Dear Readers, I loved
this book, and not just because it takes place in my home state and I recognized
so many places I’d been. If you love a good mystery/suspense, this book is for
you.
Welcome, Linda. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
The protagonist in my River Valley Mysteries series, (Andrea
“Andy” Warren), is a combination of mine and my daughter’s personalities. She
is a freelance sports photographer. I was once a newspaper sports writer, and
my father was a professional photographer, so I drew on my knowledge of those
careers as I wrote.
That’s why they rang
true as authentic. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I enlisted into the Marine Corps on a dare. I served for
nine years.
Wow! When did you
first discover that you were a writer?
I became interested in writing while I was a copy-editor for
our small town newspaper. I soon started writing features for local magazines
and began querying major national magazines. I quickly collected many generic,
photo-copied rejection slips. One day, I received a rejection letter from an
editor at Woman’s Day that was signed
in ink with a hand-written note in the margin about what a great idea my pitch
was, but, she explained, it just wasn’t something they needed at that time. I
was so excited to get a real note from an editor that I danced around the
house, waving the letter. My family thought it was an acceptance letter and didn’t
understand why I was so excited about a rejection notice. Getting a personal
note meant my query had made it past the slush pile onto the desk of a real
editor whose name actually appeared on the magazine’s masthead. That’s the day
I told myself, “I can do this!”
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My favorite genres are mystery and fantasy, but I read a lot
of historical romance, too. I appreciate any book that can quickly pull me into
the life of an interesting character. My two all-time favorite classic authors
are Raymond Chandler and Mark Twain. I also love reading authors who use unique
ways to describe common situations or emotions. Douglas Adams was a master at
that. I enjoy humor and try to include it in my writing. My favorite nonfiction
authors are Erma Bombeck and Robert Fulghum. I read a lot of writing craft
books, too, and James Scott Bell is the absolute best at explaining various
aspects of craft. For Christian fiction, my favorite authors include Kristin
Billerbeck, Frank Peretti, Susan May Warren, and many others. I’ve learned to
never start a Susan May Warren book unless I can devote enough time to finish
it, because I typically read her books in one sitting.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I start nearly every morning with a 2-mile walk through the
woods (we live in the country) with my husband, and I take a nap every day from
1-1:30 pm. That gives me the extra oomph I need to be productive until bedtime,
which for us, is 1 am. (Hubby works second shift.) I try to take life one day
at a time and rarely stress. Like everyone else, I stay incredibly busy between
church and family, my digital marketing services/graphics design company, consulting/coaching,
speaking engagements, and writing. I start each day by making a to-do list and
march down it as much as possible. Things with a deadline get done first.
Things that don’t get done get put at the top of the next day’s list. But the
main thing that keeps me sane is trusting in God’s promise that everything will
work out for the good.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
For the mystery series, most of the names popped into my
head – names I like, names I’ve heard throughout the years. I keep a
spreadsheet of character names, descriptions, speech patterns, occupations,
relationships to other characters, etc., for quick reference so I won’t get
confused on future books in the series. I’m working on another series in a
speculative genre (dystopian), and I did research on names with specific
meanings. I used Latin and Hebrew names for both the characters and place
names. The first book in that series is still in progress.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising four children to adulthood, who are all Christians
and who are all self-sufficient, is something for which I’m extremely grateful,
but, of course, my husband played a huge role in that feat. Personally, it
would be my first book, The Prodigal
Daughter: Hope for Runaway Christians and Those Who Await Their Return, a
memoir my mother encouraged me to write.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
LOL – probably my dog (an 11-year-old miniature dachshund).
She is spoiled beyond belief and sits on my lap while I write.
What is your favorite
food?
Pizza with sausage, mushrooms, and onions. Oh, and Dr
Pepper.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’ve had a lot of challenges with writing during the past
two years due to health issues for both of my parents. They both passed away
during the past year, just nine months apart. I guess my biggest roadblock was
guilt from wanting to keep writing while still helping take care of my parents,
so I had to learn to juggle my work instead of setting aside large blocks of
writing time, which is what I was used to doing.
My mother encouraged me to keep writing. Even though she had
late-stage cancer, she would ask what I was working on and how it was coming
along. One of the biggest barriers for me was learning to write in locations
other than the comfort of my desk chair, such as my car and/or hospital waiting
rooms.
With God’s help and encouragement from my family, especially
my daughter, to publish one novel, two nonfiction books, and two coloring books
for writers during the past year.
Tell us about the
featured book.
DEAD BROKE is
Book One of my River Valley Mysteries series, which features a spunky
protagonist and a quirky community. I’d read a few of Janet Evanovich’s
Stephanie Plum books, which were fun and well-written, but they include a lot
of foul language and sexual content. I decided Christian audiences needed
something similar without being subject to the sex scenes or bad language, so I
started brainstorming ideas for a mystery series.
Tagline: Sometimes home is sweeter when it’s in a different
time zone.
Blurb: Sports photographer Andrea “Andy” Warren, whose faith
has dipped to the same depths as her checkbook balance, receives a phone call
that forces her return to the Arkansas
hometown she renounced, where she hopes to avoid her meddling mother, her
ex-fiancé, and the local sheriff.
