Welcome, We are very happy to have Linda Wallace here
today. On behalf of Coffee Time Romance, I want to thank Ms.
Wallace for stopping by and letting us know about her book Big
Bad Wolfe, a romance to be released March 2006 with Wings E-
press. Thanks so much for talking with us today, Ms. Wallace. I
confess to finding Brandon Wolfe one of my favorite types of
heroes. Gruff and tough on the outside, which usually hides the
marshmallow soft interior, at least for those lucky enough to
pierce his tough hide.
You’ve done a lot of traveling in your life. Do you think this has
enhanced your writing? If so, in what way?
In different parts of our country there are still variations in the way people speak, the
food they eat, how they dress, what is considerd appropriate behavior, though the
media--movies, TV, the Internet, newspapers--tend to make us all a little more the
same. And, of course, climates, plants, occupations, etc. vary from region to region. I
think the more opportunities you have to experience these nuances first hand, the more
authentic and colorful the writing.
I see from your site that you took the pictures of the llamas for the cover of Big Bad
Wolfe. Did the pictures inspire parts of the book, or did you visit the farm because of the
book?
I visited the farm in Washington specifically to take pictures for the cover art, but an
earlier experience at a llama show in Idaho did inspire parts of the book. The first llama I
ever saw cast an instantaneous spell over me. They are elegant and beautiful, so I
wanted to learn more about them. After doing the research, I realized they would be fun
to include in a romance, and the birth of the baby llama, or cria, fit perfectly with the
story of Corey’s yearning for a child.
Is photography a hobby or job of yours? If so, do you find that you are a more visually
inspired author than say, musically or otherwise?
I co-published weekly newspapers in Hawaii and Kansas and occasionally took photos for
the papers, but mostly, I’m an amateur. I love photography as art, though, and go to
exhibits here in Seattle whenever I can. I always see what I’m writing running through
my head like a film strip, but there’s usually no music in the background, so I’d say I’m
more visually inspired than musically.
Cheeky kids are so wonderful to put into a story, as they will usually say what needs to
be said at exactly the most awkward time. When you write, do you come up with your
characters first, or the plot?
The characters and plot evolve together. For "Special Delivery," the daredevil bicycle
couriers who dart through the traffic in downtown Seattle gave me the idea of having a
messenger for a character. I liked the idea of twisting the gender roles a bit and made
the courier a woman. So what kind of man could be very different from an adventure-
loving courier, yet still strong? How could they meet? What could happen that would
force the mismatched couple to learn more about each other and fall in love? The
characters and the plot grew from the spark of admiring the bravery of the real-life
couriers.
For "Big Bad Wolfe," a personal tragedy triggered the desire to write the book. A relative
of mine struggled for years to have a child. I wanted to portray that longing for family. I
needed a very strong, opinionated man with children of his own to pair with the childless
Corey, and the plot developed as the characters became more real.
Who was your favorite character in Big Bad Wolfe? Which do you find easier to write, the
male or female POV?
Usually, the female POV is easier for me to write; however, Brandon Wolfe was my
favorite character in "Big Bad Wolfe." It’s lots more fun to write about bad girls or boys,
and Brandon is very bad, indeed.
Reading has been important to you from an early age. Do you find yourself reading more
or less since becoming an author?
I don’t read as many books per week as I once did, but I still consider a day incomplete
if I don’t at least get to read myself to sleep at night.
What is your favorite genre to read? To write?
When I read for pure pleasure, I most enjoy mysteries with a strong base in
relationships. The book I have just finished writing is a mystery, the first in a series set
in Washington’s Skagit Valley tulip fields. The book opens with the heroine flying up to
the ceiling of her about-to-open gourmet restaurant. Is she being poisoned, or is she
going mad? I enjoyed writing all three books, and they are all quite different: "Special
Delivery" is a romantic adventure, "Big Bad Wolfe" is a family romance, and "Touch of the
Devil" is a mystery. In any genre, I like to write about how strong, intriguing men and
women relate to one another.
When you give seminars on writing, what is the most important piece of advice you’d
give an aspiring writer?
To write! That sound simplistic, but it’s amazing how many people talk about writing
without ever getting anything down on the computer/paper. It’s the complicated lives we
all lead. It’s so hard to balance all the areas of your life to include what’s most important
to you.
Describe your perfect writing day.
My perfect writing day starts with a long walk early in the morning. Problems in the
previous day’s writing are clarified, and new ideas for the current day’s writing pop into
my head. I head straight for the computer when I return home from an hour’s walk and
write a minimum of four pages. That’s pretty slow, but if I write five days a week, it adds
up. On a perfect day, I manage six pages.
Can you please give us your website address?
www.linda-wallace.com Please visit me often!
Thank you so much for your time! I really enjoyed the story of Big Bad Wolfe, even
though I didn’t have to read it for review. Our Sherry was right to give it Five Big
Heaping Cups, loved it! Thanks again, Ms. Wallace.
Another fantastic interview! Once again Coffee Time Romance really appreciate’s Ms.
Wallace taking time from her busy schedule to speak with us. |