Friday, February 27, 2009

Author Interview: Linore Rose Burkard

Welcome back, readers! Today I'm interviewing an up-and-coming Christian Regency author, whose second novel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is coming out on April 1 from Harvest House Publishers. Linore Rose Burkard was raised in New York, where she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. She lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. Her hobbies include working on four new Regency novels, family movie nights, swimming, and gardening.

Welcome, Linore! Tell us who you are and what you do.

I'm a Christian wife and mom who fell in love with the Regency genre from Jane Austen and
Georgette Heyer books. Now, I create "Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul." My characters take readers back in time to experience life and love during the Regency (ca.1800 – 1830). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, will find a kindred spirit in Ariana Forsythe, my feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London.

What type of writer are you? Do you plan ahead/plot or do you simply fly by the seat of your pants?
My first book, Before the Season Ends, was not plotted ahead of time, except in the sense that I knew certain things were going to happen in it. Since then, I've been learning to plot and outline ahead of time, mainly to work more efficiently so I can write more books a year.

Do you write best at a certain time of the day?

Not exactly; I write best when I know where the story is going. Day or night. When I'm
working on my plot, it's hard to keep writing; but when I feel confident about what's ahead, I can just keep writing as long as life allows!

What food or snack keeps the words flowing?

That's a question I've never had before (smile)! I can't say I have any snack or food that
keeps words flowing. In fact, I rarely eat while writing. I'm too absorbed. However, I nearly always have a cup of tea or coffee on hand. In summer, it would be iced water, tea or coffee.

What sparks a story?

They can come from all directions, honestly! Just today I was reading a po
rtion of a book I'm using to help me outline my current work-in-progress (book three of the Regency series) and the writer said something about keeping book ideas (for future books) in separate folders. Something got me thinking about careers I would have enjoyed if I wasn't a writer, one being an interior designer, and another a real estate agent. And just like that, I not only got future book ideas, but I got ideas for two future book SERIES, and I had to stop and jot down my thoughts.

From this experience, I would say it's a good idea for writers who are casting about
for a story idea to examine their own likes and dislikes. I can't be an interior designer except in my own home, but I can write a book about a heroine who is. And the idea appeals to me mightily because I like the premise.

What was it about your genre that interested you enough to choose to write in it and not in
another genre?
There is something magnificently distinct about the Regency era, in dress, (costume),
manners, social customs, social structure, etc, and the romance is clean. After reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, I was just so enamored of the period, that I wanted to read an inspirational Regency, which didn't happen to exist at the time, and that propelled me to start writing. Regencies have special humour, special romance, oh, just so many things you don't find elsewhere, from dialogue to slang to food. It's great, great fun.

Character you wish you had created?

Never thought about it, but I suppose Anne Shirley or Lizzie Bennet.


What authors do you look to as a role model and inspiration?

Those I've mentioned, (JA and GH) and probably a few from my early reading as a growing
child.

What's the best advice you ever received?

I assume you mean about writing; I suppose it would be, to write what you love. To write
what you would want to read yourself.

I believe good writers read a lot. What do you use to mark your page when reading?

Well, I have a lot of bookmarks, and one of my daughters likes to make me new ones all the
time. (The little white cardboard pieces between rows of tea in new boxes of tea are perfect for this). They're not always on hand when I need them, however, so I'll use anything that's handy.

What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?

I love it when I know I've nailed a scene, either because it makes me laugh out loud or just has me concentrating so deeply to get it down that my kids might have to call for me three times before I "hear" them. What I like least is likely to vary from book to book. Nothing in particular is coming to mind about what I like least, actually. I suppose that sometimes finding the right resource for research is tricky and frustrating--until I find it.

Your forthcoming novel is called The House in Grosvenor Square, from Harvest House Publishers. I understand it's available to pre-order right now. Tell us what the book is about and why you wrote it. Grosvenor Square is a sequel to Before the Season Ends. It can be read on its own, but those who've read the first book will enjoy it most. I didn't envision a series when I wrote BTSE, actually, but lots of readers told me they loved series and would want a sequel, so I gave myself the task of creating one. It was difficult for me at first, because I kept thinking the characters had to be well moved on for the next book, from where they had been in the first. When I finally started over where I really felt like starting (which was, picking up exactly where book one left off), it all started to come together, and the story just took shape. It turned out to be tremendous fun, as well as a learning experience for me. I really didn't have any authors to model this on, either, because regencies are very much stand-alones, by and large. Austen never wrote sequels, and neither did Heyer. Marion Chesney has some, come to think of it, but they're so different from what I write, I can hardly cite them as a comparison.

