And Then They Came for the Libraries

 I try to keep my professional social media pages and this blog free of politics. But nothing is safe right now. If you don't want to proceed, then have a great day. It doesn't matter which political position you take, you can't be oblivious to what has been happening in our country. One of the things targeted to get the ax is federal funding for libraries. This, along with the hatchet job on the Department of Education, speaks volumes about the administration's values for education and learning.

Libraries are not just shelves of books to be checked out, read, and returned. Libraries provide a haven for people who need assistance of all types--computer access (and sometimes classes on computer use), social gatherings in book clubs or for arts & crafts programs, opportunities to meet authors who inspire and entertain, and a source of information on resources to improve lives. There's probably much more. In some neighborhoods, the library is a safe place for children to gather and learn and to socialize.

Libraries are mostly funded by city and county taxes. Federal funding helps pay for things like workforce training, supports pilot programs and basic services such as computer and internet access, particularly in rural areas. Eliminating this funding will seriously impact the services available through our libraries.

As a child, I spent many hours in my local public library. It's still standing mostly as it was back in the fifties, but with a new room addition to serve teens and provide services to the community. The love of reading was instilled in me there, as was the opportunity to be a part of a teen community service group that met there. This little library played a big role in shaping who I am today. And it continues to do so in my hometown.

The Brownsville (PA) Free Public Library

Now, I can't begin to explain this war on education and learning. Nothing makes much sense to me right now. So, what can we do? Get involved. Support your local library. Write and call your representatives and senators and plead--no, demand--they work to protect libraries. To me, at least, the public library stands as the last bastion of civility in our society. Don't let this be taken away from us, and especially not from our children.

2025 is here--now what?

 Well, here it is--2025. So much uncertainty in the world. One thing I'm sure of. Coming soon: Saved by Sophie (Women's Fiction w/romance sub-plot).

Emma Lee Gracen is running from her past, but the ghosts continue to haunt her. It only seems fitting that she ends up stuck at an auto salvage yard in the middle of nowhere in Georgia. It’s ironic that the place she lands in is called Hope Corner. And it seems a cruel play of fate when the one man she meets who understands her pain, Harp Gentry, is just as broken as she is.

Release the past;

Embrace the present;

Lean into the future.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Wishing all of you (family, friends, readers) a Happy New Year. Things may or may not be as you or I would like them to be but, remember, books are a wonderful escape and mine all have a happy ending. Cheers!

Funnelling Your Feelings into Your Writing

 

Okay, fellow writers, I know you know what I'm talking about. You're minding your own business, working away on your next brilliant work of literary art and--BAM--life happens. An event stirs up anger or sadness or frustration. Now you're distracted and can't keep up with the flow of your story. I had this happen recently with an event that stirred up a rage in me the likes of which I've not experienced for a while. (I can say now it was an overreaction, but this election has me on my last nerve.) The fact that this occurred on a Friday when I had no access to address the situation until Monday only added to my furor and frustration. When I sat to continue writing my current story, my mind was consumed by the seeming injustice of my situation and my inability to resolve it immediately. So I became even more frustrated that I couldn't write the scene I'd been working on.

Once I cooled down enough to think somewhat clearly, I realized I had a scene to write for my characters that required rage and anger for one of the characters. I moved ahead to writing that scene that I knew was coming up, and I infused all the anger and frustration I was feeling into my character and wrote it out. Not only did it help to diffuse my own rage somewhat, it gave my character a depth to her anger that made it more believable.

Writing devoid of true emotion falls flat, and it can be a challenge to summon up deep emotions if we're just not feeling it. It's our job to do so, of course. But I'm suggesting we not waste the emotions we find ovewhelming us at times when they can be used productively. This isn't limited to anger, frustration, or sadness. You might have a character who is overjoyed by something, ecstatic, or just plain happy.

We've all heard the recommendation: write what you know. Well, trust me, this past Friday I KNEW rage and frustration. And my character benefitted from my situation. I benefitted from pouring out some of those emotions, and I was able to make my character's reactions more realistic.

