Linda’s debut novel – Love by Design – is out today!
You are going to be new to many of my readers. Tell us about yourself.
As a child and teenager, I was always reading and writing stories. Give me a pad and a pen, and I start putting something down on the paper. I was twelve years old when I read my first adult novel. It was Window On The Square by Phyllis Whitney. My mother gave it to me because I read so much, and she thought I was ready. That was the gun going off and I couldn’t read books fast enough. I loved mysteries and romances. I read constantly. When I was a mom, I even hid a book in the blankets that covered my legs at my children’s soccer games so I could read during the game. If my side of the field clapped, I clapped, but I had no idea what was happening. I never go anywhere without having a book in my purse as well as a pad and a pen to jot down an idea that might come to me that will make a great story. I enjoy writing romance with touches of suspense and hope that those that read them are entertained too.
Tell us about the book that’s just come out.
Love by Design is the first book in a four-book series. This is a contemporary romance with a hint of mystery and suspense. I love books with twists and turns and this book has several. I write what I’d enjoy reading. It seems others do too since my friends who are my sounding boards loved this book. The best compliment that I received was from my closest friend who was supposed to be reading for typos when she said, “I’m sorry, I’ve given up looking for typos, I don’t have time. I need to read this to see what happens.” That made me chuckle. I’m hoping that everyone enjoys this book as much as she did. The second book in this series is Designer’s Desire which will be coming out soon.
What started you on your love of writing?
For as long as I can remember, I have written stories. I wrote my first full length book as a freshman in high school on a standard Royal Typewriter. At the time, I didn’t know what to do with it, so it ended up in a box. By the time I hit 30 I had at least three boxes of these manuscripts. Periodically as I grew older, I would submit one to Harlequin Romances. They always commented positively on my storytelling, but everything else needed work. Finally, after all these years, I’ve managed to correct everything else!
Do you write in more than one genre – tell us a little about each one and the books you’re working on in each.
I write mostly contemporary romances in present day times. However, I have dabbled in historical romances as well as a couple of paranormal books. I even have a children’s book. It took me a while to find what I excelled in the best.
Designers Desire is the next book in my series. In this book my main character’s past comes barreling into newly built life, putting everyone she knows in danger. It’s a question of will she fight back this time or run as she did last time.
Have you attended any writing conference or classes? Tell us about some that and some that have been especially helpful.
Today, there are so many online classes out there, for nominal fees, that it’s crazy not to take advantage of them. Also, numerous writing groups are out there in most communities, who have presentations and welcome all new and established writers. I have participated in online classes as well as in person presentations by a number of well-known authors who were willing to share their craft. At every one of these presentations, I learned valuable information. No matter how old you get or how experienced you are, there is always room for growth.
Are you a member of any writing groups?
I’m a long-time member of Romance Writers of America and also Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. I find the most advantageous thing about these groups is the opportunity to meet with other authors. Having coffee after meetings when you can speak one on one with more established authors has been very rewarding. I find romance writers to be extremely willing to share and assist budding new writers as well as those who have been around for some time. You can’t put a price on those moments – they ‘re the best!
How attached do you get to your characters? Do you know what happens after the book ends?
I’m totally attached. I think that’s why authors write series. They can continue with those characters they’ve grown to love, even though they’re more in the background. Someone else from the background has stepped forward to be front and center. But the point is, they are still there and still moving forward. I think readers like the familiarity of series’ characters. It’s like they can see old friends as well as meet new ones.
Describe your ‘perfect’ writing day.
Believe it or not, I like cold mornings. I like to have a large cup of flavored coffee sitting on my desk so I can smell the hazelnut flavor wafting in the air. It inspires me to write. I don’t like a lot of distractions, so if the house is quiet, I can get into my zone. Once there, you can make all the noise you want, I hear nothing. I can get so focused the only thing that brings me back to earth is I want another cup of coffee or nature calling. Even then it sometimes is hard to take a break. Most writers I know who are on a roll, hate to break that momentum. The same is true for me.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Linda spent most of her childhood and teenage years living in small towns in Upstate New York. She met her husband, Joel, while selling advertising for a local newspaper. He likes to say that he bought the whole package. They lived in a small resort town in the Finger Lakes and raised two boys, Dave and Rich, into dynamic young men. They have two lovely daughters in laws, Wendy and Tracy. And are blessed with four fascinating grandchildren. North Carolina has been her home for nearly thirty years. She and her husband were fortunate enough to have their children follow and settle in the same area. Writing is something Linda has done all her life, but now she finally has time to pursue it to her heart’s content.