterling Collins, independent author

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General Thoughts, Pop Culture

2020 in Books and Other Worldly Things

I set a goal to read 125 books for the year 2020, which was 25 fewer books than the number I finished in 2019. I went lower because I knew…

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January 9, 2021
Essays, General Thoughts

Losing My Religion

I didn’t attend church regularly while growing up, although I lived in the “Bible Belt” (and still do). I remember going to churches for weddings, as a guest of my…

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February 9, 2020
General Thoughts, Novels (my writing updates)

Nine months in: Writing Updates and Jordan’s Sister info

It has been nine months since I started this blog. Nine whole months—long enough to grow a human being. Since the launch, it’s had 1,056 unique users view a total of…

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April 29, 2017
  • Mary Higgins Clark
    General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    Rest in Peace, Queen of Suspense

    February 2, 2020 /

    One of my favorite authors died on Friday, January 31, 2020. “Queen of Suspense” author, Mary Higgins Clark, lived to the remarkable age of 92.  I discovered Clark’s books as a young teenager. My mom, aunt, and I would often frequent the Goodwill store in Benton, Arkansas. We all enjoyed the search for a good bargain and liked supporting a program that offers job training and other skills for people trying to make a living for themselves and their families. Plus, the savings on products helped our own family and is a great way to teach kids about recycling. I am still a frequent Goodwill and thrift store shopper today.…

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    101 random things about me

    December 15, 2018
    Snoopy's Night Idea

    Finding Inspiration

    August 11, 2020
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    Weddings and Funerals: Changing Relationships with Family and Friends

    October 27, 2024
  • Essays,  General Thoughts,  Novels (my writing updates)

    The Life and Times of a Not-Starving, Starving Artist

    January 16, 2020 /

    Only a certain number of artists are significantly wealthy, and I am definitely not one of them. When I refer to “artists” I mean people who produce art in the visual realm, in music, in performances, and with the written word, of course. My strengths primarily lie in the written word, but I like to dabble in visual art as well. While I’ve sold my words, I have never sold any of my visual art, though I have given projects as gifts. I’ve never offered it for sale. I imagine the results of doing so would be very similar to my venture out into the publishing world—supplemented by my day…

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    Illustrated race track scene with children driving cars at a starting line

    How Many Times Can You Start Over?

    February 16, 2025

    I grew up feeling ugly, did you?

    August 7, 2016

    Taking Back the “Nerd” Label

    June 23, 2019
  • General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    2019 in Book Reviews

    January 1, 2020 /

    I originally set a goal on Goodreads to read 100 books in 2019. When I surpassed that goal before the end of the year, I upped the goal to 125. As of December 31, I have read 150 books in 2019. This does not include how many times I’ve read my own books or read books with my daughter. I recently reread “Caroline’s Lighthouse” and “Jordan’s Sister” just to review why I write. I published “What I Learned That Summer” in August, so I’ve read through it several times in the last year while getting it reading for publication. That’s a lot of books! Here’s a collection of the covers…

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    As I Ponder and Query: Inspiration, Jordan’s Sister Update

    September 10, 2017

    Christmas, Truth, and Childhood Innocence

    December 22, 2017
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    October 23, 2023
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