Why should anyone part with their hard earned cash and precious time to read your book?
Sell it to us! Today more than ever, when it's so important to spend wisely, I can say unequivocally that my books are one of the cheapest vacations a woman could want or get. Think about it: an instant source of escape to an elegant age where romance is in the air, and a happy ending is guaranteed! My readers feel transported to the Regency and they just love being there! Even better, you can return to my books and read them again and again for the same pleasure.

There are few things we can buy that offer as much. A few fast-food burgers that you eat once and forget cost more than one of my books, which will whisk you off to Regency England for fast-paced fun and memorable romance. Also, because of the "inspirational" element in my stories, ten bucks, more or less, gets you a lift you can keep with you for a long time.

Where can readers buy your books?
Bookstores everywhere. Barnes & Noble, Family Christian Stores, LifeWay, etc. If you don't see it on the shelf, it could be they've sold out, so just ask them to re-order. They're also on bn.com (Barnes & Noble), Amazon, Christianbook.com, Harvest House and other online booksellers' sites, or can be ordered autographed through my website, http://www.linoreburkard.com/books.html.

What is your next project?
I'm working on book three in the Regency Series for Harvest House. This one is fun, too! Can't wait for my readers to start enjoying it.

What advice would you pass along at this point in your career?
I would have started networking earlier in my career, if I'd known of organizations like ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) which offers great content and friendship opportunities, as well as an annual conference, online workshops, and more. It's really a terrific place for new writers. The RWA (Romance Writers of America) is another place where I got connected to other regency authors and like-minded writers, through their chapter, "The Beau Monde." In short, my advice is to congregate where other writers do, rub shoulders, make a few friends, learn the business from others who are on the same journey as you, or ahead of you. Don't go it alone when you don't have to.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I have some fabulous free resources for readers on my website that spring from my research into the Regency, and which anyone can access and download. Go to www.LinoreBurkard.com/resources.html and click on "Regency Articles." There's also material for reader's groups, discussion questions, and a nifty "Blogger's Book Review Kit" for anyone who could use an easy blog post for their blog. The articles are fun and illustrated, such as, "Getting Ready for the Ball," "Lizzie Bennet's Wardrobe," and "The Rise of the Silhouette." Enjoy!

Thank you for the interview, Linore. It was fun.

Thanks so much!

Linore spotlights the works and characters of other Christian authors at her blog,
"She's Got Character."

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Some Things I Learned at the Blogging Seminar

As I mentioned before, I attended a blogging seminar held in Payson, Arizona, last Saturday. The main speaker was Dave Barnhart. See the post below for his info.

The first thing I learned is what a blog is. I won't go into that topic, since you're obviously up on that or you wouldn't be here reading this blog. The basic information I want to share is how a blog can help a business owner, or by extension, a writer.

  • It gets you Google juice. Google loves blogs, primarily because they always have new content. Therefore, your name or business name, can be on the top of the search engine lists if you blog with regularity.
  • It's free exposure. Influential people, like newspaper reporters and magazine editors, read the blogosphere. They might need background for an article, or is could be a slow news day and your input is just the thing they want to highlight.
  • It provides direct access for your clients/customers/readers. Once example Dave mentioned is GM Fastlane, wherein the management of a giant automobile company interacts with customers, actually providing customer service!
  • It humanizes you and builds trust in you and your business. This leads to the possibility that customers will drive past your competitors to buy your products, even when they are priced higher!
  • It leads to conversation in which your business is the topic.
  • It improves your business's image. Having a blog today is comparable to having a website in 1994. It brands you as a forward thinking, cutting edge business.

