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Brandi Easterling Collins, independent author

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Archives

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Essays, General Thoughts

The importance of traditions

Childhood memories What do you remember most from your childhood? It’s likely you remember big events and any trauma you might have experienced. Those types of things tend to leave…

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March 27, 2023
General Thoughts, Novels (my writing updates), Poetry

Love me more (Taylor’s Song)

This is Taylor’s song from my current novel in progress, Jordan’s Sister. The sound I have in mind for it is reminiscent of 90s Pop because the entire music scene of…

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November 18, 2016
Essays, General Thoughts

To All The Pets I’ve Loved Before

I’ve grown up with pets for as long as I can remember. My Easterling family seemed to have an affinity for the feline and canine variety of pets and the…

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September 11, 2020
  • Author read 75 books in 2025
    General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    2025 in Book Reviews

    January 4, 2026 /

    I met my goal of reading 75 books in 2025 while I also finished writing and editing my sixth novel, Four Hearts, which was released on December 16. Here are my best reads: Top 10 best reads for 2025 (traditionally published) Apostle’s Cove (Cork O’Connor, #20) by William Kent Krueger Flight Patterns by Karen White If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne MacLean Misery by Stephen King The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5) Broiler by Eli Cranor Best nonfiction reads for 2025…

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    Cast photo of "My So-Called Life"

    My So-Called Life: What the show meant to me then and now

    October 17, 2023

    A New Family Member: An official introduction

    March 29, 2021

    2017 in (book) review

    December 31, 2017
  • Illustration of animals, presents and a snowman with text reading Happy Holidays
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    Embracing the Holidays

    November 28, 2025 /

    I’ve written before that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s still true, and I keep the season pure in my home. I decorate for the seasons, which is a more recent development, but since I’ve lived outside my parents’ home, I’ve always waited to decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. Some people prefer to decorate earlier, and I pass no judgment on what they choose to do in their own homes. When did autumn start to disappear? Maybe it’s my age, but it feels like autumn (or fall) gets shorter every year. When retailers have Christmas decor out before Halloween, it can feel like harvest or the season…

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    Be thankful graphic with leaves

    That for which I am thankful

    November 25, 2021

    What does depression (and anxiety) look like?

    August 6, 2017
    Illustration of older lady waving.

    I’ve been old (but not necessarily wise) my whole life

    June 18, 2024
  • Novel cover for Four Hearts by Brandi Easterling Collins
    Novels (my writing updates)

    Four Hearts: Coming soon

    November 19, 2025 /

    After many years in the making (technically), Four Hearts is finally out for preorder on Amazon. The publication date through Luminesce Publishing is December 16, 2025. My sixth novel I’m so excited to share Four Hearts with everyone. I love these characters, Noelle, Austin, and Ashton (as well as all the supporting ones). Here’s the blurb: With Y2K one month away, everyone’s on edge… High school guidance counselor Ashton Spriggs wants nothing more than to support her students. From the overachiever, Noelle, who’s hiding a problem at home, to Austin, the smart, yet failing, boy with a shiner, Ashton is torn between being their friend and the adult they need.…

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    Designed by brgfx / Freepik

    The World Spins Madly On: More Updates During These Chaotic Times

    May 14, 2020

    Waiting for you: Layne’s Song for Jordan’s Sister

    September 14, 2016

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

    April 29, 2017
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Anxiety Artwork Assignment Book Review Books Caroline's Lighthouse Childhood Children Christmas Covid-19 Dad Dark and Twisty Death Depression Dream Family Fear God Got an "A" Healing Heartache High School Hurt Indie Authors Indie Publishing Inspiration Jordan's Sister kids Loss Love Mom Music New Novel Novels Pain Reading Sadness Sex Stars Suicide Thanksgiving Truth Writing writing update

Recent Posts

  • In My Multiple Hobby Era
  • Believe It or Not, Getting Fat Isn’t the Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me
  • Movies I Will Watch Again and Again
  • 2025 in Book Reviews
  • Embracing the Holidays

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