12/27/2012
1. What was the inspiration for your novel?
For “A Lonely Sky” which is a women’s fiction romance, I got the idea listening to the song “Lonely Sky” by Chris Deburg. For “What Dead Women Want” (a quirky paranormal), I’ve always believed in ghosts, I actually babysat in the house mentioned in the book, and love the show “Ghost Hunters”.
2. When did you take up writing?
I’ve always loved to write, but didn’t seriously put pen to paper, or my fingers to the keyboard until about ten years
ago, when I became a stay-at-home mom.
3. How important is setting/place in your writing?
It depends on the novel how important the setting is. In “A Lonely Sky” the setting would be important
because it represents the huge fracture in the relationship of Sam and Julia. In “What Dead Women Want” the setting is very important because it’s all about a haunted house in a small town.
4. Do you have a favourite character (s) in your current novel?
I’m currently working on a historical romantic suspense set in 1912. I love my heroine, she’s a fiesty, stubborn yet sweet, Irish immigrant, but I also love writing my villain too, because it’s so fun to be bad!
5. What’s the best piece of writing advice you were ever given?
To read “On Writing” by Stephen King and Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird”.
6. Do you have a schedule for writing?
No. I try to write in the afternoons and the evenings, but life happens and things get interrupted. It is
a dream of mine to be able to spend the majority of my day writing, but I have to remind myself that I’m so blessed to have a family to take care of, and they always come first.
7. Are you a plotter or someone who tends to wing it?
I always have the main frame of the story in my head, i.e. the beginning, ending and major plot points. But the rest falls into place as I go, and it’s always a delightful surprise how each chapter turns out! I may think I know how a chapter is going to go, but once the characters start interacting, they kind of take over the scene and I let them run with it. So fun!
8. Can you name three of four of your current favourite books?
Only three or four? Okay, let’s go! “The Middlesteins” by Jami Attenberg, “Dangerous Inheritance” by Allison Weir, “The Casual Vacancy” by J. K. Rowlings, and “The Inn at Rose Harbor” by Debbie Macomber.
9. Can you tell me a little bit about what you are working on now?
I’m currently working on a historical romantic suspense set in 1912. It’s about a young and lovely (of course!) Irish immigrant who finds herself alone in New York City when her fiance’ suddenly perishes. There’s romance, suspense,
intrigue, a really nasty villain and a fun plot twist you won’t see coming!
10. What advice would you give to a fledgling writer to assist them on their journey?
Join writer’s groups. Get more than one critique partner. Go to writing conferences. Never stop trying. Believe in
yourself, and most importantly, keep writing!
Links:
You can find Linda at her blog
http://www.lindaschmalz.blogspot.com
Here books can be found at:
A Lonely Sky:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B0058ZWZ78
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-lonely-sky-linda-schmalz/1031810364?ean=9781466491694
What Dead Women Want: Amazon: http://amzn.com/B005VG3D5M
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-dead-women-want-linda-schmalz/1106971484?ean=9781468040869
