Today I am speaking with Linda Madl.

Hi Linda! And welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is great to have you with us today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to answer questions for us. The readers would love to hear something about Linda Madl.

Why not begin by telling us about your great books and upcoming projects?

My most recent release is SPEAK OF LOVE, a Scottish historical that was originally released from Pocket Books about 10 years ago, but a good story of love is timeless. This books is one of my favorites because it is set in the beautiful, mist shrouded, western islands of Scotland. The tale has to do with the Lords of the Isles who were quite a distinct group of highlanders in the 1600s, men of the sea, as well as the land. They were courageous and rather independent. Brec is the hero, possibly a murderer of his brother, according to rumor. The heroine is Honora, a lowlander, who might as well be a foreigner on the Isle of Myst. As they each struggle to find their place on the Isle, Honora, the mistress of the castle, and Brec, the new leader of his clan, they also struggle to find their love for each other. I couldn’t resist telling some of the legends and folk tales of the isles, too. I think historical readers will enjoy this one.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing forever—well, at least since the 5th grade when I started my first diary and wrote a short story. My first book, SWEET RANSOM, came out in 1989 from Pocket Books. Between the 5th grade and my first book, I wrote trade journal articles, press releases, catalogue copy, and engineering project profiles. But fiction is my first love.

Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?

I get inspiration from people, events, or situations that intrigue me. I find intriguing things on TV, like the Antiques Road Show, the History Channel, newspapers, and in other places like museums and history and picture books. One small thing can start me to thinking, “what if.”

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

Sometimes it doesn’t take long for a character or a story to develop, but sometimes it takes more time. I’ve learned to be patient and not rush the stories or characters. They must grow at their own pace. Occasionally I get scenes first then the characters begin to reveal themselves. Other times the characters come first and then the scenes. I try not to tie the scenes down to a timeline until I can see the shape of the story.

Most people only dream of becoming a successful writer. Now that you have accomplished that, is there anything else you dream of doing?

Besides continuing to be a good wife, mother, and daughter, there really isn’t anything I long to achieve besides being a good story teller. I’m pleased to be part of an old and time-honored vocation. I find writing pretty all-consuming, and I’m satisfied with that. I love knowing I’ve entertained a reader.

Was there any one person or event in your life that finally inspired you to sit down and write your first book?

Years ago while I was working at that catalogue copy writing job I mentioned earlier, I took an adult education creative writing class. The teacher of that class, an award winning novelist herself whose credentials awed me, gave me the courage to do what I’d been secretly longing to do, write a book. She gave me the daring and the know-how to get it started (that was SWEET RANSOM). I’ll be forever grateful to her, though I know I won’t ever be as wonderful a lyrical writer as she is.

How would you pen the perfect man?

Only one perfect man? Sometimes I think lists are as telling as narrative or description. Below are the important aspects of the perfect man according to me:

Looks: Not necessarily handsome, but interesting, an unforgettable face. (Personally, I’m fond of brown eyes.)Broad shoulders are always good.

Temperament: Passionate, but doesn’t wear it on his sleeve. Strong spirit, a fighter, but not a starter of fights, positive outlook, good sense of humor, respectful of others and expects respect in return.

Character: Honest, courageous, fair, protective and loyal to family and friends, to those deserving of his allegiance, and is also one who inspires allegiance.

Intellect: Curious, strategic, discerning, even wily under some circumstances, appreciative of civilizations accomplishments, not particularly inclined to be superstitious. Nobody’s fool.

Heart: Has lots of it, compassionate, tender, and loving (sometimes in spite of himself).
Obviously I’m not fond of bad boys; rebellious is okay, but not really bad.

Do you have a favorite movie that you could watch over and over again?

Only one movie? I’ll give you three.
The Thomas Crown Affair, Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo for when I want something steamy.

Practical Magic, Aidan Quinn, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock for when I want something with whimsy.

Lady Hawk, Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer for when I want something adventurous and romantic.

Do you have one author who really stands out to you?

Only one author? I gave you three movies—I’ll give you three authors.

Daphne du Mauier for REBECCA and the KING’S GENERAL

Amanda Quick for SURRENDER

Philippa Gregory for THE WIDEACRE BOOKS

But I confess to have many other favorites on my bookshelves, old favorites I go back to as well as new books in my to-be-read stack.

After all, I’m a reader, just like my readers.

Do you outline your stories or do you just write as you go?

I do both. Once I have the characters, some scenes in mind, and at least a vague shape outlined for the story, I begin to write, filling in story as I go. It’s the discovery part of the writing that keeps the work fascinating and moving ahead with momentum. There are always undiscovered surprises along the way.

Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?

Fortunately my characters don’t haunt my dreams, but they do become pretty real. I find myself writing and talking about them as if they are relatives. When that happens, it’s a good sign that I know them well enough to write about them honestly. At the end of a book, it can be wrenching to let them go—it’s like saying farewell to good friends.

It’s for that reason I believe authors write sequels—not just because readers ask for more, but because we hate to give up our beloved characters and want to know what happens as their lives go on. I know that’s what kept me writing about the St. Johns and the Derringtons in A WHISPER OF VIOLENTS, THE SCOTSMAN’S LADY, THE SCOTSMAN’S BRIDE, and Tony Derrington’s story in ONE NIGHT WITH A ROGUE.

Have you ever written a screenplay?

Yes, when I was in the 7th grade I wrote a TV script. It was a western. At a slumber party, my friends and I acted it out between fits of giggles. I don’t expect it’ll ever be produced, but we had a lot of fun with it.

For Fun: What is your favorite place to travel?

No kidding—I love Scotland which I’ve visited twice and the Isle of Skye which we visited when I was writing SPEAK OF LOVE (and I hope to visit again). It’s such a land of contrasts, of soft green hills and glowing rainbows, yet there are the soaring monolithic mountain, the deep choppy waters of the lochs, and sheer cliffs dropping to the sea. The folklore is whimsical and frightening, full of brownies, giants, mermaids, and evil omens. The people are friendly if the sheep a bit antagonistic and teatime with scones is lovely. Though driving on the one-lane roads can test the nerves, if you haven’t been to Scotland, you must go.

Linda, I love the opening page to your website, it lends a warm welcome to readers and the covers to the books are spectacular. Do you have a website other than http://www.lindamadl.com that you would like to share with your readers?

I confess that I visit the best-seller sites quite a bit. Like I said, I’m a reader and I’m as interested as you in what is coming out that I might find of interest.

Thanks you for offering me the opportunity to tell you about my work. I love to communicate with readers. I hope many of you will stop by my site and/or look for my books which are available online and in some bookstores. I wish all of you good reading!

Thank you so much for sharing time with us today, Linda. Anyone interested in reading more about Linda and her marvelous books, please visit her website to read more about her great works. It has been a pleasure Linda, and I wish you the best with your writing.

Interviewed by: Linda L