Barbara Ellin Fox's Blog

Meadow Lane — The barn we all wish we belonged to If you’ve ever spent your weekends at a barn that held the wonderful aroma of horses, hay and saddle soap—or wished you had—you already know Meadow Lane Farm. It’s that place lives in our memories and grounds us. The kind of barn where kids […]

A second chance isn’t just about being forgiven—it’s about being changed. Having that new lease on life.
The final stage of the arc shows your character making new choices, not because they’re trying to earn grace anymore, but because they’ve internalized it. And because it becomes right.They’re not just proving something now—they’re living it. It’s becoming […]

No matter how hard your character tries to change, they can not skip past the idea: A second chance must be accepted, not just earned. This is the moment when the story introduces a gatekeeper: the person or force that decides whether the character gets another shot at what they lost. Sometimes it’s a romantic […]

Author Interview It was so much fun to meet up with my friend, Rebecca Reed to talk about writing, horses, and Many Lives Ranch with her partner Rebecca Yauger from https://rebeccaandrebecca.com. It was a hot day and someone was without air conditioning...  Be sure to check out Rebecca's other interesting interviews, too.You can also join […]

During my childhood, it was a regular sight to see me in my riding boots, coasting down the street with my horse’s saddle balanced on the handlebars of my bike. I split free time in the winter between riding my horse and sledding or skating. In the summer it was riding my horse and swimming […]

Change isn’t genuine until it costs your character something. 
In every significant second chance story, there comes a moment when the character must prove that they’re different—that they’re willing to fight for what they lost or what they long for. And even if they aren’t different yet, they want to make the change. They know […]

This post is part two of my ‘Building a Second Chance Arc’ series—where I share how I craft redemptive character journeys filled with wounds, growth, and grace. If you love stories about healing and emotional transformation, you’re in the right place. Be sure to read part one, The Wound That Starts it All. Collision Every […]

The connections of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty made a decision that surprised many in the racing world—they chose not to run in the Preakness Stakes, despite the horse’s rising fame and the temptation of a Triple Crown bid. Some might say they walked away from prestige. I say they walked toward wisdom. Here’s a link […]

I'm excited to share February 12 marks the publication of my latest book, Many Lives Ranch on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Set in Texas with visits to Oklahoma, this story has one of my favorite tropes, second-chances.The need for second-chances is common to all of us. Who hasn't made a mistake in life? And who […]