Dave pointed out the usefulness of using business blogs to educate and inform, to do customer service, and to target the customer's needs. There was much more to the seminar, but I think that's enough.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Blogging Seminar

Today is a special treat. I'm attending a seminar in Payson on Blogging, and I'm going to give a demonstration of my blog. The main speaker is Dave Barnhart, whose business in Phoenix is called Business Blogging Pros. He also, naturally, has a blog for his business.

More later.

I'm getting a lot of good stuff here, and I'll blog about it fully later.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Electronic Proofing

Today I got the interior and cover proofs for my novel, Trail of Storms. Now I have to carefully examine every detail to see if I like the design, find errors, make corrections, and suggest changes. There's only one chance to get it right, and this is that chance. One thing I'm definitely requesting a change on: my name on the cover must be bigger, since one of my colleagues missed seeing it at first glance.

Yikes!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Author Interviews in 2009

One of the things I like to do with this blog is give other authors a chance to shine in the spotlight of publicity. To this end, I participate in a few blog tours, and I do Author Interviews.

Have the person arranging your blog tour contact me at marshaw@marshaward.com.

If you are an author interested in having an interview with me this year, please read these instructions. I will be selecting authors who have books that were released in 2008 or will be released this year. Be aware that I do not read or promote books beyond my conservative lifestyle. If you write erotica, graphic scenes of sexual content, violence, or gay/lesbian literature, this blog is not the venue for you. Thank you for respecting my right to choose.

There will be comment contests attached to the interviews, so please be prepared to mail a copy of your book to the winner. I will limit the contests to the United States, unless you will also mail to Canada. If you live in another area of the world, please indicate how far you will mail your book.

Please copy the following interview questions into an email, answer the questions, and send the email to me at marshaw@marshaward.com with the subject line "Author Interview." If you have to use and attach a word processing document, "Save As" Rich Text Format, Works 8, or Word 2003. I don't read docx files. I will contact you to make arrangements to get an image of your book cover and an image of you.

I thank you, and the readers of this blog thank you.
---

What is your website address? Blog address?

Tell us who you are and what you do.

What type of writer are you? Do you plan ahead/plot or do you simply fly by the seat of your pants?

Do you write best at a certain time of the day?

What food or snack keeps the words flowing?

What sparks a story?

What was it about your genre that interested you enough to choose to write in it and not in another genre?

Character you wish you had created?

What authors do you look to as a role model and inspiration?

What's the best advice you ever received?

I believe good writers read a lot. What do you use to mark your page when reading?

What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?

Your book is called [insert title and publisher here]. Tell us what the book is about and why you wrote it.

Why should anyone part with their hard earned cash and precious time to read your book? Sell it to us!

Where can readers buy your book?

What is your next project?

What advice would you pass along at this point in your career?

Add any other information that you want your readers to know, such as a list of previous books:

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Lessons I've Learned from Winter

I grew up in the desert in a hard-working family, and I'm sure opportunities to go play in the snow were few and far between. In fact, right off the top of my head, I can't remember doing so as a child. That entertainment may have been deferred until I had my own family.



Since moving to a place where snow does fall in the winter, I've learned a few valuable lessons, to wit:

  • It is better to slog through calf-deep snow than to step onto a cleared path that is icy.
  • Black ice can take you down quicker than you can bat an eye.
  • Good snow boots are essential outdoor gear following a storm.
  • An abandoned 36-inch long, 3/4-inch diameter curtain rod makes an excellent walking stick.
  • The sun shining on frozen snow creates a scene of heart-breaking beauty.
  • I live in a blessed land.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

SNOWBOUND



This morning when I opened my front door, this is what I saw:



That put me in mind of a scene in my first novel, The Man from Shenandoah:


The weather grew steadily colder as the men continued with the logging. James found his creek, and started cutting logs for a cabin for Ellen. Carl chose the wooded bench with a natural clearing in the center for his home site. An artesian spring rose just below the clearing, which became the headwaters of a little stream that ran to join the creek far below his father's home. Carl had staked out a homestead that took in both sides of the stream and down into the valley. Ida would favor the cabin being surrounded by trees, snugly tucked into the forest.


The walls of both cabins were half way to the top, and the Christmas party was ten days away when the good weather broke in late afternoon. White clouds laden with snow rolled down from the mountain summits. A freezing wind blew from the north, forcing Carl, working alone at the cabin, to pull his gray coat collar up around his chin. He saddled Sherando, headed him south, and told the gray gelding, "Take me to Pa's, boy."


The horse started off into the driven needles of snow. Carl hunched his back against the wind, crossed his arms, and stuck his hands beneath them. After a while, the trail lay through the sheltering trees between his cabin site and Rulon's, but at the end, there was still the meadow to cross.


Carl halted Sherando before he left the trees to let the horse rest. He dismounted and stamped his feet to restore circulation, beating his hands together to warm them.


"Sherando boy, this storm can't last long. I've got to get that cabin built before Christmas." Climbing into the saddle once more, Carl urged the gray into the biting wind. "It's only a quarter mile," he told the animal. "It's mighty cold, but you're tough, Horse."


The moaning wind blew his words away as the icy blast hit them. On every side, Carl could see only swirling white ice crystals. He gave the horse its head, trusting its instinct to reach the cabin.


Sherando moved slowly, fighting the cross wind as he headed west up the meadow. The wind increased and tugged at Carl, almost dislodging him from the horse's back. Ice caked his hair and snow sifted down into his collar. Then they passed the bulk of Rulon's cabin on the right, and Sherando changed direction to cross the creek.


The horse paused at the log bridge spanning the water, and Carl saw that ice was forming at the sides of the stream. He shivered, and urged the tired horse to step onto the bridge.


"Come on, boy," he shouted over the keening of the wind. "Them logs are set solid."


The gray stepped tentatively onto the slippery surface of the logs, then skittered hurriedly across.


"That's a boy," Carl shouted triumphantly.


Snatched by the wind, his voice carried to his father's cabin, and a light shined out into the white yard as the door opened.


James blocked out the light as he came through the door and caught Carl, who was sliding off the gray's back.


James called out, "Clay, grab them reins and take care of the horse. I'll get Carl into the house."


"You're well nigh froze, son." His father helped James assist Carl across the doorsill. "That blow came up mighty sudden. It's a wonder you made it back here."


Carl shivered, then said, "It's my fault I got caught. I want that cabin up so bad, I let the storm take me by surprise."

***

Morning came without a change in the weather, and Clay had to lean heavily against the door to crack loose the ice binding it to the jamb.


"Pa, that storm's still a-blowing, and the snow's piled up next to the door. How am I going to get out to feed the stock?"


"There's always a way for a man to feed his animals." Rod went over to the door. He tugged it open and faced a wall of white. "Fetch me a stick," he told Clay. "Maybe it ain't packed down tight."


Reaching as high as he could through the doorway, he flailed the stick into the snow. "It's still loose. Get some pails, boys."


Rod buttoned on his coat while Clay and Carl brought the buckets. "Clay, keep that second pail until I need it. Carl, you empty the full ones into the washtub."


Rod scooped out a pail full of snow at the top of the doorway and handed it over his shoulder to Clay. Taking the other bucket, he scooped again. Repeating the process until he had a hole big enough to crawl into, Rod then wiggled his way out the door and entered the icy cavern. "Clay, give me that stick again." His voice boomed in the confined space. "We'll see how deep this drift is."


Thrusting the stick into the snow above him, Rod felt a light resistance. He coughed as a load of snow fell into his upturned face. "Get me a longer stick," he commanded, angry at the elements.


Carl handed him Julia's broom, and Rod took it with a jerk. He stabbed it upward and broke through into the howling morning. New snow burst into his cavern, blinding him for a moment. Then he broke loose more of the crusty roof, and packed the snow down on one side to make a ramp to exit the hole. Triumphantly, he pulled himself out into the storm, floundering in the cabin-high drift.


"By gum, Colorado does everything in a big way," he shouted down to his family. "I have never seen a blow like this before."


Of course my door wasn't iced shut, nor does the drift reach the door top, but we do have about two feet of snow in a location where four inches is considered a good snowfall . . . and it's still snowing. Now that my *power is back on, I thought I'd let you all know.


* Third outage in three days, two on Sunday, one today



Monday, February 09, 2009

WHITNEY AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

SALT LAKE CITY, UT: The Whitney Awards committee today announced the finalists for the 2008 Whitney Awards, a program which honors the best novels by Latter-day Saint writers. Sponsored and endorsed by LDStorymakers, an LDS authors’ guild, the Whitney Awards offer national recognition to authors whose books win in one of eight categories.

