A place for my thoughts

Brandi Easterling Collins, independent author

  • Home
  • Welcome: About me
  • Bookstore
  • Newsletter/Contact Me
  • Luminesce Publishing
  • Home
  • Welcome: About me
  • Bookstore
  • Newsletter/Contact Me
  • Luminesce Publishing

Archives

  • May 2026
  • April 2026
  • January 2026
  • November 2025
  • September 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • April 2025
  • February 2025
  • December 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • June 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • July 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • September 2022
  • July 2022
  • April 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
Artwork, General Thoughts, Novels (my writing updates)

How much truth is in my fiction?

Writing what I knew as a teenager I loved reading when I was a kid, and I began writing as a teenager. The results of my early efforts were 7…

read more
December 2, 2023
Essays, General Thoughts

Christmas, Truth, and Childhood Innocence

Childhood innocence eventually becomes a thing of the past. If we’re lucky, it becomes fond memories and reason for nostalgic reflection when we’re adults or the need to keep that…

read more
December 22, 2017
General Thoughts

Ways I Save Money in our Household Budget

Where to start with a budget Budget doesn’t have to be a dirty word. I budget our household expenses to make sure we have enough money to pay our bills…

read more
March 13, 2023
  • General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    Book reviews for 2018

    January 8, 2019 /

    My original reading challenge for 2018 was to read 60 books. Well, I read 60 books and upped my challenge to 80, then 100. By the end of New Year’s Eve, I had read 106 books for the year. This number does not include the children’s books I read with my daughter. In 2018, I read many novels written by independent authors, such as myself. These stories are just as good as (and many times better than) traditionally published work The top five were: (image by Bluelela – Freepik.com) When Life Happened by Jewel E. Ann. This novel pulled me in fast, made me cry, made me see hope, and…

    read more
    1 Comment

    You May Also Like

    My husband: the best example of a good father

    June 17, 2017

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

    April 29, 2017

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

    September 10, 2017
  • General Thoughts

    101 random things about me

    December 15, 2018 /

    I have been terrible about writing blog posts this year for many reasons that might sound like excuses. I launched my own publishing imprint, published my second novel, worked significantly on my third novel, prepared my first novel for republication under the new imprint, read 101 books as of December 8 and held down a full-time day job in addition to spending quality time with my family.  Instead of starting a narrative blog post, I thought I would share 101 random facts about myself to help my readers know me as a person a.k.a. a weird woman who sees all things through the eyes of a writer. These tidbits are…

    read more
    0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Illustration of animals, presents and a snowman with text reading Happy Holidays

    Embracing the Holidays

    November 28, 2025
    Designed by brgfx / Freepik

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

    May 14, 2020

    Bah! Humbug: What’s Christmas all about?

    December 17, 2016
  • General Thoughts

    Daydreaming: The lottery

    October 21, 2018 /

    With a Mega Millions jackpot that will likely reach $2 billion before the next draw on the evening of Tuesday, October 23, it’s easy to get caught up thinking about what my husband and I would do if we won the lottery. The whole thought of it is overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. We’re occasional lottery players in our house. My husband and I buy a $2 ticket now and then when the mood strikes us and additional ones until the large jackpot is rewarded for times when it gets huge. The chances of winning are astronomically low, but it’s not like we’re basing our entire future…

    read more
    0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Six months in: General updates

    January 25, 2017
    Music studio control room and singer booth

    Top 15 Cover Songs I Like Better Than The Originals

    October 23, 2023

    I’m a liar

    December 27, 2016
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

Categories

Tags

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

Recent Posts

  • 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
  • Four Hearts: Coming soon

Sharing

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
All material ©1994-2026 by Brandi Easterling Collins.
Ashe Theme by WP Royal.