Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Linda Ballard

Interview with Linda Ballard:

Hi Linda. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

Dreams of Forever is first of six in the Forever Series. It is the story of movie star Daniel Hunter, who falls in love with his director, Rachel West while filming on location in Northern California. In the first installment Daniel struggles with the notion that he just may be in love for the first time in his life. The 6’5” hunk has been adored by his fans, and can have any women he wants, but he’s never met anyone like Rachel. From their very first meeting he feels the grip of destiny. He is certainly not alone, Rachel is well aware she is dealing with one of the most desired and sought after men in the world, but from the very first glance, she sees more than just his handsome face and muscular body. She seems to know that behind his beautiful blue eyes there is a gentle soul that captivates her heart.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

Dreams of Forever will be available March 17, 2007 at LavenderIsis.com. Also, I can be contacted through my website address at lindaballard.homestead.com/ and more info information is available on my myspace page: myspace.com/forever_by_linda_ballard.

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

Fans have been so supportive, and I am really enjoying the interaction. Their enthusiasm rubs off on me.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

I’m a romantic at heart, and I love the whole process of falling in love. In real life we struggle with our hearts. The uncertainty and fear of when you first fall in love consumes you, unrequited love and the exquisite pain it produces, and the absolute joy when you discover that the man you pined over loves you just as much in return. However, in fiction, that fascinating process can be enhanced into levels of passion the average reader will never completely experienced in life. It a fantasy of love, but based enough in reality that we can share the process and root for the lovers.

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

While I am writing I don’t realize how much of “me” or my life experience is being infused into the manuscript until I read back over it. Though I have a unique perspective on Hollywood through my own personal experience, I end up asking myself how I would feel under the circumstances I have created. Every question is basically answered by my own heart in a very human way.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I have been telling stories all my life, but dyslexia prevented me from realizing those stories on paper. It took years and my first computer before I was able to express my thoughts in an organized fashion. Unfortunately, it does take me twice as long to compose even to this day. Yet, the dream and my own determination to write was always there, even in childhood.

- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

I am the most creative in the morning, so I am up about four. I will write five or six hours before I will take a break. Then I will come back later in the day to reread what I worked on earlier. As the manuscript expanses, I jump from scene to scene, editing, rewriting, deleting until I get it right.

- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

I don’t think my mind ever really shuts down. I seemed to always be living a duel existence. I may be lying on the beach, but in my head I am plotting out the next scene. Sometimes I feel like I live to work, I really love what I do.

- Where do your ideas come from?

They can come from anywhere. I’ll hear something on the news, or in a conversation with a friend. There doesn’t seem to be any rhythm or reason for the idea, but once it appears, I will build a whole story around it.

- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?

I think humor is important in life in general, so it should have a place in fiction. A great romance has to have laughter as well as love. Fiction should touch all the emotions. I want the reader to cry with me, share the passion, and certainly to laugh as well during the ongoing struggles to unite the lovers.

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

Sex in literature is wonderful as long as it makes sense. I don’t particularly care for sex out of the context of love. Or to throw in a sex scene at every lull in the story, I want it to mean something. For most women, we want to be romanced, really romanced by a man before we engage in intimacy. That’s what I want to give to the reader, the romance. As far as writing it, I look forward to the love scenes, like the reader, I want to know what happens too.

- Fill in the blank favorites -

Unfortunately, I am a chocolate freak! I love the Spring, especially in San Francisco.

I like strong men who know what they want, but not to be so completely comfortable in his own skin. Being honestly human is a complicated business, and it certainly isn’t black and white. It’s navigating the shades of gray and still succeeding that makes the hero interesting to me. For the heroine, strength is also important, but so is self-sufficiency. I don’t care for needy women, nor do I want the heroine to be tough. I like a woman to search, and to finally discover and be in touch with her own core of strength, in her personal life as well as professionally.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

I love long drives, quilting and I am a verifiable news junkie.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

I have four books in the works right now, but Dreams of Forever is the first to be published.

- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

The story, by far, is the most important. I am a very logical writer, there has to be a reason for everything. Even if the initial thought has to do with an interesting character, or place, the story rules.

- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest for you?

I don’t like the bad guys, and there always has to be, at least, one to create the conflict. Actors find it to be more interesting to play evil characters, believing there are somehow more complicated. However, being bad is easy in my opinion, you have no constraints on your evil quest. I find the struggle to do the right thing in life far more interesting. This is something we all live with, deal with on a daily basis, and so therefore, we identify with the struggle in an honest manner. Bad is simple, the quest to do the right thing is though.

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

I am always in control, but there comes a point when what you created seems to have a life of its own. The personality of your character becomes set, and once set, you’re going to have to do a lot of rewriting if you want to change it.

- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?

I keep writing no matter what, even if it is another project, but I write everyday. A lot of times, it’s the first blank page that stops you from writing, but this is a creative process. I tend to plot out a story completely in my head before I sit down to write. The details of the plot will certainly evolve as I am working, character development will cause you to alter more, even whole plotlines, so stay loose. I have changed, rewritten, removed scenes, then put them back, only to rip them out again on the journey. Just don’t give up.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Perfect your skills, and never give up. My first draft manuscript was pretty bad, but I continued to work on it until it became the book it is today. It takes a lot of determination, but that’s what it takes in life to succeed at anything. Don’t give up!

Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

Linda's WebSite Linda's MySpace Her Publisher, Lavender Isis Press