Today we are chatting with Linda Mansfield the author of Stories for the 12 Days of Christmas.
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Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I was one of the first female motorsports journalists EVER!
What novels affected you the most growing up?
Black Beauty, Nancy Drew, Heidi
Where did the idea for your current book come from?
While visiting a popular mall over the Christmas shopping season, I encountered several women vying for parking spaces who definitely needed a “time out.” They weren't handling the stress of Christmas well at all. I wrote a baker's dozen of fictional short stories set at Christmas to provide both men and women with 13 short breaks over the holidays. A novel requires a definite time commitment, but these short stories are quick reads. Besides some stress relief, it is my hope that they'll help readers get into the Christmas spirit, remind them of the real reason for the season, and become a part of their Christmas traditions.
Do you think there’s any way you could ever run out of ideas for books?
It doesn't look like it!
What is your routine for writing and has this method changed over the span of your career?
I write magazine and newspaper articles for a living, but my fiction writing is very different because instead of trying my best to be as accurate as possible, I can let myself go when writing fiction. I seem to need deadlines, so I give myself ones in the fiction work too. I often have to write in relatively noisy press rooms for work, but for my fiction I write at my desk at home, in coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, etc. I also joined a writing cooperative that has proven helpful for advice and encouragement, since writing is such a solitary pursuit.
How important is marketing and social media for you?
They're extremely important. I spend a great deal of time reading about trends in both areas, as well as conducting my own efforts. It's addictive!
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write! It's impossible to edit anything that's still in your head.
What are you reading now?
I'm reading a romance as well as a book on Luke that was assigned to my Bible study group that ended last week. I'm a little behind! My “to be read” bookshelves are overflowing, and there is plenty to keep me busy electronically too.
What’s your next step?
I'm not sure how to answer that because I don't know if you're referring to my book, my marketing program, or my writing. I'll answer with the latter. I'm writing three sequels to “Stories for the 12 Days of Christmas” that will continue the stories of the characters in the first book in the spring, summer and fall. They're all stand-alone books, but I'm calling it the “Two Good Feet” series. The next three books are entitled “Twelve Stories for Spring,” “Twelve Stories for Summer” and “Twelve Stories for Fall.” I'm a little more than half finished with the rough draft of all three books. I hope to publish them in 2017.
Stories for the 12 Days of Christmas is available on Amazon here
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://yourbookpromoter.com
