The audience applauds as the curtains part and Carol Ann walks to center stage.
"Good morning. I'm so happy to be here with you this morning. Today I am excited to introduce our guest author. Linda Hall is the award-winning author of fifteen mystery and romantic suspense novels and many short stories. Both Sadie’s Song and Steal Away were short listed for the Christy Award.
Her newest novel, Shadows at the Window (July ’08) is a Romantic Times Top Pick for the month, and the first in her shadows trilogy, Shadows in the Mirror is a winner in The Word Guild’s Canadian Christian Writing Awards. It is also a finalist in the Reader’s Choice Awards.
Her 2007 novel, Black Ice is a finalist in the 2008 Book of the Year Award sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers.
In addition, Steal Away was a Daphne finalist, was the Beacon Award winner for Best Inspirational Novel, the Winter Rose Award Winner for Best Inspirational Novel, and it was given the Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers.
Linda is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the American Christian Fiction Writers, The Word Guild and the Crime Writers of Canada.
Most of her novels have something to do with the sea. Linda grew up in New Jersey and it was there that her love of the ocean was born. In 1971 she married a Canadian and has lived in Canada since then. She has worked as a news reporter and feature writer for a number of years and also has written curriculum for adult literacy programs.
In 1990 she decided to do something she’d always dreamed of doing, she began working on a novel. Since that time she has written fifteen.
Linda and her husband enjoy sailing, are both very involved in CPS (The boating safety group in Canada) and both have achieved the highest level in that organization, namely Senior Navigator.
She and her husband have two grown children and three (soon to be four) wonderful grandchildren.
Please put your hands together and welcome Linda Hall!"
The audience applauds as Linda walks onstage.
CAROL ANN: Linda, I'm so happy you could join me in the Blog Studio today! Please have a seat. I'm anxious to hear more about your newest release. Love the cover!
**CAROL ANN HOLDS THE BOOK UP AND THE CAMERA PANS IN**
LINDA: Thank you. Shadows at the Window is the second in my 'shadows' trilogy. In the first book, Shadows in the Mirror, the main character knows nothing about her past. In Shadows at the Window, main character, Lilly Johnson knows her past all too well and it's one she'd rather forget. In fact, she has taken great pains to hide it from everyone, including her almost-fiance Youth Pastor. But the past has a way of catching up with a person, and when she begins to get threatening notes, she realizes she must do something.
Shadows at the Window is a romantic suspense, with the emphasis on 'suspense.' I love mysteries and romantic suspense, so this one was fun to write.
CAROL ANN: It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read it. What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
LINDA: Starting a new book. It's incredibly difficult. I keep thinking it's going to get easier and it never does. I never know how to begin, and I hate first drafts. They are like pulling teeth. I'll sit down at my computer, stare at the blank screen and suddenly remember that I need a cup of tea. That requires me to go into the kitchen, plug in the kettle, pick out a tea bag and then brew it. Then it's back to the blank screen. Of course, by this time it's time to check my email. After that's done, I stare at the blank screen for a little while and then write two sentences.
Well, you get the idea. I'm trying to train myself to write first drafts very quickly, because the sooner I have a first draft, the sooner I can revise. And I love revising. That's when the real writing gets done, as far as I'm concerned.
CAROL ANN: You're right about the edits being when the real writing gets done. But I always dread doing the edits because I have so many ideas about changes. I have to hold myself back from rewriting. Linda, how did you realize the God was calling you to write?
LINDA: I was born, I think, with the desire for stories. I read incessantly when I was little, made up stories walking home from school and wrote them down in notebooks. It was only natural for me to go into the 'writing' field. My career goal when I was young was to be a journalist. I studied journalism and was a news reporter for a daily newspaper for a while. I loved it. I've always had jobs that had something to do with writing. Around 15 years ago I felt God calling me to the ministry of fiction. I've been there ever since.
CAROL ANN: What stumbling blocks have you encountered and how have you overcome them?
LINDA: Rejection is a big one. When you're unpublished it's those nasty rejection letters, and believe me I have had a lot of those in my life. And then when you do get published, the rejection comes in another way - in the form of reviews, which are just as awful. How do I overcome them? I'm not sure I have. I just keep plugging along, writing the best I can and praying and trying to follow God's leading as best I can.
CAROL ANN: You must be doing something right! Your books have done great. On a more personal note, do you collect anything?
LINDA: Not really. I'm not a pack rat. I tend to throw out more things than I accumulate. I guess I'm a very odd bird because I can't stand garage sales. I think that comes with moving so often. I even give away books after I've read them. I would love nothing better than to have my entire worldy goods fit into two suitcases on either side of me. Weird, I know.
CAROL ANN: That would make housecleaning a breeze, huh? Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?
LINDA: Yes. I guess. Maybe. How's that for a non-commital answer? I used to be a journalist, which was a job I took very seriously. We journalists believe that our pens are mightier than any political power, and I suppose they are. However, down through the centuries, repressive governments have proved that swords are more powerful than words. So - ah - I really don't have a good answer for that one.
CAROL ANN: Linda, it has been fun interviewing you today. How can the audience learn more about you and your books?
LINDA: My website: http://writerhall.com
To sign up for my e-newssheet of happenings and latest releases, send a blank email to: writerhallnewssheet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment