Saturday, May 29, 2010

Behind the Book -- Dancer in the Shadows


A fan emailed me and asked if I’d blog where some of my books came from, so if you all like this, I’ll keep on doing it.

When I asked her to choose, she asked me to talk about my first book. Yikes! That book came out 30 years ago, meaning I wrote it 31 years ago.

Still, Dancer in the Shadows was my first book and the beginning of my career, so here goes.

Usually you’re told ‘write what you know’. At the time I worked for a personnel agency. But I wanted something a bit more glamorous.

My best friend since high school and I were taking a ballet class at the local night school. We thought it would be a great way to turn graceful. Uh huh. That’s me. Heart of a dancer, feet of a klutz. Still, we both loved the class and I decided I would give my heroine a ballet career and use my friend as the template for the heroine.

I probably rewrote the book three times, because I changed the location, the hero’s name, and even his occupation. I wrote the typical romance for back then. The secret baby plot. Namely, they met, fell in love, married, but their marriage fell apart and she left him, unaware she was pregnant. Then they meet several years later and he has no idea her son is also his.

My dance instructor loaned me books on dance, so I’d know all the correct terms, and I studied up on everything else. And once I felt the book was finished to my liking, that book, and the one I wrote after it, was sent off to Silhouette Books. They purchased both books and my career was born.

Revisions are typical and for a new writer, pretty much a must. It meant that I took the middle of the book, move it to the beginning and the beginning of the book was shifted to the middle as a flashback.

It was my first taste of what goes on in the publishing world and by no means, my last. What I learned back then has stuck with me, although a lot of what I had in the book then wasn’t allowed. I had used the hero’s point of view along with the heroine’s and that wasn’t allowed.

I haven’t read Dancer in the Shadows for many years. I’d probably cringe at my early writing and want to rewrite it. The copy in my bookcase has yellowed pages now, but do you know I still get fan mail for that book and recently a fan wrote me asking where she could get a copy because hers had fallen apart. Since I still had a few copies I sent her a signed copy. Anyone who remembers that far back deserves one!

So that’s my story behind Dancer in the Shadows about a delicate ballet dancer and a hunky hero.

Linda

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

We'll Miss You Art Linkletter

If you're a certain age you'll remember The Art Linkletter Show and the kids who were interviewed on there. His books Kids Say The Darnedest Things.

I was eleven when my school was invited to be on the show and I was chosen to be one of the kids.

Talk about a wow moment! We kids rode in a limo, were treated to a fancy lunch, and asked lots of questions. After all, they did want us kids to come up with funny quips. Mr. Linkletter came in and talked to us, asked questions, and worked the ones he liked into our spot on the show.

Even now, I still remember a lot from that day and how ironic that we received transitor radios, a certificate for tennis shoes, and a globe. Why ironic? I wanted a portable radio and I thought I'd have to wait for Christmas.

Art Linkletter was very nice to we kids and it was the kind of day any kid should have for a fun memory. I know I'm glad I have that day.

Linda

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Summer's Coming and Recipe

April showers bring May flowers.

Instead we have clouds and occasionally some sprinkles, along with cold nights.

I’m ready for summer. Okay, not the heat, but the idea of beach weather, playing the Beach Boys on my iPod, and thinking summery colors.

I always have a thing about citrus during the summer. I choose yellow, green, and peach for clothes, wear citrus scented fragrance, and indulge in my favorite citrus recipes.

The following is a popular one for the household. It's easy to make and don’t expect much for leftovers. In fact, don’t even bother to share.

So happy fledgling summertime!

Linda



Lemon Parfait Cake

1 pkg lemon cake mix
4 eggs
1 large pkg. lemon jello
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
2 cups powdered sugar
Enough lemon juice to make a syrup with powdered sugar

Combine cake mix with eggs, jello, oil and water. Beat for 2-4 min. Pour into 9x13 cake pan, bake at 350 for 30 min. Remove from oven. Punch holes in top with fork, pour mixture of powdered sugar and juice over hot cake. Return to hot oven for 1 min.