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
The only force with sufficient power to propel my feet
forward is the inescapable awareness of my checkbook balance. The figure pounds
inside my head like the beat of a bad disco song, and I find myself moving in
step with its cadence. Constance , you owe me
for this one. In reality, I owe her. But who wants to muddle a perfectly good
mope-fest with the facts?
After a mental pep rally, I suck in a deep breath, adjust my
camera bag’s shoulder strap, and take another step. I can do this.
I stride into the shadow of the hulking arena, grateful for
the momentary reprieve the shade provides from the Phoenix heat. Loose change shimmers from the
depths of a decorative fountain near the entrance, tempting passersby to toss
in a coin or two. No sense wasting the few cents I have, though. My wish won’t
come true.
My new Jimmy Choo slides clap against the concrete floor as
I make my way through the VIP tunnel. At the corridor’s mid-point, a man
wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the Week Night Wrestling logo sits
behind a table marked ‘Security.’ He’s a burly guy, bald, with gray stubble,
and looks to be nearing sixty. Probably a WNW has-been who won’t let go.
A roar from the crowd invades the passageway. The noise
bounces off the walls and reverberates in my ears. I flip open my wallet to
reveal media credentials, lean toward the guard, and
How can readers find you on the Internet?
The easiest place to find me is my website,
LindaFulkerson.com. Just above the site’s footer, you can find links to all my
social media profiles – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn,
Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love for people to connect with me on their
favorite social media platform(s).
Thank you, Linda, for sharing this book with us. I am eager for the next book to come out. We need to feature it on the blog, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
www.amazon.com/Dead-Broke-River-Valley-Mysteries/dp/153513285X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Paperback:
www.amazon.com/Dead-Broke-River-Valley-Mysteries/dp/153513285X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Paperback:
Dead Broke (River Valley Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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38 comments:
Lena, Thanks so much for sharing about my book, DEAD BROKE, with your readers! I hope those who read it enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
Great post! Love your book cover, Linda. Looks like a good read!
Avery
Thanks, Avery! I actually designed the cover myself. :)
I would love to have this book in my home in Piggott, Arkansas �� I know Janina would enjoy it!
I love a good mystery and can't wait to check it out!
Adam - Piggot is a great town with a lot of literary history, as you well know! Thanks for your comment and good luck in the drawing. :)
Alegna Media - Aren't mysteries fun? I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck! :)
I love mysteries! I can't wait to read this one.
I hope you enjoy it, Lisa! :)
Sounds like a great read. I'd like to win it
Good luck, Mark! Thanks for stopping by!
I'm ready for a good mystery, after being stuck in the 1800's for two years. :) Book Cover is very nice! Looks like a mystery.
Thanks, Karen! I enjoy historicals, too, but mysteries are my favorite. I hope you enjoy this one. :)
I haven't had the chance to read yet, but I know Linda won't disappoint. She's a great writer and friend!
Thanks so much, Theresa! :)
A great interview! Love the book cover which always draws me in, and a mystery to boot! A great combo...Wishing you the best of luck in all you do!
Many Blessings to you,
Linda B.
Great post, I enjoyed reading it. Linda we may share some friends back home in Arkansas. I'm from Searcy and was a former member of the White County Creative Writers (actually I still get the newsletter). I live in Georgia now and lead a local Writer's Guild. Congratulations on your success.
I haven't read it yet, but the preview is awesome! I love having creative friends living so close to me!
Looks good. Please enter me.
Clarksville VA
Linda B - Thanks for your comment. Glad you like the cover since I designed it. I think it's my favorite from all the book covers I've done so far. :)
Good luck in the contest!
Hi Charles! I've actually spoken to the White County Creative Writers group before. It's been a few years. So, yes, we probably do have some friends in common!
Theresa - you're pretty talented yourself! Thanks for all you do for our community & thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment here. :)
Hi Abigail - thanks for your comment. Good luck in the contest!
Love a good mystery. north platte nebraska
So happy that you didn't feel the need to use excessive sex, violence or bad language to deliver a good story. There are many of us readers who don't want this!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like good read. Great cover.
Beth in Montana
Hi Kim - Good luck in the contest! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Connie - I'm glad to hear that many readers feel the same way. :)
Hi Beth - thanks for the compliment on the cover. :)
I love mysteries and more so the clean ones, thank you fora chance to win.
Lourdes, Long Island, New York
Searching for a fun, clean mystery is what prompted me to write this book. Good luck in the drawing, Lourdes!
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
I'm SO grateful for Christian books that are clean, yet still exciting to read. Thank you! It's really fun to read about the author's craft behind the scenes.
Dianna in TN
Good luck on the contest, Sharon! Hope the hurricane didn't affect your area. :)
Thanks so much, Dianna! I enjoy "getting to know" authors and the story behind their stories, too. :)
Enjoyed the interview and look forward to reading your book.
I always enjoy these mysteries! Thanks for the nice interview.
Beth from IA
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