Interview Linda Joy Singleton

By

Irene Pascoe

1. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in the country with my husband and two grown kids who attend college and work part-time. We have horses, cats, dogs and my daughter raises pigs. I write full-time, and belong to SCBWI and Sisters-in-Crime.

2. How did you get started in your writing career?

I wrote constantly as a kid, but didn't join a writing group until 1986 when I joined RWA and became part of the non-defunct YA Network. I sold a middle-grade a few years later, then went on to sell seven teen romances and three series. TWIN AGAIN was #1 in a series called MY SISTER THE GHOST. I was able to get my rights back when it went out of print and WINGS is bringing this fun magical book of twins back to life.

3. What is a typical writing day for you?

Up at 6:30 and write till about 11AM, then go to Curves for exercise. Come back later for email and other computer work.

4. Do you prefer to write from an outline?

Usually I write a loose outline to guide myself and to keep the plot focused. It's like having a map and flashlight in a dark cave much easier to see the way ahead.

5. What inspired you to write TWIN AGAIN?

I love writing about twins. The idea for TWIN AGAIN was actually sad. I heard that a childhood friend had twins, but one drowned tragically. I wondered if the twin connection was strong enough to survive death and I came up with the idea of a series where a lonely girl's life is turned upside down when her ghost sister drops in for a visit. Timid, hypochondriac 6th grader Miranda and her impulsive, fun-loving ghost twin Melody were born.

6. Who has had the most influence on your writing over the years?

At first, my parents because they always loved my stories. Then (now deceased) author Margaret Sutton who wrote Judy Bolton mysteries from 1932-1967 became my pen pal when I was 13. Now I'm mostly influenced by all the authors of my favorite books. The list is very long, from juvenile authors like Margaret Peterson Haddix, Joan Bauer and Kathryn Reiss to adult mystery authors like Marcia Muller, Jan Burke, and Dorothy Gilman.

7. Do you have any hobbies when you are not writing?

I enjoy walking, boating, collecting girl series books and reading.

8. Have you ever been a member of a critique group?

Yes for 8 years I had a face-to-face group that met every week. Three of them, Micqui Miller, DaSkarles and Barbara Woodward, are WINGS authors. Another member, Eloise Barton, published with HardShell and is the EPIC treasurer.

9. How does your family feel about your writing?

My husband respects what I do and drives me to talks, signings when I ask. My kids aren't impressed but then I'm just Mom to them. My parents are still the most excited about my books.

10. Are you working on anything now?

I sold a teen series to a New Age publisher and am finishing up the first book, DRAGONFLY, DON'T DIE.