You can also use lime jello, lime juice and white cake mix or orange juice.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

What I'm Watching


We know Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Drover, and even aristocrtatic Leopold in Kate and Leopold. But how about Hugh playing a trucker turned romance writer? What can I say? Yum!
This was Hugh’s first movie lead role as Jack, a CW music loving trucker who drives a road train (huge truck with several trailers) across the Australian Outback with only his dog for company.
And now Jack has written and sold a romantic novel. But not under his own name, but used the name of his best friend Ruby Vale. And now big city agent Ziggy is in the tiny Outback town to see her latest author. Jack begs Ruby to pretend to be the actual author. Ruby only agrees to do the rounds of publicity in Sydney if Ziggy will arrange and pay for her wedding to local vet Hamish. The question is will Ruby and Jack realize they were meant to be? And nice guy Hamish will go off into the Aussie sunset?
This is such a fun movie! I got the DVD some years ago and it’s a must see for anyone who adores Hugh and adores romantic movies.
Linda

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day Mom







My parents have always been logical and here they got a dreamer of a daughter who preferred to read, made up new lives for her Barbies, and saw pictures in clouds.

But they always encouraged me to dream. And my mom has always been my best friend.

While my dad is no longer here, Mom is around and willing to learn about the magick that’s entered my life. She also doesn't cringe when I brag she dated Tyrone Powers' crew chief when she was in the marine corps. during WWII. Tto me that's a very cool thing!

Thanks Mom.






Love,



Linda

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Chhhanges

Many writers will tell you they will begin on one path and suddenly find themselves on another.

My fans know about my witches in my Hex series with the fun quirky titles.

Do I love my witches? Absolutely!

When I wrote The Best Hex Ever, I created Maggie, a kick ass witch and Declan, a very sexy half fire demon along with a mouthy teenager I’m sure many parents might identify with.

My editor read this book in January and totally loved it. And along the way a light bulb went off in her head.

The last thing I want is to disappoint my readers. The witches will be showing up here along with some hot demon heroes.

I’m also working on a novella staring Thea that is supposed to come out this October.

Below is the launch copy for my new series titled Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend, which will also be the title for Maggie’s book, which will now be released in spring of 2011.

First in a new hot and funny paranormal series by bestselling author Linda Wisdom, featuring sexy demon heroes, the latest hot phenomenon in the romance category. When satanic Mayan priests go rogue on kickass witch Maggie Malone’s watch, she must team up with hotter-than-sin fire demon, Declan to save her neck ... and the world.

Linda Wisdom’s category romances have sold worldwide, and she has successfully crossed over to single title romance with her Hex series for Sourcebooks. Beginning a new series, Linda brings her signature imagination to an urban setting featuring sexy demon heroes, feisty heroines and a paranormal cast of thousands.

Feisty witch Maggie enjoys her work as a paranormal law enforcement officer—that is, until she’s assigned to protect a teenager with major attitude and a sleazy boyfriend. A group of satanic Mayans priests has decided Courtney has a drop of divine blood in her—making her just the virgin sacrifice they need to release their God and rule the world. To prevent this catastrophe, Maggie must team up with half fire demon Declan, the proprietor of Damnation Alley, an underground club and busy demon portal. Declan will be damned if he’ll allow his demon race to be blamed for the malicious acts of some evil Mayans. So he decides to seduce the sexy witch in an effort to discover what the law enforcement agency knows about the Mayan’s plans, but then things get more than a little hot, and Declan finds himself seriously entangled with the sexiest woman he’s ever met…

I'll post the new cover when I receive it. I've been told sexy and edgy!

Linda

Monday, May 3, 2010

Hexy Auction Items

Awesome author Brenda Novak hosts an auction to benefit Juvenile Diabetes every year and I'm offering up a manuscript critique and a hexy basket.

I hope you'll visit the auction site because there are fantastic items there and it's for an excellent cause.


http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/AuctionHelp.taf?S=N&R=2&C=2&DA=0&m=3&return=50&sort=1&st=1&_start=1&_UserReference=D1D0771446B67382A723E1202D074BDF18D2

Linda

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Hex in High Heels Is An Award Winner!


I am so proud of my witches and very proud that Hex in High Heels won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance for an Indie Press!