Joshua P. Warren (aka the Wishing Machine guy) interviewed me for his radio show, “Talk About Strange”, last night, and I had a marvelous time. (The episode will air on Valentine’s Day, in the evening, and the best way to find it is probably to go to talkaboutstrange.com.) My segment is in hour two. As always happens with any new experience–I’ve done many radio shows and a few podcasts over the years, but never this one–I learned something. Turns out there was a man in North Carolina, which happens to be the Lael family stomping grounds, named Ralph Lael. He was quite a character, as you’ll see if you Google him. According to a distant cousin, Phil, anybody with that name is kinfolk. I’d love to know more about the connection if any of you geneology-type Laels are reading this. 
And while I’m not sure I qualify as “strange”, at least when it comes to the paranormal, good old Ralph definitely meets all the criteria.
Now, for the Q and A, which I planned to post yesterday and never did because I was working on the manuscript for my next book, “The Marriage Season,” headed your way this June. I couldn’t answer all the question and, of course, there were a few duplicates. Anyway, here goes:
Is “First Frost” by Sarah Addison Allen?
Yes. I’ve read several of her books and loved them.
You have mentioned ADD several times. Have you had it all your life and what do you do to control it?
I wasn’t diagnosed until recently but, yes, I’m sure I’ve had it all my life. I remember getting in trouble for daydreaming in school, and concentration can sometimes be a real challenge for me. I took a medication for a while, but it really didn’t help–in fact, it made things worse in some ways–so my doctor and I had a chat and I went off the stuff. Mostly, I simply cope as best I can–I meditate, pray, exercise, etc. I just decided to let it be part of my charm.
Have you always ridden horses and had pets? Yes. I used to ride with my cowboy dad when I was only two years old and on the Wiley ranch, too. There have been dogs and cats in my life, too, all along.
What are your upcoming books? “The Marriage Season” will appear in June, and “Christmas in Mustang Creek” comes out in October.
How do you choose the names of your characters, and do you visualize real people when you describe them in your books? Excellent question! I use baby name books and search online, but mostly, I get them from my cousin, Mary Ann. She’s a wiz at coming up with good names. As for visualizing real people, I often base a character’s looks on an actor or actress but they soon evolve into a unique individual.
Do you plan on any more McKettrick or Creed books? Not at the moment; I’m creating new families–the Coventrys, for instance, will populate the next trilogy, “The Grooms of Bliss County”. However, I never say never–if I get a great idea that calls for McKettricks and/or Creeds, you can bet I’ll write about them.
Do you ever read any western romances or historical romances? Not very often, although there are certainly some great ones out there. Since I write those kinds of books, I’m looking for something different when I read or listen.
And that’s the news for today, my friends. Have an amazing weekend!
Comment
Great blog today. Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy.
Tammy
Comment
Thank you for answering so many questions. Where can I learn morning about the wishing machine.
Comment
You can check out the machine at
http://www.wishingmachineproject.com
Comment
Love all your answers and I plan on checking out your podcast interview.
Comment
Great blog post Linda. And very kind of you to answer the questions you’re asked.Knowing how busy you are. I love those wonderful McKettricks. . Look forward to reading the newest series. Happy Valentine.’s Day.
Carol L
Comment
Thanks, Linda, always interesting. Have a great weekend too. Blessings.
Comment
I know what you mean about making ADD a part of your charm. I have a very minor case of a much less disturbing distraction. Diagnosed by me in the early 1990s after I had retired. I have a slight amount of Disnumeria (numbers do not stay put for me, I can recite a number, write another number down, and read back the original number). It makes reconciling check books, filling in income tax form, and so on very iffy. But I am lucky, because it is a very weak form. I’m sure I’ve had it since third grade, when arithmetic began to be a major study. I always knew that my numbers didn’t work like everyone else’s (Why wasn’t it diagnosed in school? Because in the 1930s they didn’t know about dislexia, let alone disnumeria!).
To make this more interesting, I was a successful copy editor for a major textbook firm, and most of the time I work on arithmetic books! And I do genealogy as a serious hobby — all those dates! I manage to get them right, but it’s more work for me than for other genealogists.
Again, I’m lucky. Disnumeria is limited to the activities involving numbers, ADD is around all day. Also my problem is very mild. It’s nice to know why I was different throughout grade school and to understand why I must rely on the work arounds. And today my husband does the check books and the taxes (and there is software to help!).
Thank you for sharing.
Comment
People have asked great questions, thanks for sharing with us.
Comment
Fun to read your blog as always. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Comment
I always enjoy your blog.
Comment
I really enjoyed your answers, I love this blog.
Comment
I pray you have a good and Godly weekend.
Comment
Thank you, Linda, for answering my questions in the last Blog.
Comment
Even with ADD you have accomplished many good things in your life. You are a wonderful author & a lover of animals. Keep writing!!
Comment
Once again a wonderful “read”. it really is neat learning more about my favorite author of all times. Gosh I can hardly wait to get your new books. Just maybe one day I’ll see my name as one of the weekly winners too. One never knows LOL. have a wonderful week end.
Comment
Looking forward to our next adventure, I’m laid up after some quick life saving heart surgery and I’m got a lot of free time to get lost in another one
Comment
I love your Q and A. I am excited to hear about the grooms of bliss county!
Comment
I received my book today. Thank you very much.
Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day.
Comment
I love your answer sessions. Other people have asked questions I’ve often thought about. If you write another McKettrick – how about Katie. She’s been mentioned as the first to keep the McK name. She must have been a woman before her time!
Comment
Happy Valentines Day Linda.
Comment
What a read today! I really enjoyed it!!
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Comment
Thanks for answering our questions.
Comment
Linda, thank you for your answers. While I was really hoping for a follow up book on the Creeds it doesn’t sound like you are shutting the door on the idea.
Stay healthy and happy!
Comment
Happy Valentine`s Day
Comment
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Comment
I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well Linda and Happy Valentines Day!! Love learning more about you and your fabulous books!!