Linda Glaz is one of those people in publishing who you can really count on. Looking for an honest opinion? Ask Linda. Need some advice? She won’t steer you wrong? Curious about her writing process? You’re in luck! I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Linda to find out how she writes. Here’s what it looks like to be in front of Linda’s keyboard:

Hi, and thanks for your willingness to appear on my blog! I’m looking forward to sharing your knowledge and advice with the rest of the world (at least with the small portion of it that follows my blog). What genre do you write? How did you pick it?
I LOVE suspense. But I’ve written both suspense and historic romance. However, if you’ve read my historic books, I’m sure you’ll recognize that they always have a bit of suspense in them, as well. I just can’t resist!

What are your favorite genres to read? Why?
Obviously, I love to read suspense. Give me some Dekker, James, Brandilynn Collins, or Mary Higgins Clark, and I’m in heaven. Sort of strange to say heaven when talking about serial killers, but it’s true. I love for an author to scare me. And if you can keep me guessing right to the end—woohoo! I also love great historic romance. If it pulls me in when its details are so accurate, I feel as if I’m living in the time period.

How long did it take you complete your first manuscript (published or not)?
The first novella was over a weekend. Then a week to edit after critters comments, and off to the publisher. They took it. But that isn’t normal. My very first book is being released in Dec. 2017, and I started it in 1992. Yes, I did. So that one took me almost twenty-five years. My first published novel took about six months and then some editing. It’s different for everyone. But I sit and write the entire story and then hit the editing: adding senses, strong dialogue, solid settings, extraneous details, etc.

Have your follow-up novels been easier or harder to write? Why do you think that is?
Oh, easier. Once you know you can actually do it, you don’t panic when the middle starts to sag. LOL

What’s surprised you the most about the book-publishing process?
How easily those nasty editors slash and burn your baby. Seriously, how much editors are needed. All of us, editors included, need other eyes on their own projects.

What’s been the most challenging part of getting a book published?
Thinking I knew everything from 1992 to 2003. It kept me from learning and moving forward. Once I realized I didn’t know a doggone thing, I actually started to learn and progress.

What’s your favorite part of the publishing experience?
Probably the same as most folks. Seeing that baby in print. Oh, yeah!

For learning the writing craft, which do you prefer – books or conferences? Why?
Conferences and classes. The ability to interact with others. But I have to say, critique partners are the real way to “get into it.” Reading, reading, and more reading helps so much. Reading in the genre that you want to write. You’ll find yourself picking at things when they aren’t right, and that’s a good thing. Great way to learn.

If you could recommend one writing conference, what would it be? Why? (If you haven’t attended one, which one would you like to attend? Why?)
There are so many that have intimate and wonderful networking possibilities. Maranatha, Montrose, Taylor University. I could go on and on. I love the smaller conferences because of the close-knit communities. And there are so many that really pull in top-notch talent to teach and present.

If you could recommend one writing book, what would it be? Why?
Again, I don’t have one. This list would go on and on. Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method is great. Gail Gaymer Martin’s Writing the Romance Novel. There are plenty of awesome books on the topic. Attending conferences helps because the presenters generally have books they sell on the topic.

If you could pick any of your novels to be made into a movie, which one would you pick? Who would you want to play the lead roles, and why?
Oh, my goodness. Probably this year’s release. For the intensity of the characters. But I wouldn’t dream of picking actors or actresses to fill the roles. I’m a writer, and I’ll be honest, I’d do a poor job of filling a casting director’s shoes. Just as they’d do a poor job of writing.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
For writers who think they’re doing their best but aren’t getting published: take all the classes you can, attend conferences, work with critique partners, and never give up. If you’re truly called to write, you won’t be able to quit.

PERSEVERANCE pays in the end.

Thank you so much for appearing on my blog! Have a blessed day!
Thanks for having me!

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You can connect with Linda online at
http://lindaglaz.com/
https://www.facebook.com/linda.glaz
http://hartlineagency.com/