To be eligible for consideration, a book must have received at least five nominations from its fans. More than one hundred works by new and established authors in both the LDS and national markets met the preliminary criteria. Once a book is nominated, juries of authors and critics narrow the nominees down to five per category.

This year’s nominees are listed below in alphabetical order by genre:

ROMANCE: Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden, Servant to a King by Sariah Wilson, The Sound of Rain by Anita Stansfield, Spare Change by Aubrey Mace, Taking Chances by Shannon Guymon

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE: Above and Beyond by Betsy Brannon Green, Do No Harm by Gregg Luke, Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black, Freefall by Traci Hunter Abramson, Royal Target by Traci Hunter Abramson

YOUTH FICTION: The 13th Reality by James Dashner, Alcatraz vs. The Scrivner’s Bones by Brandon Sanderson, Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague (Book 3) by Brandon Mull, Far World: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

SPECULATIVE: Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card, The Great and Terrible: From the End of Heaven by Chris Stewart, The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Book 3) by Brandon Sanderson, The Host by Stephanie Meyer, The Wyrmling Horde: The Seventh Book of the Runelords by David Farland

HISTORICAL: Abinadi by H.B. Moore, Isabelle Webb, Legend of the Jewel by N.C. Allen, Master by Toni Sorenson, The Ruby by Jennie Hansen, Traitor by Sandra Grey

GENERAL FICTION: Bound on Earth, by Angela Hallstrom, Fields of Home, by Rachel Ann Nunes, Keeping Keller, by Tracy Winegar, The Reckoning, by Tanya Parker Mills, Waiting For the Light to Change, by Annette Hawes.

BEST BOOK BY A NEW AUTHOR: Bound on Earth by Angela Hallstrom, Spare Change by Aubrey Mace, The Reckoning by Tanya Parker Mills, Traitor by Sandra Grey, Waiting For the Light to Change by Annette Hawes

NOVEL OF THE YEAR: Bound on Earth by Angela Hallstrom, Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black, The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Book 3) by Brandon Sanderson, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George, Traitor by Sandra Grey

This ballot now goes out to members of the voting academy: a select group of LDS publishers; bookstore owners, managers, and employees; LDS authors; print and online magazine publishers; reviewers; and others working in the field of LDS literature.

Winners will be announced at a gala banquet on Saturday, April 25 at the Marriott Hotel in Provo, Utah. Tickets are now on sale at www.WhitneyAwards.com.

Special Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented that night to two persons whose bodies of works and tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the field of LDS popular fiction. This year’s honorees are Kerry Blair and Orson Scott Card.

For more information on the Whitney Awards, visit www.whitneyawards.com.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Trials of Trail of Storms

It seems to me that this book has an important purpose to someone somewhere, because I've been undergoing various trials in getting it published. I believe in an Evil One who doesn't not want me to succeed.

Among the trials I've experienced this past month: pretty severe depression, problems with Internet Explorer crashing and finally not loading and having to convert to Firefox browser usage (including finding all my favorites and bookmarked sites), problems with the iUniverse site timing out during uploads then not opening the author section, my manuscript getting corrupted and having to revise margins and insert tabs FOR.EVERY.SINGLE.PARAGRAPH! Also, having to re-center each chapter heading and every three-asterisk scene break, several late nights that wreaked havoc on my eyes, electrical power failures at crucial times, etc., etc., etc.


Oh, did I mention all my italics were gone? I had to compare the manuscript side-by-side with a previous version to find them, and I certainly hope I found them all.

Among the tender mercies of my Heavenly Father, I count my wonderful friends who have literally saved me from sliding into deep despair, a son who traveled over 100 miles to fix my leaking roof, and God's hand in keeping my Internet connection going this afternoon during the 2 hour and 49 minute upload of the photo file. I know He had His hand in the works, because I kept hearing the ominous click that signals the modem shutting off, but the connection maintained a live status and the photo kept uploading throughout. Not three minutes later, I lost the connection.

!

God lives, and He loves His Children!
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