Someone asked if I’d read the book, THE KILLER ANGELS. The answer is: YES. In fact, my good friend, actor/artist Buck Taylor, appeared in the movie, GETTYSBURG, which was based on Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer prize winning novel. I’m heading back to my favorite town in Pennsylvania to attend the re-enactment of the famous battle, which took place on July 1, 2, and 3, of 1863. I have costumes and there will be pictures and videos. 
I’ve been writing and writing, and loving the process. Yesterday, my keyboard went haywire, and I was so frustrated (even though I’d done the damage myself, by spilling something on the keys), because I wanted to keep writing. Super Jen picked up a replacement, but it was too small. Nevertheless, I wrote my current quota of 10 pages, but this morning, I remembered my art computer down in the basement, and asked Kat to attach the keyboard to my Mac. Voila! It worked, and I wrote another 10 pages.
My eyes are pretty tired by the end of the day, so I listen to audiobooks instead of reading. I just finished a second book by Jonathan Franzen, FREEDOM, and am now listening to DISPATCHES FROM PLUTO, by Richard Grant. This is a memoir, my favorite kind of book, except for Civil War histories, and it’s a real education. Grant, a British journalist, moved from New York to the state of Mississippi, and the book is a fascinating account of his experiences there. The level of poverty in that part of the country is heartbreaking, worse in some ways than parts of West Virginia.
It’s dark now, and the dogs are outside, barking at something through the back fence. I’d better go and make sure they’re not challenging a pack of coyotes.
Send me questions, and I’ll do a Q&A blog.
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I can’t think of a question, so I’ll ask…Are you doing well?
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Stay warm & God Bless
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Keep writing!
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I just love these chats. I was just sitting here watching hockey with my hubby, also reading and the ping came through. Just got a warm fuzzy feeling that I got a message from a friend. And although never met that’s what it feels like. That we are all catching up and the world doesn’t seem so large. Monika from Canada
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Those keyboards don’t like it much when you spill something on them. Keep writing because I can’t wait to read this book.
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Just picked up my first book on disc yesterday. The audio books I got before on cassettes. The Aristocrat, Fire & Ice, The Main Attraction and of course Ragged Rainbows. Got my discs for under $15 so thought it was a deal. Its the first 2 books in “The Royals of Cordina.” Still won’t pay more for them than I would my hardback books most likely less. Would REALLY have to want the book on audio or something else bad to pay that much. Although for the blind, etc its great. Although having a good voice and reader is essential. The males and females that do this is great.
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What is your favorite book that you have ever wrote?
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My husband and I visited Gettysburg this past December 19th. Boy, what an eye opening education I received that day. We paid to have the personal guided tour. Our tour guide has been doing these tours some fifty years. He gave us all kinds of little known facts and tid-bits about the three days of battles. Some of the information was asked in the form of questions to see how much the two of us knew about the war. My tour map of the site is covered in notes for his lecture. I tried to write down as much as I could so I would have a great reference piece for my own use when I write about this experience. I guess the most eye opening experience was standing on Little Round Top. I got to imagine the third day battle. The Confederate Soldiers would have been marching across the open corn fields shoulder to shoulder. It is no wonder there were so many soldiers killed. I’m from Ohio and I have a 2Xs great-grandfather who fought in the Civil War just not at Gettysburg. I was shocked to learn the soldiers from Ohio were considered inadequate and inferior soldiers. They had a brilliant general in charge of the troops. But, the officers underneath him were lacking in communication skills with their troops because a lot of them spoke German. Let me know your take on the three days of battles.
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It’s been awhile since you wrote any McKettrick books. Have you ever considered writing about Katie? She mentioned in some as the original bride to keep the McKettrick name and that her husband was in politics. That’s about all you’ve told about her.
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I have been to Gettysburg. I have been to the Saratoga Battlefield. My mom’s family lived very close by. The town they lived in was Schuylerville. It was named after General Philip Schuyler. I wondered was there any other time you would like to write about.
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It is sad how much poverty is in the deep south. I just read an article about how Mississippi is the poorest state in our Nation, one that seems to have abundance in many states. Yet, families are still suffering. Let’s hope that some of the policies the new administration is putting in will actually help people, so many in dire need of just the basics to live.
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Linda, maybe on this trip to Gettysburg you can get to see the phantom Army. Understand they just ride across the battlefield and then disappear. So many ghost stories about that area.
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Love the stories about your industrious progress and research. Can hardly wait for your next books.
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Can’t wait to read North Of Eden with all of this great research that you are doing. just keep on writing, you haven’t written a book yet, that I didn’t like and I have read all of your books.
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so a typical day schedule would be??
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I’ve always wondered how you name characters? Many are names which are quite different. Do you make them up? Find them in historical documents? Combine parts of names to come up with others?
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I’ve always wanted to attend an historical reenactment! They hold one at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX, and when I finally managed to find time to go, they were renovating. Hopefully one day I will get to see a reenactment too. I hope you have fun at the one you are attending. Sounds like it will be a blast (…because cannons and guns will be going off…see what I did there? HA!).
As for my question for your Q & A, I want to know the following:
1) I am an aspiring novelist, and I know that it takes time to get your first work published and get your foot in the door. How did you do it? Did you work a job until you got rolling in your writing career?
2) I am in college and it is hard to find time to write when I am inspired. However, when I do have time, I never seem to be inspired. Is there something specific you do to get inspiration when you need it?
3) What is your favorite book out of all of the books you have written?
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Question: Have any of your books been made into movies?
by: Jan Hurt – Spokane Valley
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I just picked up a copy of “Hero of Hacksaw Ridge” by Booton Herndon. I like reading the book before seeing the movie, so now I am anxious to see the movie based on the book. Have you read this one? Or seen the movie?
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Question: When and where will do you another book signing in Spokane?
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The killer angels one of my favorite books
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The killer angels one of my favorite books too
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Have fun in Gettysburg.
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I’ve always wanted to record a book. I think that would be fun.
I am attempting to write my first book. When I finish it, may I send you a copy to edit it for me and make suggestions before I send it to a publisher? Also can you recommend any literary agents that would take on a new client?
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Question: I am trying to find your book Shotgun Bride, I have the first two books in the series, but cannot find the third in the series in mass pocket book. Chapters here in Canada does not have it, also I tried Barnes & Noble in the US. Chapters says mass pocket is sold out. Will this book be re-released any time soon!
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I’ve always wanted to record a book. I think that would be fun.
Confederate battles are reenacted here in TN. I haven’t been to watch one yet. Maybe I will make it this year.
I am attempting to write my first book. When I finish it, may I send you a copy to edit it for me and make suggestions before I send it to a publisher? Also can you recommend any literary agents that would take on a new client?
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Mother of invention and all that, nice going to solve your keyboard issue, I am always amazed by your book prolifersy (New word)
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Who or where do you find the books you read or listen to? To me it is an interesting variety of books. Thanks.
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Were the dogs barking at coyotes or at a moose?
We babysit a friend’s dog when they go out of town. I think Shiloh barks not only at every dog within a mile, but at every cat that walks by and at every leaf that moves.
Blessings,
Lorelei
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Major Question! When are you coming to Oklahoma? We love you, too!
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Kind of chuckled at the thought of your canines taking on a pack of coyotes. We didn’t have that problem here in Prince Edward Island until a few years ago when the apparently came over from the mainland on the winter ice in Northumberland Strait. Big challenge with my YorkiePoo (or Pookie) is foxes which have moved into town because of the coyotes.