Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect—I’d love to hear from you!
A Surprise Delivery - Author Copies of Halloween Good Night
I was in a rush, running up north to pick up our farm share, running back to get dinner made before karate. And all day I'd been checking for updates on a delivery...
I'm a STAR! Or, ok, my book is... A Starred review from PW for Halloween Good Night!
Today my happiness came in the form of an email from my editor at Atheneum Books. My first review for Halloween Good Night from Publishers' Weekly. Seriously?!? A starred review!
A Fun and Fabulous Book Trailer for Halloween Good Night
The book trailer trend peaked around 2014 and most publishers don't do them anymore, but now that my first book is just about to be released, I couldn't help myself. Who wouldn't want an adorable audio-visual treat featuring their very own book?
Announcing: Another Picture Book Sale!
And then there were three ... books by me! It is with supreme delight that I announce Eerdmans Books for Young Readers will be publishing my picture book, Mama Earth's New Year. Yay!
They're Here!!! ARCs of My First Book!
The very first copies of Halloween Good Night!!
Secrets to Writing a Novel ... Or Not
I've been doing this writing thing for more than fifteen years. You'd think I would have an airtight process by now. You'd think I could write a book like “how to write a book.” Right? You'd think I wouldn't flounder with each new project as if I were the first one to wonder if a round stone could roll. Because really, this isn’t my first rodeo.
Top Surprises of a New Year's Gym Membership
Hubby and I recently got serious about taking back our health, and the first question we faced was: “How do we work in exercise?” The conversation went something like this:
Me: We could put the treadmill back in the bathroom?
Him: Um. No.
Me: There’s that gym up by McDonald’s (why is this our reference point? I don’t know.)
Him: But when?
Me: You could go before taking N to school in the morning!
Him: Would you really get up that early?
Me: Are you kidding? We’re talking about you here, not me.
The Friends (Not Just) in my Head
For years I've chuckled quietly at the computer screen or told my family over dinner, “You won't believe the hysterical thing someone said in that homeschool group.”
For years I've spent every November/December nearly paralyzed by the volume of FB notifications that would flood my in-box: Wake up to 35 unread messages, 80 by dinner time, 143 by bed. Why? Because of a Secret Sister ornament exchange and prayer partnering through a support group for homeschooling moms who use a certain curriculum. I'd done the exchange once back in 2007ish, then took a few years away from homeschooling, and was shocked and delighted...
The Awesomest Author Photos Evah!
I can't believe how long it's taken me to post these photos. Actually, yes I can. I'm horribly lazy when it comes to keeping up with my online presence. What's worse is I actually like to blog and Facebook and whatnot, but these children! The chickens! The garden! My editor and agent who actually - gasp - expect me to write now and then!
I know, excuses excuses.
My Book is on AMAZON!!! Yes, you can pre-order Halloween Good Night!
I am so full of exclamation points! See, just this morning I was showing Maggie the cover art pdf. She, always attentive, noticed the little square on the back cover where the bar code will go. "What's that?"