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Be Someone’s Aunt Norma
In the mid-1970s, when my mother was very ill, I stayed with my Aunt Norma, who lived about 40 minutes from our rural home. Her little town had something our farm didn’t: concrete sidewalks. As a farm kid, I thought they were magical—straight lines, no rocks, no cow pies. I’d ride my bike for hours…
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Why Showing Up Matters (Even When It Feels Pointless)
One year ago, on April 27, 2024, I set up a table at a local book fair—an opportunity that came thanks to my Portraits of White book. Having never attended a book fair as an author, I thought, Why not? So, on a dreary morning, I arrived at the venue, laid out my CDs, T-shirts,…
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Two Boots, Four Spouses: Reflections on Relationships and Comfort
Do you like my boots? I couldn’t resist them when I found them last December for 50% off. As someone who’s had her fair share of struggles with feet and shoes (don’t even get me started on the comments I’ve received after concerts 😅), I’ve learned how to prioritize comfort over style when performing. When…
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Do You Trust Me? The Question That Stopped Me in My Tracks
My workplace was closing due to a Weis takeover. I had a choice to make. In the quiet moments, I felt an undeniable pull to let go of the job. Although we were invited to interview for positions with the new store, I had that feeling—you know, the one in the pit of your stomach…
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When Life Sells Your Store: Lessons From Donuts and Truffles
Just as I suspected, after a torturous afternoon trying to make truffles, I decided to give up. I went from dreaming about gifting little packages of these supposedly easy-to-make treats to my friends, to wondering which local farmer I could offer them to for their barnyard. After an animated Facebook LIVE session about my experience,…
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Hope and Inspiration from Portraits of White: A Journey Through Holiday Struggles
“Story is what connects us as human beings, and Frances Drost draws you into speculating about your own life stories. How does one dream up a song, a piece of art, a cure for disease? What is the story behind an event, a moment of joy or grief? Frances has a gift for story that…
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Behind the Mic: Two Transformative Podcast Interviews in One Day
Recently, I discovered PodMatch.com, a fantastic platform that connects podcast guests with hosts. As a new author gearing up for my book launch this October, I heeded my publisher’s advice and signed up for the service. In just a few weeks, not only did I have a curated list of podcasts to explore, but I…
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Kindling Stories: From ‘Genius’ Inspiration to BookThinkers Unboxing to Starbucks on Chocolate Avenue
Recently, my husband and I were engrossed in the movie “Genius,” a captivating biographical drama released in 2016. Directed by Michael Grandage and written by John Logan, the film draws inspiration from the compelling biography “Max Perkins: Editor of Genius” by A. Scott Berg, which earned the National Book Award in 1978. Set against the…
Singer / Songwriter / Pianist / Bestselling Author
Frances Drost 