A Break from Writing? Not Really.
August 6, 2023 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Between drafts, finishing the book, Linda O. Johnston
What does a writer do between drafts of a story? Well, that depends.
I finished a first draft of my upcoming fourth story in my Shelter of Secrets series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. It still needs some work, but it’s currently in the hands of my excellent beta reader.
So what am I doing while I’m waiting? I have another book under contract that I could begin, but for now I’m trying to play catch-up in some things I’ve been ignoring while I worked on that draft, and also attended the Romance Writers of America Conference.
I won’t get into what kinds of things they are, but they definitely needed to be worked on. Will I resolve them all now? Not hardly, but I hope to at least make a dent in them.
Meanwhile, I’m also making some preparations for Bouchercon, the mystery conference I’ll attend at the end of this month and beginning of September.
So how about you? Do you ever get a chance to take a break, however short, from your writing or your other kind of job? If so, how do you decide how to handle it?
I hope you’re more organized than I tend to be these days. But hey, I’m always amused when my interruptions come from my puppy!
Hope you all enjoy the last half of 2023. I intend to!
Some of Linda’s Novels
The Second Half of the Year Has Begun–Already!
July 6, 2023 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as articles, Bouchercon, humorous, National RWA Conference, Ruff Drafts
I’ve had a fun few weeks–including my usual writing.
Plus, I heard that the Dog Writers Association of America, of which I’m a member, was looking for humorous articles for their upcoming issue of RUFF DRAFTS, their publication, so I of course had to submit a short article about how my puppy keeps me from concentrating on my writing by insisting that I play fetch with her while I’m sitting at the computer. Humorous? Yes, and they published it. Plus, when I posted my excitement at my Facebook page, I was requested to submit an article to Mystery Writers Journal for their upcoming animal issue.
The Fourth of July has come and gone, and now the two writers’ conferences I’m looking forward to this year are closer: the Romance Writers of America National Conference, and Bouchercon. I’ll be on panels at both.
Hope you all enjoy the last half of 2023. I intend to!
Some of Linda’s Books
This Year Continues – Fun!
June 6, 2023 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston
I recently got word that my next Alaska Untamed Mystery, CRY WOLF, number two in the series, is now scheduled for publication on November 7. I love the cover! And the series is the first in which I’ve taken a pseudonym: Lark O. Jensen.
It’s not my only remaining book this year. I was already aware that my Coltons of New York book for Harlequin Romantic Suspense is also a November release. CSI COLTON AND THE WITNESS is officially out on November 27.
Meanwhile, I’m currently working on the fourth in my Shelter of Secrets series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
Plus, I’m looking forward to the couple of conferences I’ll be attending this year. I will be at the Romance Writers of America National Conference in July in Anaheim, and my panel has been accepted. It’s called “Slow, Steady or Rapid-Release: Which career path works for you?” and there are three other panelists. We’ll all be discussing our respective careers, whether we are traditionally or self-published and how we decided on that direction, plus how many books we write and how fast. Should be fun!
And I’m also planning to be at Bouchercon in September, in San Diego. That’s two conferences not so far from my Los Angeles home.
And you? Any exciting writing, reading or conference plans—or anything else? In any case, enjoy your June.
What’s New?
May 6, 2023 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Harlequin, Linda O Johnston, new covers
What constitutes a new book?
Well, I have a “new” book out this month—rather, a re-release of a book that was first published in 2018, and I was invited to participate in a chat this week on Writerspace for authors with new books out!
And it is rather new. The title and cover are both new, at least. It’s part of my K-9 Ranch Rescue series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and its original title was SECOND CHANCE SOLDIER. Now, it’s THE SOLDIER’S K-9 MISSION, and I love the new cover—because it’s got a couple of K-9s on it. They’re part of the story, so that works. But Harlequin is apparently republishing lots of books to emphasize the dogs in them. My other K-9 Ranch Rescue book TRAINED TO PROTECT was also republished recently with a new cover. The former one had a K-9 on it, but the new cover really emphasizes the dog and the fact he’s in a K-9 unit.
New books? Not exactly. But I love the new covers, and the one’s new title, thanks to the emphasis on the dogs! I suspect that the idea is to make sure readers know about the dogs in the books. Gee, I guess I’m not the only dog lover out there! I sure enjoy writing stories containing dogs and also reading others’ books with dogs in them.
Do you enjoy writing, or reading, books with dogs in them? Do you have any other themes that are your favorites?
Do you enjoy writing, or reading, books with dogs in them? Do you have any other themes that are your favorites?
Some of Linda’s Books
Inspirations Everywhere
April 6, 2023 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Dogs!, ideas, inspiration, Mexico, writing
Where do inspirations come from?
With me, it can be anywhere!
For example, my Alaska Untamed mystery series for Crooked Lane Books was inspired by my most recent Alaskan cruise. I’d gone on several before, but happened to be on one just before the COVID pandemic started and went on a boat tour in the waters near Juneau while we were docked there. The guides pointed out a lot of wildlife as we passed by—and I was enchanted. And inspired. My books’ protagonist is a wildlife expert who gives tours in Alaska! My first Alaska Untamed mystery BEAR WITNESS came out last year, and the next, CRY WOLF, will be published later this year.
Why am I writing about this inspiration now? Well, I just went on a short trip to Mexico that inspired me to start researching some ideas related to our travels and where we stayed. Will a book, or series, result? Yet to be seen. But it’s certainly possible!
My most numerous and obvious inspirations are dogs. I love them. I love writing about them. That’s why nearly all of my stories involve dogs. That includes my most recently published book: UNDERCOVER COWBOY DEFENDER, a March Harlequin Romantic Suspense release.
So what inspires you to write or read?
Some of Linda’s Books
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