Now, to the interview. I started with Lin because she's a good friend of mine and because she believes, like I do, in helping writers out.
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| Lin Floyd |
Enjoy the interview!
Tell me about
yourself. What got you started in writing?
I’m
a retired school librarian who loves reading, books and writing especially
non-fiction books as a
source of learning about any topic of interest.
Throughout my life I’ve written many family histories
in my pursuit of
genealogy research. After my retirement,
I‘ve had more time for writing and
developing my talents in this area. I joined
several local writing groups: Heritage Writer’s Guild-part
of the League of
Utah Writers and Dixie Poets-a chapter of the
Utah State Poetry Society. I teach
community education classes on
writing your life story, poetry, and finding your voice through
writing. I’ve
blogged daily for the last 6 years and write a weekly column for the Senior
Sampler
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing
freehand?
I mostly write on my desktop or laptop computer. Although if an idea
comes while I’m away from my computer, I carry a little notebook in my purse to
jot down the idea before it’s gone. I find sometimes that I wake in the night
with some of my best ideas and if I don’t quickly write them down, they are
gone by morning...lol!
What's your
favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
I love the
creating part of writing, brainstorming a new idea for a different approach or
hook to interest my reader. I enjoy writing a weekly column for a local
newspaper with the pressure or deadline to come up with a different topic each
week. My column is called LOOKING BACK... I’ve been writing it for four plus
years now and have made several collections of my columns into books I’ve self
published. More on that later. My least favorite part of writing is finalizing
the editing and then the MARKETING!!!
How do you come up
with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?
I write
mainly non-fiction about real people who I find more fascinating than fictional
characters.
Looking back at the good old days and comparing times and exploring
differences in how we live our
lives now and then, capturing the
contributions and memories of my
ancestors and family is
important to me as well as helping others find their
voice through writing.
I do a lot of marketing via my weekly columns and in local newspapers with press releases. I also teach community education classes and utilize my books to further the curriculum I teach. I have a blog where I sell my books through PayPal and also Amazon.com, book fairs, and regional writers conferences . Haven’t done any book signings yet. Just getting started.
How do you schedule
your writing time?
I write everyday. As I’m retired, I would say writing is my
number one hobby.
When do you write?
I write every morning, some afternoons and
most evenings. Whenever an idea comes I’ll capture it on paper or on the
computer. I also blog daily and find this a great place to store and explore
ideas that I can later use in my writings, my columns, and books. No time for
writer’s block.
What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?
I’m
self publishing my fifth book: DISCOVER YOUR VOICE AFTER DIVORCE: Writing
Workbook for Healing and Recovery. This book helps the reader explore the
therapeutic benefits of journaling
through guided questions to discover his or her voice or authentic self after
divorce. I take you through the steps of healing and recovery while
sharing my journey through original free verse poetry. Don’t miss this
opportunity to begin a more joyful, creative life filled with hope. Chapter
headings include: What is Voice, Inner Voices, Act don’t React, Making New
Dreams, Fill Your Well, Finding Hope, and Starting Again.
My
other books are:
(1)
LOOKING BACK AT THE GOOD OLD DAYS-remembrances of my
grandparents who lived in rural Utah-hunting pinenuts, outhouses, Saturday
night baths, etc.
(2)
FIND YOUR VOICE: Write Your Life Story-contains help on
how to get started writing, plus editing
and publishing tips as well as an example of chapters from my own life story.
(3)
NATURE NOTES FOR KIDS-an award winning
collection of my children’s poems about animals. Won $750 prize from the Utah
State Division of Arts and Museums, 2nd place for Juvenile books in 2011.
(4)
FAMILY HOME EVENINGS FOR EMPTY NESTERS AND SINGLES-a resource book of
52 lesson handouts, music and links to materials available online on the topics
of gospel doctrine, family history, relationships, provident living and self
improvement. Also available as an e-book from amazon.com.
Do you have a
project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
My next project will be a
collection of my nature photos taken throughout the years combined with my
original free verse poetry. I’m planning a small coffee table type book in
color. Another future book I also have in mind is a collection of my spiritual
experiences I’ve had ‘throughout the years. Kind of a mini-biography, but
focused on the spiritual aspects of my life-an inspirational book for all ages.
What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe
he/she has enough talent?
It’s important to find your passion or talent in
life. If it’s writing, remember that it’s a skill that can always be developed
and refined. Join a local writers group for critique help and ideas for
improvement. Write everyday, any talent can be developed if you are willing to
spend the time. Don’t take rejection of your manuscript or words personally,
but learn from it to improve your writing. You can always write better. Pursue
your passion.
Learn more about Lin at:
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