I'm So Excited to Have
Linda Wichman
on my blog today!

She's giving away TWO copies of her book.

Please leave a comment and your email addy to be entered into the drawing.

Now, read on to find out a little more about Linda and her writing journey . . .


Carole, thanks for asking me to visit you at Sunnybanks!
How long have you known that you were a writer?
Always.

Or have you just loved writing all your life?
Yep. Once in Sunday school I shared my favorite Bible story. I inherently improvised and added subplots. My version of ‘Jonah and The Whale’ became ‘Joan and The Cranky Fish.’ Due to my whale of a tale, Joan (Jonah) never did reach Neenah (my hometown) Ninevah.

Did you receive a clear “call?”
Oy! Is there a politically correct answer? Not all writers receive a clear “call,” some just write. God didn’t whack me alongside the noggin and order, “Linda, I call you to write!”Although, I wouldn’t have minded that more direct approach. Grin. The clearest calling I’ve ever gotten is to write edgy fiction with a Christian worldview. Now if I can find an editor that’s also received that clear call…Sweet!

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?
My first genre is Romance—boy meets girl—girl drives boy bonkers, etc. I’m a world-class hopeless romantic. To quote Romancing the Stone’s Joan Wilder, “No, hopeful. Hopeful romantic.”

I like to combine romance with fantasy elements, especially legends. Blame it on HJ Wells, JRR Tolkien, Frank Baum, CS Lewis, Lewis Carol, Jane Austin and Mary Stuart, just to name a few.

How do you spend your writing days?
I perch in front of my laptop around 6:30 a.m., reread and edit what I wrote the previous day, then soar to Never-Never-Land and happily write until my stomach growls. I scheme and plot during housework—and exchange dialogue with God. I’m what author, Tim Baxter, calls a planster. Oddly, my book titles often sprout first, triggering ‘the brilliant idea,’ fun research, a reluctant hero and a pigheaded heroine, and then I fly solo—often blindfolded. I write like I cook, sprinkling new ingredients and taste-testing until the recipe’s complete. Can you tell that I’m A.A.D?

Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day?
Nope. I have the Lack of a Left Brain Syndrome. My daily goals are scene and chapter driven which vary from 500-2K words. If I’ve a deadline, I write weekends.

Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?
Most historical romances including the research range 6-9 months for 90,000 plus and 3-6 months for contemporaries.

Tell us about your new book.
Which one? I’m a hopeless multi-project writer. At the moment I’m editing, Promise Her Magic, the first book of a historical-romance series: Sawdust, Magic and Red Spangle Beads.

Blurb: Abigail Endicott will do anything to keep her inheritance and four waifs—even join the circus. Lee O’Sullivan will do anything to keep his circus—even marry fancy-faced Abigail Endicott. And the orphans will do anything to show Abigail and Lee that whether highborn or lowborn, God’s promise of love is magic!

Oh, sounds like a fun read. What is the spiritual message in it?
There are several, but the main memo is that God is no respecter of the rich or the poor. ‘Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity . . .’ Psalm 62:9-12 KJV

What can readers expect to get from reading it?
In reading, Promise Her Magic, I hope they get swept away by the magical ballyhoo of the historical American circus, that they find romance, laughter, suspense, faith, and their inner child.

How and where can readers buy your book?
Alas, Promise Her Magic is still homeless. But I’m prayerful that will change.

Hang in there. Do you ever feel like giving up?
Nope. Even if I never sell another novel I’ll write because it’s how God’s hardwired me.

Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?
Publishing wise, I’m in a discouraging place. From an ACFW Book of Year Winner to a Christy Finalist followed by no more contracts. A seasoned author told me that one must walk by faith, and be a certified whacko in order to ride out the dry spells. Guess I qualify. As a working writer I keep knocking on doors—sometimes with my head.

I think most of us feel that way at times. Who’s inspired you the most?
My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ blessed me with this gift to glorify Him. Secondly, my knight-in-shining armor, kids and grandsons, friends and church. Writers wise, my home critters of Fox Hollow Writers, RWA and ACFW.

Oh, least I forget. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ novel, Shanna, inspired me to write my first historical romance and thirty years later I’ve not changed that opinion.

I’ve many contemporaries to thank, but here’s a few; Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Kathryn Springer, Maureen Lang, Deb Kinnard, Andrea Boeshaar, Cynthia Hickey, Wendy Lawton and Kelly Mortimer. Oh, Linda Windsor, who’s conquered the ups and downs of this sometimes fickle business and just keeps on a-writing. Bless you, Linda!

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin.

Now that’d be a fairytale come true! Wink. Kregel Publication was the first publisher my agent queried with Legend of the Emerald Rose. Lo and behold, they bought it!

Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?
Nope, coz I’m an ant. My favorite metaphor is Sammy Cahn’s song, High Hopes. “What makes that little ole ant think he can move that rubber tree plant, anyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber tree plant. . .” Yes, I can!

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes?
Like: acid-reflux plots with a happily-ever-after ending.
Dislike: ‘Can’t.’

Good choice of likes and dislikes. Hobbies, interests?
Addicted to the Sci-Fi channel and the long running Stargate SG-1 series, also Dr. Who, and movie classics with Cary Grant/Kathryn Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, etc. Celtic history, astronomy, horses, archeology, and blue water sailing the latter of which, I’ve not done in sometime.

For stress release, I write (Sam/Jack shippy secular) Stargate SG-1 fan fiction on Fanfiction.net at: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/872850/HDorothy

Where would you like to travel if you could?
Planet Earth and then outer space, but I’ll start with the Isle of Arran, Scotland—the setting for my novel, Legend of the Emerald Rose.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us?
Well, five years ago is not recent but publishing, Legend of the Emerald Rose, was a wish comes true. I love the legend of King Arthur and wondered what happened after the fall of Camelot?

Blurb: Legend begins where truth ends. . . .Or is it the other way around? Bound together by Providence, King Arthur’s daughter and Merlin’s son must save The Isle of Might!

How and where can readers buy your books?

You can order Legend of the Emerald Rose at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, FCBS and CBW.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?

http://lindawichman-therainbowconnection.blogspot.com//

Anything else you’d like to share?

You can find me beneath the sheer blue waterfall, behind the mysterious scarlet-gilded door. The key to the door lies deep inside of you. But if you don’t like picking locks, I hangout on Twitter and Facebook.

One last thought, if you’re on the fence about writing, just remember, that anyone can move a rubber tree plant, even a little ole ant!

 

What a fun interview! Linda is truly a unique writer. Check out her books, and please don't forget to leave a comment. Three reasons: Linda needs the encouragement, I need the encouragement, and (wink, wink) you might win one of her books!

 

Blessings!