 Another year draws to a close. Are you like me, looking back and wondering how everything didn't get done? Or wondering how you got so many things done?
I've got to admit, this year went a bit different than planned, not always in a bad way. I had two books release, which is the personal goal I have set myself for now (after almost killing myself doing four a few years ago). And I have contracts for two more to release next year. But ...
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 If you've followed me for long at all, you know I love all things bookish. Socks, T-shirts, mugs, etc. Therefore, it probably doesn't surprise you that I own a shirt and earrings that look like a Christmas tree made of books. I just can't help myself. They're too cute.
So, when my publishing company family decided to participate in our own version of Jolabokaflod, I was intrigued.  I was addressing Christmas cards a few weeks ago and had to stop. It was the first year I would address an envelope to one person but not his spouse. The first time that name wouldn't be on my list. And it hurt. I stopped and teared up for a few minutes, praying for the family that would be without their Marmie at Christmas for the first time. For the man who would do Christmas without his wife.
I had a friend lose her dad a few weeks ago. Another has her dad on hospice. Several friends have received cancer diagnoses or news that wasn't what they wished. Another friend suffered a traumatic brain injury over Thanksgiving break. But it's Christmas. That means we have to be happy, right?  All three of my Christmas stories have children in them. Want to know why? I can't imagine Christmas without kids.
Don't get me wrong. We had ten Christmases without children, while we waited on God's perfect timing. And I enjoyed those Christmases. But they lacked something. There is something magical about seeing the holidays through a child's eyes. They still believe in magic and see it in every piece of the holidays. Why not join them? Can fictional murders lead to real-life ones? I'd like to hope not, but just listen to this funny story from my good friend Deborah Sprinkles. She writes mystery and suspense and this new series of hers is sure to pique your interest.  When I decided to write my Mac and Sam mystery series, starring Mackenzie Love and Samantha Majors, the first thing I had to do was choose a location. Would their private investigation firm be in an imaginary town like my first series or a real one? There were advantages to both.
I liked the idea of a small town close to a big city. It offered the best of both worlds. And, being from St. Louis, I knew the perfect location. Washington, Missouri, a small town on the Missouri River about forty-five minutes southwest of St. Louis. I’d been there a number of times and loved it.  The Christmas trees decorated by theme are beautiful. Their big fluffy bows and color-coordinated ornaments are stunning. But that's not the kind of Christmas tree I want.
Granted, I also don't want one like I described in the first chapter of Mama Dated Santa, where all the ornaments are falling apart, tinsel is here and there, and some of the branches are in the wrong slot. Yeah, no. Thanks. There's something special about the tree we put up each year--and not because it's twenty years old (the one we bought our very first Christmas when we barely had any room to put a tree up). No, it's because the ornaments hold so many memories and reminisces.  Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to an author I've grown close to over the last year. First, by editing her first novel, a gorgeous Biblical fiction woven around the Samaritan woman and the Good Samaritan. Second, when we got to meet in person last month at ScrivCon. You guys! She's so much fun and I know you're going to love her too. Without further ado, let's chat with Linda Dindzans. Linda, what inspired you to give up your scalpel and take up a pen?
Since childhood I have been an avid reader of all genres, but particularly drawn to historical and biblical fiction. I’ve also been fascinated with the study of the Bible and facilitated and taught Bible studies. Prior to my retirement I had a story coming to me that would not let go. I found myself writing chapters in my head. That story grew, became a trilogy and got out of control. I set it aside but one day will pick it up again. At first, I planned to take a sabbatical to write, but after a couple of months I realized that this was retirement–– a new calling, a new direction. If you had asked me at the beginning how long it would take me to write a book, I would have guessed about two years. I was either very naive or a little bit arrogant. Probably both. Before I felt I had mastered the level of writing I was willing to submit, my writing journey was twelve years to publication and involved many writer’s conferences, online courses, critique groups and coaching. |
This is a place for me to tell you about what I'm writing, talk about the process or where some of my ideas came from, or even have other authors come in and talk about their books.
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