|
Linda Weaver Clarke |
|
Linda’s 18Q |
|
The Eighteen Questions |
|
18Q |
|
Bibliography |
|
URL |
|
Nominate us as a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Web Site.
Email: writersdig@fwpubs.com with as the subject. |
|
The Eighteen Questions and 18Q are trademarks of Fabulist Flash Publishing.
This website, The Eighteen Questions, and 18Q are part of
The Fabulist Flash Publishing Family |
|
1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? The writing profession came about in a very strange way for me. In 2003, I was interested in putting together my ancestors experiences into fun and interesting stories. I had all the facts, but they weren't put together in an interesting way so I read every book there was on writing non-fiction. After writing a dozen stories of my ancestors, I couldn't stop writing. So I turned to historical fiction. After writing 4 novels, I decided to send them to some publishers. And that was the beginning for me. I signed a contract with American Book Publishing in 2005.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) In 1998, I decided to go back to college and get my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Theater. My youngest was in 5th grade, so I thought it was about time to do something for myself. With the support of my husband and six daughters, I graduated in 2002. Right now I am a full time writer and help Spanish speaking children with school for 4 hours a day. I write articles for the American Chronicle and teach a writing class called Family Legacy Workshop. I fly all over the U.S. and teach people how to take their family history or autobiography and turn it into interesting stories that their children would enjoy reading.
3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer? When I began reading the stories of my ancestors that I had put together, I realized that I not only enjoyed writing but what I had written felt good to me.
4. How would you describe your style of writing? I use description and emotion in my writing. Emotion is an important part of life, so I always bring into my stories what my characters feel. I love adventure with tender romance. I love to write stories with "good old fashioned values." I also love courage in the midst of adversity. When the hero wins, I applaud.
5. What is your writing process? I first write down an outline of all the things I need in my story. I choose my location, time frame, and characters. Then I name my characters and outline their personality. Next I write a list of conflicts that my characters will have to take on, both internal and external conflicts. When I begin to write my story, I may use them all or I may not, and I may add some along the way. But at least I have my list as a guide. Then I choose my plot and subplots. If I don't have a plot at the moment, I'll just begin writing my story and it will eventually come to me. After my book is written, I then go over it about 5 or 6 times, editing as I go, taking out and adding as I go.
6. What was your path to publication? I got the book "Writers Market" and found the publishers that did historical fiction. Then I did a search on the internet and found more. It took me about a year to find my publisher.
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? I write articles for a few newspapers and for the American Chronicle. I submit an article each month and it's published on the internet for 21 chronicles. Also, I love to go to libraries and teach my writing workshop. I put articles in the newspapers about my class, which is free to the public. I try to get interviews from newspapers and radio stations at each town I go to. I use my books as examples of writing technique and sell them afterwards.
8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer? I was really surprised how radio stations don't seem to be as interested in interviewing an author that writes fiction. But if you write political stuff and books, then watch out. Those are the authors they want. Very disappointing but true.
9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? I love writing, so inspiring myself isn't much work. My sources of creativity? When I lay awake before I go to sleep or when I first wake up, I begin to imagine things. My mind is clear then and I'm beginning to relax or awaken from a deep sleep. I tend to do my best creativity at that moment, when I'm laying in bed thinking about my characters. Sometimes, when an idea comes popping into my mind, I quickly write it down and go to sleep. If it's in the morning, I quickly go to my study and open my computer. Or I just think about it until I'm ready to get up.
10. What is your proudest writer moment? When my first book, Melinda and the Wild West, won an award. It was a semi-finalist for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007." There were only 10 semi-finalists among hundreds of entries.
11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing? To not worry about plots. They will come to you, so just begin writing. Otherwise, you may never begin.
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? When I was giving a lecture, I had just gotten over the flu. I wasn't feeling too perky but was well enough to lecture. Besides, it had been advertised and I couldn't disappoint the library who had put it together. Then it hit me real bad. I had to blow my nose. I didn't know what to do. I had to immediately grab my paper handkerchief, turn around, and blow. I was so embarrassed. Everyone told me not to feel embarrassed and that they understood, but I was completely embarrassed. It happened twice in a two hour lecture but everyone was so sweet about it. I've never had to blow my nose in public before this experience. How embarrassing!
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Learning to organize my time. Get libraries interested in having me lecture. Making sure I have enough libraries in an area in order to pay for my travel expenses. If I don't have enough libraries in an area, then what do I do? Those are my questions I have to ask myself each time I organize a Book Tour.
14. What is your writer life philosophy? Dreams are a part of life. They become our goals. If we work hard enough, then we can accomplish our dreams.
15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun? Eat homemade pizza that my husband makes and watch a video together.
16. Who do you like to read? I have a variety of authors I enjoy. I love adventure stories, mysteries, and Christian love stories.
17. What’s your advice for new writers? You must believe in yourself first. If you do, then never give up and keep writing.
18. What are you currently working on? I have five historical fiction novels in a family saga set in Bear Lake Valley, Idaho: Melinda and the Wild West, Edith and the Mysterious Stranger, Jenny’s Dream, David and the Bear Lake Monster, Elena, Woman of Courage. They are a series but each book has its own story. You don't have to read them in order to know what's going on. Right now, I'm working on "David and the Bear Lake Monster" and "Elena, Woman of Courage" with two different editors that my publisher has assigned me. They should be released early next year. In between editing and my book tours, I've been writing another series, but it's not historical. It's an adventure series. I love adventure! |
