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Writing Through the Holidays

December 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

by Linda O. Johnston

Where will you be during this holiday season? What will you be doing?

I’ll be writing. Why? Well, it’s what I do. Plus, I have two different deadlines in January. Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment, and I also find it fun to change voices at different times of the day.

I’m also going away for a week to be with extended family. Thank heavens for laptop computers! Plus, I hope to have enough done to be able to hide in a corner and nod my head at conversations now and then as I edit.

I wish all of you an excellent holiday season, full of happiness and warmth with family… and, yes, also full of writing!

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 3 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!

http://www.lindaojohnston.com/

www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

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Writing Inspiration

November 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

by Linda O. Johnston

There’s nothing like a trip to New York to get a writer’s creative juices going! I was fortunate enough to be in the Big Apple a couple of weeks ago and to have meetings with my editors. I hadn’t met my current Berkley editor in person before, so I really enjoyed the opportunity. She’s every bit as nice as I’d thought she was from our e-mails and phone calls. We had a great time discussing my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series and what Kendra is up to these days, and more. Kendra’s seventh adventure, NEVER SAY STY, will be out in April 2009, which pleased both of us. We’ve even seen the cover!

I also met with my Harlequin editor and the senior editor for the Nocturne line. That was definitely enjoyable, too. My first Nocturne, ALPHA WOLF, and related Nocturne Bites (e-novella), CLAWS OF THE LYNX, are both January releases, so the timing was wonderful. Plus we agreed on the title for my next Nocturne, BACK TO LIFE, which will be a June release. I’m inspired to do even more Nocturnes!

Of course I look forward to staying in touch with them all, and to seeing them at upcoming conferences as well. But there’s nothing like meeting them individually in a less stressful environment to enjoy their company even more. I came home with all sorts of additional writing ideas and the inspiration to leap right into them!

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 2 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!

http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/

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Technology, Romance and Life

October 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

My older son got married last week. I’m so happy for him! He and his new wife are currently on their honeymoon in Europe. My husband Fred and I, married 31 years, were talking about how communications were so different when we traveled abroad–some of our trips long before we even met each other–and how difficult it was to keep in touch with family. Not so, today!

We live in an amazing era! I’m definitely a technology dunce, but the stuff I’ve been able to learn is still incredible. For one thing, I’m proficient in using at least part of my computer–for word processing for my writing, and e-mail. I’ve communicated several times with my son via e-mail, learning about where they are and the wonderful sightseeing theyÂ¢re doing, as well as getting questions answered about some holiday-related matters for later this year. A few of our return message got through almost instantaneously, even though we weren’t using instant messenger. He also called me on my cell phone–another technological wonder–while I was out for breakfast and he was enjoying the sunset. We talked for quite a while, since he had bought an inexpensive phone card there.

Our younger son is also traveling in Europe, although in different places from the honeymooners. Fred has communicated with him, too, via text messages.

Years ago, if we didn’t hear from a loved one who was traveling, we might be concerned about them but didn’t worry, since we didn’t expect to be in contact. Today, though, our expectations, or at least our hopes, are different. Not hearing back for a while can cause more consternation.

Hmmm. I may use that in a suspense story one of these days…

Linda O. Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 2 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!

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RWA Forever!–Take 2

September 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

Last month, I blogged about how much fun I had at the Romance Writers of America National Conference. This month, I’m blogging about how great I think RWA is in general!

As most people who know me are aware, I’m a lawyer. Lately, I’ve had a part-time job at a law firm that’s a temp position–one that’s gone on for 2 years, as of today!

Recently, I learned that another attorney at my firm has an interest in writing fiction–not just legal fiction, like contracts, but real fiction. Soon as I heard that, I had to put my two cents’ worth in: no matter what stage she was in her writing, no matter whether she was interested in writing romance, she ought to come to an RWA meeting. Since she lives in southern Orange County, OCC seemed a good fit.

Why do I recommend RWA to everyone? Because it’s such a great organization! It provides information and support to anyone who wants to write, whether published or aspiring to publish, or even just interested in learning the craft and writing to please oneself. In RWA, and especially if one attends local meetings, a writer can learn about writing, publishing, staying published, what current trends in writing are… whatever.

Even more than that, the networking, sharing with others who are eager to share in return, can’t be beat!

I belong to other writing organizations, and I enjoy them. I’m glad I joined them, too, and get something important to my writing career from each of them. But for an all-around excellent experience for writers, I’ll continue to recommend RWA to everyone!

Linda O. Johnston
http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/

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RWA Forever!

August 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

Linda O. Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

Iâ€™d imagine I wonâ€™t be the only OCCer to blog on the Slice of Orange about how great the Romance Writers of America National Conference was last week! I, for one, had a wonderful time.

When I registered, the block of rooms in the conference hotel was already booked, so I found a hotel across the street. The Mosser Hotel room had charm but not a lot of space, but since I shared it with my husband things worked out just fine.

These days, most of what I do at an RWA conference involves networking and promotion, and I had a blast with both–not to mention all the parties I attended, including a couple at the OCC suite!

I also had fun making sure that my keychains, bookmarks and excerpts were available in the Goody Room as long as I was around. People must have liked them, since I always had to add more.

I admit I didnâ€™t attend many workshops. I did go to the opening session of the PAN retreat and enjoyed the motivational speaker, and I also popped into some other workshops when I had time. That was one regret, since I know I missed some fine talks. And I also had to leave early, so I wasnâ€™t around for the presentation of the Golden Heart and Rita awards.

Iâ€™m already making my plans to attend in Washington , D.C. , next year… and you?

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