Am I suggesting this as a simple form of therapy for writers? No. Some situations aren't that easily resolved. I'm not intending to downplay the depth of our emotions. I'm suggesting that, if you can and as those emotions consume you, if only for a short time, use them.

People often ask at panel discussions or book signings, "How much of you is in your characters?" I personally believe a lot of me is in my characters because I have, in a way, given birth to them. Using my world view and emotional responses can be a part of that, too.

Write true, and write deep.

                                Linda

Coming Soon--My 50th Book!

It's starting to get real now. My 50th book is finished and will be released on August 7. No accident that that is also my birthday. It was twenty years ago on August 7 that I got an email offering me my first publishing contract. It seems only fitting to release my 50th book at that time, too. I have two launches coming up for A Well-Imagined Life. The first is at a private birthday/launch party on August 10. The hard launch is in Brownsville, PA--my hometown--on August 17 at the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center and sponsored by the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts.

If you're in the Brownsville area, please stop by and say hello. Get a book signed while you're at it.

 

Readers Make Writers

 

We writers are nothing without readers. That's a fact. It's not only about book sales. Readers need to know that we thrive on more than sales. We thrive on reviews, on the social media comments you leave about our work, and on those emails readers sometimes take the time to write to us. I love hearing from a reader who has been touched by one of my books and who takes the time to tell me about their experience. That kind of feedback is fuel to us writers. It gives us energy and purpose and motivation to keep going.

I had one book--Unconditional--blow my sales numbers out of the water over the last two months. It's not a new book by any means. I've not been actively promoting the book. I don't know who started the fire that sent the sales of Unconditional climbing. I do know that a few people left ratings and reviews on Amazon. Those meant the world to me, to know that my book touched your hearts

So, readers, please don't ever think you're not important to us writers, that your comments and feedback and encouragement isn't important to us. It's ofthen the very thing that keeps us going to write the next book.

As for myself, I thank all my readers and fans. You make my world brighter and keep me going.

Linda

Writing for Women? What about the guys?

 

I recently invested a few dollars to purchase this banner for my upcoming book events. In designing the banner, I weighed out using the Writing for Women logo I've used for years.

When I first started publishing, I needed a tag line for my work, something to make it easily identifiable. One TV network that was popular at the time was Lifetime-Television for Women. I started out writing women's fiction, and so adopted the phrase:  Writing for Women.  As I broadened my writing into other genres and sub-genres, I discovered my books have one thing in common--they are stories of strength, love, humor, and/or hope. It doesn't matter if it's women's fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, or paranormal. The one thing that is always important to me is that my stories are positive and offer a happy ending.

I always enjoy stories that present engaging characters that draw me into their stories. And, so, I strive to create characters who do the same--characters that are real, that struggle, that overcome, and that embrace life with joy and hope.

My stories are not literary fiction so much as commercial fiction across a variety of genres. They're intended to entertain, to comfort, to encourage, and to make the reader smile. If they give you something to think about, that's a good thing too.

Now, I've been asked about my Writing for Women logo. Does that mean my writing rules out male readers? Not at all. I've written a few suspense novels that would appeal to most men. But I try not to sell men short. I think a man could easily identify with my heros and enjoy their stories. I was asked once at a booksigning, "You say your books are written for women, so I should just give one to my wife?" To which I replied, "Women will relate to and enjoy my books. But that doesn't mean a man can't learn something useful from them." He bought the book, promising to read it first.

This year, in a few months actually, I will produce my 50th novel. I'm proud of the books and stories I've written. I say that with all honesty and without arrogance. I know my writing is not perfect. No one's is. I admit to sometimes feeling like a well-kept secret in the literary world.

I very much look forward to rolling out A Well-Imagined Life, my fiftieth novel, in early August. The date coincides with my 75th birthday. I shudder at that number and cannot wrap my head around it. But it is what it is.

I hope you will help me celebrate these twenty-two years of writing and read one or two or forty of my books. And, yes guys, there will be something there for you, too.

AMAZON.COM

To all of my faithful readers, I thank you so much. You make it all worthwhile.