Interview Linda Lattimer

by

Kay Layton Sisk

1) I "googled" Linda Lattimer and found you have quite a writing career. Did you design your website yourself?

Actually I had some ideas on my website, but I have to give the credit to Karenne at Coffee Time Romance. She did all the work and postings for me, after I gave her the information. Karenne is a wonderful person, and a good friend. All the people at Coffee Time Romance are a nice group of people.

2) Skeletons Too Close to Home is the first of a trilogy. How are these books linked--plot, characters, location?

Skeletons is not really part of a trilogy. I do have an outline written up for a possible continuation to further the story but haven’t written it into a book as of yet. The other two mysteries with Wings, just happen to fall in after this one.

3) You write with one of your daughters. How did that come about?

Suzanne had written a short story into play form when she was in high school. She loves to write, also. She knew that I enjoyed writing longer works and asked could I help make it into a novel. I took what she had written and it all began from there. I have two other daughters that enjoy writing, too. It was something that we all did in our spare time. I would like to spend more time writing with Suzanne, but she hardly has free time with raising two boys and caring for a dear aunt.

4) Is it difficult to have a writing partner?

No, I like having a writing partner because if one person’s brain suddenly goes numb, it leaves the other one ready to fill in the blanks. And when it comes to my girl’s, I have always enjoyed sharing times with them. They make my life wonderful each and everyday.

5) Does living in GA give a special flavor to your books? Are you a native?

I can’t say living in GA gives a special flavor to the books. I love to travel and visit other places when I come up with my story lines. Then again I set my background sometimes on places in Savannah, GA that I have visited or the nearby states. Actually I was born in Ft. Rucker, AL, but with daddy being in the military, our longest stay anywhere was in GA. I do tell people that is my home. I met my beloved late husband in Ft. Benning, GA, when he left Ohio to get away from the cold. We more or less made our home there since the early seventies. Even when we had to travel with the military, we always came back to Georgia.

6) Skeletons In The Closet: a romantic suspense or straight mystery?

I would have to say a cozy mystery. That is why I did an outline for a sequel, so the two characters could make a second part more interesting in their relationship with some unsuspecting twists. Of course I can’t really say it would be a sequel unless I approached the editor and got an okay to write it.

7) Your family sounds very supportive. Do any of them give you critiques?

Oh yes, Suzanne and Marvetta are usually very good at giving me critiques. I can ask Lisa and she will say, ‘I don’t know mother, you make the decision. You always do well.’ They have been very helpful in my writing career.

8) How does writing fit into the rest of your life?

Writing is my whole life. Thoughts pour into my head from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night. Sometimes I feel like a plant that needs water to live; if I didn’t have my writing I think I’d go nuts. It is like survival to me, a lifeline, within my heart and soul.

9) What is your favorite genre to read in?

My favorite genre is a toss up between western, historical romance, with all the cowboys and fair women of the west, and contemporary. It is hard to decide which.

10) Tell us two books in your to be read pile and two on your keeper shelf--and why.

Two books in my two read pile would be any books written by Carolyn Brown, since she does contemporary and historical romances. Her stories are heartfelt and take you in the center of it all. And any western by Kent Conwell. He has a way with words that take you directly into the story, either making you laugh or holding to the edge of your seat action.

On my keeper shelf would be any book by Louis L’amour who does westerns. Even though I haven’t had the chance to read all of his books, I have enjoyed the ones that I have read, not to mention the ones they have captured in movies. The other would be any book by Stephen King. I have almost every one of his books. He is the master of scary when it comes to books. His books are a keeper to me if I wish to be scared.