Interview Linda Rettstatt

by

Hazel Statham

1) Hello, Linda! Allow me to congratulate you on Pieces, your January release with Wings ePress. First, would you like to tell us something about your life as a writer?

Thanks, Hazel. I’ve had an interest in writing since childhood. I worked for my small hometown newspaper in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where I was ‘allowed’ to write reviews of local theatre productions. I wrote one feature story that garnered a by line. But it took me years to find the confidence to try my hand at a novel.

I began to write seriously about five years ago. Now, I could no more stop writing, than I could cease to breathe. Even though I work full-time as a social worker, I make some time to write every day. My first novel, And The Truth Will Set You Free, was published by Wings ePress in July, 2007. I will admit that I had no clue what I was doing when I wrote it. I’m a pantser and, so,I just wrote.

2) Can you give us a brief synopsis of Pieces and tell us what inspired the story.

Pieces is about a young woman, Claire Vanderfelt Hutchings, who seeks counseling when she is troubled be a recurring nightmare. As she explores the images in the nightmare, she is forced to question her life and finds that some of the pieces don’t fit--hence, the title. The exploration of her past and her childhood helps her to understand the nightmare and introduces her to a handsome British school teacher, Leland Rowan. You’ll have to read Pieces to see just how that works out.

3) May I also congratulate you on being a 2008 EPPIE finalist with your July, 2007 release And The Truth Will Set You Free. How did you feel when you knew you were short-listed for the award?

I was stunned. Still am. I keep going to the EPIC website and checking the list to see if they’ve realized their mistake. But my name’s still there. It’s quite an honor to final in the company of such fine authors from a variety of publishing groups.

4) What is your current work-in-progress? Can you share any of the story-line with us?

I have two recently completed works I’m editing and rewriting--Shooting Into the Sun and Renting To Own. I started a new novel while vacationing in Maine in October. (I don’t think writers ever truly vacation.) The working title is Act of Contrition. It’s about a woman whose husband and son are killed in a car accident. She survives and returns to her childhood home in Camden, where she has to come to terms with the guilt she carries about the loss of her family, and deal with the way she’d left things fourteen years earlier with the man to whom she’d been engaged, but left before their marriage. Basically, it’s about self-forgiveness.

5) What prompted you to write your first novel and how many have you written?

I was working as a therapist for a non-profit organization in Mississippi. I’d told the receptionist in conversation one day that I’d always wanted to write a book. One afternoon when I’d had several cancellations, I sat in her office and complained of having nothing to do. She suggested I, ‘go and write that book you keep talking about.’ So, I did. I started with the title and worked from there. I finished the first draft in three months. It was like shaking a bottle of champagne and popping the cork. I haven’t stopped writing since. I have eight books completed, with a third, The Year I Lost My Mind, coming out with Wings in May, 2008.

6) Do you find writing easy or is it something you have to work at.

I find writing very easy. Now, editing and rewriting after my critique group is finished with my work--that’s another story. Bless their hearts, I couldn’t do this without them. I’m trying to become a little more disciplined about laying the groundwork by creating character profiles and a brief working synopsis or outline to keep me on track as I write. But I like the element of surprise and let my characters lead me through their stories.

7) Do you have any other creative talents?

Well, I don’t know how ‘talented’ I am at these, but I do nature photography, and I’ve worked as a semi-professional folk guitarist in the past. I love to dabble in almost any form of art.

8) Does writing run in your family?

Not really. I did have one uncle who wrote poetry and self-published. My family is very supportive, though.

9) Do you have any hobbies or interests that you pursue in your spare time?

I like to travel when I have time and funds allow. And I enjoy playing slot machines for a little mindless entertainment now and then.

10) With all your commitments, do you have any spare time?

I do have spare time. It’s important to have down time, time to play and enjoy your friends. I refuse to become a workaholic. I don’t count writing as ‘work’ because it’s just too darned much fun.

11) What is your ideal vacation?

The next one! I’ve been on one Alaskan cruise and loved it. My last trip in October was a drive through New England, up to Camden, Maine. I just enjoy seeing places I’ve not yet seen and meeting interesting people. We have a great country. My next planned trip is to Mackinac Island, Michigan.

12) Does it include several books to read, if so, what kind of books would you take on your trip?

I recently purchased an ebook reader and found this to be a great travel companion. I mostly read women’s fiction, some light romance, romantic suspense, an occasional mystery. I chose not to take my laptop along on my last trip. Consequently, I filled three legal pads with scribble and wrote four chapters for my current work in progress, then had to try to read my handwriting and type it when I returned home.

13) Who are your favourite authors?

Elizabeth Berg, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Janet Evanovich, Kris Radish. I enjoy the work of some of the Wings authors in my critique group--Carol McPhee and Lynn Romaine.

14) Do you have any dreams yet to achieve.

Yes--to get an agent, to make the New York Times bestseller list, and to have at least one of my books made into a movie.

15) Is there something that you would really love to do, but haven’t yet found the time?

I would love to travel to Italy, Ireland, England and France. But that’s not so much a matter of time, as a matter of money. Hence, the need for that New York Times bestseller.

16) Do you have any message that you would like to pass on to your readers?

First of all, thank you for honoring my work by reading it. I love it when readers visit my website and leave a message or send an email. So, stop by at:

http://www.geocities.com/lindarettstatt

and share your thoughts.

Thank you, Linda. It has been a pleasure talking to you today. I wish you well with all your current and upcoming projects.

Thanks so much, Hazel. My pleasure.